Category: Niagara Falls Hotels

When you have a conference to plan, it’s tempting to pick a location closest to you. It’s convenient — for you at least — and easy enough to scout out venues. Or, some conference planners stick to a rotation of America’s biggest cities —New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and repeat — simply for the assured hotel space and attraction density. Admittedly, there are benefits to these planning strategies, but by choosing old standbys for conference locations, you’re robbing your attendees and yourself of a fantastic vacation experience.

There are three major tenants of conference location selection:

• The location must have enough space, including a convention center and sufficient accommodation
• The location must provide entertainment outside of the conference
• The location must be affordable

For these three reasons alone, Niagara Falls is an ideal location for any conference.

Space Requirements

While it effectively maintains its small-town feel, Niagara Falls is a major city. While a mere 83,000 year-round residents call Niagara Falls home, an astounding 13 million travelers come to the area every year. As a result, the city has a bevy of excellent hotels, each with its own set of amenities to delight and enchant any visitor. Many of these hotels are equipped with large conference spaces perfect for any size event — from a knitting club meet-up to a multi-thousand attendee convention. It doesn’t take long to find the perfect venue for whatever conference you’re planning.

Outside Entertainment

Above all else, Niagara Falls is a vacation destination. Travelers of all stripes come to Niagara Falls to indulge in the unique sights and sounds of the rushing river. The falls themselves offer hours of adventure, from thrilling tours below and behind the falls to trails winding around the nearby wilderness areas that offer fantastic scenery. The outdoor nut has plenty to explore in the lush forests of the region.

While people may come for the falls, they stay for the city. Niagara Falls is chock full of entertainment and activities to excite everyone in your party. Clifton Hill is a veritable wonderland of excitement, filled with games, music, bars, and more. Encourage your attendees to ride the Ferris wheel or dare them to take a walk through the city’s perennial haunted factory. There’s so much to see, we guarantee one visit won’t be enough.

If you can believe it, that’s not all. The Niagara region provides prime land and climate for growing grapes, and thus world-class vineyards have sprung up offering visitors tastes of delicious, unique wines. Organized winery tours are a popular escape for many travelers to sample award winning wines and taste expertly paired foods.

Affordability

Niagara Falls is most famously a destination for families and newlyweds — a strong indication that the vacation destination is highly wallet-friendly. Groups of any size can certainly find packages that fit well with their budgets but still contain a plethora of dining options and hotel amenities to make a conference trip feel like a well-earned vacation.

This isn’t to say that Niagara Falls is cheap. Travelers certainly have the opportunity to spring for high-class meals or lavish activities. However, in Niagara Falls there are plenty of delicious five-star restaurants that fall well within the average traveler’s means.

If your conference planning is at a standstill while you choose the next location, make your conference a vacation to remember by organizing it in Niagara Falls.

October is a beautiful month for Niagara Falls. The very middle of autumn sees Niagara’s trees turning gorgeous shades of red, orange, and brown, and temperatures are perfect for activities of all sorts, including snuggling up with your loved ones. If you’re considering visiting us for October, learn about what festivities await you. You’re sure to find an event for everyone.

Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival

Canadian Thanksgiving, unlike its American cousin, occurs at the beginning of October, so if you’re a fan of Thanksgiving foods, you can’t miss Niagara in October. The Ball’s Falls Festival is a local and tourist favorite for its plethora of arts, crafts, and wares for sale. There are also plenty of shows and demonstrations, including magical acts and musical performances. Plus, the Niagara Falls Thanksgiving Festival is turning 40 this year, which means even more excitement to be had by all. The festival takes place between October 10-13, and Canadian Thanksgiving occurs on the last day.

Boo at the Zoo

Let your kids enjoy Halloween twice! On October 11, Safari Niagara is inviting families to trick or treat in the safe and fun environment of the zoo. The zoo will be done up with all the scary decorations you love on Halloween, and when the sun sets, you’ll get to see the zoo in a whole new spooky light. Walk around in full costume and see everyone dressed up for the occasion — and don’t forget to bring your treat bags, for local businesses will be supplying candy to trick-or-treating kids.

Niagara Falls International Marathon

If someone in your family loves to run, give him or her something to strive for by signing up for Niagara’s own marathon. This marathon is one of only a handful to span two different countries, starting in Buffalo, New York, and quickly crossing the border to end in Niagara Falls, Ontario. On October 26, you can walk, jog, or run 26.2 miles through the most beautiful scenery that Canada has to offer.

Before you register for the race, know that marathons are grueling physical feats, and they require extensive training in runners who hope to remain healthy during and after their run. For those not in pique physical condition, the 2K, 5K, 10K, or half marathon also occurring at this event might be more your speed. For anyone who finishes a race, there will be a plethora of prizes, including a finisher medal, a recovery jacket, snacks, and an electrolyte-filled drink.

Rock & Soul

Classic music–lovers will rejoice in this music festival that brings together the sounds of Memphis, Detroit, and Philadelphia. Rock music and soul have a long and storied relationship, and there is no better way to honor it than by hearing the two genres played from the same stage. At Fallsview Casino Resort between October 23-30, you can settle into the musical stylings of The Temptations, The Supremes, Hall & Oates, Bob Segar, and more. Tickets are only $20 per person — well worth the run and relaxation of a night of great music.

For many, traveling is all about getting out of the house and trying something new — specifically, trying some new foods. When you think of Canada, you might not think of unique cuisine, but you’d be surprised at the amount and quality of Canada-specific foods available to interested travelers. Canada is a land rich in delicious and fascinating foods, so on your next trip to Niagara Falls, you can seek out some of these famous Canadian eats to satisfy your cravings for culinary adventure.

Poutine

Americans might think of French Fries as the most patriotic dish we’ve got, but the Canadians have added some flavors to make it truly their own. An ample serving of fries is layered with savory gravy and chewy cheese curds to give this dish a satisfying amount of flavor and texture. Gourmet chefs have experimented with poutine and added ingredients like fois gras or black truffles, though we’re partial to the regular standby.

Butter Tart

This no-fuss dessert has been around almost as long as Canada itself. It is comprised of a flaky, buttery pastry shell filled with a type of custard made of butter, eggs, sugar, and syrup, usually of the maple variety. The tarts can be runny or firm, depending on the pastry chef’s inclinations, and they often are topped with raisins or nuts.

Beavertail

This pastry concoction is decadent and delicious, and it’s a wonder that it’s barely heard of below the border. Beavertails are essentially dough shaped into the shape of a beaver tail (hence the name) and fried. Then the dough is topped with anything your heart desires. The most common toppings are chocolate and fruits, though various other candies, like Twix or Heath, are popular as well.

Maple Syrup

You’ve surely heard the phrase “as Canadian as maple syrup,” and with the iconic maple leaf front-and-center on our flag, it’s no wonder that everything maple-flavored is closely tied with Canada. You’ll get the purest and freshest maple syrup north of the border for you to pour on pancakes or waffles, plus you can get any number of baked goods maple flavored, from beavertails to doughnuts. Maple candy is also particularly popular, so be sure to sample a maple toffee or two while you’re here.

Game Meat

The forests in Canada are extensive, with almost 90 percent of Canada uninhabited. This means the wild animal populations are allowed to flourish, giving Canadians access to the choicest game meats anywhere in North America. If you identify as a carnivore, here are some of the meats you mind like to try while visiting the Great White North:

• Boar
• Bison
• Reindeer
• Moose
• Elk
• Deer
• Rabbit

Ketchup Chips

When you just need something to nibble on in your comfortable hotel suite, pick up a bag of Canada’s favorite ketchup-flavored potato chips. Canadians swear by the salty, non-tomato flavor of their ketchup chips, even if Americans have never caught onto the fad. We know you’ll fall in love as much as we have, though one piece of advice: Keep a napkin handy to wipe the extra flavoring off your fingers, or you might see little red fingerprints all over your clothes.

Besides the falling leaves and nippy weather, autumn is known for the bounty of the harvest. A plethora of fruits and vegetables come into season, allowing communities to stock up on important produce before the winter freeze. The fall harvest is a magical and beautiful time for agricultural communities around the world, and Niagara Falls is no exception.

The Niagara region is astoundingly fertile, and plenty of farms and orchards produce tons of deliciously fresh produce for local restaurants and grocery stores. Some of these places allow visitors to come pick their own fresh fruit and vegetables and experience the fertility of the harvest for themselves. If you want access to the choicest produce, plan a trip to one of Niagara’s orchards on during your fall trip the falls.

Parkway Orchards

In the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake just minutes from Niagara Falls proper, Parkway Orchards has huge groves of all types of fruit trees. Open year-round, Parkway Orchard has fruits to pick in almost every season, so you can bring your family to the farm no matter when you come to Niagara Falls. Some of the fruits you can pick straight from the trees are:

• Cherries
• Plums
• Peaches
• Nectarines
• Apples

Apples are the only fruit the orchard is sure to have in October, but if any of the other fruits look enticing, you can plan your trip around the fruit season. Also on the premises is a fully stocked gift shop with already-picked fruits ready for you to take home in addition to various jams, jellies, and pies made fresh from the farm. Bring a bit of your orchard experience home or give a gift to your friends who couldn’t come.

Kurtz Orchards

Also near Niagara-on-the-Lake, Kurtz Orchards Farm and Marketplace offers plenty of fresh produce and products for travelers looking for Canada’s harvest bounty. Take a tour of the grounds and see the fruitful trees and fields in all their glory.

In the Kurtz Marketplace, you’ll have access to a completely unique orchard experience. Fresh fruits, including peaches, cherries, apricots, plums, strawberries, and more, are piled high waiting for you to sink your teeth. Also fresh from the farm are aged specialty cheeses and various fruit pastries and ice creams that are unparalleled in the region. Or, if preserves are more your style, sample some of the jams, jellies, and pickled goods available for purchase.

You will be able to sample new gourmet tastes created from international inspiration or even take a full lunch with fresh ingredients from the on-site bakery. You can be sure that the food you eat at Kurtz will be local, fresh, and seasonal, made from the highest quality ingredients you could imagine. While you dine, you’ll get views of the gorgeous orchard grounds, replete with turning autumn leaves.

If you fall in love with more than just Niagara on your visit, Kurtz Orchards is a beautiful place to host wedding ceremonies or receptions, and they are happy to cater with their delicious and fresh cuisine.

Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons for the Niagara Falls region. Temperatures are cool and comfortable, trees burst into flames of reds and browns while their leaves prepare to fall, and the falls are simply as gorgeous as ever. If you’ve heard of the majesty of Niagara Falls in autumn and know you want to experience it for yourself, you should consider booking a trip to Niagara during September. The wealth of festivals and festivities accompanying the overwhelmingly beautiful change of season is sure to provide a fulfilling vacation for everyone in your group. Here are just a handful of Niagara’s September events to whet your appetite for your fantastic Niagara Falls vacation.

The Shaw Festival Featuring “Cabaret”

Nearby Niagara Falls proper is the small but lively and beautiful town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Every year, this town hosts the Shaw Festival, a tribute to Bernard Shaw in the form of witty and powerful theater. The plays shown on stage during the Shaw Festival are anything but ordinary, and this year in September you have the opportunity to see the groundbreaking and celebrated musical “Cabaret.” A challenging story set in pre–World War II–era Berlin, the play is as emotional as it is entertaining, though it does contain adult themes perhaps less suitable for any vacationers under 15.

Niagara Wine Festival

By now you’ve probably heard plenty about the burgeoning wine culture in and around Niagara Falls. The quality of wines available from local vineyards certainly is only improving as vintners discover the plentiful soils and beneficial climate of the region.

The 63rd annual celebration of Niagara’s wine country occurs September 18th through 28th, and features over 100 different wine-related events. Here’s a short list of the activities you can look forward to if you indulge in the festival:

• Winery tours
• Wine tastings
• Concerts
• Regional cuisine
• Wine seminars
• Street parades

Most varietals of wine are seeing expansive growth, so wine lovers of all stripes can find a vintage to sample. Plus, as you can see from the list, there are plenty of non-drinking events, so the younger set or those choosing to abstain will still have plenty to do.

Who’s Live Anyway?

Improv comedy is usually a crowd-pleaser, as it mixes quick wit with ridiculous situations to include a variety of comedy styles to excite any sense of humor. Attending a comedy show is a must in Niagara at any time of year — the Oh Canada, Eh? Dinner Theater has won plenty of awards and runs almost every night — but in September, travelers and natives alike will have the opportunity to see some of the best comedians in action, live.

Due to popular demand, the well-known cast of TV’s improve hit “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?” are coming back to Niagara at the end of September. Join the prolific Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff Davis and Joel Murray of “Mad Men” fame for more than 90 minutes of uproarious improve comedy and song. If you love laughing to tears after these funny men do their work on TV, you’ll be rolling on the floor during their live show. You’ll get to give them your own suggestions, and you might even be asked to participate on stage! This is a no-lose event for comedy-lovers looking for vacation ideas.

Of course it’s important to “be in the moment” when you’re on vacation — experiences aren’t real experiences when you’re fussing about something and not seeing and hearing what’s around you. However, no vacations are 100 percent unforgettable; some details are sure to slip through your memory’s cracks. Make sure to think about these camera options while you’re packing for your Niagara vacation to make sure you come home with all the memories you made during your stay.

Think Waterproof

Niagara Falls is wet. So much of Niagara Falls’ activities take place in or around the falls, which means you and your belongings are likely to feel some of the spray of the rushing water. If you have extremely delicate or costly photography equipment, you might forgo bringing it along while you ride the Maid of the Mist or Journey Behind the Falls. You don’t want to irreparably damage your priceless equipment — not to mention jeopardize participating in other Niagara photo-ops — because some water seeped in to the intricate tech.

Instead, look into waterproof camera options. Plenty of companies sell inexpensive disposable waterproof cameras that can even go fully underwater without experiencing damage. Alternatively, you might find waterproof covers for your equipment if you really want the best pictures you can get; rain hoods are useful, but you might need something more extensive just to be safe. No matter what, to preserve your experiences of the falls’ relentless onslaught, you’ll need something that won’t be damaged by the elements.

Think Big

The grand vistas around the falls barely fit into your field of vision when you’re there, so capturing them with a camera is truly a feat. This is where your different lenses will help you out. Wide angle lenses allow you to include more of the scenery in your picture, but come in a variety of sizes.

If you like quirkier photos, you might bring along a fish-eye lens to get an interesting perspective of the falls and surrounding areas. Moreover, the curve of the lens might allow you a wider view of certain landscapes.

Think Light

Niagara Falls is all about lighting. From the breathtaking pastels of sunrise, to the eye-catching, bright explosions of fireworks, there are plenty of opportunities for the light-lover to snap dazzling photographs.

If you’re still using film cameras, you might look into purchasing a variety of films for the various lighting situations. The color temperature of the film will affect how your subjects appear in different lights, and slower films might be better for night photography.

Bring a Tripod

One of the more fun lighting tricks you can perform with cameras is a long exposure. If you bring along your tripod, you can leave the shutter open to get pictures of the falls over a long period of time. These photographs almost capture the actual movement of the rushing water. Plus, if you use your tripod and long exposure at night, the colors of the falls and the lights of the surrounding city will look even brighter.

It’s obvious that Niagara Falls is a place that is attractive to any kind of vacation-goer. Relaxers, explorers and revelers alike can find the perfect attractions to help them unwind. If you are a type who enjoys experiencing the great outdoors, you must know about all the astoundingly beautiful hiking opportunities at the falls and nearby spaces. However, even if you are a true nature lover, you still might not know what critters you might find living amidst the falls’ surrounding parks and forests. Here’s a short list of the wildlife you might spot while you’re wandering around the falls during your fantastic Niagara Falls vacation.

Swimmers

The New York side of the falls has plenty to offer those looking to find life in the waterways alongside hiking or riding trails. Literally hundreds of different fish species inhabit the waters around Niagara Falls. Avid anglers or astute students of aquatic life might be able to discern in particular the abundant lake trout, lake salmon, small- and largemouth bass and panfish. With the right permits, you might even be able to catch some for dinner!

Flyers

It seems that any bird can be majestic, but that doesn’t bar us from claiming that our own feathered friends are particularly grand. At any rate, the falls region can truly boast more than 300 species of wild bird, many of which are endangered or at-risk. You’ll easily spot the bright feathers of common birds such as cardinals, blue jays and robins. Plus, the ornithologists in your group will probably be able to distinguish the finches, thrushes and chickadees that almost overwhelm our trees’ branches.

The indigenous birds of prey, for those who enjoy the adrenaline and excitement in bird-watching, include turkey vultures, hawks and several species of owls. If you’re lucky, you might be able to see a great horned owl, one of the larger and more recognizable of the owl family.

Larger and more familiar birds of the region include the ubiquitous Canada goose and heron, which children will enjoy identifying. The plentiful ducks are always a family favorite, as well, though we ask you not to feed any wild animals you may spot on your travels.

Walkers and Crawlers

Mammals in the region make up as many as 53 species, and almost all of them have familiar names. Most of our mammals are small and furry: among other small rodents, squirrels, raccoons and even skunks — though you need not worry much about being sprayed if you stick to proper wildlife etiquette. If you’re quiet and respectful, you may be able to spot white-tailed deer or red foxes. At one time, you might even have caught a glimpse of a black bear or mountain lion, though many of these hunters have been driven out of the region by development and human activity.

Many of the mammals in the area are accustomed to human presence, but again we ask that you refrain from feeding the wildlife; we want to keep the animals happy and healthy in their own habitats, and encouraging comfort with humans prevents our furry, feathered and scaly friends from living a satisfying life.

If you’ve ever wanted to soar high into the air via jetpack, you’re in luck — the latest extreme water sport craze has come to Niagara Falls. Flyboarding, which allows you to rise to heights of 35 feet on a water-powered board, has been taking the world by storm. Now, with help from FlyBoard Niagara, you can be the first of your friends to try the new sports craze.

What Is Flyboarding?

Flyboarding was invented in 2011 by French personal watercraft racer Franky Zapata. The device is powered by the engine of a Jet Ski, which forces water through a hose attached to the bottom of the flyboard. A handheld throttle allows the rider to control twin jets of water that can propel him or her up to 35 feet into the air or 35 feet under the water. The rider is secured to the flyboard via bindings similar to those found on a wakeboard. Bending and swaying allow the rider to move about in the air.

With practice, the flyboard rider can do more than just launch him or herself into the air. He or she can do tricks, such as backflips, or dive in and out of the water like a human dolphin. Though it might seem intimidating, it doesn’t take long to learn to flyboard. The typical flyboarding session runs about half an hour, and most people get the hang of the device in about 15 minutes.

Flyboard in Niagara Falls

When you’re planning your trip to Niagara Falls, don’t forget to make time on your itinerary to try flyboarding. If you love extreme sports or water sports in general, you’ll love flyboarding. Craig Bagshaw launched FlyBoard Niagara earlier this summer, along with partner Rodney Moore. Bagshaw runs the business out of the Greater Niagara Boating Club.

Bagshaw left his full-time job operating heavy equipment to open FlyBoard Niagara. Since his partner, Moore, still works full-time, Craig Bagshaw gets some help running the business from his son, 17-year-old Tyler. The younger Bagshaw is adept at performing flyboard tricks; when business is slow, he helps drum up customers with his demonstrations. Tyler also drives the Jet Ski that powers the flyboard.

Flyboarding rates are set by the Zapata Racing Company, which sells franchises like the one Bagshaw and Moore own. A 30-minute, one-person flyboarding session costs $149, while a 60-minute session, which can be split between two people, costs $249.

The device can accommodate riders of all shapes and sizes. FlyBoard Niagara welcomes teenage flyboarders, as long as they have their parents’ permission to try the sport. Riders will be welcomed every day for the rest of the summer.

If you’re traveling to Niagara Falls this summer, don’t miss your chance to try flyboarding, an exciting new water sport that lets you leap through the air and water like a dolphin, or fly around like a superhero. This latest addition to the area’s attractions is just one more reason to visit Niagara Falls — as if you needed another.

Niagara Falls has long been on the list of the best areas in the world to take photos. From the mighty falls themselves to all of the other lovely places in our city, a shutterbug won’t be disappointed with the wide array of amazing places that just beg to be captured on film, or memory card.

Whether you’re a professional photographer with an arsenal of equipment, or you just simply love to have great photos of your family’s adventures, you’ll find a wealth of incredible places to preserve for your scrapbook or portfolio. Beautiful gardens, local parks, and hiking trails are all wonderful places for an impromptu photo shoot.

While you’re sure to have your camera at the ready to capture every moment of your visit, consider some of these places in Niagara that will make that photo journal even that much more spectacular and memorable.

Queen Victoria Park

One of the loveliest parks in Niagara, Queen Victoria Park is the perfect place to capture the beauty that abounds in our area. The park is open year around, which allows visitors to experience the park and its beauty in all seasons.

Spring is one of the best times to photograph the park, as it comes alive with hundreds of thousands of daffodils in full bloom. Summer sees the thriving rose gardens and the myriad plants that make up the park’s famous carpet bedding. The bright colors of the changing leaves in autumn make for stunning photos, especially when they’re taken in the golden light of early morning. Winter photos can be spectacular here, especially when combined with the freezing mist of the falls as a backdrop.

Niagara Falls State Park

If you enjoy photographing the world in all of its natural beauty then a trip to the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center will be perfect. With miles of hiking trails that suit all abilities and offer varying spectacular vistas, this is the place to get close to the nature that abounds in our neck of the woods.

From the easy stroll that is the Great Gorge Scenic Overlook hike to the more challenging Whirlpool Rapids Adventure hike you will be snapping your shutter over and over. At their best in the summer months these trails offer incredible views and some potential encounters with local wildlife. Some guided hikes are available for a small fee, and some of the more difficult trails do enforce age requirements.

Horseshoe Falls

Of course when any photo enthusiast visits Niagara they want to take stunning pictures of the falls themselves. One of the best places to get as close as possible to the iconic falls is at Horseshoe Falls, which offers guests the chance to get behind the falls. This experience is bound to result in stunning photos of the cascades of water tumbling down.

Goat Island is a wonderful vantage point from which to capture incredible images of both the American and Bridal Veil waterfalls. The island is also home to the Cave of the Winds and other natural sites that have inspired wonderful photos throughout the years.

The Niagara area is filled with incredible sights and experiences that you’ll want to remember for years to come. Keep your camera batteries charged and be ready to click away as you enjoy some of the most beautiful places that the region has to offer.