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A 21st Century Look at Niagara Falls

By Carole Herdegen

While travel experts tell us we are not taking fewer holidays, they are quick to explain that for a variety of time-constraining reasons we have reduced our former one and two weeks vacation periods to now 3 and 4 day "getaways". Furthermore, the new destinations are within a few hours driving or flying time from our homes. For that reason, the Canadian Niagara Falls in Ontario is the ideal location for Canadians and Americans alike who reside in the Midwest and Eastern parts of both countries.

There have been many changes to the Niagara region in the last few years that make Niagara Falls a fantastic short-stay holiday for virtually everyone - couples, families and groups. Niagara Falls has been traditionally known as the "Honeymoon Capital of the World". And, it will probably retain that distinction indefinitely; however, it is now rapidly being transformed into a first class vacation destination for everyone. Thanks to the opening of a second casino as part of the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort, a magnificent hotel/resort/spa complex, along with the growth of several other major luxury hotels, fine-dining restaurants, and variety of activities, Niagara Falls is now appealing to a far greater audience than just newlyweds.

Niagara is in the perfect location for travelers arriving by car, plane or train. By vehicle, it is seven hours or less from Boston New York, Philadelphia, or Washington and only four hours or less from Cleveland, Detroit or Pittsburgh. The Buffalo International Airport, serving the greater Niagara Falls area, is only twenty-eight miles away and daily accommodates incoming flights from six major airlines. If you prefer a slower journey, the Canadian rail service, VIA Rail, carries passengers from Toronto, while American passengers can easily access Niagara by AMTRAK. Upon arrival, visitors can readily buy a daily ticket on the People Mover bus that makes a circuit, stopping at all the area's major attractions.

Visitors have come to Niagara Falls to experience one of the wonders of nature. The best activities are centered on viewing the Falls from a variety of vantage points. I'm not referring to going over the Falls in a barrel or kayaking the Niagara rapids, but for example, simply enjoying the breathtaking but far less dangerous ride on the Maid of the Mist tourist boat.

For 150 years, this attraction has been thrilling people. Some call it "the best ride in the world" because the boat travels into the mist at the base of the Horseshoe Falls. Looking up at the Falls from this vantage point is awesome and wet, even with the provided rain ponchos. So be warned! Protect your cameras and other water-sensitive possessions. Experiencing the majesty and power of the Falls on the breathtaking Journey Behind the Falls where one-fifth of the world's fresh water plunges 170 feet to the Lower Niagara River can also be wet as well as noisy.

Another wonderful experience is riding the Whirlpool Aero Car, an original Spanish cable car, spanning a distance of 1,800 feet from Colt's Point at 1800 feet to Thompson's Point and some 250 feet above the Niagara Whirlpool. Just a few hundred feet further down the river, the White Water Walk offers the close-up experience of the sheer velocity of Niagara's rapids. These activities plus a ride to the top of the Skylon Tower Observation Deck for a different perspective of the American and Horseshoe Falls will round out a 2-day action packed visit to the Falls area.

With the exception of the Skylon Tower, these attractions are included in the Niagara Parks Commission's VIP Pass that is the most convenient and economical way to see Niagara Falls.

If its other entertainment you are seeking, the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort's 1500 seat Avalon Ballroom Theatre features top entertainers throughout the year. Plan your get-away weekend around the dates of performing entertainers who in the past have included Tom Jones, BB King, Peter Frampton or Howie Mandel. The latest attraction in Niagara is the Cirque Niagara with its new $10-million production, AVAIA, scheduled to perform until October 8, 2006 under the Big Top at Rapidsview Park. In the tradition of Cirque du Soleil productions, AVAIA is the story about a mystical journey, a celebration of life and of man's love for horses. Cirque Niagara has engaged Russia's greatest equestrian theatrical riders, acrobats and circus artists to create this spectacular - a "must see" spectacular for visitors coming to Niagara.

If its golf you desire, Niagara has the highest concentration of golf courses in North America. People are surprised that golf can be played here practically all year round.

For those seeking relaxation, it is wonderful to unwind with a beauty treatment or massage in the new luxurious Spa at the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort.

With all the activity available in Niagara, appetites must also be accommodated. Niagara offers the very best from Noir 17, the top gourmet restaurant in town at the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort, to Wolfgang Puck, Planet Hollywood and the Hard Rock Café.

After dinner, visitors can take a walk to the Falls and observe the spectacular nightly illuminations. On Fridays, Sundays and Holidays until Labor Day, a dramatic fireworks display completes the evening's entertainment.

For those who come for a longer weekend, a trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara's wine region offers the beauty and quaintness of the area coupled with the great taste of Niagara wines. More than 40 wineries in the Niagara area are open year round for tours and tasting. Besides the latitude of the Niagara area, other factors contribute into making it an important wine region.

For example: the region sits between two Great Lakes ensuring a cool spring and a long autumn, ideal conditions for the growing of grapes.

My personal choice of travel was by rental bike.

Many rental shops will deliver bicycles to the hotels in the area. It is no wonder that Niagara-on-the-Lake not only looks like a film set, but over the years, it has been the background for numerous film and television companies.

You might ask.. what happens in Niagara Falls in the wintertime? Guaranteed: the Falls don't freeze over. In fact, there is a different kind of wintertime beauty along with the snow that is enhanced with illuminations and fairy lights galore. Fall and winter are festival times.

Possibly the longest and most spectacular event is the annual winter festival of lights called Lights, Nights and Wonders, from November 4th to January 8th. It is the largest of its kind in Canada and features more than 2 million lights in over 100 animated displays. Continuing on into January is the Niagara Icewine Festival that attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year.

While newlyweds are always welcome, Niagara extends its invitation to anyone and everyone in search of year-round entertainment, outstanding attractions, fun, excellent eating and especially the beauty, splendor and wonder of Niagara Falls.

For travel information:

Niagara Falls Tourism
5515 Stanley Avenue
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada L2G 3X4
Tel: (905) 356-6061
Toll-Free: - (800) 563-2557
FAX: (905) 356-5567
Web Site: www.NiagaraFallsTourism.com

For information on Niagara Falls Events, Activities and the VIP Pass:

The Niagara Parks Commission
5881 Dunn Street
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada L2G 2N9
Tel: (905) 371-0919
FAX: (905) 356-8448
Web Site: www.niagaraparks.com

Skylon Tower
5200 Robinson Street
Niagara Falls, Canada L2G 2A3
Reservations: (905) 356-2651
Toll-Free: (866) 257-1356
Web Site: www.skylon.com

Cirque Niagara Information
Toll-Free: (877) 247-7831
Web Site: www.cirqueniagara.com

Avalon Ballroom Theater
For full entertainment listings and tickets
Visit www.fallsviewcasinoresort.com or
Box Office (888) 836-8118

Niagara Falls Information:

Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort & Spa
6380 Fallsview Blvd.
Niagara Falls, ON L2G 7X5
For Information & Reservations:
Tel: (888) FALLSVUE
Web Site: www.fallsviewcasinoresort.com

Niagara -on-the-Lake Information:

Tourism Niagara (Niagara Region)
2201 St. David's Road
P.O. Box 1042
Thorold, Ontario, Canada L2V 4T7
Tel: (905) 984-3626
Toll-Free: (800) 263-2988
FAX: (905) 688-5907
Web Site: www.tourismniagara.com

Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce
Tel: (905) 468-1950
Web Site: www.niagaraonthelake.com

Zoom Leisure (Bike Rental)
2017 Niagara Stone Road (Hwy 55)
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Tel: (905) 468-2366
Toll-Free: (866) 811-6993
Web Site: www.zoomleisure.com

Find maps of Niagara Falls in the TravelStore.

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