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How to Visit Niagara Falls: Tips and Recommendations
What you need to know about Niagara Falls
THE Niagara Falls are a natural site that attracts millions of visitors every year. The town of Niagara Falls was built around it. The Niagara Falls area is a top tourist spot.
The natural site
They are formed by the Niagara River, which connects Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, two of the major lakes of Canada. The water flows over the edge of the falls and plunges into the Niagara Gorge below, creating a breathtaking spectacle. They measure approximately 950 meters wide and 60 meters high. More than 280,000 liters of water per second cascade down these falls.
Niagara Falls is currently made up of 3 falls, located in the southernmost part of the Niagara Gorge. These 3 falls are shared between the Canadian province of Ontario and the State of New York in the United States. Fer-à-Cheval Falls is located on the Canada side and owes its name to its horseshoe-shaped curve. At more than 792 meters, these are the largest and most impressive waterfalls in the region. On the American side, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are smaller, but no less majestic.
The Niagara Falls region
Besides the falls themselves, the Niagara region offers other attractions and activities. Several casinos, including Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara, are available for gaming and entertainment enthusiasts. The area is also known for its wineries, and visitors can enjoy tours and wine tastings in the neighboring Niagara-on-the-Lake region.
On the Canadian side, the promenade known as the "Niagara Parkway" is emblematic. If you take it by car, it offers you a breathtaking view of the falls.
Visiting Niagara Falls
Whether you are interested in thrilling adventures, panoramic views or simply the majesty of the falls, a visit to Niagara Falls is an unforgettable experience.
When to visit Niagara Falls?
The best time to visit the falls is August and September, but these are also the months when there are the most tourists.
More and more visitors do not hesitate to come during the cold season. Does Niagara Falls freeze in winter? It may seem like it, but in fact they only partially freeze. Winter, on the other hand, is the best season for taking a helicopter tour over the falls, due to the fewer number of tourists.
Viewing Niagara Falls
Exploring the falls is open every day of the year and is free. Every evening, the tower illuminates the three waterfalls with colors, don't miss this spectacle!
These can also be observed from different points of view. The most popular, at Table Rock Center, offers a close-up view of Horseshoe Falls. In the Journey Behind the Falls, visitors can travel through tunnels to reach viewing platforms behind the falls.
For an even more striking view, head to the boat. Excursions such as the Maid of the Mist or the Hornblower Niagara cruises take you to the base of the falls. Allowing them to experience the power and grandeur of cascading water up close. Helicopter tours are also available, offering a unique aerial perspective of the falls and surrounding area.
For an original experience, opt for dinner in the Revolving Restaurant at Skylon Tower. It has the particularity of rotating on itself, offering customers a 360° view of the surroundings. There is a continuous view of the falls and the play of lights during the night. There is also an Observation Deck in the Skylon Tower for those who just want to get a little height to see the falls.
How to get to Niagara Falls?
On the Canadian side, the closest airports are Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), and John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YMC). Small planes also fly from Toronto to the small Niagara District Airport, but not commercial flights. In the United States, the closest airport to Niagara Falls is Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF). However, you will need to have a valid passport to cross the border and access the falls.
The best route is to travel to Toronto and then take the GO Train from GO Transit to the town of Niagara Falls. Then, take the WEGO Transit Bus to several top destinations in and around the city. Public Niagara Regional Transit, Go Transit, Greyhound and Coach Canada buses also operate and can be used to come to and/or travel through Niagara Falls
If you go to Niagara Falls by car, allow 1h30 from Toronto, 4h from Kingston, 6h from Ottawa and 7h from Montreal.
To see around Niagara Falls
The region is a highly touristy and dynamic destination. There are many attractions, hotels, restaurants and many places to have fun.
The site was previously used for electricity production. The Canadian Niagara Power plant ceased operation after nearly a century of service, but the site is now open to the public.
The Dufferin Islands are a multitude of small islands connected by bridges or small trails. It's the perfect spot for a romantic moment, a little picnic or a short walk.
Do you like cycling? The region is crisscrossed by more than 300 km of cycle paths. The Niagara Recreation Trail is particularly recommended. It follows the river from Fort Erie, passing Niagara Falls before reaching Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It is punctuated by a multitude of businesses and small boutiques to visit to find authentic Canadian products.
For hiking fans, head to Niagara Glen, a nature reserve designated since 1992. Its well-developed trails run along the banks of the river. The visit is recommended in spring or summer: you can then take part in a guided hike to learn more about the fauna and flora of the site.
Also worth seeing during your visit: the botanical gardens of Niagara Parks and the Niagara Falls History Museum. In winter, the region hosts the largest light festival in the entire country. More than 3 million lights stretch from the Niagara Parkway to the Dufferin Islands and across the streets. It is an enchanting spectacle, of great beauty and which quickly makes you forget the ambient cold.
Niagara Falls is the country's most famous natural attraction. If you are planning a trip to Canada, be sure to visit this site, you will not regret it. This country fascinates you? Stock up on Canadian products on our online store: Maple syrup, cranberries, blueberries or even a delicatessen, ice cider And ice wine.
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