NPS #1 & Science: Niagara Falls National Park

Niagara Falls  Photo by Krenda

Rainbow intersects Niagara Falls

Driving through Canada to Niagara Falls with our two month baby made our son an early international traveler and national park visitor.  

Niagara Falls is listed as one of the 501 Must-Visit Natural Wonders because it's the best known falls.  The book comments on the sound too, "The local tribespeople call the falls 'onguiaahra', a 'thundering noise', which may seem like an understatement when you are faced with the sheer noise of almost 185,000 cubic m (6,600,000 cubic ft) of water roaring into the gorge every minute.  
     Glaciers melted and formed the Niagara Falls, a combination of three waterfalls (Horseshoe Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, and American Falls) located in two countries.  Whether you visit in Canada or the United States, take the opportunity to get closer to the rushing water.  

My Youngest Tourist

According to 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, Niagara Falls is a must see site and should be seen by boat too, "The classic way to view them, and also the best, is from aboard the Maid of the Mist, a sturdy 600-passenger boat that's the tenth in a same-name line of crafts, taking passengers right into the spray at the base of Horseshoe Falls since 1846."  We took the Maid of the Mist tour (adult $19.25, child age 6-12 years old $11.20, age 5 and under free) and experienced the sights and sounds of rushing water and appreciated the tour giving us raincoats.

Niagara Falls at Night

You may only spend a day around Niagara Falls.  I'd suggest visiting both day and night, so you can see the colored lights light up the falls at night too.  This is also recommended by Amazing Places to Take Your Kids, "Don't miss seeing Niagara Falls after dark, when powerful spotlights bathe the water in ever-changing colors."  On the US side, the falls are located within a national park, but the commercial surrounding area is very close and the competing bright lights and trinket stores could drive you to find less crowded natural sites.  

Not far away, you will find Whirlpool State Park.  Read my post "Science:  Niagara Falls Whirlpool and 9 Other Whirlpools" for more information.