Yes, it’s one of the most photographed places in the world. But, I just can’t get enough! Niagara Falls is so photogenic. There’s a billion and one angles you can shoot and your trigger finger is still twitching for more.
Here’s a collection of photos through the years of this natural wonder, with comments below each.
A shot up the Niagara River to the Horseshoe Falls taken from the observation deck above the entrance to the Maid of the Mist.
Approaching Horseshoe Falls aboard the Maid of the Mist, just past the American Falls. A little hint for anyone wishing to take a ride on the Maid of the Mist: check the weather forecast or look at a flag. If the wind is blowing from the east – hold off your journey if you can. Passing either waterfall will put you in the middle of a tropical storm.
Looking back at the American Falls and Bridle Veil Falls from the Maid of the Mist. The people walking with the raincoats on the boardwalk are participating in the Cave of the Winds tour. Cave of the Winds is accessed from Niagara Falls, New York at Goat Island State Park. This is an awesome tour! You basically walk to the foot of Bridle Veil and can truly feel the power of the waterfall.
Once one of the tallest buildings in Canada, the Skyline Tower now stands nearly 20 metres shorter than it’s neighbour, the Niagara Falls Hilton. It still has one kick-ass view of the Falls! On a clear day, you can see both downtown Buffalo, New York and downtown Toronto, Ontario from the observation deck.
Goat Island State Park – the most under-rated attraction in the Niagara region. At Goat Island, you can have so much more of an up-close an intimate experience with Niagara Falls. Perched between the Horseshoe Falls and American Falls, the State Park charges for parking only during the summer months and is free to walk or bike to, all year round.
The evil waters of the Niagara River, just above Horseshoe Falls from the Three Sisters Islands. Three Sisters is part of the Goat Island State Park. With nil security and barriers, this is the place you would want to launch your ‘barrel over the falls’ journey.
The colours of the water at the crest of the Horseshoe Falls always amazes me. It looks so inviting.
A view of Clifton Hill, the cheezy, touristy main drag of Niagara Falls, Ontario. Here, you will pay a premium for everything from a submarine sandwich, to a cup of coffee to a meal at the Rainforest Cafe. Ironically, there’s a discount grocery store just a few blocks away where you buy 24 bottles of water for the same price you would pay for one on Clifton Hill.
The American Falls – no one goes over and lives to tell the tale. Compared to the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls are just plain cruel. There’s no infinitely deep pool at the bottom to get dragged to the bottom and drowned at. Anything going over this waterfall is getting smashing to pieces on the rocks below.
Oh – in the foreground is a Maid of the Mist boat launched from the American side (smaller boats that the Canadian versions). In the background is downtown Niagara Falls, New York.
Yet another view of Horseshoe Falls, this time in the Autumn.
The snow covered bridge across the top of Bridle Veil Falls at Goat Island State Park. That area is closed off to pedestrians during the winter months.
A look at the ice blocking most of the Niagara River in January. The ice forms an ‘Ice Bridge’ that was once a popular tourist destination. For safety reasons, people are no longer allowed to walk on the river ice in the winter time.
A closer look at the American Falls in winter.
Because the prevailing winds are typically from the North and West, Goat Island is perpetually caught in an ice storm during cold weather. The mist from the waterfalls is blown over the island where is instantly freezes on pretty much everything.