Photo of the Week: Niagara Falls in Winter

I’ve never been to Niagara Falls, but after seeing photos of sections of the frozen falls over the past few weeks, I knew I was going to visit this winter.

And that’s what I did this weekend, traveling from Michigan across southeastern Ontario to view one of the most beautiful waterfalls in North America.

I know winter is not the time of the year many people think of seeing Niagara Falls.

With temperatures in the area hovering between five and ten degrees Farenheit this past week, you have to make sure you’re dressed warmly.

So I bundled up, put on my Sorel boots that keep me warm when temperatures dip to -40 degrees Farenheit, pulled on my warm mittens and down coat, and started my walk to the falls.

Niagara Falls were magnificent to see!

The trees and shrubs near the falls are covered in sparkling ice and snow; it’s a beautiful site in late afternoon with the brightly shining sun.

Viewing the falls from the Canadian side of the falls, I could easily see both the American Falls and the Canadian Falls (known as Horseshoe Falls).

And I was delighted to see a gorgeous rainbow over the American Falls.

The walk down to the falls from downtown Niagara Falls was slippery.

When I reached the sidewalk next to the falls, I walked carefully on the icy concrete as I moved through the crowds along the rails.

Frozen Niagara Falls?

Are the falls frozen?

Not entirely.

The unbelievably cold temperatures this winter have frozen sections of Niagara Falls, but the water is still flowing underneath.

The American Falls looked almost completely frozen, but the water is flowing quickly at Horseshoe Falls.

As I walked through the crowds, I smiled as I heard people speaking different languages.

It was rare for me to hear English.

It reminded me of the two times I’ve walked the trails at the Grand Canyon where I heard snippets of Spanish, German, Japanese, and French conversations.

Despite the frigid weather, would I see Niagara Falls in winter again? Sure!