Niagara is full of sights worth pointing out. As we drive through the area, your guide will highlight historic buildings, iconic viewpoints, natural features, and local landmarks that help tell the story of Niagara Falls. From famous hotels and engineering marvels to scenic lookouts and heritage sites, you’ll gain a fuller appreciation of everything that makes Niagara unique, long before you step out of the bus.
In 1796, the Treaty of Paris was signed, giving Fort Niagara to the Americans. To protect their interests in Upper Canada, the British immediately constructed a fort directly across the Niagara River. By 1802, Fort George had been completed and was the headquarters for the British army, local militia and the Indian Department.
This elevated ridge on the right is the Niagara Escarpment. Beginning at the Niagara River Gorge, it extends north, through Ontario, 440 miles, 725 kilometers to Georgian Bay, Tobermary, and Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest freshwater island.
After the War of 1812, many families settled along the Niagara River in the communities of Queenston and Lewiston. Both settlements became international trade and commerce hubs. Ferry boat services were developed to cross the border between Canada and the USA.
Laura Ingersoll Secord was a Canadian heroine of the War of 1812. She is known for her 20 mile (32 km) trek out of American occupied territory to warn British forces of the Americans’ attack plan.
The Wayside Chapel was built in 1969 by the Christian Reformed Church. This 10 foot (3 meter) square church is one of the smallest in the world. Yes, it is a fully functioning church.
Located on the US side of the Niagara River, this mighty power plant collapsed on June 7, 1956. A small seepage started in the back wall which grew until the floor was buckling by 4 p.m. Within an hour the entire back wall collapsed.
The stately buildings across the river from the Botanical Gardens are part of Niagara University, in New York State, U.S.A.. Niagara University is a Catholic university, located in the town of Lewiston in Niagara County, overlooking the Niagara River gorge.
In June of 1956, water seeping into a back wall caused the collapse of twothirds of the Schoellkopf Power Station. The United States needed a new power station. Construction of the Robert Moses Niagara Hydroelectric Power Station, named for New York City planner Robert Moses, began on March 18, 1957 in Lewiston, New York, near Niagara Falls.
The Spanish Aerocar has been ferrying tourists over the Niagara Falls Whirlpool since August 8, 1916 to the present, without any accidents or injuries.
About 1.5 kilometres (0.9 miles) downriver of the Rainbow Bridge and about 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) from Niagara Falls is a unique bridge. This was once the site of the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge, used to connect the commercial downtown districts of Niagara Falls, Ontario and Niagara Falls, New York.
Down river from Niagara Falls is a unique log cabinlike hotel. One of the first things you notice about it is the red and yellow tubes jutting out from the sides. Those tubes are water slides. Yes, like in amusement parks.
The Botanical Gardens were established in 1936 by The Niagara Parks Commission for the “Training School for Apprentice Gardeners” 9 km (5.6 miles) north of Niagara Falls. The Botanical Gardens site is the outdoor classroom for the students attending a unique 3-year horticulture diploma program at the School of Horticulture.
In the early 1800’s rowboats were used as ferries to cross the Niagara River below the Falls. In 1846, the first Maid of the Mist steamboat, a side-wheel steamboat ferry with twin smokestacks , was launched, with the idea to turn a profit by transporting people, luggage, mail and cargo.
Niagara Falls’ Honeymoon Bridge was built in 1897. When completed, the bridge became the largest Steel Arch Bridge in the world. Its features included double tracks for trollies and room for carriages and pedestrians. Ice bridges that formed in the winter were a constant threat.
After the Honeymoon Bridge collapsed in 1938 due to the ice buildup on the Niagara River, a new bridge was needed to connect the cities of Niagara Falls, New York, United States, and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. During their 1939 royal tour of Canada, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth dedicated the site of the Rainbow Bridge.
Born in New York State, Trisha first came to Canada in 1969 to attend Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario. After she graduated, Trisha spent time in Europe where she became inspired by the magic of Europe. After a couple of years, she came back to Toronto and started a job selling other people’s paintings.
Queen Victoria Park was established by the Provincial Park Act in 1885 and opened to the public on May 24, 1888; the birthday of Queen Victoria. The park is operated by the Niagara Parks Commission and is considered the centerpiece of the Niagara Falls tourist area.
The history of Table Rock dates back to the mid 1700s.
As the Horseshoe Falls receded, a large shelf of rock was revealed. This became known as Table Rock.
This grand old power station was constructed in 1906 just upriver of Niagara Falls on the Canadian side. It was built right in the Niagara River bed for more efficient use of the powerful force of the flowing water.
Niagara Falls is not only rich in natural beauty and breathtaking scenery, it is also steeped in history and tales of great adventure. One such story is that of The Old Scow or Old Barge.
In the upper river, within view of Niagara Falls, is a large structure that looks like half a bridge. This is the international control dam. Since 1954, it regulates how much water goes over Niagara Falls and how much is diverted beforehand for hydro-electric power.
The area was originally known as “The Burning Springs”. By 1820, it was already a tourist attraction, but not because of Niagara Falls. There was a small natural gas emission coming from the ground. The owner of the land, M.J. Conklin, has placed a pipe with a cork stopper over the leak.
The oldest of the currently visible stations, this decommissioned power plant was built deep in the Niagara River Gorge. Constructed in 1904, it is located across from the American Falls on the Canadian side. The surge tank from the Ontario Power Station is a tower next to Queen Victoria Park.
Built in the early 1900s, the Canadian Niagara Powerhouse was the first station to produce hydroelectric power for transmission and sale outside of Niagara Falls, Canada. When the Powerhouse began operations in 1905, it’s eleven, 10,000 Horsepower generating units were the largest in-use.
The Welland Canal was initially man made back in 1829 with teams of work horses and carts. It allows the ships to go farther inland from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie.
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