Most visitors never leave the half mile of riverbank in front of the falls, which means most visitors miss the Whirlpool Aero Car. It is a ten minute drive north along the Niagara Parkway, and it has been carrying passengers across the gorge since 1916.
The car hangs from cables and crosses high above the Niagara Whirlpool, the spot where the river makes a hard turn and the current spins back on itself. From up there you look straight down at the green water churning against the rock. The design came from the Spanish engineer Leonardo Torres Quevedo, and the system still works on the same principle it did over a century ago.
Why it is worth the trip
It is calmer than the falls. There is no crush of crowds, the line moves quickly, and the view of the gorge is one of the best in the park. It pairs well with the White Water Walk and the Niagara Glen trails, both a few minutes further along the same road.
The Aero Car runs seasonally and closes in high wind, so check the day’s status before driving up. Wear closed shoes if you plan to add the Glen trails afterward, since the descent into the gorge is steep and rocky.
