The spectacle of Niagara Falls is legendary. It first awed Native Americans of the region and today attracts more than 18 million visitors annually from all over the world.

Straddling the New York-Ontario border, the Falls is best known as a magnet for honeymooners, but the region is a dynamic destination for families, nature lovers, sportsmen, thrill seekers, gambling enthusiasts, and wine aficionados.

The formation of the Falls began at the end of the “Ice Age.” Huge torrents of water were released from melting ice and that water drained into what is now the Niagara River. About 8,000 years ago, the water plunged over the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, a cliff at what is now Lewiston, New York. The force of the water eroded the rock layers and Niagara Falls moved upstream until reaching its present location.

However, the Falls do not wear away as quickly because of modern influences. Remedial work has been done to preserve the Falls and the volume of water has been reduced by diversion for hydroelectric power.

The first European to document the waterfall was a French priest, Father Louis Hennepin in 1678. The development of railroad travel in the 1800s opened Niagara Falls to visitors and made it a prime destination for international travelers. In 1804 Napoleon Bonaparte’s younger brother, Jerome, took his American bride there. He is usually credited with starting the tradition of a honeymoon visit to Niagara Falls.

The power of Niagara Falls attracted industrialists who harnessed its force, using mechanisms such as waterwheels to drive mills and factories. The world’s first large-scale hydroelectric generating station opened in Niagara Falls in 1895. Today, power plants on the American and Canadian sides of the Falls use its power to produce nearly 2.5 million kilowatts of electricity. Under an international treaty, the flow of water over Niagara Falls is reduced during the night to allow more of the water to flow into intakes to be used for electricity. This plan ensures that the Falls’ natural beauty is unaffected during the prime daylight viewing hours.

The year 1895 also marked the designation of the area as Niagara Falls State Park. Besides creating the oldest state park in America, the law set a precedent for the protection of the nation’s natural resources and heralded a major change in basic attitudes toward nature. Incidentally, close to 300 acres of the over 400-acre park is under water.

The Niagara River drains four of the five Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie, before emptying into Lake Ontario. These five Great Lakes make up almost one-fifth of the world’s fresh water supply.

Because of an island dividing the river near the center, Niagara Falls actually consists of two individual waterfalls: the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls. The Canadian Horseshoe Falls (shaped like a horseshoe when viewed from above) is not quite as high as the American Falls, but it claims a majority of the water flow. The average height of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls is 167 feet with a crest line length of 2,500 feet and approximately 681,750 gallons per second or 90 percent of the water flows over it. The average height of the American Falls is 176 feet with a crest line length of 1,100 feet. Approximately 75,750 gallons per second, or 10 percent of the water flows over the American Falls. Six bridges cross the Niagara River between the U. S. and Canada. The most picturesque is Rainbow Bridge, a 950-foot span that is a great location for viewing the Falls and Friday night fireworks.

The heart of Niagara Reservation State Park is the spectacular Falls, truly one of the wonders of the world. The park offers many perspectives of the Falls. The bridge at the Observation Tower arcs over the Niagara River for an eye-level look, and an elevator in the tower rises 100 feet for a panoramic view of the American and Canadians falls. Sightseers also can descend by elevator to the base of the falls to experience the roar and rumble of the water or to take the Maid of the Mist boat tour to Horseshoe Falls. The open-air “Viewmobile” takes visitors to nearby vistas including Luna Island overlooking Bridal Veil Falls, Terrapin Point overlooking Horseshoe Falls and the Scheollkopf Geological Museum, which chronicles the creation of the falls.

Niagara Falls State Park was designed to allow visitors to interact with nature. In addition to incomparable views of the mighty Falls, the park offers numerous hiking trails. The Niagara Gorge Trail System along the scenic Niagara River Gorge extends from Niagara Falls, New York north to Lewiston, New York. The rim path within Niagara Falls State Park extends from the Horseshoe Falls and connects to the Upper Great Gorge Trail that leads to the Whirlpool Rapids. Some parts of the trail are at the bottom of the gorge, close to the water’s edge and within close view of the different layers of sedimentary rock that make up the gorge walls. The trail system has about 14.5 miles of trails. It is also possible to drive to different scenic viewpoints along the trail, including Whirlpool State Park and Devil’s Hole.

Hikers should be prepared. The Niagara Gorge Trail system is not a path intended for a casual stroll. It includes steep stairs and rocks to climb over. Sturdy footwear is recommended. Niagara Falls State Park offers tours on the trail with an interpretive guide. For further information, call (716) 278-1728.

Conservation of the unique phenomenon is a paramount objective. The Niagara River Ecosystem supports many of New York State’s protected animal species, including the lake sturgeon, peregrine falcon and bald eagle. The Niagara River Corridor was designated an important bird area in 1996, the first internationally recognized region in the world. The river supports thousands of wintering gull and waterfowl species.

The Niagara Region is recognized as one of the finest wine-grape growing regions of the world. The Niagara Wine Route was created to guide visitors’ views of the picturesque wine-producing areas of Niagara. Travelers can stop, tour, and taste award-winning wines. A new vintage wine and grape festival is held annually usually during the summer or fall months. The Niagara Region offers growing conditions created by the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario. Together, they form a “micro climate” which shelters the vineyards and moderates temperatures year-round.

Niagara, known as “the Myrtle Beach of the north,” has 40 public golf courses, all within a 45-minute drive of one another. All offer pay-as-you-play rates, club and cart rentals and most have fully equipped club houses with all the amenities.

Bicycle touring packages, hiking the Bruce Trail and Niagara Glen and playing racquet sports at a number of pay-as-you-play facilities, are all part of the Niagara sports scene. Fishermen love Niagara’s angling opportunities including charter boat fishing on Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, shore fishing along the Niagara River, and ice fishing in the bays around Port Dalhousie and Jordan Harbour.

For sportsmen, Niagara hosts many special events including the St. Catharines Salmon Derby, Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, NHL Slo-Pitch Championship, and weekly summer stock car racing at two speedways.

Families flock to the area’s affordable theme parks. For history buffs, there are 20 historical museums, two reconstructed forts, and the historic charm of Niagara-on-the- Lake. Thrill-seekers can test their mettle on the Whirlpool Jet Boat ride. Gambling enthusiasts can try their luck at Casino Niagara and Fort Erie Racetrack.

As for summer events, the following are just a few: Hillebrand Jazz at the Winery hosted at the Hillebrand Estates’ Vineyard. Visitors can hear some of Canada’s best jazz artists. Wines and wine country cuisine are available for purchase. Visitors can also experience the history of various cultures throughout the world at the Welland Heritage Council Folklore Festival held at the Welland Heritage Council & Multicultural Centre. Each culture will feature an open house format, where ethnic food will be sold. Attendance at the open houses is free; dinner is $9.00. Enjoy the interplay of music, pyrotechnics and the most famous Falls in North America with “Falls Fireworks and Concert Series” held on Fridays, Sundays, and holidays during the summer season. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.niagaraparks.com.

The picturesque North American Dragon Boat Championships will take place on the Welland Recreational Waterway Regatta Course. A fleet of colorful Chinese Dragon Boats will compete over a six-lane regatta course.

The formation of the falls began at the end of the "Ice Age". Huge torrents of water were released form melting ice and that water drained into what is now the Niagara River.

The Ridgeway Summer Festival features arts, crafts, a car show, jugglers, theatre performances, live musical chairs, Crystal Beach display, live auction, eating contests, street dance and beer. Art in the Gardens is scheduled at the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens on the Niagara Parkway in Niagara Falls (near the Butterfly Conservatory). The exhibit is presented by the Parkway Artists’ Guild and will feature the works of 20 established and newly introduced artists from across Niagara. The show will be held along a shaded path outdoors in the relaxing and lovely setting of the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens. Admission is free.