In January, the state of New York announced a proposal to turn off the two falls on the American side of Niagara falls. This will occur sometime in the next three to seven years, and when it happens the falls will be shut off for a long while. The state needs to replace the bridges that cross and need a dry environment to work in. Check out this Wired article for the science of turning off Niagara’s faucet.The Canadian Horseshoe Falls will still be on, but you’ll miss this great double view!
The Canadian Horseshoe Falls will still be on, but you’ll miss the great double view!
They’ve actually done this before–the last time was 1969.
If you’re curious about the falls, now is the time to go. Whether you choose to take a boat ride up to the falls or just enjoy the scenery from the nearby park, the falls are breathtaking.
Since I’m currently road tripping from Philly to Oklahoma City, I decided to pop up to Ontario to check out the falls from the Canadian side of the border. I’m so glad I added this to my itinerary even though it’s not exactly the straightest route. Seeing the northern parts of the US and the southern part of Ontario was a nice change. Usually when I drive OKC->Philly or vice versa, it’s through Indiana and Ohio, which I’ve seen many times.
I skipped the boat tour and some of the kitch-ier but fun looking activities in the name of saving some dough (I am new to this whole no regular paycheck schtick after all). But between the fact that the US dollar right now is very strong and the Canadian dollar is very weak, I found things remarkably affordable. Instead of the tours, I spent my time strolling the sidewalk by the falls and people watching.
People watching is one of my favorite things to do. Look at this guys lens! That is some serious gear.
The boat rides did look incredibly fun though (and incredibly wet)! Overall, I’m so glad I took the time to visit. A pleasant afternoon in a pleasant spot. For a great video of the falls, check out A Dangerous Business’s visit. And if you’re looking for information on visiting the American side, check out Unbrave Girl’s 5 Things to Do in Niagara Falls, USA.
Here are a few more pics from my visit:
