At Niagara Falls, one of the seven natural wonders, water thunders over the edge at a height of nearly 200 feet and crashes onto craggy boulders below. The Falls straddle the border between Canada and the United States, with segments located in both New York and Ontario, but the Canadian side of the Niagara River is universally hailed as the finest vantage point to take in views of photogenic spots such as American, Bridal Veil, and Horseshoe Falls.
Vacationers first began filing in droves to Niagara Falls in the antebellum era, and the destination later became popular for honeymooners in the mid 20th century. Today, the tourism industry remains the vital lifeline of the town, and though the Falls themselves may be protected from commercial enterprise, the surrounding area is fair game. On the Canadian side, along Fallsview Boulevard, Casinos, indoor water parks, restaurants, and shops have sprung up, catering to the influx of visitors from all over the world who come to admire the Falls’ astounding beauty and its eminent mist.