For more than 220 years, Niagara Falls has been known as the ‘Honeymoon Capital of the world’ – the origin of which is fascinating.
![Niagara Falls Canada Ontario New York United States USA Horseshoe Falls Honeymoon capital of the world marriage love](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a6ba08_24c651378a444244a6c136b94abbc061~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_27,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/a6ba08_24c651378a444244a6c136b94abbc061~mv2.png)
In June of 1801, Joseph and Theodosia Alston traveled from Albany to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon. While on their “bridal tour” which consisted of servants and almost a dozen horses passed through Buffalo, they arrived at the breathtaking natural wonder of the falls. Theodosia was the daughter of the future U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr.
A few years later in 1804, another newlywed couple – Jerome Bonaparte (brother of Napoleon) and Elizabeth Patterson – traveled to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon.
Although the tradition of honeymooning in Niagara Falls began as a wealthy symbol of status, the Erie Canal changed that after 1825 as the Niagara Frontier became more accessible. Soon thereafter, railways brought newlyweds to Niagara Falls on a daily basis.
The phenomenon took hold of the nation and in 1841 the song ‘My Niagara Falls Honeymoon’ became song of the year.