Grand Island/Niagara Falls, New York (State #22)-Branches of Niagara Campground

We loved our time in the Niagara Falls area! The Branches of Niagara Campground would be our home for a week and it was a beautiful place (it was probably one of the most expensive we have stayed at too ;) . It was super clean and the grounds were very well kept. When we arrived, it was the Victoria Day holiday weekend for Canada. The following weekend would be Memorial Day weekend. So this place was full of Canadians when we arrived and then filled up completely with New Yorkers the weekend we left.

There was plenty for the kids to do although most of the planned campground activities would be on the weekends when we were out exploring. But we did manage to participate in the wagon ride.

Now to the best part...Niagara Falls!

Here's the interesting fact that I learned:  While it makes sense, did you realize that the falls are not at their original location??  The picture below shows how it has moved since the year 1678 but its ORIGINAL position was 7 MILES from its current location.  The rate of erosion at this point is slower due to water diversion by a hydro electric plant and by the fact that the water is flowing over limestone which is more resistant to erosion.

Here's what we did on the AMERICAN side:

1. Goat Island-it was a brief visit on the night of Victoria Day to see the fireworks over the river.

2. Fort Niagara-The kids and I went and took part in their Special Learning Days.  

The "French Castle" was built in 1726 with beautiful with Lake Ontario in the background. Britain gained control of the Fort during the French & Indian War.  It remained under British control through the Revolutionary War until they relinquished it by treaty.  They would capture it again during the War of 1812.

Most of the construction here is original with the exception of the log building (far right of the picture below) and the small blacksmith building (white building in the above picture)

The living history made this Fort even more incredible.  The kids went to musket training

and visited the bake shop where they learned about making bread and storing meat, as well as what the soldiers were given to eat.

And they learned how laundry was done and who took care of it.  I love that the kids are getting so much more comfortable with asking what they want to know.

3. Niagara Falls State Park- The grounds here were really pretty and offered many views of the rapids and falls ($10 to park)

4. Maid of the Mist-The boat ride takes you up close to the falls. There were some gorgeous views of the falls but that was when you weren't being drenched in the face by the spray!

5. Cave of the Winds-This is a boardwalk along the gorge and up near the falls. The kids absolutely loved this! Their advertisements said that they would give you special sandals to wear but when we asked, they said they wouldn't be handing those out until the following day. What?! So we had to go barefoot because there was NO way to keep your feet dry. But it was great to get that close to the falls to experience the roar, wind and splash!

6. Whirlpool State Park- The point overlook was under construction but there were still some great views of the rapids below. But most of our time spent here was hiking along the gorge. It took about an hour to reach the whirlpool and rapids (free to enter and park)

Now for the CANADIAN SIDE:

The Canadian side really offers some of the best views of American and Horseshoe falls when you are just strolling along the sidewalk.

(This is a view of the whirlpool across the gorge from Whirlpool State Park)

And there were some pretty gardens as well. 

Niagara Falls, Canada was very commercialized and pricey. The American side was pretty in the state park but outside I don't know if I could find much good to say. Each side had its positives and negatives and BOTH are worth visiting.

1. Journey Behind the Falls- this was a bit pricey but pretty cool. You take an elevator down into some tunnels which have two openings behind the falls. I wasn't really impressed by that part. It would be cool if you were in a cave behind the falls but this was basically IN the falling water so it just didn't seem that beautiful or awesome to me. 

BUT there was an observation deck that was awesome. Of course, there was continual spray in your face but it was a great view up close to the falls.

2. Botanical Gardens- beautiful garden areas to relax and take a stroll ($5 Canadian to park; free to enter)

3. Butterfly Conservatory -cool but overpriced in my opinion.  Somehow we just handed over our money without really thinking about the cost.  ($14 per adult and $9 per child, Canadian).  Upon entering, you were led into a room to watch a short video then you enter the butterfly area.  It was fairly small and if you weren't looking at butterflies, you could probably walk around the entire area in under a minute.  But it was pretty and there were MANY butterflies to see.

Jordan's expression was funny when this little guy jumped onto her head.

4. Floral Clock- this was just a brief stop but a popular attraction

5. Niagara-on-the-Lake- This was a really pretty little town.  We stopped at a small park near Fort George to view Fort Niagara across Lake Ontario.

So far, this is one of our favorites for the year!  A couple more days to explore would have been nice.  

Next, we are headed to Lake George, NY.