Niagara Falls Is Covered in Ice and It's Magical

The weather in Niagara Falls is incredibly cold right now—temperatures may drop to -5 degrees Fahrenheit by Friday—but if you're in the area, it's worth the trip. For the past few days, tourists have been braving freezing conditions to see the iconic landmark, which currently resembles a winter wonderland. Trees, rocks, and nearby railings have all been coated with sparkling layers of ice: The resulting Instagrams have been spectacular.

"It's so beautiful," Zieong Zhang, who drove for seven hours from Jersey City, N.J. to see the falls, told The Buffalo News. "I came here in the summertime four years ago. It was good, but it wasn't like this. This is just outstanding, with all the snow, and the trees coated like sugar."

According to The Washington Post, an area of the Niagara River right at the base of the falls freezes solidly enough that people used to build concession stands on it—some even walked across the border to Canada (after a tragedy in 1912, walking on the ice bridge is no longer allowed). But don't be fooled by pictures that claim to show a frozen-solid Niagara Falls. Though ice and snow coat the surrounding area, the river is still flowing. Caitlin Dewey, a Washington Post employee and Niagara Falls native, told The Post that "frozen river" photos are either "totally misleading or outright false." Considering that over 3,000 tons of water plummet over the falls every second, it would take “a lot more than a few days of cold weather to completely shut that off,” she said.

Below-freezing temperatures are expected to continue through the week, so you've still got time to see the gorgeous snowscape before it melts away—just make sure you bundle up! If you're traveling from afar, book your stay at the Prince of Wales Hotel. The luxurious hotel is just over a 25 minute drive from Niagara Falls, and it recently won a spot in our 2017 Readers' Choice Awards.