DAY 11 - Niagara Falls

One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the world famous Niagara Falls.  

Niagara Falls is actually three waterfalls that straddle the international border between Ontario, Canada and New York.   From the largest to smallest, the three waterfalls are the Horseshoe Falls,  the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls.  The Horseshoe Falls lies on the border of the United States and Canada with the American Falls entirely on the United States' border.  The smaller Bridal Veil Falls are also on the United States' side.

Located on the Niagara River, the combined falls form the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America. Horseshoe Falls is the most powerful waterfall in North America, as measured by flow rate.  Niagara Falls is such a valuable source of hydroelectric power which has created a challenge in balancing the recreational and commercial uses since the 19th. 

Up close you can feel the enormous power of the Falls by taking a ride on the Maid of the Mist boat. The original Maid of the Mist was built at near Niagara Falls on the American side of the border.  The boat was christened in 1846 as a border-crossing ferry and could carry up to 100 passengers.

The ferry did well until 1848, when the opening of a suspension bridge between the United States and Canada cut into the ferry traffic. It was then that the owners decided to make the journey a sightseeing trip, plotting a journey closer to the Falls. The current Maid of the Mist VII was built in 1997 and carries 600 passengers.