Posts Tagged ‘cave of the winds’
The Cave of the Winds trip takes you closer to the waters of Niagara Falls than you ever thought possible. You ride an elevator 175 feet (53 meters) deep into the Niagara Gorge. Then, clad in a bright yellow poncho and wearing the special footwear provided, you follow a tour guide over a series of wooden walkways to the famous “Hurricane Deck”.
When most people visit Niagara Falls, they often head straight for the Canadian Side of the falls. But just across the Niagara River, in the United States, are some too-often-overlooked attractions and views of these majestic wonders. In the USA, one would be hard-pressed to differentiate Niagara Falls, New York from any other small upstate town.
Aside from a small collection of hotels and attractions around the falls, and the towering Seneca Niagara Casino, the American side of the falls has little to distinguish itself as one of the most-visited vacation destinations in the country. It is only until visitors approach almost the brink of the falls themselves where they see that the American side has many wonders to behold.
Niagara Falls State Park
The United States’ part of Niagara Falls is in the Niagara Falls State Park (sometimes called “New York State Park” or “Niagara Reservation State Park”). Started in 1885, the park is the oldest state park in the United States. It was landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted who was one of the initiators and designers of the Niagara Falls State Park – but he is better known for another creation: New York City’s Central Park.
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I’m often asked about the sights available on the U.S. side of Niagara.
One of the great attactions is the Cave of the Winds …
To get the the bottom of the American Falls and the Cave of the Winds, you take an elevator 175 feet (53 meters) down into the Niagara Gorge. Then, covered by your bright yellow poncho and wearing special footwear that is provided, you follow the tour guide over wooden walkways to the famous “Hurricane Deck” below the Falls. Lots of great picture taking, and of course rainbows are usually visible day and night. The deck at the bottom of the Falls has been especially designed for handicapped and adults with children in arms.
(Click on picture to enlarge)
While there is no actual cave anymore, the original cave was a natural cave behind Bridal Veil Falls 130 feet (40m) high, 100 feet (30m) wide and 30 feet (9m) in depth. It was discovered in 1834, and guided tours began in 1841. A rock fall in 1920 made it clear the passage was no longer safe, and the cave was obliterated in a massive 1954 rock fall and subsequent dynamiting of a dangerous overhang.
The tour reopened in 1924, bringing visitors to the front of the Bridal Veil instead of behind it, on a series of decks and walkways. Tropical storm-like conditions can be experienced, as winds can reach up to 68 mph underneath the falls. Click here for more info.
(Click on picture to enlarge)
Here you see visitors climbing around the steps and walk at the bottom of the Bridal Veil Falls.
Be sure to check out the tours available in and around Niagara Falls. Winery, Niagara, Toronto and other fun and exciting tours are available.
Photographs on this page taken by Chuck Camroux
