| Niagara Falls is both the name of a
group of waterfalls and of the cities that surround them. The Falls are part
of the Niagara River, which connects Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. The border
between Canada and the United States lies along the centre of the river,
which is part of the St. Lawrence Seaway. There are two cities called
Niagara Falls:
• Niagara Falls, New York in the state of New York in the United States
of America, and
• Niagara Falls, Ontario which lies within the Niagara Region of Ontario,
Canada.
These cities are on the American side and the Canadian side
of the falls, respectively. They are connected by the Rainbow Bridge
and the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge.
The Canadian side has a far superior view, and many tourist attractions
are based there. Niagara Falls attracts tourists from all over the world at
all times of the year.
Many couples honeymoon at the Falls. In the winter, there is a Festival
of Lights, which includes numerous displays of lights throughout the Niagara
Parks. There are a number of hydroelectric plants that divert part of the
Niagara River to generate electricity from the Falls.
The land on the Canadian side directly adjacent to the river forms the
Niagara Parks. The Niagara Parks Commission maintains the park and gardens,
and runs a number of attractions for tourists.
Attractions
• Skylon Tower: a tall tower that has an observation deck
and revolving restaurant with a great view of the falls. There are arcade
games in the base.
• Maid of the Mist: a boat that takes tourists to the foot of
the falls, where you can better appreciate their thunder and spray. Only
runs in the summer.
• Greg Frewin Dinner
Theatre: Illusionist
Greg
Frewin presents his Las Vegas style magic show.
• Flower clock: a clock made entirely of flowers, near the
Whirlpool
• Niagara Botanical Gardens (at their best in the summer)
• Butterfly conservatory: lots of butterflies in an enclosed
space
• Clifton Hill Niagara Falls:
a hill, and a street, full of exciting and fun tourist attractions such as
wax museums, Ripley's Believe it or Not, haunted houses, and gift shops.
• Imax theatre:
has a great movie about the history of the Falls
• Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort a splendid new (June 2004) Vegas
style Casino
• Casino Niagara the old but nice casino near Clifton Hill
Dining
• Suisha Gardens, 5701 Lewis Ave., Niagara Falls, Ontario, (905)
354-1500, Very pleasant Japanese restaurant. They cook, Teppanyaki-style, at
your table.
• Taki, 5530 Victoria Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario, (905)
357-7274, "Taki" means "Falls" in Japanese. Very authentic-style Japanese
restaurant. Great food, great atmosphere. Pricy, but it's worth it.
• Table Rock Restaurant, Niagara Falls, Ontario, (905) 354-3631,
Very good view of the Falls.
• Secret
Garden: Embraced by the beautifully manicured Oakes Garden Theater.
5827 River Rd.
• Carpaccio
Restaurant: 2003-04 Award Winning Restaurant & Wine Bar. 6840
Lundy's Lane. |
|
Get in
By car
Niagara Falls is two hours by car from Toronto.
By bus
Trentway-Wagar and Coach Canada offer a joint service to Niagara Falls
(Canada side) from Toronto via St. Catharine's. Adult same-day return fare is
roughly $30. There are several departures to and from Niagara Falls per day.
Phone: 1-800-461-7661, web:
Visitors staying in Toronto can catch a tour from various Niagara Falls
tour providers. The following tour companies offer pick-up from all hotels
in Toronto:
• Toronto Tours Canada
• Niagara Tours, phone:
416-315-4065
• eTours
Get around
During the busiest tourist season (May - October) there is a "People
Mover" system which runs on the Parkway along the river. There are pickup
points all along the parkway, including near the bus terminal. |
