Things to do / Travel Guide
With 11 Finger Lakes, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, the Erie Canal, the Niagara River, and the glorious Niagara Falls - the whole western New York and South Central Ontario region is inundated with clear, rushing, gushing, swiftly moving, water. You can fish, kayak, and explore the waters in endless combinations, and the hiking and biking between them are also first-rate. The region is also known for that other important liquid, wine. The wineries of the Finger Lakes may make it just a bit harder to get back out on the trails.
Water Activities in Western New York and South Central Ontario
The local Native American legend claims that the Finger Lakes are the impression of God's hands on earth, and the lakes do indeed seem touched by the divine. The long, narrow bodies of water are unexpectedly deep, and, in many cases, especially clear. They're also teeming with life, in the form of many species of trout, salmon, panfish, and bass. Fishing on these lakes, especially Lake Seneca, Lake Canandaigua, and Lake Cayuga, you're bound to reel in a few big ones. Fly fishing on the streams leading into and out of many of the lakes is also a popular treat.
Experts maintain that the Finger Lakes and Lake Ontario offer some of the best freshwater diving and snorkeling in the world. The clarity of the water will strike you immediately, all the more so that of Lake Skaneateles, the clearest of the eleven. In this lake you'll be able to explore a sunken mail boat, walls of shells and a rocky bottom, and swim with large schools of perch or bass. Another great lake for diving is Lake Seneca, where you can peer into several barges. Over near Toronto there are a number of sunken ships to visit, while on the Niagara River the adventurous (and experienced) can try drift diving.
The Finger Lakes are also an excellent choice when it comes to sea kayaking, owing to their length and scenery on all sides. This is also where the Erie Canal comes in: the historic waterway connects some of the Finger Lakes as it runs across the north area of western New York from the Hudson River to Lake Erie, and you can kayak along a number of stretches. One popular course is to start at Lake Seneca and kayak toward Cayuga Lake State Park. The canal is often lined with old and picturesque towns and canal facilities.
Niagara River has been listed as one of New York's best kayaking destinations. The river flows north toward Niagara Falls along tall, forested bluffs and then past the Old Fort Niagara and into Lake Ontario. Of course, don't plan to freefall down Niagara Falls without a barrel. There are plenty of places to get off before then.
Now we reach (not by kayak) what's easily the highlight of the region, Niagara Falls. These falls are neither the world's mightiest, nor the tallest; but it's their combination of might and height, and also width, that makes them, almost inarguably, the most famous and most visited falls in the world.
The falls, which are made up of the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls on the U.S. side and the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side, are the most powerful in North America. Four million cubic feet of water rush over the crest line every minute on average! The more famous and in many ways more awesome of the three is Horseshoe Falls, as it's more powerful and larger than its American counterparts.
There are manifold ways of experiencing the Falls, and every one will yield fantastic views - torrents of water - it's practically a whole lake going over the falls every minute!
Experience them from either side, in Victoria Park, or otherwise from in between on Goat Island, from beside along the cliffs, and from behind by way of the famous (and rightly-so) Cave of the Winds. You can also get a bird's eye view of the falls from atop the New York State Observation Tower and Skylon Tower, from below on board one of the Maids of the Mist, or from far off on the Rainbow Bridge.
Land-based Activities in Western New York and South Central Ontario
Niagara Falls will thrill! But leaving it aside for just a moment, we should also mention the importance of bringing your hiking boots and bike along with you to western New York and South Central Ontario. The region has excellent grounds for these recreational sports and hiking or biking from lake to lake on the 562-mile-long Finger Lakes Trail, or along the riverbanks or lakes.
A short hike near Ithaca will take you to Taughannock Falls, with a drop higher than Niagara. Gorge Trail in Letchworth State Park, by foot or wheel, directs you through what's known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” past a number of beautiful waterfalls. There are also multi-purpose routes to hike or bike along the picturesque Erie Canal.
Watkins Glen State Park makes for an easy, family friendly hike or bike for a couple of hours. You will follow a paved trail through a gorge, over tunnels and bridges, and above, below, behind, and in front of 19 waterfalls.
Western New York and South Central Ontario from Above
Of course, the ground isn't the only way to check out the region. You can skydive and see Toronto and the Finger Lakes from the air, hang-glide or soar in the area south of the Finger Lakes region, or take a ride up in a hot-air balloon over the region. Needless to say, a flight by balloon - or helicopter - above and past Niagara Falls is unforgettable.
The bottom line about the western New York and South Central Ontario region is that Niagara Falls is superb, but it isn't the only thing. There are lots of recreational sports and activities for you to choose from, while perhaps using Niagara Falls as a base. The whole region is quite beautiful, with lush forests of oak, maple, chestnut, ash, beech, and hemlock trees, and crystal-clear waters laden with treasures. It does seem to be touched by the divine around here.
Outdoor Recreation in Toronto, Niagara Falls, Finger Lakes in Western New York and South Central Ontario
Outdoor-Sports-Recreation
Ontario Beach Park - Rochester, New York
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