Cave of the Winds - Niagara Falls, New York

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. In case you were wondering, here are the

7 Ancient Wonders of the World:

  • 1. Great Pyramid of Giza
  • 2. Hanging Gardens of Babylon
  • 3. Statue of Zeus at Olympia
  • 4. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
  • 5. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
  • 6. Colossus of Rhodes
  • 7. Lighthouse of Alexandria

*The Great Pyramid of Giza, built more than 4000 years ago, is the only surviving wonder!

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. Any waterfall lover should definitely add Niagara to their must-see bucket list!

Niagara Falls

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!

Cave of the Winds

Niagara’s best attraction on the US side is definitely Cave of the Winds, a must-do on any Niagara vacation. This spectacular attraction allows you to get up close and personal with the falls. Before your self-guided tour, you will don a yellow poncho and souvenir sandals to walk across Hurricane Deck. Here you will stand a mere 20 feet from the falls! An incredible experience to say the least! Standing so close to the falls is a powerful experience, much more so than merely looking down from above.

Wooden walkways at Cave of the Winds - Niagara Falls
Cave of the Winds attraction in Niagara Falls

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, Cave of the Winds offers the biggest bang-for-your-buck experience. What a small price to pay for such an incredible experience!

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.

*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 near Cave of the Winds for easy access. The Giacomo, The Red Coach Inn, and Holiday Inn Niagara Falls downtown are all located less than 1/2 mile away.

Location & Pricing Info

*Cave of the Winds is located in Niagara Falls State Park on Goat Island. If not walking from your hotel, parking is available at varying rates, starting at $8. Check the Niagara Falls State Park parking page for full details.

*Admission tickets are $21 for adults and $17 for kids (ages 6-12). Rates discounted to $14 and $10 from October 16th through March 31st.

*Hours vary based on the season. Check the website for full details.

Have you ever visited Cave of the Winds? What other attractions would you recommend in the area?