Toronto, Ontario

Statistic don’t do justice to the majesty, the danger, or the romance of the Falls. They have to be seen in person, and there are a variety of ways to view the spectacle once your get there: four Maid-of-Mist boats enter the Horseshoe Basin and pass directly in front of cataracts; the Niagara Spanish Aerocar spans mightily whirlpool where the river takes a 90-degree turn; the Great Gorge Adventure provides a close view of the waters from half a continent plunging through the gorge at the river’s narrowest point; and three Table Rock Scenic Tunnels allow visitors to walk behind the Falls. To view the sights from above, opt for a 10-minute helicopter ride, rise to the top of the Skylon Tower observation deck via the external glass-fronted elevators, or visit the viewing platform at the Minolta Tower and Marine Aquarium.

If the real thing isn’t enough, there’s always IMAX Theatre’s Niagara: Miracles, Myths and Magic, shown on a six storey screen in the village of Niagara Falls. While you’re in town, you might consider stopping in at any of a number of places designed to entertain, including the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum, the Elvis Presley Museum, Louis Tussaud’s Museum, or the Daredevils Exhibit.