Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Places visited in US -- Niagara Falls, New York

Niagara Falls State Park, New York:

If you think of touring America, the first wireless message your mind will receive is Niagara Falls. Some people have suggested that for visiting these falls we should go to Canada. But I suggest that even if you plan for a visit from Canada dont miss the falls from America side. We have visited these falls from America side during night with illumination and day time. We have enjoyed the beauty of the falls during day time.





Trivia

  • Less than 10% of the water flows over the America Falls with the balance flowing over the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. It is the massive volume of water that flows over the Horseshoe Falls that gives it its green color.
  • The average depth of the water below Niagara Falls is 170 feet (52 meters)
  • The water that flows over Niagara Falls comes from four of the five Great Lakes: Erie, Huron, Michigan and Superior. From the Falls, the water travels down the Niagara River to Lake Ontario (fifth of the great lakes), then to the St. Lawrence River and finally to the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Originally, 202,000 cubic feet (6060 cubic meters) per second or 5.5 billion gallons per hour of water flows over Niagara /falls. Now, however, half of this water is diverted for power by the United States and Canada.

Observation Tower

This glass-walled elevator towers above with dramatic views of all three falls will take to the base from where you can catch the ferry for the Maid of the Mist Tour.


From the top of the Observation tower

Maid of the mist boat tour:

Dont miss this tour . It costs $12.50 per adult and $ 7.30 per child. Entry for children below 5 years age is free. Trip lasts for 30 minutes. depart every 15 minutes beginning a 10.00 am daily upto 5 pm. Boats run during May--October, opening date depends on ice conditions. This ride will take you to the base of the American Falls, then to the basin of the commanding Horseshoe Falls, we can experience the absolute exhilaration of confronting millions of gallons of water crashing like thunder into the rocks nearby. Raincoats will be provided free of cost before getting into the boat so that you need not drench in the mist. Make sure that you wrap your camera in a plastic cover to catch the beautiful emotions and scenes.










Cave of the winds:

Though there are warnings that people with heart problems and asthma conditions not to take up this tour, I suggest that people who love water should enjoy the gushing water pouring on you like heavy rain with the flow of winds from a highly elevated platform erected close to the gushing water. Here also souvenir raincoats and shoes will be provided without any additional cost. To reach there, take ticket for$10, take an elevator ride down 175’ to the base of Bridal Veil Falls, walk along the base of the falls on a series of wooden stairs and decks, lo, there you are. Feel and experience the power of Niagara Falls from the Hurricane Deck just feet from the pounding waters.






Niagara scenic trolley

By purchasing a ticket for $ 2 you can make a round trip of three mile route through the park in the trolley, climb and get down anywhere you like any number of times in the day. Trolley stops at six locations near major park attractions. This is very convenient to see the falls from various places.

Think of buying Niagara USA Discovery Pass for $ 30 as admission is included for the Cave of the Winds, The Maid of the Mist, the Niagara Legends of Adventure film, the George Discovery Center and the Aquarium of Niagara and also scenic trolley.


1 comments:

Priyanka said...

Beautiful pictures. The Niagara in particular was breath-taking. Thanks for sharing them with me. Sesha Laxmi