Niagara Falls Information
Fireworks over the Falls
Witness as spectacular firework displays light up the night sky over Niagara Falls! Enjoy the show every Friday, and Sunday from May 16 to September 5 at 10pm!
This summer, experience the excitement three times a week! Fridays, Sundays and Wednesdays in July and August at 10pm!
All Firework display times and dates are subject to change and dependant on weather and wind conditions.
Niagara Falls Facts
- The word "Niagara" was derived from the Iroquois Indian word "Onguiaahra" meaning "the strait"
- Niagara Falls is 12,000 years old
- Niagara Falls are the second largest falls in the world next to Victoria Falls in South Africa. What makes Niagara Falls spectacular is the combination of volume and height.
- 2800 cubic meters of water flows over the edge of the Falls per second during the summer peak, and falls at a speed of 65 km/hr.
- The sound of the Falls has been described as thunder, and is caused by air bubbles breaking as they are slammed up and out of the water.
- The plunge pool beneath the falls is 35m(100 feet) deep.
- It is estimated that Niagara Falls erodes at the rate of 1 foot per year.
- The Niagara generating stations supply one quarter of all power used in New York State and Ontario.
- All the water flows from 4 Great Lakes (Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie) north through the Niagara River into Lake Ontario and through the St. Lawrence River to the Atlantic Ocean.
- As one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Niagara Falls attracts more than 12 million visitors a year.
Travel Documentation
Effective June 1, 2009 all citizens of Canada, United States and Mexico will require a passport or approved document including an enhanced driver's licence or enhanced Identification Card to travel through North America by land or air. Children 15 years of age and under must present a valid passport for air travel however are only required to present proof of citizenship when entering the country by land or water.
This change in the required documents is the result of the 9/11 commission recommendations under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).
For more information, please visit www.travel.state.gov, http://www.getyouhome.gov/ or http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/whti-ivho/menu-eng.html.
Tax Refunds
The Government of Canada has announced the intention of eliminating the Goods and Service Tax Rebate, and announced the introduction of the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive program.
As of March 31, 2007 visitors to Canada who purchase goods and export them, will no longer be entitled to a rebate of the GST paid.
The Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive program offers rebate to certain property and services used in the course of holding a foreign convention in Canada.
For more information on the Visitor Rebate Program or Foreign Convention/Tour, visit http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/tpcs/gst-tps/rbts/vstrs/menu-eng.html.
You can also phone:
From within Canada, call toll-free at 1 800 668-4748
From outside Canada, call (902) 432-5608 (long distance charges will apply).
Currency Exchange
While hotels accept both Canadian and American currency, the best method of payment when using US dollars is by credit card as the exchange is handled by the credit card company and based on the exchange rate of the day.
Please be aware that exchange rates may vary within the tourist district when paying by cash with American currency.
Legal Age
The legal age for gambling and drinking in Niagara Falls New York is 21 years old. The legal age for gambling and drinking in Niagara Falls Ontario Canada is 19.
