Cave of the Winds
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Cave of the Winds
Cave of the Winds

Cave of the Winds

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Cave of the Winds, Niagara Falls, NY

The Basics

A Cave of the Winds tour is a must for those who want to experience Niagara Falls up close. Though the cave that once existed behind Bridal Veil Falls is no longer, the site now features wooden observation decks that allow visitors to experience the powerful, thundering water. The journey begins on the US side of the falls, with a 175-foot (53-meter) elevator descent down Niagara Gorge to the level of the Niagara River. From there, visitors can venture onto the aptly named Hurricane Deck or keep their distance on a platform 150 feet (46 meters) from the base of the falls.

For an in-depth experience, combine your Cave of the Winds tour with a ride on the famed Maid of the Mist boat or a trip to Prospect Point Observation Tower. A half-day tour of Niagara’s American side allows visitors to explore highlights such as Goat Island and the Mighty Whirlpool, while a full-day tour also features Canadian attractions such as Skylon Tower.

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Cave of the Winds "Express-Pass" Adventure USA Tour
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out
Cave of the Winds "Express-Pass" Adventure USA Tour
star-4.5
USD57.99 per adult
Traveller Favourite
Amazing winter tour
Amazing tour. The guide Billy the goat was so funny (if you like dad jokes) and full of information. Breath taking winter views. So glad we took the tour!
Carol_U, Mar. 2023

Recent reviews from experiences in Niagara Falls

star-5
Perfect for first-time visitors!
Dawn_S, Oct. 2022
Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds + Scenic Trolley Adventure USA Combo Package
This was my husband's first trip to Niagara Falls, and Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds are a must do! Darin was the perfect guide for the trip, and we would definitely recommend it for anyone looking to see the Falls up close.
star-5
Fun Guide
Ron_L, Oct. 2022
Discovery Niagara Falls USA Tour with Boat & Cave of winds
Fantastic tour. Especially loved the Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds. Harvey was a wonderful guide - full of fun.
star-5
Highly recommend
Barbara_S, Mar. 2023
The Cave of the Winds USA Adventure Tour
Peter went above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience. Very personable and engaging. Great communication.
star-5
Best tour guild an a breath taking view
Sherry_I, Mar. 2023
Maid of the Mist Boat ride Tour (Seasonal) or Cave of the Winds Winter Tour
Our tour guild Peter was awesome! He made sure we got to see all the great spots of the falls. An let me not leave out the owner was great I was worried planing this trip an he walked me though it customer service was promt an excellent.
star-5
Worth it
Christian_H, Feb. 2023
Maid of the Mist Boat ride Tour (Seasonal) or Cave of the Winds Winter Tour
This is the our third time going to the falls and they are a lot of things we learned from Peter, our guide. Peter is the best, very knowledgeable, you can feel his passion for what he is doing, it’s worth it. I just would recommend this tour, I hope you will get Peter as your guide.
star-5
My husband and I enjoyed...
Tricia_K, Jan. 2023
Cave of the Winds "Express-Pass" Adventure USA Tour
My husband and I enjoyed seeing the falls and Matthew, our guide, was very informative and friendly. Highly recommend him and the tour!
star-5
Santa did an awesome job...
Eli_N, Dec. 2022
Cave of the Winds "Express-Pass" Adventure USA Tour
Santa did an awesome job as tour guide! Highly recommend to any travelers to Niagara area. Very knowledgeable about the Falls and history.
star-5
Pete was an amazing tour...
Michael_A, Dec. 2022
The Cave of the Winds USA Adventure Tour
Pete was an amazing tour guide! Favorite experience was hand feeding birds on three sisters island. The elevator down to the base of the falls was beautiful, and pete was very informative and helpful!
star-5
Awesome experience.would...
Ariana_M, Nov. 2022
Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds + Scenic Trolley Adventure USA Combo Package
Awesome experience.would definitely recommend. Billy our tour guide was great. Quite a bit of walking bit the boat ride was beautiful
star-5
Amazing time with Peter
Anonymous, Jan. 2023
Maid of the Mist Boat ride Tour (Seasonal) or Cave of the Winds Winter Tour
We ended up being the only ones on the tour but our tour guide peter was able to show us everything and we could take our time looking at the falls. He was knowledgeable, kind and fun. The falls looked amazing and the winter cave area was well maintained so everything felt safe. We unfortunately could not get cash out in time but if there is any way we could provide peter with a tip to show our gratitude please let us know
star-5
Best trip
Debra_L, Oct. 2022
Discovery Niagara Falls USA Tour with Boat & Cave of winds
Jimmy was the best!! No problems with booking no problems with transportation and very knowledgeable
star-5
Maid of the Mist does not disappoint!
Michael_K, Sep. 2021
Best of Niagara Falls, USA, Cave of the Winds
They were very accommodating considering our Covid tests did not result within time to cross the border and allowed us to change our excursion last minute. The stops were amazing including the cave of the winds and the maid of the mist with being able to see both American and Canadian side falls! Jimmy (is the best) was a great guide! Very nice, helpful, and super knowledgeable about the surrounding area and the falls! Highly recommend.
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Things to Know Before You Go

  • Tours to Cave of the Winds depart from Goat Island in New York on the US side of the falls.

  • You will get very wet when experiencing the Cave of the Winds—be sure to use the provided rain poncho, and consider bringing a light jacket and change of clothes.

  • Cave of the Winds has a deck set 150 feet (46 meters) from the falls that is specifically designed for wheelchair users and adults with small kids.

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How to Get There

Niagara Falls State Park is located along the US–Canada border. To get there, most visitors fly into Buffalo Niagara International Airport or drive in on Interstate 90. Cave of the Winds tours leave from Goat Island, roughly 15 minutes by road from Niagara Falls, New York. All-day parking is available on Goat Island for a small fee. Most full-day and half-day tour options include pickup from local hotels.

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When to Get There

Cave of the Winds only operates from May through November, as the wooden walkways and decks are taken down in late autumn to prevent potential damage from ice and snow. The site is open daily from 9am to 7:30pm; opt for an early visit to avoid crowds.

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History and Legend

The original Cave of the Winds was a naturally formed cave behind Bridal Veil Falls. Discovered in 1834, it was first named Aeolus' Cave after the Greek god of winds. The cave was roughly 130 feet (40 meters) high, 100 feet (30 meters) wide, and 30 feet (9 meters) in depth, but in 1954, it was destroyed by a rock slide caused by a nearby dynamite explosion.

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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the nearest attractions to Cave of the Winds?
A:
Q:
What else should I know about attractions in Niagara Falls?
A:
As well as visiting the Cave of the Winds, check out these trip ideas to make the most of your visit: