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Niagara Falls Worth The Trip
or years Niagara Falls has Falls has such a following is
been one of the most good PR. People from far and wide
popular tourist have heard of Niagara Falls. I
destinations in the United States recently asked a friend from
and Canada. Visitors from abroad Taiwan if she had heard of
and North America cannot seem to Niagara Falls before moving to
shake their desire to visit this the states. “Of course!”, she
dramatic aquatic spectacle. But replied, “we learned about
why exactly? The falls are not Niagara Falls in grade school.”
particularly convenient to any She went on to explain that most
major U.S. city (apologies to people who grew up in Asia
Buffalo), which means visitors to consider Niagara Falls to be one
the US will need at least two of the most important sites to
days to fit in a visit to see in the U.S. Its reputation is
Niagara. Furthermore besides the also strong throughout Europe and
actual falls themselves, there is India. The thought of missing
little in the way of cultural or Niagara Falls is akin to missing
natural points of interest in the the Great Wall or the Taj Majal
area. That is unless you consider on a visit to China or India
a visit to ‘Ripley’s Believe it respectively.
or Not’ to be a cultural
experience. Finally, the climate The real key to Niagara Fall’s
in the Niagara region is rather enduring lure, however, may be
daunting for much of the year. simply that it does not
The area gets a lot of disappoint. The falls themselves
precipitation throughout the year have an undeniable dramatic
and winter is definitely rugged beauty. Furthermore, the ever
in that region. popular Maid of the Mist boat
ride that takes tourists directly
The short answer to why Niagara into the falls is truly
thrilling. Beyond that, the town range was from young adults to
of Niagara Falls, Ontario has a retirees, most had begun their
certain dilapidated charm. As you trip in either New York City or
stroll along Queen Victoria Park Boston, and most had gone to the
facing the falls on the Canadian Falls on a bus tour.)
side, you cannot help but get a
sense of what it must have been Here is a summary of the
like to visit in more innocent feedback:
times; before we were jaded by
extreme vacations and adventure Was it worth visiting?
tours. To think of someone A resounding yes. Most
actually climbing into a barrel respondents acknowledged that the
and heading over the falls in eight hour trip from New York
1901 (actually done for the first City was long, but surprisingly
time by a 63 year old school few seemed to mind. Several
teacher) still captures the people expressed how much they
imagination. enjoyed seeing the countryside
and getting a sense of the “real”
To get more insight into what United States. Those who included
impression Niagara Falls makes, I a visit to Niagara Falls as part
interviewed 40 people who had of a tour of Canada were the
visited the Falls in the past least likely to complain about
several years. The survey, taken the distance. Only one respondent
from a semi-randomly selected expressed regret that he made the
sample, is patently unscientific. trip. He said he just did not
However, the results are find the falls themselves that
interesting nonetheless. (A few impressive and did not think it
words about the sample: most was worth the long bus trip.
respondents were not born in the
US but were living here, the age Most recommended attractions?
Hands down the Maid of the Mist sufficient to see the sights, and
boat tour was suggested as the no one suggested staying more
must-do activity. Several people than two days.
also pointed out that this was
the best way to view the falls When should you go?
for those who were not able to go This is a little hard to
to the Canadian side because of decipher. Not surprisingly most
visa re-entry issues. The Cave of people visited Niagara Falls in
the Winds tour, which takes you the summer. The few who did go in
by elevator to the bottom of the the winter said they were
falls, got high marks for those impressed by the falls surrounded
who preferred not to take a boat by ice, but expressed regret that
ride. The helicopter tour also they could not go on the Maid of
got raves, but only one person in the Mist (it stops running in
the survey took a helicopter October). In short, it seems like
tour. The nighttime illumination you should not go to Niagara in
of the falls got mixed reviews, the winter unless you are
with some calling it “stunning”, prepared for the cold. A few also
while others found it “tacky”. recommended going in the fall to
Several people who traveled with enjoy the foliage in Upstate New
children also recommended York along the way.
exploring the town of Niagara
Falls, Ontario. It offers Bottom Line: Most people sampled
typically touristy attractions in this informal survey thought
that are sure to please kids. Niagara Falls was a great weekend
getaway and a good place to take
How long should you stay? visitors from abroad. If
Almost everyone answered either possible, include a stop in
one or two days. A few people Niagara Falls on a visit to
thought only a few hours were Toronto for a great long weekend
trip from New York or Boston. stay more than two days, and do
Chances are you will not be not have high expectations of the
disappointed in a trip to Niagara attractions outside of those
Falls if you go when you are related to the falls.
prepared for the weather, do not
About the Author:
Lila Kahn is the Marketing Manager of GotoBus.com, the leading online marketplace for bus tickets and tours in the USA. You can find out more information about the company and contact information for the author at: www.GotoBus.com
Source: www.isnare.com |
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