Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
statue. The public area of the temple is open daily; free tours of the entire shrine (including
the main pagoda) are offered on weekends June through October.
Park in the free lots surrounding the campus. Visitors are asked to remove their shoes to
view some indoor areas of the temple; ask permission before taking photographs.
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The Whirlpool
Three miles downstream from the falls, the Niagara River takes an abrupt right-hand turn.
This area of the river forms a
whirlpool
that is violent and magnificent to behold. The
whirlpool is a remnant of an ancient waterfall basin filled with loose rocks. As the Niagara
River receded over the past 12,000 years, it intersected this bowl of loose rock and the
course of the river changed.
Looking down at the river, note how the water enters the whirlpool and slams into the
far gorge wall, turning counterclockwise. The water is forced to cross under the main flow
andbubblesupontheotherside.Itisthisforcethatcreatestheever-churningvortexknown
as the whirlpool. Over the years, this has proven to be the most dangerous stretch of the
Niagara,whereeverythingcaughtintherivercollectsbeforeheadingdownstreamordisap-
pearing forever.
The river is generally about 30- to 40-feet deep. The whirlpool's depth is more than 100
feet. It has swallowed objects that are never seen again. Even the powerful jet boats that
blastalongthesurfaceoftheriverwillnotcrossthewhitewaterofthewhirlpool.Theswirl-
ing eye of the whirlpool is always-moving, dangerous, and should be avoided. Prior to the
jet boats, an attraction using Zodiac vessels plied the whirlpool, ending with tragic results
within its first season of operation.
TherearetwomainwaystosafelyviewthewhirlpoolontheCanadiansideofthegorge.
The
Whirlpool Aero Car
(3850 Niagara Pkwy., 877/642-7275,
www.niagaraparks.com
,
10am-5pm daily mid-Mar.-June and Sept.-Oct., 9am-8pm daily July-Aug., $13.50 adults,
$8.50 children 6-12) allows passengers to glide over the whirlpool aboard an aerial tram.
The aero car departs from Colt's Point on its slow journey to Thompson's Point, on the far
side of the whirlpool. The 10-minute ride transports passengers 210 feet above the whirl-
pool, affording excellent views of the gorge and surging water below. The aero car's capa-
city is 40 people (standing room only); it is not wheelchair-accessible.
Ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing time. Sometimes service may be interrupted
due to high winds, so call ahead if you are visiting during bad weather. The staff member
travelingon-boardcantakeagroupphotowithyourcamera,ifrequested.Acaféandpublic
restrooms are available at the gift shop. Parking is free.
