A spectacular fall ride on the Whirlpool Aero Car near Niagara Falls
Now with us pretty much in the fall season, I kept remembering a spectacular activity from LAST fall I have not even shared with you yet!
So I cracked open my vacation photos and decided to start sharing some past adventures again, with plenty of sole travel tips along the way.
Today I’m taking you back to my Ontario 2018 adventures!
Welcome to a spectacular fall ride on the Whirlpool Aero Car near Niagara Falls!
Travel recap:
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During fall of 2018, I went on a conference trip near Niagara Falls, in Ontario, Canada, however I decided to extend my stay after the conference and tour around Ontario.
Part 1 HERE – a tour of the shoreline of Toronto and a historic neighbourhood
Next, I booked a hotel overlooking Niagara Falls! (will share soon)
Today I’d like to share a super special stop located minutes away from Niagara Falls itself!
Visit this entire series (to date) HERE
Visit all my other Ontario posts HERE
When I told my sister I was going to Niagara Falls during October, the first thing she said was, “Oh my word… wait till you see the leaves!”
I know a Canadian fall can be pretty, and I had no doubt the Niagara area would be equally so, but what I didn’t expect was to be able to view it from such a spectacular spot!
Whirlpool Aero Car near Niagara Falls
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What and where:
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The Whirlpool Aero Car ride is located a short 8 minute drive from Niagara Falls and proved to be one of the most worthwhile stops of the trip!
It’s basically a short ride on an antique cable car suspended from cables, that takes you across a ravine, overlooking the Niagara River rapids and a whirlpool below.
There was lots of free parking and the lineup was relatively short to get on.
A cable car tour
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While the cable car is suspended between two Canadian shores, the car actually crosses the international border between Canada and the USA 4 times each trip due to the way the river is shaped.
The stunning ravine view
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But boy oh boy… did I ever luck out with that fall colour, wouldn’t you say?!
This wasn’t a planned stop by any means. I was on my way out from Niagara Falls and travelling towards Niagara on the Lake, but as I scoured every single thing to do on my way out, this rose to the top.
While you can spy over the ridge from the shoreline, I highly recommend taking the ride. The sensation of peering over the rapids was pretty cool.
Plus… the fall trees positively encased you. It was nothing short of spectacular! It felt like you were in the middle of a movie set.
A natural whirlpool below
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Apparently the volume of water rushing over Niagara Falls is crushed into this narrow gorge, creating class 6 rapids.
The whirlpool is formed at the end of the rapids where the gorge turns abruptly counterclockwise.
The colour of the water really did look like this.
It was pretty cool knowing this water is from Niagara Falls as well.
And framed with those fall trees… it’s hard to find the right words but let me just say, I verbally gasped.
Canada meets USA
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Apparently this island looking image above is the USA. Neat!
How the ride works
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When you get situated into the cable car, you are asked to stand very still while they send you across.
But do not worry which side you end up on! Once you reach the other side, they stop the car, open two gates on either side of the car and allow you to walk around to the other side single file so you get to view both sides on each ride.
I thought that was super clever.
The cable car ride felt really short, so it’s good to get your camera out fast and start snapping those pictures!
And of course, try and take it all in without your camera as well. I’d suggest shoot pics on one side, then view the other. Maybe… ok, take quick shots, then look. 😀 I honestly wish I had gone across one more time without the camera.
I’m sure this would be a worthwhile adventure any time of year as the water is the most gorgeous shade of aqua ever.
However if you happen to be in the area during fall, absolutely do NOT miss out on this one!
This little adventure taught me to take some chances on things I have never heard of. Pour over the local content… then dig in!
I mean, how often are you near Niagara Falls?! Just do it.
Video
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Click above to view a short video on this adventure!
Now THAT’S fall!
Have you ever been on this? What time of year did you go? What did you think?
Visit this particular series (to date) HERE
See all my Ontario posts HERE
Take in my other TRAVELS HERE
I have never heard of this, but now it is on my must do list! Thanks for sharing. It looks beautiful.
All the times I’ve been to Niagara Falls area I had no idea this existed! Something tells me, hubby, who knows the area well, neglected to tell me because he’s petrified of heights and being on or over water. Beautiful! Thanks to you, Donna, it’s been added to my bucket list.
I’ve been to Niagara Falls about 19 years ago! We splurged and stayed in the Hyatt Regency Hotel on the Canadian side and the gorgeous falls were lit up with colored lights right outside our hotel window. My son was 2 yrs old and got sick in the night at the hotel. We didn’t think much of it and the next day we splurged again and had breakfast in the hotel’s rotating restaurant. Ian didn’t eat a thing. That should have been a warning of what was to come. When we got to the falls he got super sick and threw up all over the backseat of the rental car. His fever spiked to 120 and we headed to the ER. Scarlet Fever of all things! Needless to say our trip got cut short and we headed home the next day to TN. He was one sick little boy! Ian was fine a week or so later, by the way! Resilient little boy. I gotta check this thing out though when I finally get to return.
I live near the falls and have been there many times, also a must is The Cave of the Winds where you walk through the falls and the boat ride. They are both exciting experiences.
Hello:
It’s so funny that you posted this. I was going to email you anyway but this spurred me on. I just got back from an 8 day vacation in Banff, Alberta and Golden, BC. Wow, what beauty. Everywhere I turned I was amazed by the mountains, the flowers, the water, the views…just gorgeous. Quite different from where I live in Florida.
Kim
Ohhh Banff is incredible! I was there many years ago but am totally overdue for a visit to visit beyond the town.
Oh my wowness, those colors are out of this world Donna. How lovely. Here is South Africa, Fall is “bleh” in most parts of the country. Thorn trees don’t wear their fall colors too well 😉