When most people visit Niagara Falls, they often head straight for the Canadian Side of the falls. Just across the Niagara River, in the United States, are some too-often-overlooked attractions and views of these majestic wonders. In the USA, one would be hard-pressed to differentiate Niagara Falls, New York from any other small upstate town. Aside from a small collection of hotels and attractions around the falls, and the towering Seneca Niagara Casino, the American side of the falls has little to distinguish itself as one of the most-visited vacation destinations in the country. It is only until visitors approach almost the brink of the falls themselves where they see that the American side has many wonders to behold.

Niagara Falls State Park


The United States’ part of Niagara Falls is in the Niagara Falls State Park (sometimes called “New York State Park” or “Niagara Reservation State Park”). Started in 1885, the park is the oldest state park in the United States. It was landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted who was one of the initiators and designers of the Niagara Falls State Park – but he is better known for another creation: New York City’s Central Park.

The Niagara Falls State Park manages and operates many of the attractions on this side of the falls. The park encompasses all of the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Goat Island (and surrounding islands), and about one third of Horseshoe Falls. Although the park itself is open year-round, including the Visitors Center, most of the attractions are seasonal and thus off-season adventures offer less direct activity with the falls.

The Visitors Center features general information about the falls, including a snack bar and gift shop. The large garden outside is maintained seasonally. Also in the Visitors Center is the Festival Theater, a year-round attraction which features the 1999 History Channel movie, “Niagara Falls: A History of the Falls.”

While most Niagara Falls visitors will agree that the Canadian side of the falls is superior, with better views of all that great water, a distinct advantage to the American side is – interestingly enough – much closer access to the falls themselves, by actually standing “on top” of them (plus, visitors get a great view of Canada!).

Goat Island

Goat Island is the piece of land that separates Bridal Veil Falls from Horseshoe Falls. Accessible by car and part of the Niagara Falls State Park, Goat Island has an interesting location. From here, visitors can see rapids up close, which lead to the American / Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls. It is additionally the location of several of the park’s best attractions. Though the island is big, because of its location and the surrounding hostile waters, it is slowly eroding and will eventually disappear as the three Niagara Falls move upstream over many years. Goat Island is where several of the Niagara Falls State Park attractions are located, including Cave of the Winds. Shuttles take visitors around Goat Island and throughout the park, but there are additionally many walking paths, benches, and scenic vistas on which to stroll around endlessly.

Luna Island


Luna Island is the tiny island that separates the Bridal Veil Falls from the American Falls. It is accessible on foot, but no cars are allowed (the island is so small, more than a few cars wouldn’t fit, anyway). The walkway to Luna Island is on Goat Island. The walk to Luna Island is worth it, as it situates you in between two waterfalls, which is an unusual place to be.

American Rapids


The rapids approaching the American Falls – visible only on the American side, roar through the middle of the park and around the several small islands before toppling over the brink of the American Falls. The rapids reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. At night, they may be illuminated with bright spotlights for a more unusual view.

Terrapin Point


Horseshoe Falls is bordered on the Canadian side by Table Rock Point, and on the American side by Terrapin Point. Here, visi-tors can feel the mist of Horseshoe Falls as they look across the gorge at Canada. More remote than Table Rock Point, Terrapin Point has great views of the Canadian Fallsview resort sections, and the mist here can be just as powerful as Table Rock, if the conditions are right.

Cave of the Winds


The curious name of this quintessential attraction is misleading. Cave of the Winds is not a cave, but rather a walkway that leads visitors over to the base of Bridal Veil Falls – the smallest of the three Niagara Falls. The attraction, however, used to be a cave. Named after the Aeolus, Greek God of Wind, it stood behind Bridal Veil Falls and was a popular tourist spot as early as the 1800s. The earliest tourists had to climb down a rope, and eventually a staircase, to reach the cave. However, there were occasionally cave-ins, which killed or injured tourist. It was intentionally destroyed in 1955 because it was in danger of collapsing.

Visitors are given a poncho and special footwear prior to commencing the hour-long adventure. In groups, they are led with a tour guide down an elevator to near the base of Bridal Veil Falls. From there, they walk on a wooden walkway to what has been dubbed the “Hurricane Deck” – the closest accessible point to the falls. It is at this point where visitors get positively soaked, sometimes even more than on Maid of the Mist. Ice makes the attraction largely inaccessible in the winter, and also requires the decks to be completely re-built each year – a process which can take weeks.

Observation Tower


Located just beyond the Visitors Center in the Niagara Falls State Park, the Observation Tower is the best place in the United States to view the American and Horseshoe Falls. The tower extends out a little bit from the mainland, but still does not come close to the spectacular views from the Canadian side of the falls. Still, the tower offers a very different point of view than the one most visitors are used to. Also, there is a Maid of the Mist dock at the Observation Tower. When boarding here, the tour encompasses basically the same experience. However, near the dock, there is (when weather permits) a path where visitors can walk up next to the American Falls – kind of like the Cave of the Winds, but free, and you don’t get as wet.

Whirlpool State Park


Located on the American side of the Whirlpool Rapids area, the Whirlpool State Park is a hearty adventurer’s place. Here, a crude cement staircase makes a long descent into the Great Gorge, down to nearly the water level of the rapids. For those who don’t wish to make the difficult descent, there is still the perfect place for picnics and play on the upper level, with great views of the whirlpool and rapids.

Dirk Vanderwilt is the author of several travel guidebooks for the Tourist Town Guides series. Tourist Town Guides offer independent, honest advice about America’s top tourist hotspots.

For more information, visit touristtown.com touristtown.com

Cannes is a city located in the south of France. Resting in the heart of the Riviera, the city boasts a population of 69,700 inhabitants. During the Middle Ages Cannes was a feudal dependency under the Monastery of Lérins and it wasn’t until the 1830s that the city moved on from its fishing village traditions. At this time, aristocrats from France and beyond built holiday homes in the area and Cannes’ reputation as an exclusive holiday resort was cemented.

The city is renowned for the Cannes Film Festival, which takes place each year in May. The event receives massive international exposure, and as a result the city is overtaken by starlets and filmmakers hoping to launch their careers or new films. Each year, Cannes hosts some of the worlds most celebrated film makers and actors, all hoping that their film will be nominated for the prestigious Palme d’Or award. However, there is much more to this wonderful city than just glitz and glamour.

Cannes is home to some spectacular sandy beaches where visitors can unwind and enjoy the city’s spectacular weather. Some of the beaches are private and can be quite costly, however there are a number of public beaches, which are ideal for an afternoon of relaxing and people watching. The bay is home to Îles de Lérins, two islands that are a must-see for visitors. The larger of the two, Ste Marguerite boasts stunning beaches and coves and a beautiful castle, as well as plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. The smaller island, Ste Honorat boasts the ruins of a castle, alongside a monastery from which monks sell wine and food to visitors. There is also plenty of opportunity to enjoy water sports on both islands. Tourists should also take some time to explore the beautiful, winding streets of the Old Town, which boasts charming cafes and shops and a beautiful castle, which overlooks the city.

Dara Ward operates numerous travel websites including cannes.globalhotels-24-7.com/ Hotels in Cannes and also dusseldorf.globalhotels-24-7.com/ Hotels in Dusseldorf.

It does not matter whether you are just a novice in cruising since you can expect help from the veterans. Learn from their experiences how best you can benefit from your cruise while you evade unknown but undesirable situations.

To enjoy cruise tour learn to enjoy crossing formalities first
Be ready to produce at the airport or customs your passport or identification and your cruise ticket too if required. Never forget where you have kept those to remain free from tension and any awkward situation. It would be fine if you keep all those in a small case like a business card holder. Keep it in a safe but quickly reachable place.

To keep copies of your passport, visa, driving license, and other important documents would be wise. That applies for your traveler’s checks and credit cards too. For maximum safety precaution, keep at your home a set of the copies with a trustworthy person who is capable of taking out quickly those if your need be, while in the ship’s safe or in your cabin’s safe, if there is one, keep another set. Retain with you the originals and a set of the copies, in different places though.

Travel wise, be practical
You have no idea when it is morning time if you are in an inner cabin inaccessible for direct sunlight. An alarm clock can save you from botheration of rising from the bed now and then and go up the steps to the deck to check if someone else is already up there.

During the cruise you may not wash the clothes and therefore check that clean and worn clothes are not mixed up. Keep a laundry bag for dirty clothing.

Fun holidays-share joys with distant friends!
You can use the phones on the ship but prepaid phone cards will be cheaper. In case you prefer your cell phone better ask your service provider for extension of your calling area, get from them probable cost for receiving and making calls and at special rates, if any.

For taking pictures to record the valuable moments remember to carry enough batteries for your camera and extra memory cards too. Do not forget to bring your charger if you use rechargeable batteries. For use of camera with film be cautious to keep it at such a place that scanners do not spoil the film.

You will learn from knowledgeable cruisers that closer the look better is the view. Therefore for true appreciation of the surrounding beauty you need binoculars.

An important advice waits for you still. Despite your best efforts for a perfect cruise if it goes otherwise you should not take it as a tragedy. If there is a stain on your clothes or a camera film is spoilt you should not ruefully dampen the special vacation spirit. Why should you forget that you are on a pleasant holiday mood on a cruising spree away from your daily worries? To enjoy yourself is the solitary goal there.

Greg Hansward usually writes reports on areas relating to Alicante and Benidorm. Writing for detailed writings, the writer established his expertise on stories about alicante-spain.com/torrevieja.html Torrevieja and Alicante.

There is no doubt that hotel costs are among the biggest part of any vacation budget, and the failure to find affordable lodging has harpooned many an otherwise well planned vacation. One of the keys to enjoying a great vacation without breaking the bank is striking the best possible deal on the roof over your head.

Fortunately, the internet has made the process of finding a great hotel deal much easier. There are some great hotel, motel, and bed and breakfast deals out there, and the internet has made them easier to find than ever.

Booking ahead is essential, as is shopping around. You simply cannot expect to simply show up at a hotel and get a good rate. Most hotel chains reserve their best room rates, and they limit their numbers. Once those low cost rooms are booked, they are simply no longer available.

It is also important to book ahead because it can be difficult to gauge the demand for lording in a particular area, even if you are familiar with your destination. Special events of which you are unaware could cause a spike in hotel demand, and hotel prices, and leave you either paying an arm and a leg for a place to sleep, or, worse yet, find yourself without a place to stay at all.

It is also important to take advantage of all discounts to which you may be entitled, and not be shy about asking for discounts. Many hotel chains and independent hotels offer discounts to those in the military, senior citizens, and members of travel clubs like AAA. If you think you are entitled to a discount, be sure to ask, and be sure to verify that the discount has been applied when you arrive.

In addition, many hotel chains offer programs that are similar to airline frequent flier programs. These programs reward loyal guests with free nights and other rewards. It is important to sign up for these programs whenever you can. Most of these programs are free, so signing up will cost you nothing, and you could end up with a free hotel stay.

When looking for those great hotel deals, a number of web sites compare hotels by price, star level, and even proximity to certain tourist attractions. It is always best to search several of these sites, since not all hotel chains participate in every comparison site.

There is no doubt that finding a great hotel rate will take some time and some hard work, but it is very important to keeping your travel budget under control. The cost of lodging often represents at least half, and often much more, of the total cost of a vacation. It is easy to see, then, how getting the best possible deal on your hotel can keep your cost level low and your vacation fun level high.

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