Bridal Veil Falls is the central cascade of the three that make up Niagara Falls. It's the smallest of the falls, at just 56-feet (17-meters) wide. This cascade of water is separated from the American Falls by tiny Luna Island. It falls a total of just over 180 feet (55 meters), including the final cascade over boulders down to the Maid of the Mist pool. One of the must-see attraction’s of Niagara Falls is here at Bridal Veil Falls. The Cave of the Winds tour brings you just a few feet from the water — close enough to feel the spray on your face — for a unique perspective.

Discovered in 1834 and opened to tourists seven years later, the original "Cave of the Winds" was a cave behind the Bridal Veil Falls. It became a major attraction on Goat Island in Niagara Falls State Park. The name is fitting: fierce winds rushed through the cavern generated by the force of the falls before it. The original cave was permanently sealed by a rock slide in 1954. Today, the Cave of the Winds lives on as the name of the attraction on the same site.

To experience this must-see attraction, head to Goat Island. You’ll reach the Cave of the Winds via a 175-foot (53-meter) elevator to the base of Bridal Veil Falls. A guide leads you along redwood decks that provide a breathtaking view, within 20 feet (six meters) of the roaring falls! A plastic poncho and sandals are provided for your hike, however, be warned that these provide a small amount of protection from the wind-lashed spray. Keep your camera in a waterproof bag, along with any other items that need to be kept dry.

You can park on Goat Island for a fee. Alternatively, walk over the pedestrian bridge that crosses the north fork of the Niagara River a few hundred feet above American Falls and connects the two parts of the state park. Cave of the Winds is open daily, from spring to late October.