Niagara Falls Neighborhoods
Niagara Falls is three separate waterfalls that straddle the U.S.-Canada border; the American and Bridal Veil falls in New York state and the Horseshoe Falls (also called the Canadian Falls) in Ontario, Canada. The Horseshoe Falls are separated from the other two by Goat Island (part of the U.S.), which is accessible by car or foot and provides spectacular views of the rapids and drop-offs.
The American Falls are best seen from Prospect Point Park, which has a 282-foot-tall observation tower for visitors. The Maid of the Mist boat tours picks up passengers at the bottom of the falls.
The smallest of the three waterfalls, Bridal Veil Falls is sandwiched between New York's Luna Island on the east and Goat Island on the south. The Cave of the Winds gives visitors access to the base of the waterfall. An elevator goes from Goat Island to the base of the falls, allowing visitors to tread the wooden walkways to the "Hurricane Deck," where they will enjoy getting soaked by the waterfall's rushing water.
The most impressive of the three is Horseshoe Falls, which sits nearly entirely within Canadian boundaries. Named for its curving shape, nearly 90% of the Niagara River tumbles over the falls, producing a heady amount of mist and an incredible photo backdrop. There are two ways to get up close to the Horseshoe Falls. The Maid of the Mist boat tours go to the base of the falls, while the Journey Behind the Falls attraction takes visitors 150 feet down the falls in elevators. Once off the elevators, visitors can walk through tunnels that lead to portals for excellent views of the gushing falls.
Safety
Although it welcomes a large number of tourists every year, Niagara Falls is still a relatively small and safe town. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't use common sense. Keep a close eye on your personal items, especially in more crowded areas. You'll also want to exercise some caution around the falls themselves. They produce a large amount of mist, which can impose a slippery film on the walkways surrounding the falls. Wear shoes with traction, and hold on to the rails to avoid slipping.
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