Tourism travel to the Niagara Falls began in the 1820s and within 50 years it had increased ten-fold, resulting in the area's dominant industry. Today, approximately twelve million tourists each year visit the amazing Niagara Falls in order to admire up close how nature has changed and continues to alter the incredibly rich landscape at this part of the earth's surface.



With famous movies like "Niagara" and "Superman II," which were partly filmed at Niagara Falls, the extraordinary imagery of the area traveled all around the world, attracting people's attention and making them select the Niagara Falls region as their next travel destination. Since the Rainbow Bridge, the Whirlpool Bridge, and the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge were constructed, more and more tourists have been reserving a room at a nearby hotel, making the most out of the fact that human intervention actually gave them the opportunity to admire the Falls closer than ever before. In addition, according to testimonials the sound of the water falling at the bottom of the Niagara Basins is practically heard everywhere.

Travel planners suggest that the best months one should do this kind of trip are June, July and August. This is especially due to the fact that during the summer-and especially during daytime-the waterfalls are in their best "shape." Winter sightseeing, on the other hand, has created more than a few debates. After February 4th, 1912, when three tourists lost their lives, United States and Canada decided to ban people from actually walking out on the ice bridge, which is created as the water of the river freezes, to view the Falls from below. Hard to imagine, but this was actually a usual practice of people back then! Nevertheless, if one can resist the temptation of walking over ice and can endure the cold weather conditions, visiting Niagara Falls during the winter is said to be an amazing experience.

During the peak of the tourist season, from the Canadian side, floodlights illuminate both sides of the Niagara Falls for several hours after dark, while from the US side, the American Falls are viewed from walkways along Prospect Park, where an observation tower further enhances peoples' view. For those still interested to take a closer look, they can go down the 300 steps to the "Cave of the Winds," which is beneath the Bridal Veil Falls area. The Niagara Scenic Trolley offers guided trips along the American Falls, and on the other side, the Queen Victoria Park has platforms and gardens for the tourists interested to view both the American and Horseshoe Falls. Moreover, Skylon Tower's observation deck offers the highest view of the Falls from the US side, while the Minolta Tower from the Canadian side of the area also overlooks the Falls and is open to visitors. Finally, the Niagara River Recreational Trail runs 35 miles (56 km), allowing people to stop and review some historical sites from the 1812 War, while cruise ships and the "Journey behind the Falls" offer even more excitement.