Niagara Falls Escorted Rail Holidays

One of the most popular activities at Niagara Falls is the Maid of the Mist boat tour. The boat excursion runs across the calmer waters of the Niagara River, past the American and Bridal Veil Falls, before entering into the heavy mist of spray caused by the Horseshoe Falls. It is one of the best ways to experience the awesome power of the Falls. The Maid of the Mist was originally launched in 1846 as a ferry service between Canada and USA, but soon lost most of its business when the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge was opened. Within eight years of opening, the Maid of the Mist was transformed into a tourist service and has continued to operate in this way ever since.

Situated along the scenic Niagara Parkway, Niagara-on-the-Lake is a picturesque, Georgian and Victorian styled town that was once the capital of Ontario. Today it has a beautiful Old Town and is well-worth a short visit.

At Table Rock you can admire the Falls from the viewing area, watching the immense flow from the mighty Niagara River - carrying water from the Great Lakes over the second largest falls in the world. From Table Rock you can take a trip behind the Falls. The "Journey Behind The Falls" begins with a descent, by elevator, 150 feet (46 metres) through bedrock to tunnels that lead to the Cataract Portal and the Great Falls Portal, which is one-third of the way behind the massive sheet of water. Then you walk on to the Upper and Lower Observation Decks at the very foot of the Falls.

Located along the Niagara River downstream from the Falls, the Niagara Whirlpool is a natural whirlpool with a depth of up to 125 feet (38 metres). The whirlpool spins anticlockwise during normal flow, although when water from the river is diverted into the surrounding hydroelectric power station, the flow is often known to reverse.