Home » travel » World Culture for Kids: Niagara Falls!

World Culture for Kids: Niagara Falls!

niagara-falls

I have wanted to see Niagara Falls for as long as I can remember, so when we decided to drive across the country this past summer I knew we needed to build in a detour to visit the Falls! We even decided to cross over to Canada because we had heard that the view from that side was spectacular. I’m so glad we did – the view was amazing, a memory of a lifetime!

Rainbow Bridge - Niagara Falls

Getting there was a bit painful! We drove across Rainbow Bridge, which would have been fun in the daytime (you can see all of the falls). Unfortunately, we got there after dark, so we couldn’t see, and then spent four hours in traffic! Luckily the view when we woke up in the morning made it all worth it!

Niagara Falls is actually made up of three different falls! Here is a close-up of Horseshoe Falls:

Niagara Falls - Horseshoe Falls

Tourists on a Maid of the Mist boat ride tour of the Falls – getting very wet!

Maid of the Mist

A view of the entire Horseshoe Falls – it is HUGE!

Niagara Falls: Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls

Rainbow Bridge, the American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls (the thin waterfall to the right of the American Falls):

2013_08_30_9999_41

And a view of all three: the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and the very beginning of the Horseshoe Falls off to the right:

Niagara Falls: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Maid of the Mist

Here you can see the US-side observation deck where tourists go to get a better look at the falls:

Niagara Falls: American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls

Because we were on a very tight time schedule and our kids are so small, we opted to view the falls from afar, rather than ride on a boat or go out on an observation deck. We spent our money on a hotel room with a view instead! I hope we can take the kids back for a closer look when they are a little bit older!

While I was taking photos of the falls, my kids pointed out this much smaller natural masterpiece – right outside our hotel window, and covered with mist from the falls!

spider web

Here’s a little video to give a better idea of just how much water goes over these falls Sorry if it’s shaky – I needed a tripod!

Have you ever been to Niagara Falls? What is a part of the world that you would love to see?

MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.

22 thoughts on “World Culture for Kids: Niagara Falls!”

  1. Niagara Falls is quiet amazing, I was born and lived there for the first 19 years of my life before going off to school. If you ever, go back some of the attractions around can be a little tacky in the main falls area, however drive out to Niagara on the lake it is beautiful and has many educational and fun things to do with children; Laura Secord’s Homestead, Mackenzie Printery, Fort George, Queenston Heights and much more. Or check out attractions such as the butterfly conservatory, the floral clock, Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Generating Station for a tour. Hope you can go back, once you move a bit away from the direct falls area there are lots of things to discover!

  2. What stunning photos – I’ve been once but only to the U.S. side for a very quick peek. I’d love to go back with my family.

    1. I hope you do get to go with your girls, someday! I hope we make it back when we have a little more time, and can stop and see the US side as well. I’m very happy to have the photos to remember this visit by!

  3. I’ve been several times. Once during my consulting gig in Toronto I took an evening tour, and it included the place where they send colored lights over the falls in the evening. So I can say that I lighted the Niagara Falls – I even had a certificate proving it :)

  4. My sister lives in upstate New York (about an hour from Niagara Falls), and I have been to both sides of the Falls with Tyler, but my younger three have yet to go. I hope to go with them next time we visit her! Your pictures are amazing.

  5. Stunning – thanks for sharing. Whenever I hear the words “Niagara Falls”, I am always reminded of a Three Stooges movie I watched in my childhood. These are much better images!

  6. We have been to the Canadian and American side of Niagra Falls and we like the Canadian side a tad more. We did the same Maid of the Mist tour and it was amazing but I think once is enough. It’s a little honky tonk for me.

  7. I have visited Niagara 3 times as beautiful as it is,the tackiness around it is,so disappointing. I recently watched a documentary about the national parks. The makes made at Niagara were one of the key reasons for establishing them. I’m really looking forward to visiting them.

Comments are closed.

Scroll to Top