After leaving Grimsby, Ontario, we crossed back into the United States over the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge on US I-190 and Ontario 405. In normal years, there would be 5 mile backups to cross the border. However, we were one of only 5 vehicles at the crossing. Once back in the United States, we had an easy drive down to the Niagara Falls Campground and Lodging. To save the sanity of the reader of this post, we pared down our Niagara Falls photos considerably… we took way too many photos of water falling down some rocks.
USS Little Rock, Buffalo Naval Park, Buffalo, NY – We were disappointed to find the museum closed, but were able to walk the paths of the Buffalo Naval Park. This museum is home to several decommissioned USS naval vessels, including the USS Little Rock, a Cleveland-class cruiser.
General Mills Grain Elevator, Buffalo, NY – Buffalo was the world’s largest grain port from the 1850s until the first half of the 20th century. Buffalo once had the largest capacity for the storage of grain in the US. Many grain elevators are gone now, but the General Mills elevator still stands.
Shark Girl, Buffalo NY – Originally the terminal site of the Erie Canal before being filled in and forgotten during the 1920s, Buffalo began to revitalize the area in the late 1990s to revive Buffalo’s Erie Canal heritage. Canalside is now a boardwalk with restaurants, a museum and this cute little art installation.
Pearl Street Brewery, Buffalo, NY – No trip to Buffalo would be complete without a stop in to have some wings!
Niagara Falls, NY – The following day was devoted to an organized tour of the Niagara Falls. We are ready to board the Maid of the Mist boat. From this boat we will see the falls up close!
American Falls, Niagara Falls, NY – As the Maid of the Mist departs its dock, the first stop is to the base of the American Falls. This is the second-largest of the three waterfalls that together are known as Niagara Falls. Unlike the much larger Horseshoe Falls, which spans the Canada-US border, the American Falls is entirely within the United States. Horseshoe Falls, Niagara Falls, NY – Passing by the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls, the Maid of the Mist continues to the Horseshoe Falls. During the day, 50% of the Niagara River water is diverted for use in hydroelectric power plants, so we only see half the strength of its potential.
Horseshoe Falls, Niagara Falls, NY – The Maid of the Mist continues the tour directly into the spray of the falls. The need for the ponchos becomes apparent.Niagara Falls Observation Tower, Niagara Falls, NY – The observation tower has a great view of all 3 waterfalls.
Cave of the Winds, Niagara Falls, NY – The Cave of the Winds attraction allows visitors to walk up to the base of Bridal Veil Falls. The original Cave of the Winds was a natural cave behind the Bridal Veil Falls, but it eventually succumbed to rock fall. The now Cave of the Winds tour brings tourists to the front of the Bridal Veil Falls with a series of decks and platforms.
Cave of the Winds, Niagara Falls, NY – The tour provided water shoes and we kept our poncho from the Maid of the Mist. Niagara Falls State Park claims to be the oldest state park in the United States. Prior to being protected in 1885, the lands surrounding Niagara Falls were private and access to the falls were limited to a privileged few. This selfie would not be possible without the efforts to preserve the Niagara Falls for all to see.
Cave of the Winds, Niagara Falls, NY – Our selfie would not have worked well in this location! Instead, we filmed some fellow sightseers to demonstrate the water’s power. The Cave of the Winds decking is removed every fall due to potential damage from winter ice, then rebuilt every spring.Horseshoe Falls, Niagara Falls, NY – Near the end of the tour, we visited the observation deck on top of the US side of the Horseshoe Falls.
Niagara Falls at night, Niagara Falls, NY – After a fantastic dinner in town, we walked out to the falls one last time, to see the nightly illumination.
