15 In Travel

Great Lakes Garden

This July, the boyfriend and I decided to take a road trip from our tiny Massachusetts town all the way to Buffalo, New York to see The Rolling Stones.  The concert was spectacular and on top of that, we had an extra day in NY to explore the sights of Niagara Falls.  While touring the state park, we came across the Great Lakes Garden.  Each garden bed is planted in the shape of one of the Great Lakes.  This is a visually stunning way to learn interesting facts about these lakes while enjoying some sweet smelling flowers.  Join me on my summer stroll through these beautiful gardens.

Lake Michigan Garden

Milkweed throughout the gardens for the pollinators

Interesting Facts

Lake Michigan is the second largest Great Lake and the only one entirely in the United States.  Its volume is less than half that of Lake Superior.  Water that enters the Lake Michigan basin that supplies this lake comes from the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan.  The shores of Lake Michigan have some of the largest and most beautiful sand dunes of all the Great Lakes.

Lake Superior Garden

Interesting Facts

Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes.  The volume of the water in this lake is greater than that of all four of the other Great Lakes combined.  Water that enters the Lake Superior basin remains there for about 191 years.  The drainage basin that supplies this lake comes from the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan, and the Province of Ontario.

Lake Huron Garden

Interesting Facts

Unlike the other Great Lakes, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan are at the same elevation above sea level.  Lake Huron is bisected by the Niagara Escarpment, a ridge of resistant bedrock.  The escarpment runs east from Michigan’s upper peninsula, forming Drummond that separates the main body of the lake from Georgian Bay.  Water that enters the Lake Huron basin remains there for about 22 years.  The drainage basin that supplies this lake comes from the state of Michigan and the Province of Ontario.

Lake Erie Garden

Famous Ships of the Great Lakes - Griffin, Niagara and Edmund Fitzgerald

Interesting Facts

Lake Erie is the shallowest of the Great Lakes.  It heats and cools more rapidly, thus affecting local climates.  The lake is also more susceptible to seiches, intense wave action and wind-generated changes in lake levels.  Water that enters the Lake Erie basin remains there for about 3 years.  The drainage basin that supplies this lake comes from the states of New York, Pennsylvania and Indiana, and the Province of Ontario.

I had such a great time visiting Niagara Falls.  Along with visiting the Great Lakes Gardens, we also took in the sights of the falls from the observation tower.  This gives you a gorgeous, unobstructed look at all three falls.  After this, we boarded the Maid of the Mist boat tour.  On this boat ride, you get a first hand panoramic view of the falls accompanied by multiple rainbow sightings as well as a free, refreshing bath from the waters of Niagara.  We also were able to climb Crow's Nest which is such an invigorating experience.  This flight of steps brings you as close as you can get to the American Falls.  I am already planning my trip next summer to visit the Canadian side of the falls.

 

Have you visited Niagara falls or maybe planning a trip? I would love to hear about it! Comment or tweet me @thefreckledrose.  Click through the photo gallery below to view more photographs from my vacation.

In Case You Missed It - Visiting The Newport Flower Show

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15 Comments

  • Reply
    Packing my Suitcase
    July 31, 2015 at 7:27 am

    Hi Angie!! Your blog is beautiful!!

    I lived in Canada but never got to visit the Niagara Falls. Your pictures are amazing, especially the flower ones. I love it 😀

    Thank you so much for joining #MondayEscapes

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      July 31, 2015 at 10:17 am

      Thank you so much! I had so much fun on this trip. I’m so happy I got to experience the falls. I would definitely recommend checking it out! I can’t wait to visit the Canadian side. Happy I found #MondayEscapes 🙂

  • Reply
    Connie Reed
    July 29, 2015 at 6:46 am

    Beautiful garden! So unique with the shapes of the Great Lakes. We visited Niagara Falls about 25 years ago. We came through the Canadian side, which was beautiful. Back then there wasn’t much, aside from the falls themselves and a shopping mall, on the U.S. side. My daughter was just there and was telling me how much there is to do and see on the U.S. side now. We’ll definitely have to take another trip there.

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      July 31, 2015 at 10:13 am

      Hey Connie,
      Yes, I loved it! It’s always nice to find a little slice of nature. I hope you get to take a trip, it’s definitely worth it 🙂

  • Reply
    Johanna Bradley
    July 28, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    If only! I just look at the photos and imagine the roar of water 🙂
    Lovely garden tour!

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      July 28, 2015 at 7:35 pm

      Thank you Johanna! Happy you enjoyed my post 🙂

  • Reply
    Shobha
    July 28, 2015 at 9:13 am

    How very pretty! I’ve heard that its just tourist shops other than the Falls in Niagara. Thanks for showing the prettier side!

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      July 28, 2015 at 7:34 pm

      There are a lot of touristy stuff, but once you walk past all of that it is nature & waterfalls! I can’t wait to go back and explore the Canadian side. I hear good things about it 🙂

  • Reply
    Mudpie Fridays
    July 27, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    Lovely photos, we are off to visit Niagra Falls too soon so it was great to see your photos so we know what to expect 🙂 thank you #MondayEscapes

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      July 28, 2015 at 2:12 pm

      Thank you so much! Have a wonderful trip to Niagara Falls 🙂

  • Reply
    Amanda & Brian
    July 25, 2015 at 6:06 pm

    Beautiful shots! We grew up in Pittsburgh and have frequently driven up to Niagara Falls although we have never gone through the Great Lakes Garden! You have certainly inspired us to check it out the next time we are there.

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      July 26, 2015 at 6:03 pm

      Hey Amanda & Brian,

      Thank you very much! That’s great that you frequently get to visit, it’s a lovely spot. Happy I’ve inspired you, it’s definitely worth checking out 🙂 Wishing you happy future travels!

  • Reply
    Heather - New House New Home
    July 17, 2015 at 7:12 am

    Was it your first time to Niagara? Isn’t it awesome? I never knew these gardens existed. But then again, being Canadian we rarely go over to the U.S. side. Next time I’m there, I’ll have to check them out. (We only live 1 1/2 away from the Falls.)

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      July 26, 2015 at 6:02 pm

      Hi Heather,
      Yes, this was my first time visiting Niagara! It is awesome, I had so much fun exploring all of the beautiful sights. We only had one day to adventure around the falls, so I definitely want to go back next summer. I was pleasantly surprised to find this garden. Have you gone to the botanical garden on the Canadian side? That’s really cool that you live so close! I have heard that it is beautiful, so I definitely want to visit. Have a wonderful weekend 🙂

      • Reply
        Heather @ new house new home
        July 28, 2015 at 3:04 pm

        The botanical garden on the Canadian side is gorgeous! We have a national horticultural school there and the students all tend to the gardens. But the highlight is the butterfly conservatory – AMAZING!!

        Thanks for linking this to What’s Blooming This Week.

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