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

★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

★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.