My Gateway Vacation

One immense water feature, actually made up of three waterfalls, the Niagara Falls is a hot tourist attraction. Newlyweds often plan their honeymoon in the area surrounding Niagara Falls and thousands of new visitors visit the falls every year. The view of the falls is beyond stunning, making it one of the most well known and famous waterfalls in the world. Yet, there are some facts about Niagara Falls that many people may not be aware of. Below are some fascinating facts associated with Niagara Falls.

Few people know that a person actually successfully went over Niagara Falls in a barrel! Despite the fact that the feat was attempted several times by others with dire consequences, a schoolteacher actually survived the ordeal. What's more, the schoolteacher was a 63 year old woman!

At one time, Niagara Falls has what is referred to as an ice bridge. Tourists used to be able to walk along the ice bridge, a bridge that was naturally formed by the cold water in the waterfall during the wintry season. Of course, the passage of tourists onto the natural ice bridge was forever ceased in the early 1900's when several tourists died while on the bridge. The frozen bridge gave way and tourists have not been allowed to go onto the natural formation ever since.

Another interesting fact about Niagara Falls is most people are under the false assumption that it is the biggest waterfall in the world. This probably has occurred because the falls are so well known. In truth, Niagara Falls is second to the South African Falls called Victoria Falls, in terms of size.