Niagara Falls: Canada’s Natural Wonder
The Niagara Falls is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is located both in Niagara Ontario and Niagara New York. This spectacular natural phenomenon is 17 miles north of Buffalo New York and 75 miles south of Toronto Ontario. The word ‘Niagara’ comes from the First Nations tribe that inhabited the area: the Niagagarega.
Niagara Falls History and Attractions
The Niagara Falls was formed during the last ice age (known as the Wisconsin Glaciation). This was 10,000 years ago. When the ice melted, water from the glaciations and the Great Lakes gradually found its way through the Niagara Escarpment, via the Niagara River and the Falls were formed. The water eventually found its way through to the Atlantic Ocean. More than 6 million cubic feet falls over the rocks every second, and Niagara Falls is the largest waterfall in North America.
Niagara Falls is not only a natural wonder and tourist attraction- it is also a major source of hydroelectric power. The first known source of power dates back to 1759 when Daniel Joncaire used a small portion to power his sawmill. By 1853 the Niagara Falls Hydraulic Power and Mining Company was formed. In 1881 the first hydro electric power station was built.
Tourists have been coming to the falls since the early 1800’s. The earliest record of tourists is from British author Fanny Trollope who wrote, ""We drenched ourselves in spray; we cut our feet on the rocks; we blistered our faces in the sun; we looked up the cataract and down the cataract; we perched ourselves on every pinnacle we could find; we dipped our fingers in the flood at a few yards distance from its thundering fall; in short, we strove to fill as many niches of memory with Niagara as possible."
Niagara Falls Hotels
Sheraton on the Falls Hotel & Conference Centre
5875 Falls Avenue
Niagara Falls, ON L2G 3K7
Canada
Phone: 905 374-4445
888 234-8410
Crowne Plaza Hotel Niagara Falls - Fallsview
5685 Falls Avenue
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6W7
Canada
Phone: 905 374-4447
800 263-7135
Hampton Inn by Hilton at the Falls
5591 Victoria Avenue
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 3L4
Canada
Phone: 905 357-1626
800 668-3535
Skyline Inn Niagara Falls
4800 Bender Street
Niagara Falls, ON L2G 3K1
Canada
Phone: 905 374-4444
800 263-7135
Days Inn at the Falls
443 Main Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14301
Canada
Phone: 716 284-8801
800 777-2280
Niagara Falls State Park Tourist Attractions
Niagara Falls Jumpers and Tight Rope Walkers
Early attractions included men who would fling themselves over the falls, much to the shock of onlookers. Tight ropers were also popular, they would set up their rope across the Niagara Gorge and stun onlookers as he walked back and forth on a rope, turned somersaults and on one occasion stopped in the middle of the rope, cooked an omlette and passed it down to tourists who were in a boat on the Niagara River!
Niagara Falls Casinos
Casino Niagara
casinoniagara.com - 5705 FALLS AVE, Niagara Falls, Ontario - (905) 374-3598
Fallsview Casino Resort
www.fallsviewcasinoresort.com - 6380 Fallsview Blvd., Niagara Falls - (888) 325-5788
Days Inn Niagara Falls
www.daysinncliftonhill.com - 5657 VICTORIA AVE, Niagara Falls, Ontario - (905) 356-2461
Baymont Inn and Suites Niagara Falls
www.niagarafallsbaymont.com - 5234 Ferry Street,, Niagara Falls - (905) 374-7771
Casino Niagara
5705 Falls Avenue, ON - (905) 358-0166
Scottish Inn Near the Falls and Casino
5265 Lorne St, Niagara Falls (Ontario), Ontario - (905) 371-3111
Winning Touch Casino Gaming School
4681 Queen Street, Niagara Falls - (905) 357-7333
Niagara Falls Boat Tour
The Maid of the Mist is the boat that takes tourists up close to the falls. Launched in 1864, its primary purpose was to be a ferry service going back and forth across the Niagara River. Today sightseeing tours on the Maid of the Mist go up and down the river giving tourists a complete view of the falls. Wear something waterproof, this is not a dry ride!
Niagara Falls Tourist Attractions
Today there is much more to do at Niagara Falls. There is a casino, Niagara wine tours, live theatre, an indoor water park, and Clifton Hill Playland, Niagara’s one and only funhouse. There is also fishing and excellent golf courses if the Falls aren’t your cup of tea. Niagara is a small city of 84,000 and offers many choices for restaurants and accommodations as well as an exciting nightlife for young and old alike.
For details on tours, packages, festivals and events go to: http://www.niagarafallstourism.com/events.html