Cascading Waterfalls – The Ultimate Visit to Niagara Falls
NATURAL WONDERS AND…OHIO
What does Springfield, Ohio, and Niagara Falls have in common? Well, nothing really except both places were on our way between Chicago and Boston. Kind of… Niagara Falls seems to be on everyone’s bucket list, and it should be, for obvious reasons. How about taking a closer look at Ohio too, now that you are here?!
A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
I once bought a postcard with a subtle headline saying “Fine Herbs and Spices of Ohio” and then underneath a drawing of a salt and pepper shaker in black and white. At the time I thought the postcard was so funny and really caught the essence of Ohio.
I had just graduated high school (gymnasium in Denmark) and for the first time in my life, I had traveled to the United States. Of all the exciting places I could have gone, like California or New York, I ended up in Springfield, Ohio. A typical small midwestern town, with a strong industrial heritage, lots of cornfields, and hospitable people with traditional conservative values.
FAR FROM “SALT AND PEppER”
I lived with the Pennington Family in Springfield for a year, as an au pair. My job was, taking care of their 9-year-old son Xan, and 4-year-old daughter Dejah. Besides driving the kids to school and sports, light housework, and occasional cooking, I was to be a part of the family. Some of the best memories from my youth were created in Ohio and it was far from just “salt and pepper”.
On the way from Chicago to Boston, Allan and I decided to take a quick trip down memory lane and drive through Ohio. Despite the heavy rain that followed us from Chicago, it was an easy 5-hour drive.
AVIATION in Dayton
First, we stopped at the National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. I don’t recall visiting the museum before, but we wanted to see the Hexagon KH-9 Recovery Vehicle. A friend’s father contributed to the creation of the vehicle many years ago, making it a little special. The plan was a quick in-and-out kind of visit, but the museum was incredibly interesting. The museum is the oldest and largest aviation museum in the world. With over 360 aircraft and missiles on display, it’s showcasing the history of aviation and the US Air Force. We spent a few hours at the museum and then drove to Yellow Springs.
National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.
Quirky Boheme in Yellow Springs
Yellow Springs is a quirky and laid-back town in the Miami Valley where I used to hang out with friends. It was exactly as I remembered. Colorful and vibrant with lots of unique little boutiques, locally owned cafes, a small town marked, and live music. Everything reflected the unconventional spirit of the town, and the bohemian atmosphere brought back many good memories.
Quirky and colorful Yellow Springs
Close to Yellow Springs is a scenic outdoor destination, Glen Helen Nature Preserve. It is known for its Yellow Spring, a natural spring that flows from a limestone bed. The spring is said to have healing properties. The preserve offers a network of hiking trails that winds through forests, meadows, and limestone cliffs.
No time for Ice Cream
Glen Helen Nature Preserve required too much time, so we went to Young’s Jersey Dairy instead. Contrary to Yellow Springs this local family-owned farm was almost unrecognizable. Young’s used to be a modest red barn where the Young family made ice cream from their own Jersey cows. Now it was a full-on restaurant and a farmers market with fresh local produce. It had a petting zoo, a miniature golf course, a pumpkin patch, and other family-friendly activities. We had to give up on the much-anticipated ice cream since the whole place was packed and the lines were insane.
Young’s Jersey Dairy and Cheese Curd food truck
Cheese curds and gasoline
A little disappointed we walked across the street from Young’s Dairy. On a large open field, meticulously restored vintage cars were lined up. Something to expect when driving through small American towns on a Saturday, I guess. We bought fried cheese curds at a small food truck, which we hadn’t tried before. When I looked up exactly what it was, the first thing that came up was “A little bit of cheesy-heaven”. We strolled around the display of craftsmanship and legacy among long-bearded midwestern auto enthusiasts. The smell of fried cheese curd mixed with a faint aroma of gasoline and a high blue sky, made us forget the ice cream.
Vintage cars across from Young’s Jersey Dairy
Back to Yellow Springs
We decided to drive a few miles back to Yellow Springs where we got sandwiches at Current Cuisine. Yellow Springs has many cute cafes, but this deli which supports local farmers and producers was perfect for a quick bite. Before we headed towards Niagara Falls, we visited the house in Springfield where I used to live. I hadn’t been able to contact my host family prior and the house looked a little abandoned. However, I regret not having the guts to go knock on their door.
Niagara Falls
Late afternoon, we drove for about 6 hours to Niagara Falls, one of the most iconic natural wonders in the world. The falls are located on the border between New York State, and Ontario, Canada. They consist of three main waterfalls, Horseshoe Falls which is the largest and mostly located on the Canadian side, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls.
Misty air and RAinbows
The forecast predicted rain, but we had beautiful, crisp fall weather with sun and mostly blue skies. The sheer volume and power of water cascading over the falls into the gorge below was breathtaking. Fine misty air created beautiful rainbows above the falls as the sunlight hit the droplets. The roaring thunder of water crashing against the cliffs was a clear reminder of the unstoppable force of nature. Not only is Niagara Falls a stunning natural wonder but also a vital hydroelectrical power for the surrounding area.
Cascading waterfalls and Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls
The American Falls is located between Prospect Point and Luna Island. From here we admired all three falls from various viewpoints. At the Observation Tower, we got stunning panoramic views of the Niagara Gorge from all angles possible. The tower features informative displays and exhibits that provide insights into the history, geology, and significance of Niagara Falls.
Cascading waterfalls and Maid of the Mist tour at Niagara Falls
Close Encounter
We booked a Maid of the Mist tour for a close encounter with the falls. Bright pink rain covers were handed out as we navigated the cool misty waters past the American and Bridal Veil Falls, all the way to the Horseshoe Falls. The tour was a wet, thrilling boat ride that brought us remarkably close to the thundering cascades.
There are many options for activities around Niagara Falls, from walking tours and hiking trails to helicopter rides. You can buy tickets locally or check out options at TripAdvisor.
Close encounter with the cascading waterfalls on the Maid of the Mist Tour
Key Locations
For different perspectives and experiences within Niagara Falls State Park, you can visit Goat Island, Three Sisters Island, Terrapin Point, and Luna Island.
After the Maid of the Mist tour, we parked at Goat Island, between the American and Canadian sections of the falls. We strolled along the scenic paths and connecting boardwalks to the other islands, each providing a unique and immersive experience. Three Sisters Island was a tranquil escape with picturesque fall foliage surrounding the rapids leading up to the falls. At Luna Island, we got a close-up view of the American and Bridal Veil Falls as we felt the soft touch of the misty air.
Rapids and fall foliage at Three Sister Island and Goat Island
Rainbow above the cascading America Falls – at Goat Island
We had a long drive in front of us before reaching our next destination point, Boston, so sometime in the afternoon, we headed southeast along the Niagara River. Visiting the cascading waterfalls at Niagara Falls was truly the most memorable once-in-a-lifetime experience.