Niagara Falls: A Great Weekend Getaway

/ Jodi
Niagara Falls - Horseshoe and American Falls - from Canadian Side - April 1, 2017

Niagara Falls – Horseshoe and American Falls – from Canadian Side – April 1, 2017

Niagara Falls:  A Great Weekend Getaway.

When Hubby and I decided to “getaway” for a weekend…

Hubby suggested Niagara Falls to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary.

Niagara Falls is truly a natural wonder to experience!  We are fortunate it is only a 3 1/2 hour drive from our little town of Mars.

Horseshoe Falls - Niagara Falls - April 1, 2017

Horseshoe Falls – Niagara Falls – April 1, 2017

Niagara Falls is the collective name for three waterfalls that straddle the international border between Canada and the United States; more specifically, between the province of Ontario and the state of New York. They form the southern end of the Niagara Gorge.

Located on the Niagara River, which drains Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, the combined falls form the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world that has a vertical drop of more than 165 feet (50 m). Horseshoe Falls is the most powerful waterfall in North America, as measured by vertical height and flow rate.

Niagara Falls were formed when glaciers receded at the end of the Wisconsin glaciation (the last ice age), and water from the newly formed Great Lakes carved a path through the Niagara Escarpment en route to the Atlantic Ocean. While not exceptionally high, the Niagara Falls are very wide. More than six million cubic feet (168,000 m3) of water falls over the crest line every minute in high flow, and almost four million cubic feet (110,000 m3) on average.

The Niagara Falls are famed both for their beauty and as a valuable source of hydroelectric power.*

Horseshoe Falls - Niagara Falls - April 1, 2017

Horseshoe Falls – Niagara Falls – April 1, 2017

We had fun visiting both the U.S. and Canadian side of the falls (a passport is necessary to travel between the two).

It was a bit chilly in early April, but so worth it to avoid crowds!  We visited early morning when the mist was heavy on the “American Side.”  We walked the path along the “Canadian Side” during the afternoon when the sun broke through the clouds.

A highlight to experience (which we did) is riding the Aero Car, suspended by cables, over the Niagara Whirlpool.  The Whirlpool is formed at the end of the rapids where the gorge turns abruptly counterclockwise and the river escapes through the narrowest channel in the gorge.

Aero Car over Niagara Whirlpool - Niagara Falls - April 1, 2017

Aero Cable Car over Niagara Whirlpool – Niagara Falls – April 1, 2017

A visit to Niagara on the Lake is another highlight, with quaint shoppes and wonderful wineries that host pairings and tastings.

It was wonderful to head back to the U.S. side and experience the Falls at sunset before heading for dinner.

Niagara Falls at Sunset - from American Side - April 1, 2017

Niagara Falls at Sunset – from American Side – April 1, 2017

And after dinner, another visit to see the falls lit up at night.

Niagara Falls after Dark - from American Side - April 1, 2017

Niagara Falls after Dark – from American Side – April 1, 2017

Niagara Falls is a great weekend getaway, with something for everyone – including casinos and wax museums and boat rides and cave tours.  This is not our first visit, so we’ve experienced some of the others previously.

There is something so beautiful and special and even a bit romantic about Niagara Falls.

Thanks to our guys for “kicking us out” so we could have such a great getaway weekend!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

*Niagara Falls Wikipedia

66 thoughts on “Niagara Falls: A Great Weekend Getaway”

  3. They were fantastic photos thanks for sharing them. I’ve never seen photos like them before I love that you had taken them from different view points. I doubt I will ever see them in this lifetime but now somehow I do not feel like I’ve missed out. 🌹

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  4. What a wonderful, lovely place to choose to go to celebrate your anniversary! Love the powerful sound of the water and just watching them. Speaks to the soul.
    Did you ride the boat, ” The Maid of the Mist?” That is a fun thing to do. You do get wet on the ride. 🙂

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  10. I enjoyed the tour you gave us because I have never been there. The pictures are just beautiful and the night picture is stunning! What a wonderful anniversary getaway for you and Marty! I hope your house was still in good shape when you got back home. LOL!

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    • Thanks pj. Glad you enjoyed. House was in great shape. A couple extra beers in fridge and lingering cigar smell in the garage is all we came home too. A bunch of great guys. We are very blessed.

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  11. Niagara Falls was such a perfect getaway, Jodi! Love your photos! I remember visiting there when I was young, but it would be fun to see The Falls again someday. Niagara on the Lake is near the top of my ‘list’ of places to visit, too! Keep celebrating, Jodi!! ♡

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  14. I love it at Niagra! Good memories from being a little girl! Thanks for the awesome pics! Mom and Dad celebrated their honeymoon there… 65 years ago on the 26th!

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  22. Wow! Such gorgeous photographs, Jodi. My two favorites were the dramatic ones of stunning sunset and evening with colored backlighting!
    Congratulations on reaching 35 years of wedded bliss!! ❤ ❤

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  27. What a wonderful place to celebrate your 35 yrs together! It’s been 34 yrs since I visited Niagra Falls! No passport necessary back then. I didn’t see it at night then. WOW, it’s gorgeous at night too.

    I don’t recall seeing that aerocar ride over the falls to see the whirlpool. That would be a cool view!

    Thanks for the memories, and for sharing your lovely anniversary trip.

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  28. I loved it the one time we were there but it’s been about 20 years. I imagine some things have changed, though not the most important views..:)
    Happy Anniversay once again, Jodi. Glad you had a great time.

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