Niagara Falls; One of The Seven Forgotten Natural Wonders of the World
By lauriefnp
@lauriefnp (5109)
United States
January 1, 2007 10:18am CST
I live about 20 minutes away from Niagara Falls, which is described as being one of the Seven (forgotten) Natural Wonders of the World. Niagara Falls is truly an amazing sight and a great place to visit; you can easily spend an entire vacation exploring all that there is to see and do there, on both the Canadian side and the American side. Niagara Falls is known for tourism, obviously, and for attracting honeymooners. When I was growing up, our family always took several day trips to the Falls every summer; our school classes also took field trips to various attractions in the Falls due to its close proximity. Whenever we have guests from out of town, we have to take them there to see the sights. Living in this area, many of us, myself included, tend to take this awesome place for granted. I'm wondering how many foreign MyLot users have been to Niagara Falls- What were your impressions and experiences? Was it a good trip? Do you have any special memories? Please share them with us.
http://wonderclub.com/WorldWonders/NiagaraHistory.html
9 people like this
59 responses
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
2 Jan 07
Happy New Year!
I hope that you can see it in person sometime!
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
1 Jan 07
I grew up about 20 mins away from Niagara Falls (ontario) and hung out on the Hill and at Maple Leaf Village pretty much every other day LOL...the Falls is fantastic (the canadian side) there is so much to do and see and its never boring..I mean theres something for everyone there really and if you talk to ppl from the area you can easily avoid the tourist traps...I try to get the kids back home at least once a yr which is funny considering I'm only 1 hr away (in NY) from the Lewiston Bridge LOL
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
1 Jan 07
well this was back in the early/mid 80s so it even though it was touristy then it wasnt nearly what its like now....it was actually quite different, alot of stuff that is there now wasnt back then and alot of stuff that was then is gone now like Maple leaf village which is now the first casino...still lots of fun though...now I love going because my kids get a total riot out of it...
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
2 Jan 07
It's funny, I don't even remember Maple Leaf Village. I do know exactly where the Casino is; I've been there quite a few times! I'm sure the kids love all there is to do there; it's like another world.
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
1 Jan 07
It's funny to think of teenagers who live in the Falls and hang out on the Hill, which is such a big tourist attraction! There really is something for everyone, and no matter how often you go there you can find something new to do. Just this past summer I finally took the helicopter tour over the falls, and it was spectacular; what a view from up there! It was a spur of the moment thing, so I didn't have my camera with me- which means that we'll have to do it again so that I have pictures.
1 person likes this
@sunsham68 (1376)
• India
2 Jan 07
Very interesting discussion, however the thought kept going in my head, which are the other 6 forgotten natural wonders of the world? Please do enlighten us!
In response to the discussion, I agree that we tend to downplay wonder and amazement a lot in these busy days, but I for one keep going back to nature and connecting, relaxing and even bonding..for me, even a small - almost invisible grass flower evokes wonder and awe, so I don't have that problem!
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
2 Jan 07
The seven forgotten natural wonders of the world are:
1. Niagara Falls (Niagara Falls NY, USA and Canada)
2. Angel Falls (Bolivar, Venezuela)
3. Fundy National Park (Brunswick, Canada)
4. Fox Do Iguacu (Brazil)
5. Mount Fuji (Japan)
6. Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)
You can view any of these sites at: http://www.listsofbests.com/list/240
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
24 Feb 07
I loved Niagra Falls. It is very relaxing and have quite some stories. We had a very good trip. It is quite expensive to do everything but loved it. We were on our Honeymoon also.
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
5 Mar 07
How could you not enjoy your Honeymoon in the Falls! I hope the weather was decent for you. I have been there so often because I live so close that I would feel like I was getting shorted going there on my Honeymoon! But it is the Honeymoon capital of the world.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
1 Jul 07
I went to the Canadian side of Niagra falls when I was really little, but I have not been back since. My mother and step-father take a trip there every few years, to celebrate their wedding anniversary, just after Christmas.
1 person likes this
@WebMann (4731)
• Canada
1 Jan 07
I love Niagara Falls and have been there many times.
I grew up in Ontario, just about an hour north of Toronto so it wasn't that far away.
I really like to go in the winter when the ice is thick on everything. It just does so much when the lights hit it at night.
I moved to the east coast where I met the girl I would marry and of course we honeymooned at Niagara Falls.
I get motion sick quite easily and we had dinner on one of the rotating towers and I had to spend the whole meal with my head pointing straight forward. Every time I would put my head down to look at my plate I could see the tower moving and it would trigger my motion sickness.
All in all it was a great honeymoon and we are still married after 25 years.
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
1 Jan 07
You're both right- Niagara Falls is a beautiful place! The winter time makes everything look intriguing; they used to have a "Festival of Lights" from Thanksgiving time until around New Years, where EVERYTHING was decorated with Christmas lights. It was absolutely beautiful when there was snow- the east coast's version of Vegas! They stopped it a few years back, I think for financial reasons. Sorry to hear about the motion sickness- I'm glad it didn't ruin the rest of your honeymoon! I'll bet you're not a lot of fun at a 6 Flags theme park...
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
1 Feb 07
I definitely prefer the Canadian side, to be honest. It's more developed and there is more to do. It's also cleaner. The views of the falls are comparable from both sides, though. The problem for us now is that we will have to either get passports or stick to the American side with these new laws that are going into effect. We're so used to being able to just zip across the border! I think I'm going to fill out the paperwork and get the passport, just in case.
1 person likes this
@sbeauty (5865)
• United States
2 Jan 07
I have been to Niagara Falls several times, and it is truly a beautiful site. The last time we went we took our son and his girlfriend, and we had a hard time prying them away, because they liked it so much. We even splurged that time and rode the Maid of the Mist. Somehow we managed to be the first on the boat and got to be right in front. It was very wet, but the plastic raincoats they gave us kept us dry (sort of) and it was an awesome experience.
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
5 Jan 07
You're right, the Maid of the Mist is an awesome experience, especially for people who are at the Falls for the first time. Unfortunately, everything has gotten to be so expensive up there. It's a typical tourist trap now, and you have to go expecting to spend money.
1 person likes this
@beckyomg1 (6756)
• United States
2 Jan 07
i have been there a few times, i live in central new york so it does not take that long to get there, i remeber as a kid going under the falls and being in the rainsuits.
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
5 Jan 07
You probably did the day trips with the schools! I know that my niece and nephew come in for an overnight trip from their schools outside of Cleveland. It's a good time for kids.
1 person likes this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
20 Jan 07
I have seen it 3 times. The first time I saw them, I was awe stricken. The force, sound and beauty is undiscribable. I would have loved to go underneath in the boat ride, but didn't get the opportunity. My mother did, and she had no words to explain it. I found that is was beautiful on the NY side and the Canada side. Nice post, thank you.
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
26 Jan 07
You'll have to do the Maid of the Mist boat ride one day. Your mother is right, it is amazing.
1 person likes this
@mirage108 (3402)
• United States
11 Jan 07
I have been there several times in my life I left that part of NY in 79 when I joined the Navy after HS graduation. I am going to be moving up that way only east of Buffalo and Rochester at the end of this month
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
11 Jan 07
Why would you move to NY State, the land of taxes? I hope it's for a good job! Seriously, though, are you talking about the Syracuse area? NY State has a lot to offer, and I've lived here all of my life, but the taxes are just out of control!
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
9 Jan 07
I hope that you can see the Falls someday. I know that there are a lot of beautiful and awesome things to see in India, also. Like you, I find it hard to get the money for such an expensive trip, but someday I hope to.
1 person likes this
@florenciascorner (381)
• United States
10 Jan 07
Shamefully, I have not been to Niagara Falls, not even to New York, but both places are definitely on my list of
'places to visit' soon. Thanks for remindig me:)
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
11 Jan 07
It's a long trip from some parts of the U.S. It's like me never having been to the Grand Canyon; some people live very close to it and see it all the time, while others must plan a week long vacation to experience it. Some day I'll get there, just as you will get to Niagara Falls! Do it in the summertime, though!
1 person likes this
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
26 Jan 07
Ok sorry I'm from NY but I want to answer too.
I too love Niagara Falls- It is completely beautiful and there are so many family oriented activities to do as well as adult activities. I have been here many times with my child and nieces and nephew and many times with my sig. other- When its just us adults we go to the casino's. Usually the Canadian side.
I must admit I enjoy the Canadian side more than the American side.. Maid on the Mist, Journey under the falls, Butterfly emporium, etc.. We are planning another trip to Niagara Falls this summer to do those 3 things I stated. I cannot wait!
Great post!
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
28 Jan 07
Thanks for the response. You're right, it's a great place for families and kids, but the adult-only trips are fun as well. The casinos up there have made it the perfect weekend getaway place! The Canadian side is my preference, also. There's more to do and it's cleaner. The problem now is that I have to find out more about this new passport law. I think that we need a passport to go to Canada as of 2/07. I'd better check into it this week. Hope you win big in the Casino this summer!
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
2 Jan 07
I know that a lot of countries organize charter tours to Niagara Falls. That might be a cheaper way to get there.
1 person likes this
@forfein (2507)
•
2 Jan 07
Hi
Sorry but I have never been there, but it is one place that I would love to visit.
It is amazing how we take for granted the place that we live.
I live near the biggest natural harbour in Europe, and it is the second biggest natural harbour in the World!
Poole in Dorset. It is truly lovely
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
2 Jan 07
I'm going to look up Poole in Dorset on the Internet- I've never heard about it. I told another user a while ago that everyone should post something about the amazing places near them, so that we can all learn about other parts of the world.
1 person likes this
@tambdy (1967)
•
2 Jan 07
I have never been to Niagra Falls but from seeing it on the TV , it is one of the places i would love to go. I would love to be able to stay within walking distance of niagra falls i would go there and read books and draw pictures.
Nice post +
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
5 Jan 07
There are a lot of out of the way places where you can relax under a tree and read, while still being in view of the falls. A lot of college students go there to study for finals in the springtime.
1 person likes this
@rakeshdas (427)
• India
2 Jan 07
yeah rightly said ....
"The forgotten NATURAL Wonder" it is ...
This proves the beauty of nature :)
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
5 Jan 07
God created wonderful things. Now it's up to us to take care of the world.
1 person likes this
@Irishchick22 (270)
• United States
2 Jan 07
I love Niagara falls, i was born and raised there and you are right it's a great place to go. I live in florida now but everytime i go back the first place i go is the falls it's so peaceful there. I used to run there everyday, i love it, it's a most see, both sides.
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
2 Jan 07
But you certainly have better weather in Florida right about now! I used to ride my bike there; we would take the bikes up on the car rack and ride for hours.
1 person likes this
@dontataru (244)
• Romania
2 Jan 07
It is very beautiful...I really want to see live Niagara. I hope that i will see it in my life
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
2 Jan 07
You have a lot of years to plan for and save for a big trip like that. Maybe some day you'll be there on your Honeymoon!
1 person likes this
