Reuters News Report from July 25th, 1883 describing the drowning of Captain Matthew Webb.

Though it has a dangerous and daring history, today this is a quiet attraction where people can relax and view the river. Many bring their families here to ride the Aerocar and have a picnic before heading into town to see Niagara Falls or before going for a hike at the Niagara Glen.

The Whirlpool Aerocar attraction has been in operation since 1907, formally known as the "Spanish Aerocar", hence its Spanish themed red and yellow colouring. The attraction suspends visitors hundreds of feet above the whirlpool, taking them across the gorge and back, crossing international borders in the process.

The Aerocar gift shop is a Canadian and Niagara Falls themed gift shop open during the same hours as the Aerocar attraction. Light snacks and souvenirs can be purchased here.

The whirlpool was created when Niagara Falls was at this location roughly 7,000 years ago when the pressure of the rock caused the erosion to take a 90 degree turn in its trajectory. When the river flows here, the turn causes the water to speed up in a cycle, creating the swirling class 6 rapids you see below. This great feat of nature inspired many brave people throughout history to challenge the dangerous waters, testing their fate and future with the river.

The Niagara Glen Nature Centre is a popular hiking area located downriver from the Aerocar.

The White Water Walk is a family friendly boardwalk attraction that follows the path of the Whirlpool along the river's edge.

The Whirlpool Aerocar is owned and operated by the Niagara Parks Commission

The observation deck is wheelchair accessible but is not maintained in the winter. The Whirlpool Aerocar attraction is not wheelchair accessible.

The next destination on the Bravery Along the Niagara River tour will be the River Road Lookout where you will learn about the unique tightrope walking stunts that have been performed along the Niagara River.

To continue the Bravery Along the Niagara River tour to the River Road Lookout, please head South towards Niagara Falls following the Niagara Parkway in the opposite direction of the flow of the river.

Drive for 1.7 kilometres and then park on Queen Street beside the Parkway Motel.

Alternatively, the WeGo Bus system runs along the Niagara Parkway and will stop beside all of the sites on this tour. To purchase tickets for the WeGo and to find out the schedule, please enter the Aerocar Giftshop and ask an attendant or visit this website for more details.

Alternatively, it average person on a fall day could walk from the Whirlpool Aerocar to the River Road Lookout in 23 minutes. If you plan to walk, please do so at your own pace, be mindful of the weather conditions and give yourself ample time to travel.

Please note, this information is subject to change and is seasonally and weather dependant.

Additional Reading:

Click Here to read more about the history of the Whirlpool Aerocar and how it began as an attraction roughly 100 years ago.

Articles on the History of Niagara Falls by Niagara historian Sherman Zavitz can be found by clicking here.

Niagara by Pierre Berton is a book that extensively details the entire history of Niagara Falls. It can be found at:

A timeline of Niagara Falls daredevil stunts can be found here.

Drummond Hill Cemetery in Niagara Falls Ontario is where several of those who performed acts of bravery along the Niagara River were buried. To see a list of grave locations click here.

Photograph Sources:

Captain Matthew Webb Who Lost His Life Attempting to Swim the Whirlpool Rapids July 24 1883. July 24, 1883. Niagara Falls Heritage Foundation Collection, Niagara Falls Library, Niagara Falls Ontario.

McPhee, Rod. 2015. Tragic end for the British hero who became the first person to swim the English Channel. The Mirror, August 25th, 2015. https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/tragic-end-british-hero-who-6264183

Reuters Telegram. 1883. Drowning of Captain Webb. https://twitter.com/GordonKJones/status/1154092674233712641/photo/1

Other images as credited in captions.