The Whirlpool Aero car moves tourists over the Niagara River in the part of the Gorge known as the Niagara Whirlpool. The aerial car was designed by a Spanish engineer, Leonardo Torres Quevedo, and has been in place for over a century, beginning operation in 1916. It is the only aerial car of its type in the world.
The antique cable car is suspended from a set of sturdy cables and offers tourists the opportunity of an up-close view of the Niagara Gorge and its Whirlpool. At this point the Niagara River turns abruptly in the Gorge, causing marked turbulence, resulting in Class VI water.
The aerial car travels between two points in Canada, although it crosses the US border several times during its 1 km round trip (which takes about 10 minutes). The car can hold about 35 standing people. You can get a feel for what the ride across the Gorge is like in the following video:
The attraction is only open April to November, and is not accessible to people in wheelchairs. Abundant free parking is available.
