By Sharon Kurtz
Senior Writer

Niagara Falls is more than a stunning natural wonder; it symbolizes nature’s raw power and humanity’s ingenuity. The Canadian side of Niagara Falls, dominated by the roaring Horseshoe Falls, offers thrilling views and a rich history of hydroelectric innovation.

Exploring Niagara’s Canadian side is about more than just sightseeing. Here, you’ll discover pioneering power stations, breathtaking attractions, and stories of daredevils who challenged the Falls’ might.

From the restored Niagara Parks Power Station to the iconic Whirlpool Aero Car, visitors have many unique experiences to choose from, each offering a thrilling and intriguing perspective of the Falls.

Niagara Falls, with its three iconic cascades, is a symbol of natural beauty and historical significance.

The mighty Horseshoe Falls, straddling the Canadian-U.S. border, the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls, channel the waters of the Great Lakes, sending 700,000 gallons per second tumbling over their edges. This unstoppable energy earned the Falls their name: “Niagara,” derived from the Iroquoian word Onguiaahra, meaning “thundering noise.”

The Day the Falls Stopped

It’s hard to imagine, but Niagara Falls has twice come to a standstill. In 1848, an ice jam froze the river for 30 hours. Then, in 1969, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reduced the American Falls to a trickle to study its rock formations. These rare pauses remind us that even Niagara’s mighty waters can experience moments of stillness.

Daredevils and Dare-Nots: Feats That Defy Imagination

Niagara Falls has a history of attracting daredevils. Annie Edson Taylor stands out as the first person to survive a plunge over the Falls in a barrel in 1901.

This 63-year-old schoolteacher, hoping for fame, tested her barrel with her pet cat before taking the plunge herself. Both survived the ordeal, emerging bruised but alive.

Her daring feat set the stage for future thrill-seekers eager to etch their names into Niagara’s history. Though Annie didn’t achieve the wealth she sought, her legacy as Niagara’s original daredevil lives on.

Death-Defying Stunts

Niagara has been a proving ground for adventurers, from crossing high wires to navigating the Falls in barrels and kayaks. “The Great Blondin” became the first recorded daredevil in 1859, mesmerizing crowds with feats like cooking an omelet on a tightrope. However, not all stunts ended well, as those others lacking Blondin’s skill sometimes faced tragic fates.

The Power Station and Tunnel: Engineering Marvels

The Niagara Parks Power Station opened in 1905, standing as a testament to groundbreaking engineering and hydropower’s early promise. The engineers were so confident in the hydroelectric power’s potential that the architecturally imposing station was built before the technology to harness it fully was even ready.

Designed by Nikola Tesla, this historic marvel harnessed the Niagara River’s power to electrify Ontario and parts of New York. Its original generators and exhibits are on display today.

The Battle of Electricity: Edison vs. Tesla

The station’s story also recalls the famed rivalry between Tesla, an advocate of Alternating Current (A.C.), and Thomas Edison’s Direct Current (D.C.) system — the Niagara hydroelectric station representing a victory for A.C. that laid the foundation for modern electricity.

The Niagara experience is even more fantastic following the opening of the Tailrace Tunnel. Descend by elevator to the 2,200-foot underground passage that once funneled river water back after it powered the generators at the power station.

Now, you can walk through this marvel of engineering history, feeling the cool stone walls and imagining the roaring waters that once surged here. At the tunnel’s end, an observation deck offers a thrillingly up-close view of Niagara Falls, where you can soak up the full power and beauty of the cascades from below.

Niagara City Cruises: Into the Heart of the Falls

For an unforgettable immersion of adventure, Niagara City Cruises offers the Voyage to the Falls from the Canadian side. Everyone knows about the classic “Maid of the Mist” on the U.S. side. Still, Canada’s Niagara City Cruises rivals the Maid in the Mist, plunging you just as deep into the spray. Ponchos are handed out as you board—and protect your camera and phone because getting drenched is inevitable.

As the boat inches closer, the thundering Horseshoe Falls loom overhead, and the mist becomes so thick that you can barely see anything but cascading water and your equally soaked fellow passengers. The Falls roar is exhilarating, and the iconic Canadian view will stay with you long after you dry off.

Journey Behind the Falls: A Step Back in Time

Set within the iconic Table Rock Centre, this historic site on the very edge of Niagara Falls has drawn visitors since the early 1800s. Originally a small stone platform, Table Rock began as a vantage point for travelers to marvel at the falls’ thunderous beauty. Over the years, it’s evolved into a modern hub while maintaining its historic charm, offering restaurants, shops, and viewing areas at the top of the Falls.

Inside, the Journey Behind the Falls invites you to explore tunnels carved as early as the 19th century.

These tunnels, once hand-dug with pickaxes and dynamite, bring you within mere feet of the cascade.

As you venture deeper, you’ll step through mist-laden passageways and onto two observation decks where the Falls’ power is overwhelming.

The sound of the water crashing down is deafening, and the mist is so thick you can barely see. Prepare to get wet—It’s not every day that you get a chance to stand so close to one of the world’s most powerful natural wonders.

The Whirlpool Aero Car: A High-Flying Adventure Over the Gorge

Since 1916, the Whirlpool Aero Car, designed by Spanish engineer Leonardo Torres Quevedo, has offered thrilling rides over the Niagara Gorge. Suspended by six steel cables, the antique cable car crosses a quarter mile above the churning whirlpool, crossing the international border four times in one trip. The views of the gorge and the whirlpool below are unmatched, offering a unique perspective on the natural beauty and power of the Niagara River.

Whirlpool Rapids: A Wild Spectacle

Downstream from the Falls, the Whirlpool Rapids are a wild spectacle, as mesmerizing as they are treacherous.

In 1918, a boat known as the “Old Scow” became lodged in these fierce rapids, where it remains a haunting reminder of the river’s power.

Even a 2019 storm couldn’t budge it from its century-old resting place, a testament to the relentless force of nature.

White Water Walk: Up Close with Class 6 Rapids

The White Water Walk is a historic Niagara attraction that brings visitors close to the fierce lower rapids of the Niagara River.

Early access relied on the Great Gorge Route; a steam-powered incline railway first built in 1895.

It carried visitors down to the gorge, offering a thrilling view of the roaring rapids. In 1934, a tragic accident due to mechanical failure claimed seven lives, leading to a safer rebuild.

Today, modern elevators provide secure access, and visitors still feel the awe of nature’s power from the safety of a boardwalk.

Exploring Niagara’s Beautiful Spaces

Niagara Parks natural places stretches 35 miles along the scenic Niagara River, offering accessible trails and natural beauty for all visitors.

Highlights include the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve, where trails wind through ancient forests, and Dufferin Islands, a peaceful oasis of ponds and greenery.

The Butterfly Conservatory, North America’s largest, showcases over 2,000 free-flying butterflies in a lush indoor rainforest.

Meanwhile, the historic Floral Showhouse, which dates to 1894, delights with seasonal floral displays featuring over 20,000 plants.

Pro Tip: The Niagara Parks Adventure Pass gives you access to top attractions while saving you money.

It also includes unlimited WEGO transportation, the Falls Incline Railway rides, and a round-trip shuttle to Niagara-on-the-Lake for added convenience.

Sharon’s visit was hosted by Niagara Falls Tourism. However, all opinions are her own. For more information on planning your own trip, click here.