Everyone's heard of Niagara Falls, but you may not have heard of the town. It's been around for over 150 years, although it wasn't incorporated officially until 1892. Today, as then, it's associated with lovers and anglers. People take their honeymoons here . . . and their fishing rods. It's also the site of the very first hydroelectric facility, the Niagara Mohawk, built in 1895 to harness the power of the falls.

Traffic can be a little intense, but you may want to get out and walk anyway. Although Niagara Falls certainly has its malls and outlet shores, there are plenty of antique and specialty shops to browse. Don't worry about finding a place to eat or a place to stay . . . you should have no trouble finding plenty of options.

You can see the waterfall from town, of course, but you'll want to get closer. You can go on foot, through one of the several state parks, or you can take a sightseeing tour via train, bus, or helicopter. The most famous way to view the falls, though, is the Maid of the Mist cruise to the very base of Niagara Falls, where the water thunders down to break in torrents on the rocks below.

The Falls is not the only attraction in town. The Niagara Power Project is a major tourist draw. Your kids (and you!) can learn about hydroelectric power in fun interactive displays. Other attractions include the Aquarium of Niagara Falls, the Costellani Art Museum of Niagara University, and the Niagara Wax Museum. If you're visiting Niagara Falls between late November and early January, you'll be able to see the Festival of Lights. Over 500,000 holiday lights are displayed across the city, giving the Falls a warm glow, and parades and fireworks only augment the celebrations.

Niagara Falls is located about 20 miles from Buffalo, New York. For more information about Niagara Falls, look at the navigational side bar on the left-hand of the page.