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Cave of the Winds

 
Travel Guide: Cave of the Winds
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Originally a natural cave behind Bridal Veil Falls, the name Cave of the Winds was given to a ride that brings visitors exceptionally close to Bridal Veil Falls. An elevator takes visitors 175 ft/53 m deep into the Niagara Gorge. From there, walkways take them to the famous Hurricane Deck, 20 ft/6 m from the falls. The handicapped and adults with small children can see the falls from a deck about 150 ft/45 m from the base of the falls. Rainbows are often visible, both day and night.

Tickets cost $10 US for adults and $7 US for children aged 6-12. Children must be at least 42 in/1.02 m tall to go to the Hurricane Deck.

Parking is available on Goat Island for $8 US per car. There is free parking along the parkway, a ten-minute walk from the Cave of the Winds. You must enter the park via Robert Moses State Parkway and make a u-turn under the bridge.

Prices are subject to change.

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Wikipedia: Cave of the Winds (New York)
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Coordinates: 43°05′00″N 79°04′16″W / 43.083417°N 79.070991°W / 43.083417; -79.070991

 This article relies largely or entirely upon a single source. Please help improve this article by introducing appropriate citations of additional sources. (July 2008)
Cave of the Winds tour in Niagara Falls, New York, USA
Cave of the Winds elevator building

The Cave of the Winds was a natural cave behind Bridal Veil Falls at the Niagara Falls.

The cave was some 130 feet (40m) high, 100 feet (30m) wide and 30 feet (9m) in depth. It was discovered in 1834, and originally dubbed Aeolus' Cave, after the Greek god of winds. Guided tours began officially in 1841, and continued until a rock fall in 1920 made it clear the passage was no longer safe. The tour officially reopened in 1924, now bringing visitors to the front of the Bridal Veil instead of behind it, on a series of decks and walkways. Tropical storm-like conditions can be experienced, as winds can reach up to 68 mph underneath the falls.

The cave was obliterated in a massive 1954 rockfall and subsequent dynamiting of a dangerous overhang.

Today, the "Cave of the Winds" is the name of a tourist attraction near the same site. An elevator takes people from the area between the American and Canadian Falls down to the level of the Niagara River at the base of the American Falls. A series of redwood decks and platforms allow sightseers to walk right up to the base of the Bridal Veil Falls with water crashing down right on them and flowing beneath the decking.

The decking is removed each fall due to the potential damage caused by ice buildup at the falls and re-installed each spring by park officials for sightseers to enjoy the experience. Amazingly, the decking is not secured to the rocks below by any bolts or other construction materials. The wood beam supports are just wedged into the rock crevices.

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