Niagra Falls Honeymoon
Since the 17th century visitors have been flocking to see the rushing torrents of the Niagara River and the spectacular waterfalls on both the American and Canadian side.
The Niagara Falls comprises of three falls named the Horseshoe, the American and the Bridal Veil: The Horseshoe Falls are part of Canada and the American and Bridal Veil Falls are in the State of New York in America.
To spend your honeymoon in either of these countries will give you breathtaking and magnificent views of all three falls. You will find yourself within a few feet of the raging water as it rushing past you at speeds of up to 600,000 gallons per second while plummeting 2,600 feet to the river below.
Adventure and Activities
Your honeymoon can be spent filled with adventure with the many activities that are on offer from both sides of the falls.
Trips such as:
- The Maid of the Mist boat tour that takes you on a spectacular half-hour trip with the boat going up close to the Horseshoe Falls. Waterproof clothing is provided to stop you getting soaking wet from the spray.
- Cave of the Wind tours takes you as close to the falls as you can get. The lift takes you down 175 feet where you will have a tour guide lead you over wooden walkways to the Hurricane Deck. At this point you will be only 20 feet from the rushing waters of the Bridal Veil Falls and you will feel as if you are in the middle of a tropical storm. Waterproof clothing will be provided.
- Helicopter trips of the falls gives you an eagle’s eye view. There are many tours offering different times and prices, shop around for the one that will suit you the best. You will find yourself soaring above the turbulent rapids giving you a magnificent view of both natural and man made wonders: flying above two of the Worlds best known countries.
- From the American side of the observation tower there is a platform suspended high above the River where you can walk along to get a better frontal view of the Horseshoe Falls; this is not for the faint hearted and you need a strong head for heights.
Other Places to Visit
For those who are happy to spend time without the added rush of adrenaline there is a vast choice of other activities to be enjoyed and places to visit. From arts and entertainments to museums and historical sites as well as a choice of two golf courses and six exceptional parks where you can take leisurely walks and picnics on the edge of the Niagara River.
Walk across bridges that span the rushing river on the American side and see the very point where the rapids take birth or have a quiet paddle in the calm inlets of the river.
Strolling around the waterfalls in the evening is a not to be missed experience as the magnificent falls are lit up with bright lights of different colours, giving a magical rainbow water backdrop.
Several restaurants on both side of the Niagara Falls have sensational views of the falls and offer delicious cuisine with local wines, ranging from casual to fine dining. Enjoy a ‘never to be forgotten’ breathtaking view and give your honeymoon that added romance, while at the same time collecting some truly great memories.
Take your chance at the 1,700 slot machines and 70 gaming tables at the ‘Casino Niagara’, or join in one of the many blackjack and poker tournaments. The Casino is steps away from the falls and with its three restaurants as well as bars and floor shows, there will be plenty for you to do and see once you step inside the 100,000 ft² elegant sized casino.
Quaint Historical Town
The picturesque english town of Niagara-on-the-lake is a short drive north of the falls. This small town was heavily settled by British Loyalists who left the United States after the American Revolution and it was originally the first capital of Upper Canada (Ontario) where the name was changed to Niagara in 1792.
Tree-lined streets are filled with large beautiful 19th century buildings and many horse and carriage tours can be seen and taken around the town. Queen’s street is the main road and here you can spend many hours slipping in and out of the tiny quaint shops that are dotted all around.
This town is full of history of battles which the cemetery shows with its many old tombstones that can make for some fascinating reading.
Passport and Money
Travelling between American and Canada is relatively easy but you will need your passport and be prepared to be charged approximately $8 for visa waiver stamp when going through to the American side. They do not accept Canadian or English money. It therefore may be worthwhile to carry a few American dollars with you.
Dare-Devils in a Barrel
- Annie Taylor was the first person to conquer the falls in a barrel on 24th October 1901. She was bruised and battered and hoped to gain fame and fortune by her dare-devil stunt; unfortunately she died years later in poverty.
- The first Englishman to go over the falls in a barrel was Charles G. Stephens. He went one step further and tied himself to an anvil in the barrel but his right arm was the only item left in the barrel.
- In 1975 Steven Trotter, a Rhode Island bartender, wrapped his barrel with inner tubes and was fined $5,503.00. He returned to make his second trip in 1995 with a partner, Lori Martin and they became the first male and female to make the jump together.
- Kirk Jones from Michigan was to become the first person to survive the falls while wearing only his clothes in October 2003. He had planned the whole stunt in the hope of making a fortune by selling the film his friend was to take of him as he jumped. Unfortunately they had both had a few to many drinks and did not know how to work the camera so the jump was unrecorded. Kirk was fined $2,300.00 and given a life long banishment from Canada.
Niagara Falls Freezes Over
During bad winters ice and snow will form along both sides of the falls and on the river, but the massive rush of the water stops it from icing over completely.
There have been times in the past when the falls and the river would ice over to the point that visitors were actually allowed to walk on the ‘ice bridge’ that formed. People would toboggan and ice skate on the frozen surfaces and reports in the local newspapers of at least 20,000 had enjoyed a day doing such activities on the 24th February 1888.
Visitors were no longer allowed to do so in 1912 after the ice bridge broke and three people lost their lives.
If you decide to spend your honeymoon in the romantic and spectacular place of Niagara, there is certainly more than enough for you to do and see. If you do not want the bother of working out your own sight-seeing tours there are plenty of honeymoon tours for 2, 3 or 5 days available.
