Q: Can you provide an overview of Niagara Falls, Ontario?
A: t seems like years that I have been watching those catchy commercials for Marineland on television, each time promising myself and family members that we’d take a vacation in Niagara Falls, Ontario. It finally happened this past summer. My first piece of advice is if this region tempts you, then start looking into hotel bookings now. With attractions like Marineland, the Maid of the Mist Boat Tour, Casino Niagara, Niagara Parks Conservatory, Skylon Tower, the Butterfly Conservatory, the Imax Theatre and the Clifton Hills “fun” district this city attracts more than 20 million visitors annually.
Tourism Niagara (www.tourismniagara.com) is responsible for promoting all 12 municipalities that make up the region of Niagara. Niagara Falls is but one of those communities The wine industry is very big here, boasts tourism official Betsy Foster. Along with wine, goes food, and the growing expertise in culinary skills in Niagara matches the growing demand from visitors. They even have cooking schools that offer a fun, learning experience. Cycling in Niagara through vineyards and orchards, is another wonderful theme. The performing arts in Niagara includes several facilities that offer wonderful performances, including the Niagara Symphony, Shaw Festival, and the Centre for the Arts of Brock University.
Attraction destinations include the Welland Canal Centre at Lock 3 and Welland Mural Route, the Niagara Wine Route, the Niagara River Parkway, Niagara’s Freedom Trail and the Bruce Trail. Of course, it is the spectacle of the Falls itself which proves most breathtaking. To some, Niagara is the aroma of ripening grapes and the taste of succulent fresh fruit. For families, it is theme parks, 20 historical museums and two reconstructed forts. Sportsmen can take advantage of over 40 golf courses, 30 private campgrounds and fishing on Lakes Ontario and Erie. To newlyweds, Niagara is the honeymoon capital of the world! Gamblers get their fix at Casino Niagara and the Fort Erie Racetrack. Marineland, Maid of the Mist, the Butterfly Conservatory, shopping outlets in Niagara Falls and across the border in Buffalo, historical forts, botanical gardens, live concerts in the vineyards, and plenty of restaurants and you can see there is plenty to do.
Marineland (www.marinelandcanada.com) is indeed the area’s biggest tourist attraction. At Friendship Cove you’ll enjoy the largest whale habitat in the world. It is surrounded by walkways for above water and dramatic underwater viewing of these amazing marine mammals. Best of all, guests can have the chance, and unique thrill, of being able to feed and touch these friendly ocean giants. Arctic Cove just opened a year ago and it is home to the belugas. There is a fee to feed the whales, a necessity brought on by endless lineups when no charge existed. Tom Western, who has been working at Marineland for 31 years, gave us a private audience with 13 year old beluga André who put on an entertaining show for us. It even included a song. A shark exhibit is in the works. Meanwhile, high-flying bows, and amazing flips are just some of the natural and thrilling behaviours performed by dolphins that will have you saying "wow" more times than you can count. Adorable walruses will make you smile and the hilarious antics of the sea lions, as they outwit their human companions, will have you laughing right out loud.
The marine mammal staff members have developed presentations that will entertain, educate and help you appreciate and better understand these magnificent sea mammals. The King Waldorf Stadium Show and The Aquarium Dome training and education sessions are presented at regular intervals throughout the day. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Trainers Mike Bovine and Trena Christie gave us a once in a lifetime backstage pass where a 750 pound “baby” walrus played with us like a dog and a group of dolphins allowed us to pet them at will. In addition to marine mammals shows, and interactive animal displays, Marineland features a variety of fun and exciting amusement rides. Sky Screamer - the world’s highest triple tower ride, will take you over 137.2 metres (450 ft.) skyward giving you a thrilling ride not to mention a spectacular view of the Falls and surrounding Niagara landscape. Marineland has several Jewish school groups and camps that book day outings each year, primarily originating from Toronto and New York state says marketing manager Ann Marie Rondinelli. I saw a number of them the day I visited. One important tip: there is free parking, but take special note where you place your vehicle since the sections are not numbered. Marineland is open from mid-May to Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend.
We took the historical ride aboard the world famous Maid of the Mist (www.niagaraparks.com) from the American side. Since 1846, millions of visitors have enjoyed the Maid of the Mist boat tours. The powerful diesel-engine boats take visitors to the base of the American Falls and then on to the basin of the magnificent Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Water rushes all around as you "soak" in the excitement and feel the thunder of the Falls. It’s a half hour thrill of a lifetime! Reusable, souvenir rain coats are provided with admission. Trips run approximately every 15 minutes from the Canadian and U.S. sides of the river. And feel the thunder and explore the Journey Behind The Falls. You emerge far below the rim of the gorge. Before you, the mighty river explodes after free-falling more than thirteen stories. The sound is deafening, the sight, awe-inspiring. And this is only the beginning.
The Clifton Hills district is a strip of the major attractions and dining facilities of Niagara Falls for the entire family. A number fall under the auspices of the Clifton Hill Group (www.falls.com) and include the amazing Guiness World Records Museum, the Haunted House, Cinema 180 Adventure Dome, the Fun House and Mystery Maze. And don’t miss out on the MGM Experience which features the MGM Great Movie Journey, the Dino Island and 7th Portal 4D moving theatre rides, the Ride Over the Falls experience and the Pink Panther Balloon Ride. When we checked in at the front desk, supervisor Mike Horner wisely recommended we take in each attraction.
It is also nice to get away from the dollar spending some days and just relaxed. We found just the place in nearby Fort Erie. Just head 15 minutes or so down the QEW, get off at Sodem Road and head right until you reach Crystal Beach on Erie Road. This is a gorgeous spot, where the water is warm and the sandy beach clean as a whistle. There is a canteen and washrooms on the premises and plenty of parking. Log on to www.forteriecanada.com where you can learn about the four other beaches on this spot which borders Buffalo.
Where to stay? Hotels are plentiful in Niagara Falls, but finding the one that suits your budget can be a real chore. After weeks of e-mails, phone calls and website searches I determined that the Days Inn & Suites By the Falls (www.daysbythefalls.com) at 5068 Centre Street offered the best value for my dollar. The beautiful property is only four years old. Sixty-four rooms were built in 2001 and 90 more were added in 2004. Just a few yards from the Days Inn & Suites is Clifton Hill. The superb Continental breakfast, incidentally, is free of charge. So is the parking, making this place the best bargain in town. All rooms have refrigerators, coffee makers, hair dryers, data port telephones, am/fm clock radio, irons and ironing boards. There is an indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, and guest laundry all on premises . You get a free newspaper and have the choice between extended stay, family, and Jacuzzi suites. Charming general manager Sophia Marinescu greets guests at the door and even answers the toll free 1-866-706-7666 number. Sophia says this is also becoming a popular stop for wedding parties, with a nice sized hospitality suite just off the lobby available when needed. Interestingly, there are no less than six Days Inn locales in Niagara. This is the only one with complimentary breakfast and suites. You can e-mail info@daysbythefalls.com The hotel will also help you out with guided tours, car rentals, currency exchange and more.
Where to dine? In Niagara Falls, the Skylon Tower (www.skylon.com) stands out as an outstanding tourist attraction and a superb dining experience. Completely new, the Summit Suite Dining Room has been transformed into a setting as tasteful as its famous buffet. The new décor is warm and inviting with rich wood paneling and elegant accents of brass and granite - all complementing the sumptuous new double-sided buffet. Come enjoy this superb dining experience matched only by the majestic Falls below. Whether your tastes thrill to roast beef, fresh seafood or French pastries, the buffet is sure to tempt you. At 775 ft. high overlooking the thundering Falls, the Summit Suite offers a spectacular view of the ever-changing mist and the rainbow of evening illumination. Nothing could make a special event more special. This internationally recognized facility is a full 2.500 sq. ft. of immediate atmosphere and inspiration. With a total seating capacity of 200 (165 with dance floor), the Summit Suite can act as the ultimate host for virtually any type of function or activity. From mid-October to mid-May, the Summit Suite is available for private functions. The indoor/outdoor Observatory, the highest vantage point in Niagara, is located on the third floor of the Dome. On a clear day visitors can see close to 8,000 square miles of Canada and the United States, including the skylines of Toronto and Buffalo. At night, year-round, you can enjoy the colour light display of the Falls and cities of Niagara Falls, Canada and Niagara Falls, New York. A souvenir shop is located on the indoor section of the observatory. There’s also a large arcade. Info: 1-905-356-2651 or 1-800-814-9577.
My recommendation is that you start your evening off next door at the Imax (www.imaxniagara.com) where the Falls Movie Legends and Daredevils has been playing continuously for nearly 20 years. The screen here is six stories high, with 12,000 watts of earth shattering surround sound. The movie captures a number of interesting “true” stories. These include 63 year old schoolteacher Annie Taylor who went over the Falls in a barrel in 1901 and lived to tell the tale; Jean Francois Gravelet, who crossed the Niagara River on a tightrope in 1855; and an accident which saw two children plummet over the Falls in 1960 and survive. The 45 minute presentation was a terrific entrée for dinner. Before leaving we visited the Daredevil Gallery, where we got to see and touch the actual barrels, spheres and chambers of death that carried the daredevils over the Falls. One last dinner recommendation: if you like the Planet Hollywood experience, the Niagara Falls locale is a lot of fun. Ask for Dan Pilles to serve you and he will provide some great insight into which stars have visited lately.
For more information, call Tourism Niagara toll free at 1-800-263 2988. Stop at the Niagara Gateway Information Centre located at the Casablanca exit off the QEW in Grimsby where Tourism Niagara operates a year-round information centre. Travel counselors can assist you with finding same-day accommodations at discounted prices, booking sightseeing tours, purchasing passports for wine events and even getting last minute theatre tickets. As well, visitors can save even more by purchasing discount tickets at Gateway for Niagara’s most popular attractions. The Centre is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. and 8 am to 8 pm during July and August.
Q: What about the New York side of Niagara Falls?
A: If you truly want to experience Niagara Falls, then do so from both sides of the border. While original plans called for my family to be based exclusively in Ontario, it seemed like a good idea to give New York a try as well: Grand Island, a suburb of Niagara Falls was the choice.
Niagara USA (www.niagara-usa.com) offers visitors “A Great American Getaway” filled with exciting events, one-of-a-kind attractions, fascinating history and adventure that the entire family will enjoy. This place exerts its powerful pull on young and old alike. But anyone who has ever seen the look in a child’s eyes as they experience the Falls region – with its unforgettable natural beauty; year-round activities and enriching diversions for families – will have their own sense of childlike wonder re-kindled, and not soon forget the experience they shared.
ATTRACTIONS: Centered by the awesome majesty of the Falls, Niagara USA is a destination unto itself, capturing the hearts of families and drawing them back throughout their lives. And the attractions in the surrounding area are fun, active and exciting for parents and kids alike. The main attraction, Niagara Falls State Park, is the perfect spot for experiencing this magical landmark. There are a number of viewing platforms here, as well as some unusual opportunities to get even closer. For those who don’t mind becoming one with the water, the Park’s Cave of the Winds is a thrilling guided walking tour along wooden platforms at the base of Bridal Veil Falls. Participants will inevitably get wet as they walk through the spray. Another wet adventure is the famous Maid of the Mist (www.maidofthemist.com), a boat cruise which takes guests right up to the roaring water at the base of Horseshoe and American Falls (don’t forget to don your free plastic poncho). The Maid of the Mist can be accessed from both sides of the Falls. We met friends on the New York side and entered at the Observation Tower. The cost is $11.50 US ($13 Cdn) for adults and $8 US ($6.75 Cdn) for kids aged six to 12. It is generally opened from April until October 24, beginning at 9:45 a.m. The Maid of the Mist is one of North America’s oldest tourist attractions, and its history is resplendent with stories of daredevil rescues and visits from royalty.
Nearby is the Lockport Cave and Underground Boat Ride. Blasted out of solid rock over 140 years ago, the cave system initially served as a tunnel to provide river water for mills and electrical power. Today visitors can walk through the mysterious tunnels as guides talk about the history of the area and point out fossils and other geologic formations in the rock walls. The tour finishes with an eerie half-mile underground boat ride. Every Halloween, the attraction becomes a “Haunted Cave,” drawing thousands of visitors through the month of October. Families with older kids who want a little more adventure have several options. A helicopter tour over the Falls with Rainbow Air provides a unique perspective for viewing the natural wonder of Niagara. Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours takes guests on a thrillingly fast upriver Jet Boat ride into the whitewater rapids in the magnificent stonewalled Niagara Gorge canyon. For those seeking a slower-paced journey, two-hour water tours of the historic Erie Canal and its dual locking system are available at Lockport Locks and Erie Canal Cruises. The nearby Erie Canal Museum and cruise exemplify the living history that is widespread throughout the Niagara region.
History-themed attractions will educate younger minds and capture the attention of their mature companions. Old Fort Niagara is a wonderful chance for families to travel back in time, together. Preserved as they stood in the 1700’s, the Fort’s structures (the oldest buildings in the Great Lakes) include several barracks, powder rooms, a bakehouse, an officers club and more. Visitors enjoy touring this large fortress and chatting with the park’s “historical re-enactors” who, dressed in period costume, explain, in character, the various aspects of 1700’s life at the Fort. The Niagara Aerospace Museum lets kids learn about aviation through fun, interactive exhibits. Flight-simulators, aircraft, rocket engines, aircraft models and even personal memorabilia of local servicemen and women illustrate the history of American aviation. Here, you can earn about the extraordinary accomplishments of world-renowned aviation pioneers such as Glenn Hammond Curtiss, Lawrence D. Bell, "Rosie the Riveter", Chuck Yeager and many others. The "Niagara Frontier Vintage Aircraft Group", a group of highly skilled and dedicated volunteers, can be seen at the Museum working to bring a classic World War I airplane – the Curtiss J-N4D Jenny — back to life.
The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum is the only museum in the world housed in an authentic, original carousel factory building. Located in North Towanda, the building is listed on both the New York State and National Registers of Historic Sites and features a series of seven interconnected structures. Open since 1983, the museum hosts some 20,000 visitors each year. Perched above the Niagara river, the Niagara Power Project exhibits the history of energy, electricity and the community’s past through fun, kid-friendly exhibits. The Niagara Wax Museum features life-like wax figures of many of the Niagara frontier’s early explorers. Other displays include Indian villages and historical street scenes. The museum also has a collection of maps and other artifacts related to the Niagara Frontier. Admission is free.
Niagara Falls USA’s Daredevil Museum is noted for holding the barrel used by Steve Trotter and Lori Martins, who went over Horseshoe Falls in 1985 amongst many other artifacts from death-defying feats. The Aquarium of Niagara has more than forty exhibits showcasing 1,500 aquatic animals from around the globe, including a colony of the rare and endangered Peruvian Penguin. Niagara USA’s great outdoors, with its diverse seasonal changes, is also host to its share of family-friendly attractions. Becker Farms in Royalton features a petting zoo, hay and pony rides and live entertainment, along with several summer and fall weekend festivals. A magnificent celebration of the arts happens every summer at Artpark, which is nestled atop the Niagara River Gorge. Artpark offers a full spectrum of entertainment from Broadway musicals, swinging big band and celebrity performances, to free concerts and cultural festivals. The opportunities for enjoying picnics, relaxing, and fishing are endless. Clearly, whatever age or interest, there’s something waiting for everyone (and their families) in Niagara USA.
But for the kids, there is no better place to go than Martin’s Fantasy Island (www.martinsfantasyisland.com), located at Exit N-19 (Whitehaven Road) in Grand Island. It is recognized as Western New York’s most affordable and fun theme park, with more than 100 rides and attractions. That includes a neat water park, complete with slides, a lazy river and a wave pool. There’s theatre, a petting zoo and games. This is, in fact, a place for kids of all ages. Kiddy and thrill rides include the spectacular Chaous, Up, Up and Away Ballooon, Sea Ray, Patriot, Giant Gondola Wheel, Super Sizzler, Wildcat Coaster and The Silver Comet, the latter of which happens to be the newest classic wooden roller coaster in Western New York. We loved getting soaked on the log flume. It is open from mid-May until Labour Day Weekend. There are special reduced rates for people who visit the park after 5 p.m.
During the baseball season, keep in mind that Buffalo’s beautiful downtown Dunn Tire Stadium is only 15 minutes from Grand Island off Highway 190. This is the home of the Triple A Buffalo Bisons (www.bisons.com), the minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. Thanks to team publicist Brad Bisbing, I got a chance to take in a Bisons game in style. Friends and I were seated over the third base dugout where before the game players will toss you balls and sign autographs. The stadium seats 19,000 fans and the crowd is usually in the 7,000 range. At one time Buffalo was being considered for a major league franchise. All I can say is that this represents a great spot to watch a ball game. The diamond vision scoreboard keeps you entertained between innings, as do the various fan participant contests. You also have the privilege of watching many players who are on the verge of making it to the big leagues. Tickets are only $10 each and you can find parking next door for as little as $3.
And don’t leave here without doing a little shopping. The Prime Outlets Mall can keep you busy for hours, with bargains galore.
Where to stay? The finest accommodations in the Niagara Falls, NY area can be found at the Holiday Inn Grand Island Resort and Conference Centre (www..holiday-inn.com/grandislandny), found at 100 Whitehaven Road This splendid 263 room property is located on the Upper Niagara River, equal distance from Niagara Falls and Buffalo. The hotel is ideal for business and leisure travel alike. This is probably the best Holiday Inn I have ever stayed at, featuring tastefully appointed guestrooms with balconies, a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, sauna and whirlpool, an on-site health and fitness center, a gift shop and yes, for the business exec, secretarial services. The site itself is so picturesque, overlooking the water. We were staying there during the third week of July. This marked the end of the Canal Festival. Much to our delight, we were treated to a spectacular fireworks display from the comfort of our balcony. Friends who visited us were impressed with the location. It was conveniently just a few minutes off of Highway 190, yet it was secluded from the hustle and bustle of the busy Falls tourism trade. “Sedate” is the best way to describe it..
Right next door is the River Oaks Golf Course. On site you can enjoy a delicious meal in Currents "A Bistro on the Niagara" or unwind over a cocktail in the hotel’s comfortable lounge. Rooms feature free high speed wireless internet. On Fridays, there is live entertainment. There are two beaches nearby –Beaver State Park and Sandy Beach. The six-floor hotel has eight large suites, ideal for large families.
Where to dine? The Red Coach Inn Bed and Breakfast (www.redcoach.com) offers perhaps the nicest dining experience in Niagara Falls, NY. Located at Two Buffalo Avenue, it offers a breathtaking view of the upper Niagara Rapids. And it is only a short walk from Niagara State Park, which offered our family another excuse to view the Falls all lit up after our delicious meal. The Red Coach Inn features a full restaurant open to the public every day serving lunch and dinner. It offers an extensive gourmet menu at affordable prices. The staff here go out of their way to be polite. From the menu, we’d recommend the teriyaki grilled shortribs and the sensational black angus prime rib. For sides there are buttered green beans, carmelized onion feta cheese and mashed potatoes. Menus change daily and also include the finest seafood available shipped directly from Boston. Kids will love the fish and chips. Save room for the homemade keylime pie. Owner Tom Reese says the Inn is a popular spot for wedding rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions and actual ceremonies. It’s also been used for reunions and business conferences. The venue includes the Fireside Room located on the first floor with seating up to 12, the Niagara Room on the second floor with seating up to 50, and the River View room on the third floor, which will accommodate up to 30. Modeled after the Old Bell Inn in Finegold, England, the Red Coach has been in operation since 1923. For more details call 1-800-282-1459, or e-mail innkeeper@redcoach.com.
