Tudor–Style Bed and Breakfast Overlooking Upper Rapids

After stag hunting, Saxon royals often retired to the Bell Inn in Finedon, England, whose history dates back nearly 1,000 years. The English Tudor–style estate served as inspiration to hoteliers William Schoellkopf and Charles Peabody when they decided to build an inn near Niagara Falls. In August of 1923, the Tudor-style Red Coach Inn opened its doors. The AAA Three Diamond bed and breakfast is adjacent to the Upper Rapids of Niagara Falls, putting guests close enough to hear the roar of the water.

In keeping with Niagara’s status as the Honeymoon Capital of the World, the Red Coach Inn often plays host to romantic vacations. Even Jim and Pam of The Office paid a visit after their “I dos.” Guest rooms and suites—each named after an English village—blend antique furnishings with modern amenities such as jetted tubs. Most windows overlook the falls’ frothy Upper Rapids.

Each morning, head to the award-winning Fireside Room for a complimentary breakfast including dishes such as belgian waffles and steak and eggs. After filling up, you can stroll the scenic grounds, which are located just 500 yards from the brink.

Niagara Falls, New York: Spectacular Waterfalls at United States–Canada Border

Every second, hundreds of thousands of gallons of water cascade down Niagara Falls. You can watch the water spill over jagged cliffs from pedestrian bridges and observation decks. The best view, though, might be from the Hurricane Deck, a wooden platform located 20 feet from Bridal Veil Falls. From spring to fall, you can access the platform by taking the Cave of the Winds tour, during which professional guides lead poncho-clad visitors to Bridal Veil Falls via wooden pathways. For an up-close encounter with the falls, you can book a ride aboard the Maid of the Mist; the tour boat shuttled sightseeing guests to the base of the thundering Horseshoe Falls for more than 100 years and continues to operate on the American side of the falls.

Millions of tourists have flocked to Niagara Falls since the early 1800s. Around that time, Napoleon Bonaparte’s younger brother honeymooned in the area with his American bride; scores of newlyweds followed in their footsteps, earning Niagara Falls the nickname of “Honeymoon Capital of the World.” Throughout the 19th century, massive crowds also came here to watch daredevils perform high-wire stunts above the rapids.

In the late 1800s, landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted led a group that lobbied politicians to create a park that would protect the falls from further development. Today, the 400-acre Niagara Falls State Park, the first of its kind in the country, sits directly on the border between Canada and the United States. Miles of hiking trails wend through the scenic park; along the way, you can learn about the area’s history at the visitors’ center. There’s also plenty to do indoors around Niagara Falls. The area has remained a family-friendly destination, with indoor water parks, an aquarium, arcades, and casinos for the 21-and-older crowd.

Love to travel? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for travel tips, inspiration, and photos from around the world.