Daylife in Dunkirk

I do realize that Niagara Falls is not in Dunkirk. In fact it’s significantly farther away than the rest of the places I’ve chosen to write about, but this week is sort of special.

I’m home for Easter break right now and have had a lot on my plate recently, which made it hard to check out a place in Dunkirk. I live in North Tonawanda which is just over an hour drive from Fredonia and very close to Niagara Falls. It occurred to me that the Falls are not too far from the Dunkirk area.

Having one of the most well known natural attractions in the world only an hour away is pretty cool. It would make for the perfect day trip.

So earlier today after our Easter dinner, my family and Itook a trip to walk around Niagara Falls. Even though I’ve been here countless times, it amazes me all over again every time I go.

Niagara Falls is a collection of powerful waterfalls shared by the United States and Canada. The Observation Tower in Prospect Point hangs over the Niagara Gorge giving you a view of all three waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls (also known as the Canadian Falls), The American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls.

People gather here from all over the world to take in the views. There are also various activities you can participate in during the summer season.

One of the most famous attractions is a sightseeing boat tour called the Maid of the Mist. During the ride they provide you with a blue rain poncho and take you into the heart of the Niagara Gorge to see the raging currents, hear the deafening roar of the rushing water, and feel the refreshing mist of the river first hand. This allows you to see the Falls from a new perspective and really immerse yourself.

Another popular one is the Cave of the Winds. An elevator takes people down from the area between the American and Canadian Falls to the level of the Niagara River at the base of the American Falls. People then walk up a series of redwood decks and platforms to the “Hurricane Deck” at the base of the Bridal Falls where the water crashes down right on them and flows beneath the decking.

For those who want to avoid getting wet and view the water from more of a distance, they also offer guided hikes, trolley rides and walks to enjoy the views and discuss the rich history of the Falls.

Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the United States. Established in 1885 and originally known as the Niagara Reservation, it is more than just a beautiful sight. Energy from the Niagara River is harnessed for hydro-electric power and power generation facilities along the river supply a quarter of all power used in New York State and Ontario.

While I was there earlier, I noticed there was a lot of construction going on. A worker informed us that they are preparing for the summer season and upgrading their Visitor Center to include “21st century technology.” They also told us that tomorrow they will be reinstalling the light posts that they remove each winter, which means people will be able to visit at any time day or night.

If you’re from the Dunkirk area and have never been to Niagara Falls, you’re seriously missing out. I would highly recommend taking a few hours out of your day and going to see this beautiful natural wonder.