The day started as usual, we were relaxed, and ready for site seeing. Niagara Falls has many attractions, especially on Clifton Hill. It’s best to buy a fun pass, giving you the freedom to bypass ticket sales, and enter the attractions.
We had done that before, and this time, we wanted to visit sites away from the crush of people, preferably free sites, or low cost tickets. Under a cloudy sky, our first stop was the floral clock.
From the Floral Clock, we headed back towards the Falls, and stopped at the Butterfly Garden. We paid for parking and bought tickets. Our first point of interest was in the theatre, where a short educational film walked us through the life of a butterfly. It’s fascinating to watch butterflies emerge, and harden their wings before taking their first flight.
Once inside the conservatory, we were greeted by a kaleidoscope of colourful wings, inside a tropical paradise.
We had to look where we stepped, and it didn’t take long before they settled on our clothing or heads. I even felt one brush against my cheek 😜
We left the Butterfly Conservatory, and strolled around the lush Botanical Garden, serenaded by birds and cicadas. The paths meandered under shady trees, a cool breeze coming off the river.
The Niagara Parks School of Horticulture provides the opportunity for students to engage in experiential learning where students develop horticulture knowledge, skills in a project-based, team setting. The free botanical gardens are proof of their success.
We left the Botanical Gardens, heading to Fort Erie for a scenic drive along the Niagara Parkway towards the Falls. Magnificent homes set back from tree lined roads, accommodating professionals and their families after their busy days.
We approached the Falls from upstream, the river velocity increasing to plunge over the Falls, with spray dancing in front of the onlooking skyline.
Located on the Niagara River, which drains Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, the combined falls have the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America that has a vertical drop of more than 50 metres. During peak daytime hours, more than 168,000 m3 (six million cubic feet) of water goes over the crest of the falls every minute. Horseshoe Falls is the most powerful waterfall in North America, as measured by flow rate.
The spray from the Falls creates its own micro climate, raining down on the tourists, and cooling them off on hot days.
After a lovely site seeing day, we returned to our campsite. Chloe watched the passing scenery and took it all in, just like we did.
