Upstate NY Custom Home Building Blog

One great advantage to living in the greater Rochester area is that we’re just 85 miles from one of the most spectacular natural sights in the world. Nature lovers, honeymooners, daredevils from all over the world travel to Niagara Falls to experience the thundering roar of 600,000 gallons of water falling right before their eyes.

Because of its close proximity, it can be easy for those of us in the area to take the Falls for granted. But here are a few fun facts (courtesy of www.niagara-usa.com) that you may not be aware of—even though the Falls are in your own back yard!

• Niagara Falls is comprised of three waterfalls: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls, also known as the Canadian Falls.
• Niagara Falls' vertical height is over 176 feet in some sections.
• The American and Bridal Veil Falls were turned off in 1969 by the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers to study the effects of erosion—and will be turned off again soon to allow the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation to rebuild two, 115-year-old bridges.
• The first person to go over the Niagara Falls in a barrel was 63-year-old school teacher Annie Edson Taylor.
• The Cave of the Winds attraction at Niagara Falls is torn down and re-built every year.
• Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest State Park in the United States.
• At one time, P.T. Barnum wanted to turn Goat Island (inside Niagara Falls State Park) into a circus ground.
• Energy from the Niagara River has been harnessed for hydro-electric power generation as far back as the mid-eighteenth century.
• More than eight million people visit Niagara Falls USA every year.
• Fish travel over Niagara Falls and most of them survive because of their ability to flow with the water and fall into the pool at the base of the Falls (most people aren’t so lucky!).

There is much more to do around the Niagara Falls area than just gaze at the incredible sights. Along the lower banks of the river (beneath the Falls) you’ll find the Niagara Wine Trail, USA where you can explore and sample a delightful variety of New York wines. There are wine tours and events year-round that provide opportunities for wine tasting. You can even opt for a limo or bus tour package. 

And while Niagara Falls is a great day trip from the Rochester area, you may want to linger a while for some adult fun at the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino. Spend the night, visit the casino for some gaming, enjoy a fine meal, or catch a show. And you can still catch one more glimpse of the fabulous falls on your way back home!

Easy access to Niagara Falls is just one of the things that people love about living in the Finger Lakes region. I invite you to click here to check out the homes we’ve created for families in the area to help them enjoy life in the Rochester area more fully—for years to come!