Niagara Falls, city in the Regional Municipality of Niagara, south eastern Ontario, Canada, a port on the Niagara River opposite Niagara Falls, New York. The Falls were given its name by the area’s first know inhabitants, the Neutral Indians. They called it “Niagara,” which means “thundering waters.” The Neutrals were the first know inhabitants in the Niagara region. The Niagara falls are about 12,000 year old and Falls were formed when melting glaciers formed massive fresh-water lakes(the Great Lakes) one of which (Lake Erie) ran down hill toward another (Lake Ontario).The rushing waters carved out a river in their descent and at one point passed over a steep cliff like formation (the Niagara escarpment).From the original going over the Niagara Escarpment, the water began to wear its way back up the river. The path that it left is known today as the Niagara Gorge. The Horseshoe Falls are 180 feet (57 meters) high and allow 6 million cubic feet (168,000 cubic meters) of water over the crestline every minute during peak daytime tourist hours (that is about a million bathtubs full of water every minute). The Niagara River flows at approximately 35 miles/hour (56.3 kilometers/hour). There are actually two waterfalls in Niagara, the American Falls and the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Canadian Falls is bigger and 6 times more wateras compare to the Falls on the American side. Hydro Electricity generated in Niagara Falls at the Sir Adam Beck 1 and Sir Adam Beck 2 power stations from redirected water flow serves the electrical needs of Southern Ontario and Western New York.
Niagara Attraction
- Queen Victoria Park.
- Historical museum at Lundy's Lane, site of a brutal battle between American and British forces in 1914.
- The maid of the mist, Marineland, with friendship cove which provide interaction with Killer and beluga whales.
- Skylon Tower and Pavilion , containing revolving restaurant and an observation deck for overlooking the Falls.
- The Butterfly Conservatory at the Niagara Parks Botanical gardens.
- Several Golf Courses.
- Niagara Casinos.
- Spanish Aero car ride provide the spectacular trip across the famed Whirlpool rapids a few miles down from the actual waterfalls.
- Niagara Winery Tour.
Winter: Gamble, see Falls, Stay in nice hotels and eat at nice restaurants, with discounts on the hotels. Catch a play at the Shaw as well; 30 minute drive for awesome theatre.
Spring: Best time to go if you want to see the flowers in Niagara; the botanical gardens and Floral clock are beautiful. Fireworks are usually weekly when you get into the Spring on weekend evenings. Light show at the Falls. Shaw Festival winding down, early Spring your best bet if you want to get a play in.
Summer: Incredibly hot on a hot day, very little shade near the main falls. Table Rock is only slightly air conditioned as of summer 2008. Many tourists. IMHO best avoided in the summer unless you plan to something "off-book" like hiking.
Fall: The best time to go in my view as well. When the kids are back in school you will still see a lot of tourists but not the pressing throngs of summer. Cheaper hotels and gorgeous trees combine to make this the best season for me in Niagara.
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