An unstoppable flow of rushing water surges over the arcing fault in the riverbed with thunderous force. Great plumes of icy mist rise for hundreds of meters as the waters collide, like an ethereal veil concealing the vast rift behind the torrent. Thousands of onlookers’ delight in the spectacle every day, drawn by the force of the current and the hypnotic mist.

It’s a tale of two cities: Niagara Falls, New York (USA), and Niagara Falls, Ontario (Canada). Both overlook a natural wonder – 150,000 gallons of water per second, plunging more than 1000ft – and both provide a load of tourist kitsch around it. Here, masses of water from Lake Erie plunge over an almost 200-foot drop to flow into Lake Ontario, attracting more than 12 million visitors a year. There are three waterfalls in total: Bridal Veil Falls; American Falls; and the widest, Horseshoe Falls. Downstream, the river rushes through a tight passage in Niagara Gorge then churns in a giant whirlpool. The Canadian side offers somewhat better views and a much larger town. However, the view from the New York side is still impressive and the falls surroundings are far more pleasant as they are preserved within a beautifully landscaped state park. The town itself is also largely devoid of the commercial razzmatazz you’ll find on the Canadian side; if that’s what you want, it’s easy to walk across the Rainbow Bridge between the two – just be sure to bring your passport.