Attraction of the Week: Cave of the Winds at Niagara Falls
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Niagara Falls is often referred to as one of the “Eighth Wonders of the World,” a term given to amazing places that did not make the original 7 wonders list. Many, myself included, are surprised to find out that this amazing waterfall didn’t make the list. Many new lists have been compiled over the years, including the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, however, Niagara Falls still was excluded. Regardless, the falls are absolutely spectacular and worthy of a visit especially if you live within driving distance. If you love waterfalls like me, then I would definitely recommend putting the Falls on your must-see bucket lit.
There are numerous ways to take in the beauty of the falls including boat rides, helicopter tours and the iconic Cave of the Winds tourist attraction where you will walk across a wooden platform within a mere 20 feet of the falls. The name comes from a cave behind Bridal Veil Falls which was discovered in 1834. Tours began operating in the 1840’s but eventually closed following a rock fall. Walkways were built and the new tourist attraction which still stands today was opened to the public in 1924. You can learn more about the history of this attraction and the region at the Niagara Falls State Park Welcome Center.
A little Niagara history…
Niagara Falls, the joint name for the 3 magnificent waterfalls on the US/Canada border, is one of the world’s top visited tourist attractions. This magnificent natural wonder includes The American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls on the US side, and Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side.
American Falls reaches a stunning height of 176 feet, and the Horseshoe is right up there at 167 feet. The most incredible aspect of the falls is the shear power and volume of the water. According to the Niagara Parks website, over 6 million cubic feet of water go over the falls per minute during the day! As a waterfall lover, I knew this was a bucket list contender for me. My first visit, I stopped on a lengthy roadtrip from Massachusetts to Chicago to break up the drive. I didn’t have much time to explore other a few quick overlooks, so I eventually came back to enjoy some of the tourist activities.
Read up on the history of the falls
The best way to get up close with the falls
One of the earliest and most popular attractions on the US side is Cave of the Winds. This is the closest you will get to the water. Before your self-guided tour, you will don a yellow poncho and souvenir sandals to walk across Hurricane Deck. When you reach the deck, you will be standing a mere 20 feet from Bridal Veil Falls which is pretty amazing. Standing so close to the falls is a powerful experience, much more so than merely looking down from above. It was thrilling hearing the sound of the water and being so close that the poncho didn’t help much at all.
You may have seen this attraction featured on various TV shows and movies over the years. Even if it doesn’t sound familiar, once you are here in person, it should spring back to mind.
While there are many attractions in the area, this self guided tour is the biggest bang-for-your-buck experience. What a small price to pay for such an incredible experience! Would I return? Definitely!
Tips for a great experience
*Plan your visit on a warm day – keep in mind that you are going to get soaked. Also, bring a change of clothing if you are not going directly back to a hotel, or wear quick drying sports apparel. It was really hot during our visit so we didn’t mind getting soaked.
*Wear contacts as opposed to glasses. This way you can concentrate on the views, rather than constantly wiping down your glasses! Don’t make the same mistake I did on my first visit.
*Book a hotel nearby for easy access. The Giacomo, Quality Hotel and Suites, and Holiday Inn are all within a 1/2 mile. It’s super inconvenient walking around in wet clothes all day, so I highly recommend staying nearby so you can change before exploring more. Although on a really hot day, the water can be refreshing.
Location & Pricing Info
This attraction is located in Niagara Falls State Park on Goat Island. If not walking from your hotel, parking varies by date and ranges from $5-15. Check the State Park parking page for full details.
Admission tickets are $23 for adults and $19 for kids (ages 6-12). Rates discounted to $14 and $10 from October 20th through March 31st.
Hours vary based on the season. Closed Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New year’s. Pricing current as of 2025, but subject to change. Check the website for full details and updates.
