I suspect that even Chuck Norris would quiver a little at the sight of Niagara Falls. I’m sure many turn up thinking they’re about to see one of the highest waterfalls in the world, but that’s a mistake. The Falls at Niagara aren’t particularly lofty, but they sure are powerful. It’s the force and volume of water passing over the brutalised escarpment that are spellbinding, not where the water is dropping from.

The falls at Niagara have the power of four Great Lakes behind them. The water is bottle-necked in the Niagara River after passing through the system in Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie and Michigan. It will eventually make its way to the Atlantic Ocean via Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence River.

And this bottleneck, coupled with the need to drop elevation over the escarpment, has created what is justifiably one of the world’s greatest natural tourist attractions. Standing by the side of the falls, you can feel the ferocity as well as hear it. You’re constantly spat at from the angry, watery snake pit beneath the Horseshoe (or Canadian) Falls, where the river smashes and explodes after being thrown over the edge. » Read more: A Day Trip to Niagara Falls from Toronto

Forget Santa and his workshop, for the holidays Bergdorf Goodman’s windows will take you on a fantastical journey. To where I don’t exactly know, but it is sometime in the past before body scanners and weighing your carry-on became mandatory.

This year, the windows are a postmodern mélange of references, including the works of the French writer Jules Verne, plus steampunk with a strong dash of fashion. Each scene takes a good long while to digest, so bring your scarf and mittens. There’s a healthy dose of travel references, too—including an antique caboose, a Victorian-style flying machine (concocted out of a bicycle and parts of a hot-air balloon), a gigantic taxidermy winged Pegasus, lots of antique maps and globes, an 18th-century-type stage coach, model airplanes, and more. This holiday netherworld comes courtesy of David Hoey, Bergdorf’s director of visuals.

If you are in New York City for the holidays (the only place to be, as far as I am concerned), you must see Berdorf’s windows on 5th Ave between 57 and 58 Streets. Hot Tip: stop in for a Mariebelle’s hot chocolate at the BG restaurant on the 7th floor. $6.

Texas is considered to be the most haunted place in United States. Though the state is extremely beautiful with lush green meadows, the clear blue sea and the mountains yet there is beyond these.

There are several places in Texas which are considered to be haunted. The most interesting fact is that many Hollywood film directors have claimed that Texas has been an ideal place for them for shooting their movies, since the atmosphere and the paranormal past of the place adds to the climax of the film!

Austin’s Inn at Pearl Street is believed to be haunted by a woman who carries her baby in her lap. Many guests a the inn have claimed to seen the woman.

» Read more: Haunted Places in Austin, Texas