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The breathtaking beauty of the
natural wonder that is Niagara Falls would be enough to attract and hold the
interest of almost any visitor. Yet, there is so much more to see and do in
Niagara County that one vacation isn’t long enough. Twelve million visitors
arrive in the area each year. More than a tourist attraction; Niagara Falls is
part of our national heritage. Along with the Washington Monument, Yosemite
Park, and Mount Rushmore, Niagara Falls is a place to visit with the whole
family.
The entrance to the Falls on the
United States side is through America’s oldest park, Niagara Reservation State
Park. The year round spray and mist of the Falls contribute to a thriving,
diverse plant life, and the trees, flowers and shrubs in the park provide a
naturally occurring, incredibly beautiful background.
Within the park, there are a
number of ways of enjoying the Falls experience. The best spot for viewing the
American Falls and Upper Rapids is Prospect Point, the piece of land that
juts out the farthest west over the Niagara River. The New York State Visitors
Center located there provides information and a good introduction to the Falls
and surrounding parks.
The New York State Park
Observation Tower is also in the park. For an admission charge, the glass
walled elevator can be taken to the area above the falls for a spectacular
view. For a tour of the park, take the Viewmobile from Prospect Point. Tours
by tram are offered seasonally.
The world famous Maid of the
Mist Boat Tour is a must. Access to the tour is gained from the Observation
Tower where rain gear is provided as part of the experience. The ride lasts one
half hour. The boat tours run from mid May through October.
For the more adventurous
traveler, the Niagara River can be rapidly covered on the Whirlpool Jet Boat.
The Cave of the Winds trip provides an opportunity to walk through the spray at
the base of the Falls. There is also a helicopter tour over the Falls with
Rainbow Air. At a more relaxed pace, there are the tours of the Aquarium of
Niagara, Niagara's Wax Museum of History, and Niagara's other museums and
educational facilities. Casino gambling and entertainment has become a major
attraction with the opening of the large Seneca Niagara Casino in downtown
Niagara Falls, New York.
See top quality theater at
Artpark and Artpark at the Church. Take a relaxing ride on board the Grand Lady
Cruise Boat for a lunch or dinner cruise. Each night, take in the breathtaking
view of the Falls, illuminated in vivid multicolor. During the summer months,
Fireworks Over the Falls is featured every Friday evening. For winter visits,
enjoy A Festival of Lights celebration, as Niagara Falls magically becomes a
winter wonderland, complete with animated displays, entertainment, and daily
activities.
Just minutes from the Falls are
the charming small cities, towns, and villages where a visit to a local apple
orchard or farm, exploration of historic landmarks, and shopping in picturesque
craft and antique stores, as well as in extensive outlet malls, are all
possibilities.
A fascinating vignette of our
nation’s past is the extensive Erie Canal System that was hand dug in the early
1800s before the days of modern machinery. It was, and is, a marvel of
engineering. Its system of locks raised and lowered the water at numerous points
along the route from Albany to Buffalo to accommodate mule pulled barges
carrying people and commodities. The 363-mile long canal system connected the
Hudson River with Lake Erie to provide a major shipping route. A substantial
height adjustment of 49.5 feet was necessary as the barges approached the
Niagara escarpment. The Erie Canal Museum and two hour cruise on a surviving
portion of the canal can be experienced at nearby Lockport, New York. Passengers
watch the water rise as they peer from aboard the cruise boat through locks 34
and 35 at the approach to the escarpment. The cruise and museum are examples of
the living history that is so abundant in the Niagara Falls, New York area, and
is a priceless treasure to share with children and grandchildren.
Niagara is well known as a
year-round, world-class sport fishing destination. Camping and boating sites
are numerous. All of this is accompanied by a friendly, welcoming, hometown feel
that brings visitors back year after year.
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North America 
