NIAGARA FALLS, NY

And what a look they are getting!

Niagara Falls is located right at the border between Canada and the United States. On the American side, they are located in the northwest corner of the State of New York. The falls are separated into two distinct falls: American Falls, located on the United States’ side, and the larger Horseshoe Falls, situated in Canada. The falls are separated by Goat Island. There actually are twin cities on both sides of the U.S./Canada border: Niagara Falls, NY and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

The Horseshoe Falls are about 173 feet high from top to bottom and 2,600 feet wide, while American Falls is between 70-100 feet tall (due to the gargantuan boulders at its base) and 1,060 feet wide.

Niagara Falls got its start way back during the last ice age, which ended in 11,000 B.C, when tributaries from the Great Lakes carved their way toward the Atlantic Ocean. More than four million cubic feet of water falls over the falls each and every minute on average. Niagara Falls is the largest waterfall in the U.S. and is the largest producer of electricity for the country, as well.

The escarpment where the water falls over the cliff actually was 11 miles down river when the falls were “discovered” by Europeans just a few hundred years ago, so powerful is the erosion caused by the falls.

Perhaps one of the most popular ways to view the falls, in an up-close-and-personal (and quite wet), way, is to take a ride on the Maid of the Mist boat tour. Open May through late-October, the half-hour tours take you on a tour of both the Horseshoe and American falls. You will get wet – as the boats take you quite close to the falls (without getting too close) – and the mist created by the water falling over the cliffs will drench you. The tour operator provides you with waterproof clothing, but be warned – drenching is guaranteed.

A much cozier and tastier way to view the falls is from one of many restaurants on both sides of the border that offer diners spectacular views. In addition, another popular falls observing spot is the 775-foot Skylon Tower, which offers several observation decks.

Need a drink after experiencing the falls? Check out the dozen-plus vineyards that are just a 15-minute drive north of the falls. Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries. Be sure to taste some of their famous ice wines.

Niagara Falls, Ontario’s Winter Festival of Lights truly is not to be missed. Running from early November through early January, the festival showcases three million lights at the Niagara Parks Winter Wonderland, as well as 125 animated lighting displays, including the world’s largest lighted Canadian-American flag.