A True Wonder of the World
Written: Apr 03 '00 (Updated Apr 03 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Wonderful Places to visit and Thing to do for All ages
Cons: Expensive unless you plan ahead
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| Prepoia's Full Review: Niagara Falls |
Niagara Falls is truly a wonder of the world. It is majestic, beautiful, and powerful to behold. To see pictures of it, one would think, "How lovely." But, to see it in person is an experience that awes each visitor to this natural wonder. To stand next to the crest, or top of the falls, just where it flows downward is amazing. You can feel the power behind the 750,000 gallons as it begins its downward plunge!
My family and I love to visit Niagara Falls (on the Canadian side; although we've been to the American side too). We are fortunate to live only about a six hour drive from there to our home in Michigan. This is a trip that we have taken about a half dozen times. A couple of times when the kids were small (they are now adults; once when we had European visitors staying with us; and most recently, last summer. We have never been disappointed. We always leave planning on returning. I think that this is because Niagara Falls never fails to leave us awe struck and Niagara Falls, the town, offers something for visitors of all ages.
Some of the attractions of the town include: a Butterfly Conservatory; a Floral Clock; fireworks on selected nights over the Falls; The Great Gorge; an Imax Theater; Lazer Light shows at the falls at night; the Skylon Tower with a revolving dining room: the Minolta Tower; the Maid of the Mist Boat ride; Cave of the Winds; a Marineland Amusement Park; and various downtown sidewalk adventures such as Louis Tussaud's Wax Museum, Guinness World Record's museum; gift shops galore, a museum of waxed famous criminals, haunted houses, and video arcades.One big, new attraction for the city is the Niagara Casino. Although I have left out many of the attractions, these are the ones that we've visited, at one time or another.
Must Do:
We would never visit Niagra Falls without having dinner at the Skylon Tower. The restaurant is at the top, with a glass elevator ride to reach it, and they serve delicious meals to enjoy along with a view of the surrounding area. It takes approximately an hour to revolve fully and accords you with a view of the falls and the city. It is somewhat expensive, but they do have special times during the late afternoon in which you can get a good price without sacrificing the quality of food or service. This is a treat to save for!
The Maid of the Mist is a great boat ride for all ages. You are given a plastic type bag to cover your clothing and a hood (yes, you will want to wear them both!). You board a boat and it takes you past the Wedding Veil (American Falls) and then tries to go forward into the Canadian Falls as far as it can get to under the falls. The current, sooner or later, begins to push the boat back when you get as close as you can. You actually do get very close (close enough to feel the tremendous power) and close enough to get wet from the mist from the pounding water.
The Butterfly Conservatory is impressive and new. You walk through it and there are thousands of various butterflies that fly and land around you. It is open spaces (you're on a sidewalk) and it is amazing to see how the butterflies can camouflage themselves with the environment.
I always enjoy visiting the Flower Clock which is located on the outskirts of the city. It is in a beautiful park setting and is great for pictures.
The Gorge Adventure is worth visiting too. You take an elevator (through rock...you can see the rock as you descend downward) down to the gorge on the river and then can walk along a wooden sidewalk to view some of the rapids that the falls creates. There is also a mini-museum that displays some of the items people have used when going over the falls. Some have survived and some haven't.
When our kids were small, we visited Marineland Amusement Park. We found it to be a day out, but at the time, didn't offer many rides. I have heard that they do, now, have rides but I've never heard anyone be particularly impressed. But, if you have the younger set travelling with you, I would say it would be worth the visit.
The Imax Theater always is fun. They show different shows monthly and two that I've seen were a roller coaster ride and an airplane trip. Both put you realistically into the action. Hang on to your stomachs!
The sidewalk attractions are great for the younger set too. My kids loved the wax museum and Ripley's. There is much to see and do along the streets of the city. There are an amazing number of gift shops with truly unique offerings. If you like to shop, you won't run out of places to visit.
We visited Niagara Falls last summer, and since both of our kids are now over 21, we naturally went to the Casino. It is a beautiful building; offers three levels to play on; has standard casino games like Black Jack and Slot Machines and includes a few scattered bars and restaurants. We had a great time! Of course, we came home wiser but poorer.
Tips for your visit.
The best exchange rate possible in this city is not at the hotels or banks but at the casino!
All hotels near the city attractions or near the Falls are expensive even with the exchange rate. They just jack up the prices so it will equal the American rates. A hotel near anything will be about $200. Canadian. The restaurants too, will be a big expense.
If possible, drive to Niagara Falls. They do have public transportation along the main street from one side of the town to the other (along the falls) but to see everything it is impossible to rely just on this. It is a nightmare to drive by the falls, but everything is too far away from each other (Casino on one end of the city to the Falls at the other end of the city) to walk it. You will be doing a lot of walking anyway! Bring and wear comfortable shoes!
The best place we've found to stay is any of the hotels along the strip of sidewalk attractions. It is the most centrally located and it is possible to walk to most of the places that you'd like to visit. This excludes, however: the clock, the gorge, the Butterfly Conservatory, the Amusement Park, and a few others. There is parking in all of the areas; just be patient. Sometimes a lot will show full, and then 5 minutes later they will let some cars in.
Early to the attraction you wish to visit is best. Once you park in one area, you'll be able to visit everything near it by foot.
Planning ahead is the best advice I can give. Exchange your American currency BEFORE you get to Niagara Falls (or any big city in Canada). Drive if possible. Check around for availability of rooms and prices once you get there. However, book at least one night so you're assured of a room. If you don't mind having an outside pool and a more motel type environment, you can find some decent accommodation prices.
Just know, that whatever you decide to visit, the highlight of your trip will be the Niagra Falls, themselves.
Recommended:
Yes
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Location: Michigan
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I Love My Family, Teaching, Reading, the Internet, and Travel (and Epinions of Course)!
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