Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, the world's most famous waterfall, straddles the border between Ontario, Canada and New York State, USA. The falls comprise three separate waterfalls — the Horseshoe Falls (the largest, on the Canadian side), the American Falls and the narrow Bridal Veil Falls — that together create the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world, with 2,800 cubic metres of water flowing over the edge every second. The Canadian side (Niagara Falls, Ontario) consistently provides better views and more to do — Table Rock welcome centre gives the most dramatic proximity to the Horseshoe Falls. The Maid of the Mist boat tour (both sides) takes passengers directly into the spray at the base of the falls — genuinely spectacular and thoroughly drenching. The Journey Behind the Falls tunnel allows visitors to stand behind the curtain of water. The American side offers Niagara Falls State Park (free, oldest state park in the US) and Cave of the Winds. Niagara-on-the-Lake (20km north, Ontario), one of Canada's most charming small towns and the centre of the Niagara wine region, is an excellent extension. The Niagara Falls State Park's Goat Island offers excellent close-up views of the American Falls at no charge. The falls are open year-round; winter is spectacular when ice builds up around the base. The casino hotels and tacky tourist strip around the falls are best ignored in favour of the natural phenomenon itself.