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