Niagara Falls: Power, glory

The most worthless thing one can do at Niagara Falls is merely stop and look at the falls.

If you don't get wet, you haven't gotten your time or money's worth out of your trip.

For those who don't know their way around this world wonder, here is a Niagara Falls primer.

Where exactly is Niagara Falls? There is a two-part answer to this question since there are the cities and the water.

First, the cities. Niagara Falls, N.Y., sits across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario. Now, the water. Two islands separate Niagara Falls into three sections: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Bridal Veil Falls is a narrow slip of a waterfall, separated from sprawling American Falls by tiny Luna Island. Both are in New York State.

Bean-shaped Goat Island separates Bridal Veil Falls from the majestic and appropriately named Canadian Horseshoe Falls, all but a very small portion of which is in Ontario.

Why are Niagara Falls so famous? In a word: power.

Plenty of waterfalls are higher, but the sheer breadth and water volume of Niagara Falls is staggering.

For statistics buffs: American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls drop about 180 feet. Canadian Horseshoe Falls drops 188 feet. American Falls are about 850 feet wide. Bridal Veil Falls are about 50 feet wide. Canadian Horseshoe Falls are roughly 2,200 feet wide. By comparison, Taughannock Falls, just 150 miles to the southeast, has a vertical drop of 215 feet, and Yosemite National Park's Bridalveil Falls in California has a vertical drop of roughly 620 feet. But both are shoelaces compared to Niagara in width and absolute energy. The vital stats all depend on the season, the weather conditions, and how much water is being diverted for power generation upstream.

What are the best ways to experience Niagara Falls?

There are three prominent attractions allowing you to get up close and personal, and you have to don rain slickers for all three.

Maid of the Mist boat tours: The boats leave from both the American and Canadian sides and sail to the brink of Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Expect to be bumped, jostled and sprayed on the 30-minute trip. The power of water is overwhelming as you approach the cannonading cascades.

Maid of the Mist is generally in operation mid-April through Oct. 24.