The smallest of the three falls that make up Niagara Falls is still impressive, especially with a visit to the Cave of the Winds.
Bridal Veil Falls is the central cascade of the three that make up Niagara Falls. It's the smallest of the falls, at just 56-feet (17-meters) wide. This cascade of water is separated from the American Falls by tiny Luna Island. It falls a total of just over 180 feet (55 meters), including the final cascade over boulders down to the Maid of the Mist pool. One of the must-see attraction’s of Niagara Falls is here at Bridal Veil Falls. The Cave of the Winds tour brings you just a few feet from the water — close enough to feel the spray on your face — for a unique perspective.
Discovered in 1834 and opened to tourists seven years later, the original "Cave of the Winds" was a cave behind the Bridal Veil Falls. It became a major attraction on Goat Island in Niagara Falls State Park. The name is fitting: fierce winds rushed through the cavern generated by the force of the falls before it. The original cave was permanently sealed by a rock slide in 1954. Today, the Cave of the Winds lives on as the name of the attraction on the same site.
To experience this must-see attraction, head to Goat Island. You’ll reach the Cave of the Winds via a 175-foot (53-meter) elevator to the base of Bridal Veil Falls. A guide leads you along redwood decks that provide a breathtaking view, within 20 feet (six meters) of the roaring falls! A plastic poncho and sandals are provided for your hike, however, be warned that these provide a small amount of protection from the wind-lashed spray. Keep your camera in a waterproof bag, along with any other items that need to be kept dry.
You can park on Goat Island for a fee. Alternatively, walk over the pedestrian bridge that crosses the north fork of the Niagara River a few hundred feet above American Falls and connects the two parts of the state park. Cave of the Winds is open daily, from spring to late October.
