VISITING NIAGARA FALLS Niagara Falls is the collective name for three waterfalls that cross the international border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the USA’s state of New York. They form the southern end of the Niagara Gorge. From largest to smallest, the three waterfalls are the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls. The Horseshoe Falls lie on the Canadian side and the American Falls on the American side. They are separated by Goat Island. The smaller Bridal Veil Falls are also located on the American side, separated from the other waterfalls by Luna Island. There are various attractions that people can enjoy in Niagara Falls, six of them are described here. The first to enjoy in Niagara Falls is Cave of the Winds. This attraction helps people get closer to the falls and go face-to-face with the pounding waters of the Falls. People can get soaked on the Hurricane Deck where they are just feet from the thundering waters. Waterproof clothing and sandals are provided. A trip at night when the Falls are illuminated in a rainbow of color is really amazing. The second charm is Maid of the Mist Boat Tour. It is a world-famous scenic boat tour of the American and Canadian Falls for about a half-hour ride. People may access the tour via the Observation Tower elevator at Prospect Point in the state park. The boat operates mid-May until late October. The next to visit in Niagara Falls is Niagara Adventure Theater. Here tourists may enjoy the most powerful and involving film experience that brings reality to life on a 45 foot screen. Audience members are given the priviledge to discover the thundering Falls from a completely new and exhilarating perspective, and plunge over them. The theater shows hourly and free multi-language headsets are made available. Niagara Science Museum is another place to visit. It is a sanctuary for the preservation and appreciation of old science instruments and philosophical apparatus. The fifth point of interest is Niagara’s Wax Museum of History. Here, life-size wax figures portraying dramatic history of Niagara Falls are presented to guests. They can see Fort Niagara Scene, Indian Village, old store, blacksmith and barber shop scenes and how electricity is made. Wax figures of Julia Roberts, Princess Diana and many more are displayed here, too. Finally, people can also enjoy Rainbow Air Helicopter Tours above and around the American and Canadian Falls. The tours start from downtown, next to the entrance to the rainbow Bridge, and open from 9am to dusk when weather permits. The tours operate every day from second weekend in May until October 31st.The Niagara Falls are renowned both for their beauty and as a valuable source of hydroelectric power. Managing the balance between recreational, commercial, and industrial uses has been a challenge for the stewards of the falls since the 19th century. Task 2: COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS Answer the following questions by referring to the text ‘Visiting Niagara Falls.’ 1. Where is Niagara Falls located? 2. Mention the three waterfalls that form the Niagara Falls. 3. What can people enjoy in the Cave of the Winds? 4. Can people ride on the Maid of the Mist Boat Tour in January? 5. Where can people watch a film of the thundering falls with completely different background? 6. Can the tourists enjoy the film in their own language?7. What is kept in Niagara Science Museum? 8. What is shown in Niagara’s Wax Museum of History?9. Where can people see the story of how electricity was made? 10. Is it possible for people to have Rainbow Air Helicopter Tours at night? 11. If you had an opportunity to visit Niagara Falls, which attraction would you visit first? Why? 12. Can you find a place of similar beauty to Niagara Falls in your area? Tell your classmates about the place.