The original, natural cave was discovered behind Bridal Veil Falls in 1834, and promptly dubbed Aeolus’ Cave, after the Greek god of winds. Guided tours officially began in 1841, and continued until a devastating rock fall in 1920 rendered passage unsafe for visitors; the world-renowned Cave tour reopened in 1924, routing daring guests to the front of the Bridal Veil instead of behind it. Today, intrepid itinerants on Upstate getaway exploring the myriad attractions in beautiful Niagara Falls State Park will not want to miss this thrilling walk on Niagara Falls’ other wild side! This ever-popular and invariably spectacular Cave of the Winds Tour ushers visitors into a blustery “mist zone”, where “soaking up the experience” takes on a whole new meaning! The incredible journey begins with an elevator ride deep into the Niagara Gorge; geared-up in a souvenir rain poncho and special footwear, guests carefully tread wooden walkways along the Niagara River to the precariously-perched Hurricane Deck, just a few exhilarating feet from the mad torrents of the magnificent Falls. Here, the Bridal Veil Falls generate amazing, tropical storm-like conditions, replete with buffeting winds of up to 68 mph that hammer you silly with heavy spray-laden blows as you view the extraordinary show, nearly dizzy with the deafening motion of the crazy, churning waters beneath the curtain. Nowhere on Earth gets you closer to the awesome fury of the legendary Falls. The tour may have changed way back in 1920, but the “modern experience” promises a breathtaking adventure like no other!
