Ontario Canada - Niagara Falls by Aaron, Hornblower Cruise, Cave of Winds, Fort George, Niagara On the Lake, Lake Ontario

Niagara Falls



~Aaron

      Niagara Falls is one of the most famous Seven Natural Wonders of the World. It is the most powerful and largest waterfall in North America. It was much larger than I expected. I was shocked to find out that Niagara Falls is 50 meters tall and 80 meters wide. The Niagara Falls is made up of 3 falls. The more famous falls are the American Falls and Canadian Horseshoe Falls. One of my thoughts about Niagara Falls was, " It is so power and huge". Be prepare to walk along the Falls. Do not drive. Feel the mist from far far away. Niagara Falls will definitely bring you awesome experience.

American Falls





Horseshoe Falls on Canada side

The Hornblower Cruise

we got all wet

      We were lucky to get up early in the morning and ride on the Hornblower.  It was very very cool to be on the boat. The boat took us passing American Falls, and get close to the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. At the Horseshoe Falls, the falls was so strong, even though we had our rain ponchos on, we still got all wet. Later, we saw how long the cruise line was. The Hornblower is a very fun cruise.

viewing the Horseshoe Falls from boat

Cave of the Winds




entrance to the Cave of Winds




the water pounding down

secret pass to the falls

      The Cave of the Winds is one of the best tourist attractions. You ride down an elevator 175 feet deep into the Niagara Gorge. It took people 2 years to hand-carve the tunnel. The Cave of the Winds trip takes you literally right in front of the American Falls. It was great experience to touch the icy cold water, to go right beside the pounding down waterfalls and to play around getting soaked. The Cave of the Winds is amazing.




about to go beside the falls

getting soaked

Walk beside the Falls

the American Falls, beginning of our journey

touching the Niagara River water

can you find the rainbow?

      We walked along the Niagara River to view the Falls. So excited to see the rainbows over the Niagara River. We passed the roaring American Falls, the awesome Canadian Horseshoe Falls and continued our journey to explore. Can you imagine how calm the Niagara River water was before it falls? We even touched the cold Niagara River water. Do you know the Falls erosion? Today, the volume of water flowing along the Niagara is controlled for industry and hydro-electric power generation, slowing erosion to only 1 foot every 10 years. During summer daylight hours, an incredible 34 million gallons flows over the brink of the Falls every minute. That is enough to fill 1 million bathtubs! Do you know there is a miracle at Niagara? You probably think that nobody can survive from the Niagara Falls. Actually, there was only 1 person to unintentionally go over the Falls and survive. He was young Roger Woodward. After a boating accident on July 9, 1960 the 7-year-old was swept over the Falls wearing only a life jacket and a swimsuit. The crew of the Maid of the Mist II rescued Roger, pulling him unharmed from the churning water.  



Niagara River, source to the Horseshoe Falls



Fort George





Ready, FIRE!



A British cannon

      If you are lucky enough, you may catch models of the fighting that happened at Fort George. Fort George is awesome. It used to be a British fort. The fort even has some British cannons! I saw how the British defended their forts. Can you guess what defenses they had? A trench, a spiked wall, holes for guns, and cannons. Fort George has lots of cool things.

Fun Places on the Way to Niagara On the Lake

see the cable car behind us?



Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory
Do you see the green camouflaging
caterpillars?

Floral Clock
a pretty clock decorated by flowers

an easy maze at
Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens

      The Niagara on the Lake is a famous 19th century style Canadian town where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario. It is very antique and beautiful. Along the way driving to Niagara on the Lake, we stopped by several tourist attractions. The Whirlpool was the most interesting place. It has a cable car that takes you across the Niagara River and back. This crazy cable car made both my brother and I eager to try. Unfortunately we don't have enough time to line up. Maybe we will try at our next visit.  The Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens is beautiful. The park has a permanent collection of perennials, flowering trees and shrubs. Different themes are displayed throughout the year. We walked along this huge place, garden by garden. A cool maze looks similar to the Harry Potter Goblet of Fire maze, just way easier. The Butterfly Conservatory is part of the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens. The Butterfly Conservatory lets visitors walk around artificial tropical conditions in which more than 2,000 butterflies. The popular attraction Floral Clock was built 65 years ago, in 1950s. It is one of the largest in the world. The design of the flowers is changed twice a season. To my surprise, the clock was very accurate. As we drove along the Lake Ontario, the sun went down. I couldn't believe how beautiful the Lake Ontario sunset it was. Nice breeze, fresh cool air, waving water, and the view were so enjoyable.



sunset on lake Ontario

Niagara on the Lake
a beautiful and quiet 19th century village

sunset on Lake Ontario

Fireworks on every Friday and Sunday Night



This is where the fireworks got fired
on every Friday and Sunday night.
See the rainbow!

fireworks lighted up the Sunday night

       We decided to stay until Sunday night to catch the exciting fireworks. Follow the crowd, find a good spot, and cheer up the most wonderful night of the year (at least I think).


      Niagara Falls has full of cool attractions. The Hornblower cruises took us really close to the Horseshoe Falls. The Cave of the Winds let us touch the Falls. The excellent Fort George was a British fortress but is now an attraction. The Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, the Butterfly Conservatory, and the Floral Clock were amazing. Niagara on the Lake took us back to the 1800s. Fireworks Lighted up the night sky. Niagara Falls is the most magnificent place I have been to yet.

beautiful night view of Niagara Falls