Cave of the Winds, Natural waterfall observation deck in Niagara Falls, United States.
Cave of the Winds is a visitor attraction on Goat Island in Niagara Falls, New York, where a series of wooden walkways and platforms lead right up to Bridal Veil Falls. The paths bring visitors close enough to the falling water to feel the spray on their skin and hear the roar at full force.
Guided tours behind Bridal Veil Falls started in 1841, using a natural cave as the passage for visitors approaching the water. A rockfall in 1954 destroyed that cave entirely, which led to the construction of the wooden walkway system used today.
The name comes from a natural cave that once existed behind the falls and drew visitors for generations. Today only the name remains, while visitors stand right beside the falling water where that cave used to be.
The wooden walkways are removed every autumn and rebuilt each spring because ice would damage them over winter. Visitors should wear waterproof clothing or use the ponchos provided on site, since getting wet is unavoidable.
The platforms are arranged so that falling water surrounds visitors on several sides at once, rather than just facing it from a distance. This level of being inside the cascade itself is rarely offered at other waterfall sites.
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