The Mighty Niagara Falls

The first few things that come to mind when we think about the falls is majesty, power and one of the last remaining beautiful sites of nature. We at See Sight Tours are genuinely lucky to live so near a wonderful natural creation. Unfortunately the Niagara Falls are not listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World (though we feel that they should be), regardless, they are awe-inspiring and a great place for some beautiful photographs. This is obviously the main attraction when people come to visit Niagara Falls, but there are many other attractions that either give you a great view of the falls (Skylon Tower) or get you up close and personal with them (Maid of the Mist & Journey Behind the Falls).

The amazing thing about the falls is not their height (they are average when compared to other waterfalls), but the amount of water that flows over them. Every minute, 1 million bathtubs can be filled with water from Niagara Falls (oh and that is after they have diverted half for hydroelectricity power plants). This diversion of water does slow down the eroding process of the falls (normally around 3-4 feet is eroded per year) but is now down to 1 foot every 10 years.

The Niagara Falls are comprised of 3 different waterfalls with two flowing on the American side and one on the Canadian side. They each are individually named as the American Falls (U.S. (obviously)), the Bridal Veil Falls (U.S.) and the Horseshoe Falls (Canadian). Niagara Falls is part of the Niagara River, which is a strait that connects Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. The Niagara River is roughly about 36 miles long (58 km) and about halfway is the Falls themselves. This river is home to some of the most dangerous rapids in existence where certain areas of the river rapids reach Grade 6 (the highest and most dangerous) types of rapids.

American Falls (larger falls on the left):
Crest: 850 ft. (260m)
Drop: 70 - 110 ft. (21 - 34m) *due to the rocks


Bridal Veil Falls (smaller falls on the right):
Crest: 50 ft. (15m)
Drop: 78 ft. (24m)

Horseshoe Falls:
Crest: 2,200 ft. (670m)
Drop: 188 ft. (57m)

Truly a sight to see for anyone that enjoys some fresh air and get to see a great part of mother nature. There is plenty of space to walk and enjoy the falls with railings for everyone's safety and great photographic areas. Many observation decks exist around the Niagara Parkway giving you a better view of Niagara Falls itself and the Niagara River. Come and see the majesty and the power that is Niagara Falls. 

References:
NYFalls.com: http://www.nyfalls.com/niagara/niagara-falls-faq3.html#How_much_of_the_water_is_being_diverted_for_power_generation
Niagara Falls Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_Falls


Happy Reading,
-- See Sight Tours Team

Journey Behind the Falls, A Roaring Adventure!

A wonderful thundering wet adventure where you get to see the falls closer than you had ever dared. This attraction takes you where it claims to, BEHIND the falls. You get to feel the spray of mist across your face and take fascinating pictures from behind the falls that will be the envy of your friends. This journey takes only 30-45 minutes and you get to see the falls rushing before you at 65 km/h (40 mph).

Entering through the Table Rock House you get a bio-degradable raincoat for everyone that is going. There are two caves that run behind the Horseshoe Falls that guests get to walk around in and the waterfall is visible through the cave entrances.

Tickets for Journey Behind the Falls (April – December):

Adults (13+): $14.95

Children (6-12): $9.95

Children under 5 are Free!

Check out their website for more info and winter ticket prices:

http://www.niagaraparks.com/attractions/behind-the-falls.html

Fun facts about Journey Behind the Falls:

For 400 years people have tried to get a close look at Niagara Falls, travelling down fake stairs (broken tree trunks) to get close to the falls.

1818 – First set of enclosed stairway built

1887 – Niagara Parks Commission (who took over in 1885) installed a hydraulic elevator.

1889 – First tunnel was built.

1902 – The Ontario Power Company created a new “Scenic Tunnel” and elevator whilst taking over the old elevator.

1925 – New Table Rock House was built with dressing rooms and the elevator to the “Scenic Tunnels”

1944 – A new tunnel was built and lined with concrete; powered by electricity

1990 – Raincoats and boots were changed to a new biodegradable poncho, most are kept as a souvenir.

1994 – The name of Scenic Tours was changed to Journey Behind the Falls

An adventure great for the entire family, especially those afraid of a boat. This attraction is unguided and you can spend the allotted amount of time as you wish. An observation platform at the bottom gives you a breathtaking view of the Horseshoe Falls (perfect for pictures).

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey_Behind_the_Falls

http://www.niagaraparks.com/attractions/behind-the-falls.html

Thanks for Reading,

-- See Sight Tours Team

Founding of See Sight Tours

Earlier today in a conversation with Whirlpool Jet Boats, we were asked how See Sight Tours started up.


Its a bit of a funny story. Picture, if you will, a high school student with a small booth set up out in front of a motel on Ferry Street, holding up a sign offering tours of Niagara Falls. That was the beginning.


After working in the Imax theatre, Daud saw a number of tour companies passing through, and the thought occurred to him "That looks like fun". Soon after, Daud invested in a van, sawed a work bench, and set up a little booth. He plastered the booth with signs saying "See Sight Tours". He'd go for three weeks without a sale -  people would often comment on Daud's sign suggesting he meant to write Sightseeing Tours. To those still asking that question, it wasn't a typo!!


Daud stood at that booth from 9 am until 9 pm everyday. Finally, he received his first sale on July 1st, 2006. 


To all you young business owners out there, persistance really does pay off!


Years later, See Sight Tours now operates differently. There is no more booth hewn from an old work bench. Complete with full-time staff and tour guides, See Sight Tours is proud to be known as small family owned tour company in Niagara Falls, Ontario.


Thanks for reading,


-- See Sight Tours Team.

Skylon Tower

Quick Fun Facts:

• 775 ft above the Falls (520 ft about the ground)
• Supports a classy revolving dining room just below the observation deck
• 360 degree indoor AND outdoor observation deck

Tickets for Ride to the Top (~52 seconds) in the "yellow bug" elevators to the observation deck (see if you can spot them from outside on the ground) are:
(already includes taxes)

Adults (13+): $13.91*

Children (2-12): $8.11*

*All prices in Canadian Dollars


If driving to Skylon Tower their parking lot, which is just $5.00 Canadian for all day parking, offers a great place to park your car and visit all the attractions that Niagara Falls has to offer. Skylon Tower is located in the heart of the Falls area and is walking distance to Clifton Hill and the Hotel area.

The Skylon Tower is famous in Niagara Falls because of its amazing view. It holds many souvenir shops, a couple Starbucks as well as an arcade on the bottom floor. Skylon Tower also boasts its own Revolving Dining Room and Summit Suite Buffet Dining Room. The Revolving Dining Room actually revolves once every hour to give you an amazing view while enjoying your lunch or dinner (we recommend getting window seats). With all these amenities it is an important attraction as it gives you a very unique perspective of the Falls.

If you are interested in dining room reservations: http://www.skylon.com/diningreservations.html

History of Skylon Tower:
The Skylon Tower opened October 6, 1965, just after a full year of construction. It was constructed using the slipform method, which is the method that pours concrete into the desired form and is slowly poured on top as you move up the tower. It was the second tower, at the time, built using that method.

It was owned by a private partnership called the Niagara International Centre. The Canadian Pacific Hotels company was hired on to operate Skylon Tower. After ten years (1975), the Canadian Pacific Hotels purchased Skylon tower from the Niagara International Centre.

In 1986, Skylon Tower was purchased by local hotel owners John Gruyich and George Yerich, but after two years George has purchased John's share of Sklyon Tower, yet Milicent Gruyich owns the land under the Skylon Tower until this day.

The Skylon Tower still looks much of the same as it did back in the 70s and 80s. In 2008, some work was done to the roof to bring out its bright copper colour.

References:

http://www.skylon.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skylon_Tower
http://accessniagara.com/blog/2005/08/19/skylon_tower_facts/

Thanks for Reading,
See Sight Tours Team