Category: Niagara Falls Hotels

Many people know that Niagara is the honeymoon capital of the world but there are many more interesting facts about Niagara Falls than just that. For example, did you know that there are three separate falls that constitute the Niagara Falls? Did you know that there is a city called Niagara Falls in both Ontario, Canada and New York, USA? Niagara Falls has something for the conqueror, scientist, record keeper, historian and engineer.

The Conqueror

Although it is illegal and extremely dangerous to go over the Falls, several people have tried it. The first one to do so successfully, or without being killed that is, was a 63 year old female school teacher who used an empty barrel. Several people have tightrope walked the Falls including the first person in 1859 and the most recent in 2012. The tightrope walker in 2012 received permission from the governments of both Canada and the U.S. and presented his passport upon landing on Canadian soil to make it a legal entry.

The Scientist

The Niagara River itself is estimated to be only 12,000 years old and will erode completely within 50,000 more at the current rate of erosion. It was formed by glaciers two to three kilometers thick that gouged out the great lakes and left massive scoring in their wake when they receded. During the winter, the river can appear to completely freeze over — but this is actually the accumulation of condensed and frozen mist that can build outwards from the banks to form a bridge of sorts. In the past, this ice bridge became so strong that tourists were allowed to walk on the ice.

The Record Keeper

The three waterfalls of Niagara Falls put together produce the highest flow rate of any waterfall on Earth at a grand total of 2,839,058 liters of water per second. This is of course an average flow since the actual flow fluctuates constantly due to a variety of factors. The factors include time of year, time of day and the amount of water diverted for hydroelectric usage, among other causes. These falls are also the second largest in the world behind Victoria Falls in South Africa.

The Historian

During the Anglo-American War of 1812 the Battle of Lundy’s Lane, also known as the Battle of Niagara Falls was fought in the area. It was one of the deadliest battles ever fought on Canadian soil and one of the bloodiest of the war. Even though the casualty count was relatively similar between the armies, the British won a strategic victory. American forces initially took and held the high hill upon which British cannon had been placed. However, the Americans abandoned the position to a numerically superior British force. However, the battle proved that American forces had evolved into a highly professional army within a relatively short time. For further study the War of 1812 Museum provides a wealth of information for any who seek to visit.

The Engineer

Hydroelectric power has been utilized at Niagara Falls since 1759 and currently generates 2.7 million kilowatts in the U.S. and 2.338 kilowatts in Canada. The first use of the power was by Daniel Joncairs on the American side, who powered a small sawmill via waterwheel. Currently, there are five power generation stations in Canada and two in the U.S. Altogether these generating stations produce more than one-fourth of all power used in Ontario and New York. For more information or to learn about touring modern or retired facilities you can look here.

Niagara Falls has long been known as the honeymoon capital of the world but many families know it as the fantastic vacation spot as well. Children and adults alike gaze in wonder at the size and power of the Falls which include the largest and most powerful in the continent. However, aside from visiting the world-famous waterfalls of Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and the American Falls, there are many family-friendly activities within the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario to keep both parents and children happy.

Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory

The Butterfly Conservancy is a butterfly zoo that’s complete with a 200-seat theatre and auditorium, a climate-controlled greenhouse that serves as the habitat for the butterflies. The conservatory imports 3,000 butterflies per month from international butterfly farms and maintains 2000 separate species at any given time. There is even an Emergence Area where visitors can watch as butterflies climb out of their chrysalis and take flight for the first time.

Due to the demand of hungry caterpillars and butterflies, the conservatory supplies a wide variety of fauna for habitat and nourishment including zinnia, ixora, cuphea, lantana and liatris. The population of all insects within the greenhouse is kept in balance by goldfish, toads, turtles, beetles and Eurasian quail. The conservatory is on the grounds of the Niagara Parks Botanical Garden & School of Horticulture.

Marineland

Marineland is one of the most popular attractions in Niagara Falls. Operating an amusement park alongside an interactive aquatic zoo, Marineland is a must for the kids. Children will be able to view and interact with a variety of species including bears, deer, elk, beluga and orca whales, sea lions, walruses and dolphins. Visitors to the park can even enjoy a show by the orca in the King Waldorf Stadium.

As if that wasn’t enough, there are a variety of rides and games throughout the park to please everyone. The Dragon Mountain roller coaster is the most famous of all rides and games in Marineland. It holds the record for being the world’s largest non-stop rollercoaster. When it was built, it was also the world’s tallest roller coaster but has since been surpassed by Cedar Point’s Magnum XL-200. It was the first steel coaster to surpass one mile of track and is still the only coaster in the world to have what’s called a bow tie inversion.

Greg Frewin Theatre

The Greg Frewin Theatre hosts the magic show of its namesake, Greg Frewin. In 2005 the show was awarded attraction of the year in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Greg Frewin himself has won many awards for magic and illusions including first place at the FISM “Olympics of Magic” in 1994 in the category of general magic. He has performed in venues across the world, including several in Las Vegas. His show can be viewed either with dinner or without. Either way the show is an experience that’s sure to please any crowd with exotic animals and fantastic illusions.

While you might think Niagara Falls is just one gigantic waterfall, the city is actually made up of several different districts!

For an idea of some places to visit on your next trip to Niagara Falls, take a look below at the hottest tourist spots to check out.

Lundy’s Lane – Located a short drive or walk from the main Clifton Hill and Fallsview Boulevard districts, Lundy’s Lane has shopping, restaurants and off-beat attractions. The Canada One Outlets contain favourites like Coach, Nike, Lululemon Athletica, Levi’s and tons more. Visitors to Lundy’s Lane will also find restaurants like Syndicate and Johnny Rocco’s, and fun attractions like Cataract Bowling, Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Show, Jungle Putt Miniature Golf and lots more.

Clifton Hill District – With the Falls Avenue Resort at the base of Clifton Hill, there’s a reason why this is one of the most popular places in the city. You’ll find kid friendly attractions like the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, Adventure City, the 4D Moving Theatre, Niagara Sky Wheel and hundreds more on Clifton Hill. It’s also home to restaurants, bars, nightclubs and Casino Niagara. Any visit to Niagara Falls must include a stop at Clifton Hill.

Fallsview Boulevard – Known for the Fallsview Casino, Fallsview Boulevard contains restaurants, the Scotiabank Convention Centre and is the gateway to the southern end of the Niagara Parkway. You can catch a show at the Fallsview Casino’s Avalon Ballroom, attend one of the many events at the Convention Centre or try out the many restaurants that line the streets of the Boulevard.

Niagara Parkway – People often come to Niagara Falls for Clifton Hill and what’s found running along the Niagara Parkway – the three waterfalls that the city is famous for. As one of the most beautiful drives in the world, the Niagara Parkway takes you along the Niagara River, past the roaring Horseshoe Falls and along the incredible Niagara Gorge up to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Head down to the bottom of Clifton Hill to get on the Niagara Parkway and begin your journey along the parkway that Winston Churchill remarked was the “prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world.”

Beyond the adventure and shopping, Niagara Falls has hundreds of acres of beautiful natural scenery surrounding the area. If you want something different to do this month and love nature then check out these three events coming to Niagara Falls.

Solar Viewing Event

On May 17 you can visit the Niagara Centre outside of the Niagara Glen Nature Centre and watch incredible sunspots and solar flares in person. Through a telescope, take a closer look and learn about the solar system and what is happening far, far above Niagara Falls.

Spring in the Glen

The Niagara Glen is offering free guided tours led by park naturalists that will get you fascinated by the scenery surrounding Niagara Falls. Get some comfortable shoes and get to learning about the trails and forests that surround us.

The Niagara Escarpment

Ever wondered about the Niagara Escarpment? Dr. Brian Pihack will be taking you through an educational exploration of this very important geographic feature of the region. Learn about the origin of this natural phenomenon found in Niagara Falls with this informational trip that will take you 400 million years back before human existence. If you didn’t know what the Niagara Escarpment is, or always wanted to find out more about it, this is the perfect chance to learn a little bit about the geography of the Niagara Region.

These three events will be full of interesting educational information that will leave you intrigued and captivated by the natural scenery of Niagara Falls.

Travellers with an appreciation for nature will have a hard time passing up the world-class wildlife attractions in Niagara Falls. Whether you’re interested in marine life, exotic animals or majestic predators, the area has exactly what you need to satisfy your curiosity. When visiting the falls, nature lovers are sure to enjoy visiting the following attractions.

Marineland Canada

Boasting a fascinating abundance of sea creatures, Marineland Canada is the perfect attraction for anyone intrigued by life under the sea. The park attracts thousands of visitors each day and is home to countless fish, dolphins and whales. In addition to its undersea creatures, Marineland Canada features an adorable assortment of sea lions and walruses that are sure to steal your heart. Furthermore, elk, black bears and other Niagara-native wildlife can be observed in Marineland’s Animal Kingdom. Visitors interested in seeing the park’s residents perform should take in one of the entertaining shows at the King Waldorf Stadium. The lovable antics of the hoop-jumping dolphins and back-flipping sea lions will delight guests of all ages.

Marine Land also caters to thrill-seekers with its exciting array of roller-coasters and amusement park rides. Depending on when you visit, you may have the pleasure of being soaked on one of the park’s seasonal water rides. Roller coaster fanatics won’t be able to leave without experiencing Marineland’s death-defying Dragon Mountain coaster.

Safari Niagara

Guests can see exotic animals up close at Safari Niagara. This massive wildlife reserve houses animals from all over the world. African lions, Bengal tigers and Brazilian tapirs are just a few of the reserve’s many residents. Bird lovers will be dying to meet Safari Niagara’s hawks, macaws and cranes. In addition, reptile enthusiasts won’t be able to get enough of the reserve’s snakes, alligators and small lizards. Guests fascinated by apes will enjoy watching the Japanese macaques and olive baboons swing from the reserve’s lush trees.

Safari Niagara also boasts a fun-filled array of warm-weather attractions for summertime guests. After a long, hot day of observing wildlife, guests can cool off in the park’s Splash Pad, a refreshing water-themed playground. Guests interested in taking a water tour of Safari Niagara should consider renting one of the park’s convenient paddleboats. A seasonal catch-and-release fishing pond is available to visitors with a knack for catching fish. In addition, music lovers will enjoy rocking out at one of the park’s free summer concerts.

Niagara Falls State Park

To see Niagara-native wildlife in its natural environment, pay a visit to the newly improved Niagara Falls State Park. Not only will visitors be treated to a breathtakingly close view of deer, elk and black bears, they’ll also have the opportunity to see the iconic falls from an assortment of different angles. If you’re always on the hunt for prime photo opportunities, a guided tour of the park is an absolute must. Travelers with an appreciation for masterfully-preserved woodlands will enjoy taking in the park’s amazing scenery.

The falls aren’t the only fascinating sight to behold when visiting Niagara. If observing wildlife is something you enjoy, Niagara Falls is an essential travel destination.

Image by lezumbalaberenjena from Flickr’s Creative Commons

Making your way through an exhibit-laden museum is usually a feast for the mind. Whether your area of interest is nature, world history or masterfully-preserved artifacts, Niagara Falls has you covered. With its impressive assortment of knowledge-filled institutions, the falls are the perfect destination for travelers looking to expand their intellectual repertoires.

Niagara Falls Museum

As Canada’s oldest museum, the Niagara Falls Museum is home to an extensive range of natural artifacts. Visitors with an interest in plant life won’t want to miss the museum’s famous coast redwood tree exhibit, which features a breathtakingly massive coast redwood that has been preserved in the museum for over a century. Guests who are fascinated by marine life will have a hard time passing up the enormous 40-foot humpback whale skeleton found at the Niagara Museum.

Additionally, anyone with a soft spot for the Old West is sure to love the museum’s collection of posters, guns and other artifacts from Canada’s very first Wild West Show. This show incorporated the talents of such iconic cowboys as Texas Jack Omohundro and Wild Bill Hitchcock, so if you have an appreciation for genuine frontier heroes, this exhibit is essential viewing.

Niagara Falls History Museum

History buffs will have a blast while taking in the educational exhibits found at the Niagara Falls History Museum. Providing visitors with a fun and comprehensive history of the area, this museum is home to artifacts, keepsakes and promotional pieces of art from the various daredevils who have tried — often in vain — to conquer Niagara Falls. Visitors with a knack for geology will love the museum’s interactive illuminated rock exhibit.
Meanwhile, travelers who thrive on military history can feed their minds at the Gale Family War of 1812 Gallery. Equipped with a guided audio tour, war buffs can relive one of Canada’s most iconic armed conflicts. The Niagara Falls History Museum also hosts three to four guest exhibits from other museums each year. Depending on when you visit, you may be in for a limited-time treat.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Niagara Falls

Travelers with an appreciation for the bizarre and unexplained will feel right at home when visiting the Niagara Falls branch of Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum. With a well-deserved reputation for showcasing exhibits that are baffling but true, this popular museum caters to visitors with an insatiable interest in the strangest things the world has to offer. Ripley’s Niagara features rooms full of artifacts from around the world that are believed to possess occult powers. In addition, the museum showcases news clippings and photographic evidence of supernatural occurrences from around the globe. To see human nature at its worst, pay a visit to Ripley’s Museum of Torture. Here, guests will find a spine-tingling assortment of torture and execution devices used by humans throughout history. Visitors with a wicked sense of humor will laugh themselves silly when reading the museum’s collection of lighthearted tombstone engravings.

After taking in the iconic falls, travelers can expand their minds even further by visiting some of the area’s fascinating museums or some of the other free attractions in the area. With interactive exhibits on a breadth of topics, even staunch anti-learners will succumb to the interesting information housed in the area’s many museums.

Pelham Art Festival: Visit the Pelham Art Festival thisMother’s Day weekend for a delicious lunch, unique collections of art and discussions with artists. Visit the festival and purchase a beautiful, one of a kind, piece of artwork for your home or for that special someone. For the art lovers out there this is definitely an event to check out!

Folks Art Festival: Visit this long running Heritage Festival in Niagara Falls, which promises to be full of food, music, children’s activities and much more. Embrace the multiculturalism that surrounds us in Niagara with tons of entertainment and open houses for all to enjoy!

12^th Annual Niagara Falls Review SHARE Grand Prix: Enjoy a day full of racing and mini putt as you and your family raise money for a good cause. Complimentary mini-putt and a BBQ will be a Saturday well spent as you anticipate the winner of this 12^th annual tradition in Niagara Falls.

The breathtaking Niagara Falls are one of the world’s foremost natural wonders. However, if one of your kids is more of an indoor-vacationer, there’s no point in the family sitting around the hotel room flipping channels all day. Simply grab a sack of quarters and hit up the best arcades the area has to offer.

Adventure City

Gamers looking for a more traditional arcade experience will feel right at home when visiting Adventure City. Packed to the brim with arcade hits, Adventure City has something for gamers of all ages. Adding to its nostalgic appeal, Adventure City boasts a wide range of skee-ball machines and hoop-shooting booths. The tickets you earn from playing these games can be redeemed at the arcade’s prize counter, where you’ll find an impressive selection of plush toys, figurines and electronic devices. Patrons who want to remember their visit to this super-sized arcade are sure to love the retro-themed Adventure City shirts, hats and paraphernalia available for purchase at the prize counter.

Adventure City’s interactive rides cater to guests who enjoy cutting-edge arcade games. The arcade’s famous Tour Bus SWAT Team ride enables thrill-seekers to become elite police officers and defend an embattled city from vicious criminals. And, visitors who know their way around a bumper car ring can’t leave without experiencing Adventure City’s Traffic Slam Bumper Cars.

The Great Canadian Midway

One of the premiere destinations for family fun in Niagara Falls, The Great Canadian Midway has countless ways to keep your family entertained. In addition to boasting a broad range of arcade mainstays, this massive entertainment complex is home to a number of unique attractions. Guests interested in getting up-close and personal with exotic animals should take in a screening of the interactive “Safari Adventure” film at the park’s XD Theater. Additionally, haunted house enthusiasts can blast 3D spooks into oblivion in the spine-tingling Ghost Blasters Dark Ride.

Getting your gaming fix in Niagara Falls couldn’t be easier. With the area’s convenient assortment of arcades and family attractions, bad weather will never put a damper on your vacation fun.

Captain Jack’s Pirates Cove

Touted as the largest arcade in Niagara Falls, Captain Jack’s Pirates Cove is the ideal destination for gamers who aren’t afraid of a little exercise. Your family can have hours of fun running, diving and zapping opponents in Captain Jack’s enormous laser tag arena. Gamers interested in honing their stealth skills can practice when visiting the arcade’s intricate laser maze. If your family enjoys miniature golf, don’t hesitate to visit Captain’s Jack’s massive mini golf course. This pirate-themed indoor course features 18 fiendishly challenging holes and a swashbuckling array of glow-in-the-dark nautical decor.

If a fun-filled day of gaming has left your family famished, swing by Captain Jack’s attached restaurant. With a kid- and budget-friendly menu of pizza, burgers and fresh-made sandwiches, it’s the perfect place to replenish your energy for a few more hours at the arcade. Plus, while the kids are at play, adults can sample one of the many fine beers the restaurant has on tap.

Cabaret: The hit musical Cabaret will be coming to Niagara at the Shaw Festival Theater, running spring to fall. The show has been around since 1966 when it premiered on Broadway and has been performed over 1,100 times winning countless awards.

Martin Short and Steve Martin:

Burton Cummings: Another evening full of legendary music will be visiting Niagara Falls when Canadian musician Burton Cummings performs at Fallsview Casino. Enjoy his hit songs throughout his solo career as this award-winning artist takes the stage for an intimate evening of great music.

Like many people, we’re always on the lookout for ways to save money. Whether we’re traveling abroad or exploring our own backyard, it’s important to keep costs down so that we are able to afford the things that really matter.

While Niagara Falls is known the world over as an inexpensive, family friendly vacation destination, it’s always nice to be aware of activities and sights that will fit into any budget. Free activities can be especially beneficial to families or large groups who need to be mindful of their spending.

We’ve crafted a list of five of our favorite things to do in Niagara, all of which are free. Take a look and decide which activity you’ll try on your next visit to the Niagara area.

Niagara Falls History Museum

While there is an admission charge at the Niagara Falls History Museum the majority of the time, those in-the-know visit the museum on Thursdays from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m., when admission is free. Get up-close with the fascinating history of the Niagara region in general and Niagara Falls in particular. If possible, check their calendar in advance, as some Thursday nights the museum offers free movies, dancing and other activities.

The Floral Clock

Located on the Niagara Parkway, the Floral Clock is one of the most iconic sights in Niagara and is photographed almost as often as the falls themselves. Created by planting up to 16,000 plants that vary by season, this large clock offers a burst of bright color and classic chimes that signal each quarter hour.

The clock, its flowers, and the grounds around it are maintained by the parks departments, and their horticulturists are responsible for the selection of the colorful flowers that make up the clock’s face.

McFarland House

Bursting with charm and local history, the McFarland House offers visitors a unique opportunity to catch a glimpse of life as it was many years ago. The McFarland House was the residence of the McFarland family, who were Scottish emigrants. However, the house was also used a hospital during the War of 1812 and was the site of various battles, and some of the objects used during that time are still on display.

Guided tours of the house are available during the summer months, and guests are able to explore the large gardens, as well.

Botanical Gardens

We most enjoy spending our spring outside amongst the flowers. Luckily for us, the Niagara Parks Commissions Botanical Gardens is one of the best in the world. This 99-acre garden offers seasonal displays that begin with tulips and other flowers in the spring, then move on to annuals in the summer, and wind things down with chrysanthemums in the fall. At any time of year this garden is a spectacular place to relax and take in the beauty of nature.

Niagara Glen Nature Area

Just a short distance away from Niagara proper is Niagara Glen Nature Area. Outdoor activities abound at this park and include hiking, cycling, bird watching and views of Niagara Gorge. The sport known as bouldering has become very popular here, as has the tech-centric scavenger hunt called geocaching. Spend a few hours, or an entire day, at Niagara Glen and enjoy all of the natural beauty this area has to offer.
Whether you’re here for just a few days, or you plan to explore the Niagara area for a few weeks, take advantage of a few of the free activities we have to offer. What’s your favorite free activity in Niagara?