by Debra Corbeil
Wax museums, heart shaped tubs and haunted houses, that is what people picture when they think of Niagara Falls Canada. Things have changed in the twenty first century however and you can find world-class hotels, entertainment and dining at the new and improved vacation destination. Located on the border of the United States and Canada, Niagara falls is only two hours from Toronto. Spend a few days exploring some of these attractions listed below and you will be sure to have a thrill ride and great time on your visit to Canada.
A thrill ride that will get your blood pumping is the Jet Boat Tour. Take a 1500 horsepower Jet Boat upstream to the Whirlpool downstream from the Falls in Class VI, yes I said it Class VI rapids. You will be tossed and turned, doing 360s in the middle of Devils Hole. These boats are powerful and you have to wear headsets if you want to hear anything that your tour guide has to say. For $57 you can ride either the Wet Jet or Jet Dome. On hot days, the wet dome is a great choice because you are going to get soaked. On cool days, early or late in the season, the Jet Dome is a great option. Plus, it is super for capturing photos or videos and you can actually see the water going over you instead of having it splash in your face.
Be sure to take a ride on the Maid of the Mist. This world famous ride has been operating for over a century taking tourists to the heart of the Horseshoe Falls. Feel and hear the thunder of water plunge all around you as the falls completely surround you. At the bargain price of $14.50 you are supplied with raincoats and a memory to last a life time.
Gaining in popularity each year is tours of international award winning vineyards. Jackson Triggs, Pellar Estates and Inniskillin to name a few, are all located at Niagara on the Lake just outside of Niagara Falls. A tourist destination in its own right, you can stay at bed and breakfasts to boutique hotels and resorts. Tours are offered daily to the wineries where you can taste and buy vintage bottles of wine. Try renting a bicycle or hiring a horsecart to take you to the wineries as you take in the view of the beautiful Niagara gorge.
Night time offers excellent entertainment at two different casinos located in Niagara Falls. The Fallsview Casino and Casino Niagara. Whether you are looking for slots, tables, low or high stakes it has it. Fallsview Casino is as big as three football fields and as well as gaming, it also features A-list entertainment in its 1500 seat theater.
Want to get your blood pumping again? Nightmares is one scary haunted house. Located near Clifton Hill, the famous street filled with wax museums, haunted houses and restaurants, Nightmares is a must for anyone that loves a good scare. It is scary alright, legend has it that it was built on the site of an old coffin factory. The proprietor was killed in a prank gone bad and has haunted the halls ever since. If you become too scared inside the maze of nightmares you can chicken out. Don’t feel bad if you do, over 95,000 people have chickened out over the years.
Think you can only go to a water park in the summer? Well, in Niagara Falls, you can play in the wave pool, plunge down the slides and catch some rays on the sun deck at the Niagara Waterpark. Located on Clifton Hill, it is close to all of Niagara Falls tourist museums and shops. It is a great place for the whole family. You can book either a day pass or a weekend getaway with hotel included.
A little outside of town is the Niagara Glen. Trails, forest and nature await hikers and cyclists. Take in the breathtaking scenery of the Niagara gorge and enjoy a picnic lunch as you watch local rock climbers cling to giant boulders in the deep valley.
Three nights a week you can enjoy incredible fireworks right over the falls. The water is lit up in different colours and the elaborate show goes on for several minutes. It is not to be missed. Luckily many restaurants overlook the falls and you can see them as you dine enjoying entertainment with your dinner.
Niagara Falls has so many things to see and do that it is impossible to list everything. So go ahead and explore on your own, you will find something new with each visit that will keep you coming back again and again.
About the Author:
To check out more travel tips and advice about travel around the world, visit Deb Corbeil’s blog
www.theplanetd.com Follow Deb and her husband Dave Bouskill as they explore exciting travels featuring things to do and places to see. Enjoy their photo gallery at
www.picturetheplanet.com
by Debra Corbeil
Wax museums, heart shaped tubs and haunted houses, that is what people picture when they think of Niagara Falls Canada. Things have changed in the twenty first century however and you can find world-class hotels, entertainment and dining at the new and improved vacation destination. Located on the border of the United States and Canada, Niagara falls is only two hours from Toronto. Spend a few days exploring some of these attractions listed below and you will be sure to have a thrill ride and great time on your visit to Canada.
The Niagara Jet Boat Tour takes you right to the heart of the whirlpool down stream from the bottom of the falls. Ride the Class VI rapids safely in these state of the art powerful machines where you will be riding the whirlpool of Devils Hole. The cost is only $57 Canadian and you have your choice of the domed dry ride or the wide open Wet Jet where you will be soaked from head to toe. Each ride has its advantages. Feel the thrill as water splashed over the boat cooling you on a hot summer day, or stay dry to take full advantage of photo opportunities.
An oldie but a goody is the Maid of the Mist boat tour. It has been operating since 1846 shuttling people across to the US border. In 1885 they started running as tourist attractions to take passengers to an up close and personal view of the falls. It is another thrilling experience being so close to the falling water. The Maid of the Mist goes right inside the horseshoe and thundering water surrounds you. It is a thrill ride for only $14.50
Not everything at Niagara Falls is about adrenaline and excitement. Enjoy a relaxing tour in the Wine Region of Niagara on the Lake. Take a bus, cycle or drive along the river road following the wine route signs where you can visit dozens of world class winery’s. There is plenty of accommodations nearby where you can stay and book tours without the worry of drinking and driving.
You don’t have to do all of your sightseeing during the day. Check out one of the two casinos in Niagara Falls. Fallsview Casino Resort or Casino Niagara rival casino’s anywhere with slot machines, high stake poker and A-List entertainment nightly.
If you have kids or for the young at heart, Nightmares will be sure to get the adrenaline flowing. This haunted house is one of the scariest in the world and over 95,000 people have chickened out in mid-tour to bring the point home. Located on a haunted piece of land, it is rumoured that to this day, the proprietor of an old coffin factory roams the halls at night. If Nightmares is too scary for you never fear, Clifton hill is nearby where you can check out other haunted houses or wax museums that are a little more tame.
Whether you visit in the winter or summertime, you can enjoy wild water fun year round at Niagara’s Indoor Water park. Complete with water slides, wave pools and sundeck, pretend you are in the Caribbean as you sip a Pina Colada. Enjoy it as a day on your own, or book a hotel package for unlimited use.
A nice spot for a day hike located 8 km from the falls is the Niagara Glen. Excellent hiking trails and if you are into rock climbing there are great spots for bouldering. Bring a crash mat and enjoy your climb. It overlooks the Whirlpool on the Niagara River. Admission to Niagara Glen is free.
If you like fireworks, Niagara Falls offers world class fireworks three times a week. The Falls are lit up each night with colorful lights and most evenings in the summer have a fantastic fireworks display. Make your way down to the falls when the sun goes down to watch. Or choose one of the many restaurants that overlook the falls and eat a late dinner for a spectacular view.
The list goes on and on of adventures and activities that can be done in Niagara Falls. It could take days to explore everything that the area has to offer, so what are you waiting for? Go ahead and book your trip you will find that there is more to Niagara than meets the eye.
About the Author:
To check out more destination tips and advice about traveling the world, visit Deb Corbeil’s travel site
www.theplanetd.com Follow Deb and her husband Dave Bouskill as they travel to exciting destinations featuring things to do and places to see. Enjoy their photo gallery at
www.picturetheplanet.com
