Presenting: Niagara Falls Tourism - One Wonder After Another by Susanne Pacher

In early December of 2007 I decided to attempt a three day winter getaway to Niagara Falls, Ontario. In order to explore the city in the most beneficial way I contacted the experts at Niagara Falls tourism which helped me to work out an all-inclusive itinerary look around the many issues with Niagara Fall. Their travel specialists reduced the problem put together a packed schedule that exposed me to many people interesting sights and activities in this unique city.



My three-day adventure included an exilerating helicopter sightseeing tour, an encounter with nature on the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory and also at Bird Kingdom, the earth's largest aviary. I sampled culture and entertainment in a very magic show at the Greg Frewin Theatre along with a musical production at the Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Theatre.



I also got up close on the majestic Niagara Falls, viewed them through the Skylon Tower and saw an Imax movie called "Niagara: Miracles, Myths and Magic" which presented a unique dramatization of Niagara Falls' colourful history. I also checked out some in the actual vessels utilised by real-life daredevils who went within the Falls and explored the tunnels that get you behind the top cascade from the Canadian Horseshoe Falls within the Journey Behind The Falls experience.



Naturally I sampled a few 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 suggestion of Niagara Falls' broad tourist offering. And naturally I explored Clifton Hill - Niagara Fall's most favored tourist promenade having its gift shops, wax museums, haunted houses, restaurants, hotels and themed attractions.



I even partook from the gambling experience at the Fallsview Casino Resort, a giant top-modern mind-boggling gaming, shopping and entertainment complex. There were so much more things on the list that I could have done, but three days were not really enough to sample it all.



To help you with your own plans for any visit to Niagara Falls, Ontario, here's an interview with Anna Pierce, the Executive Director of Niagara Falls Tourism who's graciously agreed to provide a general introduction to Niagara Falls and everything it has to offer:



1. Please provide us with some general information about Niagara Falls, Ontario. Where is it located and the way can I make it? How big is the populace of Niagara Falls, Ontario? How do I get around town?



Niagara Falls is situated between Lakes Erie and Ontario sharing a border with New York State. To get to Niagara Falls in the United States, visitors can travel by car over certainly one of three bridges: The Rainbow, Peace or Queenston-Lewiston Bridges. Three airfields service the region: Buffalo inside the US, Hamilton and Toronto. Buffalo and Hamilton airports are approximately 40 minutes drive and Toronto is simply over one hour away. Via Rail/Amtrak also provide service right into Niagara Falls.



2. Niagara Falls has a very interesting history. Please provide us with a brief historical introduction to this unique city.



Niagara Falls was initially brought for the attention of the European explorers when Father Hennepin was shown the wonder by Native Americans. It was named the Honeymoon Capital with the World after Napoleon Bonaparte?s brother spent his honeymoon here.



Annie Edson Taylor was the initial person to go on the Falls in the barrel. She was hoping this feat makes her famous and rich. She died penniless. Since then, several attempts happen to be made to conquer the Falls. Unfortunately, more didn't work than succeeded ? they never lived to share with the tale. Attempting such daredevil exhibitions now could be illegal and comes with an extremely hefty fine.



Several battles with 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 this war ? ahead of the chocolate company made her famous. She overheard US troops planning an ambush contrary to the British and walked over 20 miles in enemy territory to tell British Troops of the impending attacks. Although she received little recognition on her behalf heroism during her lifetime, today Laura Secord is regarded as a Canadian folk hero.



3. Please tell us about one in the most significant attractions in Niagara Falls - the majestic waterfalls themselves. What makes them special and just how can I experience them?



Our Falls are special in numerous ways, though the most important will be the sheer level of water that flows in the brink. 600,000 gallons per second, in reality. The Falls is NOT the tallest inside the world. It only measures 170 feet deep and 2200 feet wide. The best way to experience the Falls is usually to make sure you notice from ABOVE, BELOW AND BESIDE. Aerial views via tower or helicopter show how all of it works. The Maid in the Mist provides absolute best vantage point below the brink as well as the Journey Behind the Falls or Table Rock Point give you the most beneficial view from beside the Wonder. You have to experience seventy one to truly understand just how spectacular the Falls are.



4. What type of sightseeing opportunities do I have in Niagara Falls?



Niagara Falls comes with a wide variety of Sightseeing Opportunities that centre across 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 now have it.



5. Niagara Falls also carries a number of attractions that attract nature lovers, featuring birds, butterflies and elaborately designed parks and gardens. Please provide us with further details about these attractions.



I would suggest checking out the subsequent websites more resources for these great attractions:









Most from the gardens within the Niagara Parks system might be accessed totally free. For example, their School of Horticulture, the Greenhouse Collection, Queen Victoria Park, and many others.



6. What kind of museums and locations of historic interest does Niagara Falls, Ontario, have to give you?



We have several museums in and around Niagara Falls. The Clifton Hill area is stuffed with many novelty museums including Louis Tussaud?s, Ripley?s Believe It or Not, Guinness World Records Museum plus a few haunted houses sprinkled in. The Lundy?s Lane Historical Museum houses memorabilia in the War of 1812. One of the battlefields of this war is additionally located on Lundy?s Lane and it is said to be one from the most haunted cemeteries in Canada. The Laura Secord Homestead can also be open for the public as are two forts ? one inch Niagara-on-the-Lake and one out of Fort Erie. Both were strategic outposts for British troops fighting the attempted invasion through the US.



7. Niagara Falls, Ontario, offers many opportunities to travellers who like the casino and gaming experience. Please reveal more.



Niagara Falls is home to two Casinos: Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino Resort. The Fallsview Casino can be a showpiece by itself. It houses over 3000 slot machine games and 150 game tables, world-class big-name entertainment inside the Avalon Ballroom, and great shopping within the Galleria Mall.



8. What other entertainment options and attractions does Niagara Falls, Ontario, have to offer? What are many of the main entertainment areas? What about carnivals?



Clifton Hill offers great family entertainment: museums, arcades, rides including the newest arrival: the SkyWheel (a ferris wheel which is often a smaller version from the EYE in London with air conditioned and heated pods providing great views from the Falls).



Many of our hoteliers are opting to include or build indoor waterparks to provide to their existing offerings. We have the Great Wolf Lodge Resort, Waves at the Americana Resort and also the Sheraton about 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 for the public.



9. What option is there for nightlife in Niagara Falls, Ontario? What about theatre offerings, shows and special performances?



Nightlife is fantastic in Niagara. In addition for the great outdoor and indoor pubs, clubs and karaoke bars, we now have several great shows available. The Oh Canada, Eh? Dinner Theatre features great Canadian music paired with a fantastic dinner. Greg Frewin is really a master magician whose show will please the entire family. We also have several comedy shows and blockbuster performances on the Fallsview Casino.



10. Niagara Falls is embedded in one of Canada's most favored wine regions and also the entire area is usually referred to as the "Breadbasket of Ontario". Please reveal more about areas surrounding Niagara Falls.



The Niagara Escarpment is located in the Niagara Fruitbelt. This area is a few of the most fertile land inside country. We have a microclimate within the Niagara Region which can be ideal for growing fruit. The temperatures within the Fruitbelt are generally 10 degrees less than the surrounding area. Frost is obviously a consideration. This is why you will observe windmills inside the middle of fields through the entire region. The windmills are used to break up the frost which is so dangerous towards the fruit ? especially grapes.



11. What types of festivals and special occasions highlight the yearly calendar in Niagara Falls, Ontario?



In September we celebrate the grape harvest while using Niagara Grape and Wine Festival. In winter, our Niagara Parks are illuminated with 2 million twinkling lights. The Winter Festival of Lights is filled with animated lighting displays featuring Disney Characters. The celebration culminates having a free New Year?s Eve Party in Queen Victoria Park.



12. What type of accommodation option is available in Niagara Falls?



Niagara Falls offers accommodation from two to four star hotels to bed and breakfasts from cottage rentals to campgrounds from budget to luxury cottages in cornwall.



13. Please describe the culinary options available in Niagara Falls, Ontario.



Our signature culinary experience is, naturally, Fallsview Dining. The Skylon Tower offers the best view from their Revolving Dining Room, however the Keg Steakhouse, a Cut Above and also the Watermark Restaurant all boast excellent food having a view. Dining on the brink of the Falls can also be available at the Table Rock House. In Niagara-on-the-Lake the vineyard cafes and restaurants are a number of the best in Southern Ontario. The chefs during these restaurants pride themselves in offering recipes featuring meats and convey grown inside Niagara Region.



14. Please reveal 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 with the Falls. Niagara-on-the-Lake has numerous quaint one-of-a-kind shops to select from as well.



15. What outdoor, recreational and sports opportunities are available around Niagara Falls? How about golfing?



Niagara Falls has numerous hiking, biking and roller-blading trails. Water-based sports including boating, sailing and fishing can also be huge draws for us. Niagara Region can also be 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.



16. What are some of the big news stories that'll be coming up for Niagara Falls in 2008 and beyond?



The biggest news for Niagara Falls may be the announcement of an new Convention Centre for Niagara Falls. The details are being finalized today, however they should be breaking ground fairly soon. We are expecting the opening that occurs some time in 2010. In short, it?s a thrilling time to participate Niagara Falls? Tourism Industry.



Thank you, Anna, to your taking the time to impart 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.





Susanne Pacher will be the publisher of an website called Travel and Transitions. Travel and Transitions works with travel to foreign countries which is chock full of advice, tips, true to life travel experiences, interviews with travelers and travel experts, insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and a number of other features.



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