Niagara Falls has long been a popular destination for honeymoon couples, but you don’t have to have recently tied the knot to enjoy the trip.

Photo: caruba

The vast majority of visitors are impressed not only by the dramatic scenery, but how accessible the falls are.

The falls are on the border between Canada and the United States, some 17 miles away from the US city of Buffalo and 75 miles from the Canadian city of Toronto.

You can visit from either side of the border, though most people would recommend seeing the falls from the Canadian side.

The falls are in two major sections – the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side and the American Falls on US territory.

Photo: Wolfgang Staudt

Though they’re certainly not the highest waterfalls in the world, the sheer amount of water flowing over the falls makes them impressive. More than six million cubic feet of water falls over the crest line every minute in high flow.

Stand as close as is safely possible to the Horseshoe Falls and you’ll most likely be mesmerised by the sight of so much water cascading down the face of the falls. The water itself has a distinct verdant green colour, because of the huge amount of dissolved salts and very finely ground rock which is eroded by the Niagara River.

About one foot of erosion takes place per year – but don’t worry, they’ll still be there when you arrive. Scientists predict that the 20 miles to Lake Erie will have been eroded away…in 50,000 years!

Photo: Christopher Chan

The most memorable way to experience the falls is by boat. The Maid of the Mist boat cruise has been carrying passengers into the rapids below the falls for more than 150 years now. Fortunately, the operators give out free rain protectors, or you can make sure you go equipped with your waterproof trousers and waterproof clothing so you won’t get soaked!

There are lots of hotels on both sides of Niagara Falls. Your hotel search will be easier if you go outside the peak summer months, but all year round it’s possible to find cheap holiday deals.