Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is one of the world's most visited natural wonders (14 million visitors/year between Canadian and American sides, 90% on the Canadian side) — located on the Niagara River connecting Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, on the border between Ontario (Canada) and New York State (United States). Three distinct falls make up the ensemble: the Horseshoe Falls (horseshoe-shaped, 670 m wide, 53 m high, average flow 2,800 m³/second, 90% of total flow, entirely Canadian side), the American Falls (320 m wide, 32 m high, American side), the Bridal Veil Falls (very small, American side). The average total flow of 2,800 m³/second makes Niagara Falls the 4th largest waterfall flow in the world (after Iguazu, Boyoma and Victoria) — such a volume that it could supply water to the entire world population for 1 minute per day.

The Canadian side (Niagara Falls, Ontario, 80,000 inhabitants) offers the most spectacular view — the Horseshoe Falls are fully visible from the Canadian shore, and this is where the best attractions are concentrated. The American side only gives access to American Falls (smaller, less impressive) and requires a US visa or ESTA to cross the Rainbow Bridge. The town of Niagara Falls Ontario is organised around the Niagara Parkway (53 km scenic route along the river between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, that Winston Churchill described as "the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world"), with at its heart the Table Rock Welcome Centre — iconic viewpoint over the Horseshoe Falls, starting point of the Journey Behind the Falls attraction (tunnels behind the water curtain, CAD 24).

The flagship activities: Maid of the Mist (boat cruise to the foot of the falls, mid-April to late November, CAD 32 adult/CAD 21 child, 20 min, waterproof ponchos provided — you'll get wet but the experience is unforgettable, sensation of being at the heart of the roar and mist of the falls), Journey Behind the Falls (tunnels drilled into the cliff behind the Horseshoe Falls water curtain, CAD 24), Skylon Tower (236 m, revolving restaurant and observation platform, CAD 23 for platform, 360° panoramic view over the three falls), WildPlay's MistRider Zipline (670 m zipline to the falls on the American side, CAD 70, thrills), Niagara SkyWheel (53 m Ferris wheel on Clifton Hill, CAD 16), Whirlpool Aero Car (antique 1916 cable car over the whirlpool downstream from the falls, CAD 18).

The night illuminations of the falls are an experience in themselves (free, year-round, programmed over 5h each evening, LED projectors in colours from the Canadian side, with fireworks weekends from May to October). The Winter Festival of Lights (mid-November to mid-February, 3 million lights, Canada's largest free illuminations festival) adds dozens of light installations over the 8 km of the Niagara Parkway and Clifton Hill — one of the best reasons to visit in winter despite the cold. In January-February during cold spells (-15 °C or below for several consecutive days), basins, rocks and mists crystallise into spectacular turquoise-blue ice sculptures (most impressive phenomena in 2014, 2015, 2019, 2022).

Niagara-on-the-Lake (20 min by car to the north, 5,800 permanent inhabitants) is one of Canada's most beautiful towns — preserved 19th-century historic village, wine capital of world-renowned Canadian icewine (the Niagara Peninsula is one of the world's largest icewine producing regions), centre of the Shaw Festival (theatre, April-October, one of Canada's most prestigious). Preferably stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake rather than Niagara Falls town (more authentic, more charming, 20 min from the falls). Tastings possible at Inniskillin (Canadian icewine pioneer since 1975, world-ranked top), Peller Estates, Konzelmann Estate Winery, Trius Winery (CAD 20-40 tasting with food-wine pairing).