Niagara Falls thunders, froths and sprays for 14 million visitors a year

Niagara Falls is Canada's most visited site. More than 14 million camera-toting tourists and loved-up newlyweds a year come here to gawp at the falls' majestic intensity.

It thunders, froths and sprays as 155 million litres a minute of water crashes over the edge of a cliff the height of 12-storey building.

There are actually two falls here - the larger and more impressive 670m-wide Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side and the 260m-wide Bridal Veil Falls in the United States.

There are several ways to get close to Horseshoe Falls. Maid of the Mist boat excursions venture to its base, while a tour called Journey Behind the Falls takes visitors through a rock-carved tunnel to emerge directly behind the roaring water. An aerial cable car also crosses the river, dangling tourists above a gurgling whirlpool created by the force of the falls.

Panoramic views of Niagara Falls are afforded from Rainbow Bridge, which traverses the gorge separating Canada from the United States. On sunny days this is the place to get that iconic shot of rainbows forming as light hits the spray.

For those who want a lofty perspective on the falls, the Minolta Tower and Skylon Tower offer panoramic views as well as dining in revolving restaurants.

Niagara Falls has kid-friendly features, too, including water parks, theme parks, an aquarium and miniature golf.

The surrounding Niagara region is known for its numerous vineyard.

Niagara Falls is roughly two-hours drive south of Toronto. The closest airports to Niagara Falls are in Toronto, Ontario, and in Buffalo, New York in the United States. Most visitors fly into one of these destinations and then rent a car, take a bus or catch the train directly to Niagara Falls.