Cave of the Winds (New York) facts for kids
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The Cave of the Winds was once a real cave hidden behind Bridal Veil Falls at Niagara Falls. This huge cave was about 130 feet (40 meters) tall, 100 feet (30 meters) wide, and 30 feet (9 meters) deep. It was found in 1834 and was first called Aeolus's Cave. Aeolus was the Greek god of winds.
Today, "Cave of the Winds" is the name of a popular tourist spot near where the old cave used to be. Visitors can take an elevator down to the bottom of the falls. There, a path of wooden decks lets you walk right up to the powerful Bridal Veil Falls. You can feel the water crashing down and flowing all around you!
Contents
History of the Cave
How the Cave was Discovered
The original Cave of the Winds was found in 1834. It was named after Aeolus, the Greek god of winds, because of the strong winds felt inside.
Early Tours and Changes
Official guided tours of the cave started in 1841. People would go to Goat Island and then walk down a staircase to get closer to the falls and into the cave.
However, a large rockfall in 1920 made the tour unsafe, and it had to close. When it reopened in 1924, the tour changed. Instead of going behind the falls into the cave, visitors walked on decks in front of Bridal Veil Falls. Even though the cave was gone, people could still experience strong winds, sometimes as fast as 68 miles per hour (109 km/h), making it feel like a tropical storm!
The Cave's End
The actual cave was completely destroyed in 1954. A huge rockfall happened, and then dangerous rocks above were carefully blown up to make the area safe.
The Modern Experience
What You See Today
The "Cave of the Winds" is now an exciting attraction. An elevator takes you from the top of the falls area down to the Niagara River. From there, you walk on special wooden decks and platforms. These decks get you super close to the base of Bridal Veil Falls. You can feel the spray and hear the roar of the water as it crashes down right in front of you!
Why the Decks are Removed
Each autumn, the wooden decks are taken apart. This is because the ice that forms at the falls during winter could damage them. Then, every spring, park workers put the decks back together so visitors can enjoy the experience again. The wooden beams are not bolted down; they are simply wedged into the rocks, making them easy to remove and rebuild each year.
Images for kids
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A stereoscopic image of the cave from the 1800s.
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The building where you take the elevator down to the Cave of the Winds tour.
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Visitors enjoying the Cave of the Winds tour.
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The wooden decks at the base of Bridal Veil Falls.
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A closer look at the redwood decks.
