The American Side of Niagara Falls, An Overlooked Gem

When most habitancy visit Niagara Falls, they often head straight for the Canadian Side of the falls. Just across the Niagara River, in the United States, are some too-often-overlooked attractions and views of these majestic wonders. In the Usa, one would be hard-pressed to differentiate Niagara Falls, New York from any other small north town. Aside from a small collection of hotels and attractions around the falls, and the towering Seneca Niagara Casino, the American side of the falls has minute to distinguish itself as one of the most-visited vacation destinations in the country. It is only until visitors coming practically the brink of the falls themselves where they see that the American side has many wonders to behold.

The American Side of Niagara Falls, An Overlooked Gem

The American Side of Niagara Falls, An Overlooked Gem

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The American Side of Niagara Falls, An Overlooked Gem

The American Side of Niagara Falls, An Overlooked Gem

Niagara Falls State Park

The United States' part of Niagara Falls is in the Niagara Falls State Park (sometimes called "New York State Park" or "Niagara Reservation State Park"). Started in 1885, the park is the oldest state park in the United States. It was scenery architect Frederick Law Olmsted who was one of the initiators and designers of the Niagara Falls State Park - but he is best known for an additional one creation: New York City's Central Park.

The Niagara Falls State Park manages and operates many of the attractions on this side of the falls. The park encompasses all of the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Goat Island (and surrounding islands), and about one third of Horseshoe Falls. Although the park itself is open year-round, together with the Visitors Center, most of the attractions are seasonal and thus off-season adventures offer less direct operation with the falls.

The Visitors town features general data about the falls, together with a snack bar and gift shop. The large organery face is maintained seasonally. Also in the Visitors town is the Festival Theater, a year-round attraction which features the 1999 History Channel movie, "Niagara Falls: A History of the Falls."

While most Niagara Falls visitors will agree that the Canadian side of the falls is superior, with best views of all that great water, a determined advantage to the American side is - interestingly sufficient - much closer access to the falls themselves, by beyond doubt standing "on top" of them (plus, visitors get a great view of Canada!).

Goat Island

Goat Island is the piece of land that separates Bridal Veil Falls from Horseshoe Falls. Accessible by car and part of the Niagara Falls State Park, Goat Island has an involving location. From here, visitors can see rapids up close, which lead to the American / Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls. It is additionally the location of any of the park's best attractions. Though the island is big, because of its location and the surrounding hostile waters, it is slowly eroding and will at last disappear as the three Niagara Falls Move upstream over many years. Goat Island is where any of the Niagara Falls State Park attractions are located, together with Cave of the Winds. Shuttles take visitors around Goat Island and throughout the park, but there are additionally many walking paths, benches, and scenic vistas on which to range around endlessly.

Luna Island

Luna Island is the tiny island that separates the Bridal Veil Falls from the American Falls. It is accessible on foot, but no cars are allowed (the island is so small, more than a few cars wouldn't fit, anyway). The walkway to Luna Island is on Goat Island. The walk to Luna Island is worth it, as it situates you in in the middle of two waterfalls, which is an unusual place to be.

American Rapids

The rapids approaching the American Falls - descriptive only on the American side, roar straight through the middle of the park and around the any small islands before toppling over the brink of the American Falls. The rapids reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. At night, they may be illuminated with involving spotLights for a more unusual view.

Terrapin Point

Horseshoe Falls is bordered on the Canadian side by Table Rock Point, and on the American side by Terrapin Point. Here, visi-tors can feel the mist of Horseshoe Falls as they look across the gorge at Canada. More remote than Table Rock Point, Terrapin Point has great views of the Canadian Fallsview resort sections, and the mist here can be just as Powerful as Table Rock, if the conditions are right.

Cave of the Winds

The involving name of this quintessential attraction is misleading. Cave of the Winds is not a cave, but rather a walkway that leads visitors over to the base of Bridal Veil Falls - the smallest of the three Niagara Falls. The attraction, however, used to be a cave. Named after the Aeolus, Greek God of Wind, it stood behind Bridal Veil Falls and was a popular traveler spot as early as the 1800s. The earliest tourists had to climb down a rope, and at last a staircase, to reach the cave. However, there were occasionally cave-ins, which killed or injured tourist. It was intentionally destroyed in 1955 because it was in danger of collapsing.

Visitors are given a poncho and special footwear prior to commencing the hour-long adventure. In groups, they are led with a tour guide down an elevator to near the base of Bridal Veil Falls. From there, they walk on a wooden walkway to what has been dubbed the "Hurricane Deck" - the closest accessible point to the falls. It is at this point where visitors get beyond doubt soaked, sometimes even more than on Maid of the Mist. Ice makes the attraction largely inaccessible in the winter, and also requires the decks to be completely re-built each year - a process which can take weeks.

Observation Tower

Located just beyond the Visitors town in the Niagara Falls State Park, the notice Tower is the best place in the United States to view the American and Horseshoe Falls. The tower extends out a minute bit from the mainland, but still does not come close to the spectacular views from the Canadian side of the falls. Still, the tower offers a very separate point of view than the one most visitors are used to. Also, there is a Maid of the Mist dock at the notice Tower. When boarding here, the tour encompasses basically the same experience. However, near the dock, there is (when weather permits) a path where visitors can walk up next to the American Falls - kind of like the Cave of the Winds, but free, and you don't get as wet.

Whirlpool State Park

Located on the American side of the Whirlpool Rapids area, the Whirlpool State Park is a hearty adventurer's place. Here, a crude cement staircase makes a long descent into the Great Gorge, down to nearly the water level of the rapids. For those who don't wish to make the difficult descent, there is still the exquisite place for picnics and play on the upper level, with great views of the whirlpool and rapids.

The American Side of Niagara Falls, An Overlooked Gem

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