Presenting: Niagara Falls Tourism - One
Wonder After Another
In early December of 2007 I decided to embark on a three
day winter getaway to Niagara Falls, Ontario. In order to explore
the city in the best possible way I contacted the experts at Niagara
Falls tourism to help me work out a comprehensive itinerary
to explore the many facets of Niagara Fall. Their travel specialists
helped me put together a packed schedule that exposed me to many
interesting sights and activities in this unique city.
I took this aerial photo during my helicopter tour with Niagara
Helicopters
My three-day adventure included a thrilling helicopter sightseeing
tour, an encounter with nature at the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory
and at Bird Kingdom, the world's largest aviary. I sampled culture
and entertainment in a magic show at the Greg Frewin Theatre and
a musical production at the Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Theatre.
Tropical splendour at the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory
I also got up close to the majestic Niagara Falls, viewed them
from the Skylon Tower and saw an Imax movie called "Niagara:
Miracles, Myths and Magic" which presented an interesting dramatization
of Niagara Falls' colourful history. I also checked out some of
the actual vessels used by real-life daredevils who went over the
Falls and explored the tunnels that take you behind the big cascade
of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls in the Journey Behind The Falls
experience.
Evening view over the Horseshoe Falls from the Fallsview Casino
Resort
Naturally I sampled some of Niagara Falls hospitality offerings:
from my convienent accommodation at the Best Western Cairn Croft
to the cozy luxury of the Kilpatrick Manor Bed and Breakfast to
a variety of culinary experiences, I got a good idea of Niagara
Falls' broad tourist offering. And of course I explored Clifton
Hill - Niagara Fall's most popular tourist promenade with its gift
shops, wax museums, haunted houses, restaurants, hotels and themed
attractions.
Ripley's Moving Theater - one of the many attractions on Clifton
Hill
I even partook of the gambling experience at the Fallsview Casino
Resort, a giant top-modern mind-boggling gaming, shopping and entertainment
complex. There were so many more things on the list that I could
have done, but three days were simply not enough to sample it all.
To help you with your own plans for a visit to Niagara Falls, Ontario,
here is an interview with Anna Pierce, the Executive Director of
Niagara
Falls Tourism who has graciously agreed to provide a general
overview of Niagara Falls and everything it has to offer:
Brilliantly coloured Blue Morpho butterfly at the Niagara Falls
Butterfly Conservatory
1. Please provide us with some general information about
Niagara Falls, Ontario. Where is it located and how can I get there?
How big is the population of Niagara Falls, Ontario? How do I get
around the city?
Niagara Falls is located between Lakes Erie and Ontario sharing
a border with New York State. To get to Niagara Falls from the United
States, visitors can travel by car over one of three bridges: The
Rainbow, Peace or Queenston-Lewiston Bridges. Three international
airports service the area: Buffalo in the US, Hamilton and Toronto.
Buffalo and Hamilton airports are approximately 40 minutes drive
and Toronto is just over one hour away. Via Rail/Amtrak also provide
service directly into Niagara Falls.
Image from the Daredevil Gallery at the Niagara Falls Imax Theatre
2. Niagara Falls has a very interesting history. Please
give us a brief historical overview of this unique city.
Niagara Falls was first brought to the attention of the European
explorers when Father Hennepin was shown the wonder by Native Americans.
It was named the Honeymoon Capital of the World after Napoleon Bonaparte’s
brother spent his honeymoon here.
Romantic getaways to Niagara Falls are always popular
Annie Edson Taylor was the first person to go over the Falls in
a barrel. She was hoping this feat would make her rich and famous.
She died penniless. Since then, several attempts have been made
to conquer the Falls. Unfortunately, more have failed than succeeded
– they never lived to tell the tale. Attempting any such daredevil
exhibitions now is illegal and comes with an extremely hefty fine.
Several battles of the War of 1812 (the only war the American Army
ever lost) were fought here. Laura Secord, a settler's wife, played
a prominent role in that war – before the chocolate company
made her famous. She overheard US troops planning an ambush against
the British and walked over 20 miles in enemy territory to inform
British Troops of the impending attacks. Although she received little
recognition for her heroism during her lifetime, today Laura Secord
is considered to be a Canadian folk hero.
Kilpatrick Manor, one of the many charming bed and breakfasts in
Niagara Falls
3. Please tell us about one of the most significant attractions
in Niagara Falls - the majestic waterfalls themselves. What makes
them special and how can I experience them?
Our Falls are special in so many ways, but the most important is
the sheer volume of water that flows over the brink. 600,000 gallons
per second, in fact. The Falls is NOT the tallest in the world.
It only measures 170 feet deep and 2200 feet wide. The best way
to experience the Falls is to make sure you view it from ABOVE,
BELOW AND BESIDE. Aerial views via tower or helicopter show how
it all works. The Maid of the Mist provides the absolute best vantage
point below the brink and the Journey Behind the Falls or Table
Rock Point give you the best possible view from beside the Wonder.
You have to experience all three to truly understand just how spectacular
the Falls are.
One of the famous Maid of the Mist sightseeing boats
4. What type of sightseeing opportunities do I have in Niagara
Falls?
Niagara Falls offers a wide variety of Sightseeing Opportunities
that centre around the Falls as well as many other wonders. We offer
Winery Tours featuring Niagara’s World renown ice Wines, biking
and hiking along the Niagara Escarpment, wildlife viewing at Marineland,
ZOOZ, the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, the Bird Kingdom,
gaming at one of two Vegas-style Casinos. You name it, we have it.
A Scarlet Ibis at the Bird Kingdom, the world's largest aviary
5. Niagara Falls also has a number of attractions that appeal
to nature lovers, featuring birds, butterflies and elaborately designed
parks and gardens. Please provide us with further information about
these attractions.
I would suggest checking out the following websites for more information
on these great attractions:
Most of the gardens in the Niagara Parks system can be accessed
free of charge. For example, their School of Horticulture, the Greenhouse
Collection, Queen Victoria Park, and many others.
One of the many wineries in the region
6. What kind of museums and locations of historic interest
does Niagara Falls, Ontario, have to offer?
We have several museums in and around Niagara Falls. The Clifton
Hill area is filled with many novelty museums including Louis Tussaud’s,
Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Guinness World Records Museum
and a few haunted houses sprinkled in. The Lundy’s Lane Historical
Museum houses memorabilia from the War of 1812. One of the battlefields
of that war is also located on Lundy’s Lane and is said to
be one of the most haunted cemeteries in Canada. The Laura Secord
Homestead is also open to the public as are two forts – one
in Niagara-on-the-Lake and one in Fort Erie. Both were strategic
outposts for British troops fighting the attempted invasion from
the US.
Niagara Falls' horticulture is renowned
7. Niagara Falls, Ontario, offers many opportunities to
travellers who like the casino and gaming experience. Please tell
us more.
Niagara Falls is home to two Casinos: Casino Niagara and Fallsview
Casino Resort. The Fallsview Casino is a showpiece in and of itself.
It houses over 3000 slot machines and 150 game tables, world-class
big-name entertainment in the Avalon Ballroom, and great shopping
in the Galleria Mall.
Sculpture in the Galleria Shopping Mall at the Fallsview Casino
Resort
8. What other entertainment options and attractions does
Niagara Falls, Ontario, have to offer? What are some of the main
entertainment areas? What about theme parks?
Clifton Hill offers great family entertainment: museums, arcades,
rides including the newest arrival: the SkyWheel (a ferris wheel
which is a smaller version of the EYE in London with air conditioned
and heated pods providing great views of the Falls).
The Niagara SkyWheel, beautifully lit up at night
Many of our hoteliers are opting to add or build indoor waterparks
to add to their existing offerings. We have the Great Wolf Lodge
Resort, Waves at the Americana Resort and the Sheraton on the Falls
Fallsview Waterpark. All three provide visitors with indoor thrills
for year-round fun. They each have several waterslides, a wave pool
and the mandatory “Giant Bucket”. The Fallsview and
Waves are both open to the public.
The Clifton Hill entertainment area
9. What options are there for nightlife in Niagara Falls,
Ontario? What about theatre offerings, shows and special performances?
Nightlife is fantastic here in Niagara. In addition to the great
outdoor and indoor pubs, clubs and karaoke bars, we have several
great shows available. The Oh Canada, Eh? Dinner Theatre features
great Canadian music paired with a fantastic dinner. Greg Frewin
is a master magician whose show is sure to please the entire family.
We also have several comedy shows and blockbuster performances at
the Fallsview Casino.
The International Grand Champion of Magic, Greg Frewin
10. Niagara Falls is embedded in one of Canada's most popular wine
regions and the entire area is often referred to as the "Breadbasket
of Ontario". Please tell us more about the areas surrounding
Niagara Falls.
The Niagara Escarpment is located in the Niagara Fruitbelt. This
area is some of the most fertile land in the country. We have a
microclimate in the Niagara Region which is ideal for growing fruit.
The temperatures in the Fruitbelt are generally 10 degrees less
than the surrounding area. Frost is always a consideration. This
is why you will see windmills in the middle of fields throughout
the region. The windmills are used to break up the frost which is
so dangerous to the fruit – especially grapes.
Landscape in the Niagara Region
11. What types of festivals and special events highlight the yearly
calendar in Niagara Falls, Ontario?
In September we celebrate the grape harvest with the Niagara Grape
and Wine Festival. In winter, our Niagara Parks are illuminated
with over 2 million twinkling lights. The Winter Festival of Lights
is filled with animated lighting displays featuring Disney Characters.
The celebration culminates with a free New Year’s Eve Party
in Queen Victoria Park.
Illuminated Disney Characters, part of the Winter Festival of Lights
12. What type of accommodation options are available in
Niagara Falls?
Niagara Falls offers accommodation from 2 to 4 star hotels to bed
and breakfasts from cottage rentals to campgrounds from budget to
luxury.
13. Please describe the culinary options available in Niagara
Falls, Ontario.
Our signature culinary experience is, of course, Fallsview Dining.
The Skylon Tower offers the best view from their Revolving Dining
Room, but the Keg Steakhouse, a Cut Above and the Watermark Restaurant
all boast excellent food with a view. Dining at the brink of the
Falls is also available at the Table Rock House. In Niagara-on-the-Lake
the vineyard cafes and restaurants are some of the best in Southern
Ontario. The chefs in these restaurants pride themselves in offering
recipes featuring meats and produce grown in the Niagara Region.
One of my scrumptious breakfasts in Niagara Falls
14. Please tell us about the shopping opportunities in Niagara Falls.
Canada One Factory Outlet, the Fallsview Galleria, the Penn Centre
and Niagara Square Malls are all within 15 minutes of the Falls.
Niagara-on-the-Lake has many quaint one-of-a-kind shops to choose
from as well.
Clifton Hill
15. What outdoor, recreational and sports opportunities are available
in and around Niagara Falls? How about golfing?
Niagara Falls has many hiking, biking and roller-blading trails.
Water-based sports such as boating, sailing and fishing are also
huge draws for us. Niagara Region is also gaining renown as Canada’s
Golf Capital. We have over 48 Golf Courses – both public and
private. Several are PGA quality and have been designed by leading
course architects. John Daly and Greg Norman have both designed
courses in the region.
One of the many winery restaurants in the Region
16. What are some of the big news stories that will be coming
up for Niagara Falls in 2008 and beyond?
The biggest news for Niagara Falls is the announcement of a new
Convention Centre for Niagara Falls. The details are being finalized
as we speak, but they should be breaking ground fairly soon. We
are expecting the opening to happen some time in 2010. In short,
it’s an exciting time to be part of Niagara Falls’ Tourism
Industry.
Thank you, Anna, for your taking the time to provide us with this
comprehensive information about Niagara Falls. You have given me
some great ideas for a summer getaway and I look forward to visiting
Niagara Falls again.
A stunning rainbow against the backdrop of the aptly named Rainbow
Bridge