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.

State Park #1: Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Falls NY - science of whirlpools

Natural whirlpools happen when water rotates from opposing currents.  It can look like a spinning hole.  Opposing force is created by the pressure of the surrounding water.  Pressure greater under the water than on the surface makes the whirlpool widest at the top. 
     Our family visited the Niagara Falls whirlpool in Whirlpool State Park to see the Class 6 whitewater rapids and whirlpool.  The narrow width of the gorge, rapid descent of the river, and volume of water combine for the fast moving water.  Just a short drive from Niagara Falls National Park (separate article) and you can easily see the swirling water from a street level scenic overlook.
   
     We also watched an aero cars travel across the river.  Since we had our baby on the trip, we didn't take a ride.  However, research shows that the ride has a reputation of safety.  While the ride takes you 250 feet above rapids moving 22 to 23 mph, the car only travels at 4.3 mph and takes only ten minutes to cross.  The famous Spanish engineer Leonardo Torres Quevedo designed the Whirlpool Aero Car, the first of it's kind, and it opened in 1916.  Upgraded many times and there's never been an accident or injury.  A rescue car exists, but employees have never used it with the public.  Due to the international border line location mid river, the ride takes you to another country in only ten minutes. If you buy a Niagara Wonder Pass for $25 online, you can visit multiple sites including Niagara's Fury, Journey Behind the Falls, and the Butterfly Conservatory.  Aero car operates March to November.

Even if you don't take the ride, enjoy the nature.  The 109-acre park includes a moderate hiking level 5.5 mile loop trail named the Niagara Gorge Rim Trail and Whirlpool Rapids Trail.  Take the stairs down to the Whirlpool Rapids Trail to walk closer to the river.  You'll notice the green/blue water color.  The mineral-rich waters are environmentally friendly for algae growth which combine with dissolved limestone, shale, and sandstone to create vibrant color.

You can use a whirlpool science kit to teach or you can visit a real whirlpool.  According to smashinglists.com "Top 10 Places to See Whirlpools", Europe and North America have great whirlpool examples:
1.  Saltstraumen, Norway
World's most powerful whirlpool or maelstrom (Nordic word for whirlpool) near town of Bodo
2.  Niagara Falls, USA and Canada
Located at the Niagara Falls River and includes a "reversal phenomenon" in which water enters the pool and then travels counter-clockwise around the pool when enough water
3.  Dviete, Latvia
Daugava River has impressive vortex
4.  Te Aumiti, New Zealand
Located between Admiralty Bay and Tasman Bay
5.  Skookunchuck Narrows, Canada
Viewing platform from National Park
6.  Charybdis, Italy
View from the coast of Sicily
7.  Corryvreckan, Scotland
Third-largest whirlpool between the islands of Jura and Scarba
8. Mostraumen, Norway
2nd strongest whirlpool and located in the sea instead of a river
9.  Old Sow, USA and Canada
Biggest whirlpool in Western Hemisphere and makes a screeching noise.  View from Eastport, Maine or near Deer Island, New Brunswick
10.  Naruto, Japan
Use the Uzu No Michi walkway suspended below the Onaruto Bridge.  Time it right because it only occurs every six hours