American Falls, Niagara Falls

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The falls at left in the picture are American; at right, Canadian. To appreciate both of them you have to be in Canadian side.

Maybe because of it, this was the easier American frontier I ever crossed. In both directions.

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Part of Niagara Falls on the Niagara River the American Falls lie completely within the U.S.A.but ironically can only be viewed in full from the Canadian side.The falls are sperated from the Canadian Falls(Horseshoe Falls)by Goat island.It has a straight line width of about 830 ft(250 m).The Torrent of water passing over the crest is about 950 ft(290 m)long.The height of the falls ranges from 70 to 110 ft(21-34 m).The Maid of the Mist boat tours passes by these falls on its way to the Canadian(Horseshoe)falls.Though not as spectacular to look at as its Canadian coun terpart its still truly a World Wonder with millions of tourist attending the falls on both sides of the border every year.

It's a really quick journey to get over to the US side of the Falls from the Canadian side, you can walk across the Rainbow Bridge, passing through customs/immigration. The Americans have spiffed up their park on the other side to include a viewing tower near the American Falls and more viewing platforms near the Horseshoe Falls. We only viewed the Falls from the free parts of the park, we had already been on the Maid of the Mist on the Canadian side and it's essentially the same journey. The viewing platform also didn't seem to make much sense since we could see the Falls much better from the Canadian side. The only thing I considered doing was the Cave of the Winds which brings you right below the Bridal Falls, you will notice people coming up from visiting with their shoes in plastic bags and funky sandals on their feet, you will get absolutely drenched should you choose to stand on the "Hurricane Deck".

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On the Niagara River, straddling the Canada-US border, Niagara Falls is probably the most notable natural attraction near Toronto. The falls are generally divided into two: the narrower and shorter American Falls and the much wider and taller Horseshoe (or Canadian) Falls. The American Falls are shorter by virtue of the presence of huge boulders at the bottom of the falls.

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Too many photos to share in just one tip so am adding more in this one.... By the way every daredevil who's attempted a stunt on the Niagara has done it over the Horse SHoe falls as it is just a fall into the water unlike in this waterfall, as you can see the American Falls has so many rocks at the bottom of the fall that trying any stunt over it will surely only be fatal!

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Thought the tour guides never agree the American Falls is in our opinion the lesser of the two falls, it is like any other falls but as we said before the thrill of the game is the part that lets us get so close to the falls. From the park you can just walk along the river to reach the railings right next to the falls. It is amazing how low the railing is and how close you feel to the falls! Get your view from below the observation deck, from the prospect poitn or from the luna island :) We got all three, check the fotos.

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The American Falls is one of three waterfalls that together are known as Niagara Falls on the Niagara River along the Canada-U.S. border. Unlike the much larger Horseshoe Falls, which is on the Canadian side of the border, the American Falls is completely within the U.S. state of New York. The height of the American Falls ranges between 21 to 34 metres (70-110 feet). This measurement is taken from the top of the Falls to top of the rock pile (talus). The height of the Falls from the top of the Falls to the river is 57 metres (188 feet). American Falls, viewed from the New York side, looking towards Goat Island. Horseshoe Falls is visible in the background.The falls are viewable head-on from the Canadian side in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

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The American Falls is 1 kms north of Horseshoe Falls on the opposite side of the Gorge and it will be the 1st Falls that one sees when entering Niagara Parkway from Clifton Hills area.

It is photogenic in the sense that it can be captured in its entirety using standard camera lens with the possibility of people posing in the front. Another good thing is that the viewing area for American falls is less crowded giving more time to observe the Falls and more time to take pictures. Also, there are more locations from Niagara Parkway that the Falls can be seen from.

If you use binoculars, you can see tourists descending to the floor of the gorge on the American side to observe the Falls at close range. However, we have never undertaken this activity as we have never been on the American side. But we will shortly do so.

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The name "Niagara" is said to originate from an Iroquois word "Onguiaahra" meaning "The Strait." The region's original inhabitants were the Ongiara, an Iroquois tribe named the Neutrals by French settlers, who found them helpful in mediating disputes with other tribes.

Native American legend tells of Lelawala, a beautiful maid betrothed by her father to a brave she despised. Rather than marry, Lelawala chose to sacrifice herself to her true love He-No, the Thunder God, who dwelled in a cave behind the Horseshoe Falls. She paddled her canoe into the swift current of the Niagara River and was swept over the brink. He-No caught her as she plummeted, and together their spirits are said to live forever in the Thunder God's sanctuary behind the Falls.

While the Canadian side doesn't let you get to edge of this giant waterfall, it has great views across the gorge to the American Falls. The American Falls drop about 176 feet and are very beautiful when viewed from a variety of overlooks on the Canadian side. In terms of scenery, the Canadian side gives you a better view, but head to America or board the Maid of the Mist for a personal encounter with this waterfall.