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