Niagara Falls Fun - Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls Canada

History Behind the Holiday

The United States Celebrates Memorial Day on the last Monday of May.  Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War.   By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  As a marker it typically marks the start of the summer vacation season,  it also became a long weekend increasingly devoted to shopping, family gatherings, fireworks, and trips to the beach.

Niagara Falls Has it All

If Memorial Day is about family, fireworks, and a little shopping you won’t go home empty handed from the Falls, because family friendly adventures  can be found all along Clifton Hill, and beyond.  If you want to be right in the middle of all the action, waking up with all the attractions, and the falls 10 minutes from your hotel room you can plan to stay at The Comfort Inn Clifton Hill.  Known as a great family location most people enjoy the free continental breakfast, and wi-fi, as well as the convenient access to the adjoining restaurant Kelsey’s.  When you book any number of packages you get a free coupon you can use at  the newly renovated Kelsey’s or Boston Pizza, also just steps from the hotel.  It is always a good idea to try and book your hotel in advance especially when it comes to a long weekend as availability gets slim if you wait to the last  minute.  For more details on the Comfort Inn Clifton Hill Click Here.

Getting Here from the United States

If you are driving your car you may need to know a few things before you cross the border.

1. Know what ID is necessary:  All visitors arriving to Canada need a passport or passport equivalent.  If you are travelling soon, you can get a passport within 24 at Rushmypassport.com.

2. At the border be ready to address the officer:  Passengers should pass their passports and other ID to the driver before reaching the border services booth. In addition, take off your sunglasses, turn off radios and cellphones – don’t start doing these tasks once you’ve arrived at the booth.

3. Have a note for children traveling without both parents:  Adults traveling over the border into Canada with children who are not their own should have a written note from the parents or guardians giving permission for the children to leave the country. The permission should include the name and contact information of the parent / guardian.

(Children under the age of 16 can present an original copy of their birth certificate, passport or NEXUS card as preferred identification.  Anyone over 16 MUST have a passport to cross the border.)

4. Know what you can and can’t bring into Canada.

5. Have your car registration available.

6. Check/empty your trunk:  Unnecessary items in your trunk may be a source of questioning by border officials and may add time to your border crossing.

7. Be prepared to answer questions.

9. Roll Down the Front and Back Car Windows When You Pull up to the border officer’s  window.

New XD Theater 6D Motion Experience opens in Niagara Falls
The fun and excitement never stops on Clifton Hill!

HOCO Entertainment and Resorts has partnered with TrioTech Amusements, a leading manufacturer of multi-sensory interactive attractions, to bring the first ever curved screen XD Theater 6D motion ride experience to Niagara Falls.

Touted as the most technologically advanced motion actuator system in the world, the XD Theater is an intense virtual experience, heightened by sound, wind and lighting effects. Riders are provided with a variety of breathtaking adventures with fully immersive stereoscopic imaging, realistic motion with up to 2 G’s of acceleration, custom seats that shift 400 movements per second, intense wind and dazzling light effects.

“The XD Theater brings a major attraction to Clifton Hill’s World Famous Street of Fun by the Falls,” said Nicholas Tritchew, a Marketing Executive at HOCO. “We are committed to continually improving the entertainment offerings in Niagara Falls …and with XD, riders will experience a high-quality ride with intense graphics, advanced motion and expansive, up-to-date movies.”

Currently featuring the Cosmic Coaster movie, guests can enjoy a futuristic feature that takes them on a high-speed roller coaster ride with death-defying leaps through far-off galaxies and cavernous mountains. Strapped into an individual motion-based seat that dips, dives and swirls through outer space, riders dodge meteors and explore strange planets before coming to a thrilling stop.

”It’s a fun and invigorating ride that everyone in Niagara will love. It will surely be one of the most popular and talked-about Niagara Falls attractions.”

The XD Theater can be found inside the Great Canadian Midway entertainment complex near the bottom of Clifton Hill.  Single admission is $6.99 for adults and $4.99 for children.  It is also featured in the Clifton Hill FUN PASS, which showcases 5 different attractions including the SkyWheel, Canada’s Largest Giant Wheel, for $25.95 per adult and $19.95 for children.  People sensitive to movement can unhook their belts to stop the motion in a fixed position. Call 905-358-3676 for hours of operation, ticket prices and other helpful information.

For media inquiries, please contact HOCO Entertainment & Resorts at (905) 357-5911 or marketing@cliftonhill.com

About HOCO Entertainment & Resorts
HOCO Entertainment & Resorts provides amenities and attractions such as the Niagara SkyWheel (Canada’s largest giant wheel), Dino Adventure Golf, Strike Rock N Bowl, and the great Canadian Midway (Canada’s largest family indoor entertainment center.)

American Spring Break in Niagara Falls Ontario

A Canadian Adventure 
Easter is around the corner and in America students will soon be enjoying their Spring Break recess.  Both great reasons for family travel, plus its nice to reward the kids for their hard work and to enjoy some bonding time in Niagara Falls!

 Niagara Falls is full of great attractions for the family and if you haven’t been to the Canadian side in awhile, you will discover some fresh and interesting changes there!

Boston Pizza Clifton Hill offers a great choice for family fun and features Midway games, the Strike bowling centre, and signature dishes like the Pepper pizza or the Slow Roasted Pork Ribs. Parents can also check the score of their favourite teams on the many high definition televisions, while children are entertained by all the interactive games and amusements.  At the top of the hill, the completely renovated Kelsey’s Restaurant features an all new island bar, high definition televisions, plus scrumptious menu items like the 7 layer dip, Smokey Portobello Chicken, or the heart smart 8 vegetable Pesto Fettuccine. 

 Fun by the Falls
After a nice meal, head to Clifton Hill too see all the dazzling attractions light up the night.  Your kids will be amazed, and never get bored along Clifton Hill’s promenade.   An evening ride on the SkyWheel lets you soar 175 feet above the Falls to see the city lit up and the Falls illuminated with bright colours.  Dinosaur Adventure Golf is a family favourite, and offers waterfalls, billowing steam and the call of the dinosaurs, making it feel like you have traveled back to prehistoric times.  Opening soon is the state of the art XD Theater, which will offer an exhilarating 6D adventure.  For details on this and other attractions click here

 Great Deals
The choices in Niagara Falls are endless, but if you want to save your money, check out the exclusive offers on the CliftonHill.com website.  For example, when you buy the Clifton Hill FUN PASS online, you will get an exclusive bonus admission to the Niagara SkyWheel. It’s only available when you order the FUN PASS online click here for details. 

 Staying the Night
For those spending a night or two on the Canadian Side, be sure to check the Comfort Inn Clifton Hill hotel and their great specials, like the Family Fun Package. You can even build your own “a la carte” package on the CliftonHill.com site to suit your needs. Details can be found by clicking here

 Crossing the Border
For U.S/Canadian citizens’ children 15 and under are required to have parental consent.  If you are travelling with someone else’s children or you are separated and your children have a different last name you must have written consent from the parent to be taking their child across the border.  As well you must have a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate, and everyone over the age of 15 must carry a passport to cross the border.

With all the pressures of work, extra-curricular activities, homework and friends, it’s important to maintain a sense of togetherness with the ones you love… bring the family closer together with a Niagara Falls adventure, and create memories that will last a lifetime!

Celebrate Easter Niagara Falls Style!

If you missed out on a March break vacation, maybe Easter weekend can offer another chance to get away with the whole family.  Most schools give students Good Friday and Easter Monday off so why not enjoy a mini trip to Niagara Falls?

So far Niagara Falls’ weather has been very nice for this part of the year, and the upcoming forecast is calling for sunny skies and highs averaging 12c/54f on Easter weekend.  Another great thing about coming to Niagara Falls for the Easter holiday is the lack of congestion.  Clifton Hill: Niagara Falls’ World Famous Street of Fun, is full of year round activities, and offers many fun and exciting indoor attractions and entertainment.  There are just fewer people traveling in April, which means you’ll have uninterrupted access to many different attractions, entertainment and dining venues.

 A visit to the Great Canadian Midway can keep the kids busy, and the best part is you don’t have to worry about the weather because you’ll be indoors, enjoying over 300 games and amusements for wall-to-wall action the whole family will love.  The Ghost Blasters Dark ride and “soon to open” XD Theater is also part of the Great Canadian Midway.  Many schools include this on their class trip agenda because the kids love the huge variety of games and amusements.  Ghostblasters is an interactive game where you blast targets to score points.  Keep your laser gun close by because it’s up to you to take down the army of ghosts, skeletons, ghouls and goblins as you ride from room to room.  It’s a lighthearted “spooky” ride with two seats so kids can ride with a parent if they need backup.  Also the “soon to open” XD Theater ride will bring modern special FX technology to Clifton Hill and feature: full immersion stereoscopic imaging , realistic motion with up to 2 G’s of accelleration, special seats that bear 400 movements per second, plus intense wind and dazzling light effects!

You can also get up close to some wild prehistoric animals at the Dinosaur Adventure Golf.  A jaw- dropping, 36 hole mini golf attraction that’s fun for all ages. Play near a 50-foot high “active” flame-erupting volcano, and play directly through a realistically cavernous lava tube on your way to the next hole.  If the weather isn’t agreeable you can always move your game inside to Galaxy Golf’s ‘glow-in-the-dark’ indoor mini putt, which sends you on an amazing cosmic adventure over 18 holes. 

Of course a stop at the Niagara SkyWheel, Canada’s largest giant wheel, is always a must.  Check out some of the recent TripAdvisor reviews it has received:

“Two year olds favourite attraction”

“Our daughter digs Ferris wheels. We rode it in the daytime – we rode it at night.”

“Our daughters fave!”

 “We go to the falls every September for baseball & we always go on the skywheel.”

To get in on some great savings with these and other attractions, be sure to check out the online version of Clifton Hill FUN PASS, which offers an exclusive bonus ride on the Niagara SkyWheel This fantastic deal can only be had when you order the FUN PASS online! It will help make your trip both fun and affordable!

After touring Clifton Hill and the Falls during the day, come see the energy of the Hill pick up at night with its dazzling neon lights and collection of lively activities. Friends and family will enjoy having fun at the Strike Rock and Bowl entertainment centre, where they can savor gourmet Pizza and a pitcher of cold drinks while enjoying a leisurely game of Bowling, billiards and more.

To get started on your getaway plans; be sure to visit the Comfort Inn Clifton Hill package page for some great overnight trips that include attractions and entertainment like the Great Frewin Theatre: Click here for details

If you and the family are planning an Easter getaway there is no shortage of things to do along Clifton Hill’s World Famous Street of Fun by the Falls! 

Clarkson Cup 2012 Comes to Niagara Falls

 Are you one of thousands of hockey fans who will be flooding Niagara Falls this week for Clarkson Cup Action?

Named after former Governor General of Canada Adrienne Clarkson the women’s version of the Stanley Cup will reign over the falls from March 22^nd to the 25^th.  Teams from all over North America will be battling it out at the Gale arena round robin style. The top two teams will go head to head for the championship title. Montreal will be looking to repeat last years win against the Toronto Furies when TSN broadcasts the final game.  Between 20 to 30 Olympians such as Caroline Ouellette, Tessa Bonhomme, and Meghan Agosta will be in Niagara Falls, hopefully they have time to unwind on Clifton Hill.

 There are plenty of attractions to keep busy with between or after games.  Tournaments can get hectic so it may be nice to relax with a ride on our world famous SkyWheel.  Soaring 175 feet (53 meters) over the Niagara Falls horizon you can get many memorable pictures from the fully enclosed gondolas.

We are looking ahead to another great week of weather for the Niagara region.  When you’re not in the cold arena, get into the sun and try your hand at a game of Dinosaur Adventure Golf.  As one of the newest attractions along the hill this mini putt is like walking into the age of the Dinosaur.  The fully functional volcano, realistic characters and sound effects will get you excited as you play the 18 hole course. 

 Boston Pizza is a great place to take a break.  Enjoy some great food with the family, and maintain the sporty atmosphere.  The kids will not get bored with wall-to-wall arcades, and our Strike Rock and Bowl entertainment centre.  Some ways you can save a few dollars while you are visiting is by picking up hotel packages and attraction passes.  The Clifton Hill Fun Pass is a great way to go for any family to save money on the most popular attractions.

Find out more ways to save, and all the fun things there are to see and do at www.cliftonhill.com

Niagara Falls March Break on Clifton Hill Offers Fun for the Whole Family

Its that time of year again, when Canadians plan March Break activities for the whole family. Many parents take time to plan a special getaway closer to home, usually to an interesting local destination filled with fun and friendly activities.

Families looking for entertainment and attractions this March Break have many great options to choose from on Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls. After traveling with family and getting settled in the cataract city, be sure to plan several sightseeing excursions and quality time on Clifton Hill to keep the fun going all week long.

Comfort Inn Clifton Hill is a family friendly resort, located in a prime location 1 block to the Falls, near many attractions, restaurants, and more. Two-night feature Packages are available at the hotel, including the popular Family Fun Package. This exclusive package includes Niagara Falls family accommodation, gourmet dining at Boston Pizza, and three Clifton Hill FUN PASSES, which includes the Niagara SkyWheel, Canada’s largest giant wheel, Movieland Wax Museum, Ghostblasters Darkride, Galaxy Golf, and tokens for the Great Canadian Midway.

For couples searching two-night Niagara getaway packages for March Break, the Comfort Inn can offer a romantic destination with dinner for two at the newly remodeled Kelsey’s Restaurant, full use of hotel facilities including the indoor pool/whirlpool hot-tub, and free deluxe continental breakfast each morning, make it a great choice. There is also easy access to several of Niagara’s Parks, for a romantic stroll to the Falls or Clifton Hill which offers plenty of fun things to do for couples.

Several Niagara Falls attractions have combo specials available during March Break. Families looking for the biggest value on attractions will want to take advantage of the Clifton Hill FUN PASS, which offers 4 great attractions at one low price. The FUN PASS includes: The Niagara SkyWheel, Galaxy Golf or Dinosaur Adventure Golf (Open during March Break), Movieland Wax Museum of Stars, Ghostblasters Dark Ride, and Great Canadian Midway tokens. Adults are $21.50 and Children are $16.50.

Also, when you visit the Butterfly Conservatory, as an added bonus, you get admission to the ‘Under the Canopy – Animals of the Rainforest’ exhibit included.

SkyWheel	Strike Rock N Bowl	Kelsey’s Restaurant
Falls Illumintation	Canadian Midway	Whirlpool Aerocar
Oakes Garden Theatre	Ripley’s Museum	Butterfly Conservatory
Boston Pizza	Greg Frewin	Dinosaur Adventure

To help with your March Break vacation plans, below is a list of activities and events happening during March Break in Niagara:

Niagara Falls Illumination:
Every evening beginning at dusk the Falls are lit in the colours of the rainbow – don’t miss the unmatched beauty of the Falls at night
* March 1 to March 10 Mon-Thurs, 7:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m.
* March 11 to March 31 Mon-Thurs, 8:30 p.m. 10:00 p.m.

Greg Frewin Theatre:
The incomparable Greg Frewin will be performing his Beyond Believe MAGIC Show twice a day at 3PM and 8PM starting March 12 to March 17th

Fallsview Casino – Avalon Theatre
The Elvis tribute act “Return to Grace” will be performing a series of shows with a talented cast of singers and dancers to pay tribute to Elvis’ timeless songs that remain as relevant today as when they first hit the top of the charts. March 14 – April 1 (excluding March 20 & 27) Various matinee & evening performances

Whirlpool Aero Car
The Niagara Parks Commission recently announced that its Whirlpool Aero Car attraction will be open daily beginning this weekend, one of its earliest opening dates in recent years.

For more information about a Niagara Falls vacation, please visit www.cliftonhill.com.

Planning for March Break
Have you started planning for March break this year? If not, go easy on yourself and arrange a getaway to Niagara Falls, Ontario where you can enjoy Clifton Hill’s world famous “Street of Fun” by the Falls and much more!

If you have young ones in your household, and they’ve worked hard during the school year, now is the time to let loose and reward them for all their efforts. Bringing your family to Niagara Falls will ensure a unique and exciting experience like no other.

Don’t Worry About the Weather
Although the winter weather can be unpredictable this time of year, it won’t damper your experience of Clifton Hill, as most of the attractions, restaurants and amusements are indoors. Clifton Hill’s Boston Pizza and Strike Rock N’ Bowl offers 25,000 sq ft of indoor fun, where you can enjoy a delicious meal and challenge friends or family to a wild game of bowling!

Another must-do attraction is the Niagara SkyWheel, which offers picturesque sights of the mighty Falls and Clifton Hill. This Giant Wheel offers climate-controlled gondolas keeping you warm and safe, as you soar 175 feet above the Falls for an unforgettable experience.

Exclusively open for March Break is Niagara’s newest attraction and Canada’s largest miniature golf course: Dinosaur Adventure Golf. This one acre attraction features two 18-hole courses, life-size dinosaurs, large waterfalls, rivers and a jungle like atmosphere. There is even an “active” flame-erupting volcano that goes off unexpectedly and allows golfers to play directly through its eerie, cavernous volcanic interior on their way to the next hole.

Also nearby is the Greg Frewin magic theatre, where the “international grand champion of magic” performs an unforgetable, high energy show, suitable for families and people of all ages!

This is just a small sample of the over 300 attractions and restaurants on Clifton Hill, where the possiblities are endles, as you explore all the fun!.

March Break Specials
Not only is March Break the perfect time for you and the family to take a memorable vacation together, you can also save money at some of Clifton Hill’s finest offerings! Information on discounts for attractions, restaurants, and hotel packages can be found at http://www.cliftonhill.com/mb/

Relax and Recharge
When your daily routine takes over and limits quality time with family and friends, Clifton Hill offers the perfect place to forget all your worries and focus on one another!

Enjoy Family Day weekend, Mid Winter Break at Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls

Clifton Hill: The World Famous Street of Fun by the Falls is the ideal setting for a Fun-tastic Family Day and Mid Winter Break adventure!

Whether you’re planning a special Family Day celebration, or want to enjoy a Mid-Winter getaway, the fun and excitement is always sky-high on Clifton Hill.

Imagine beginning the weekend with a spectacular panoramic view of the Falls, Niagara River and surrounding landscapes as you soar 175 feet above the majestic Falls in the climate controlled Niagara SkyWheel.

Then, enjoy a delicious meal at one of the fine restaurants on the hill, including the completely renovated Kelsey’s Restaurant, which now features a fully updated dining area, huge island bar, flat screen HDTV’s, plus Kelsey’s extensive menu featuring steaks, seafood, gourmet salads and more.

Also during mid-winter holidays, Clifton Hill offers a wide variety of indoor activities for families of all ages. Aside from the SkyWheel and Kelsey’s, there are many other attractions, restaurants and retail outlets to enjoy like: Movieland Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum, The Great Canadian Midway, Ghost Blasters Dark Ride, Galaxy Golf Mini-Putt, Strike Rock N ‘Bowl, Boston Pizza, The Fudge Factory and much more.

Best of all, and the end of a fun-filled day, your family will be only a hop, skip and jump away from one of the most comfortable, “family-friendly” hotels in the area: Comfort Inn Clifton Hill. There you’ll enjoy a prime central location 1 block to the Falls, FREE deluxe continental breakfast buffet, a tropical indoor pool and giant whirlpool, FREE high speed wireless (Wi-Fi) internet and ample parking…Best of all Kids under 18 stay FREE!

To check out available packages and HOT ROOM deals for this Family Day weekend, Mid Winter Break, and even March Break visit: http://cliftonhill.com/packages/hotel-packages today. Or use the “Build-A-Package” feature to add even more excitement to your stay at discounted rates! http://www.niagarafallscomfort.com/packages/package-builder

As you can see, there’s plenty to enjoy on Clifton Hill. Nothing unites a family more than a family vacation. With all the time pressures of work, extra-curricular activities, homework and friends, it’s important to maintain a sense of togetherness with the ones we love.

Niagara SkyWheel	Kelsey’s Restaurant	Niagara Falls Fireworks
Niagara Falls Illumination	Wendy’s	Tim Horton’s
Movieland	Strike Rock N’ Bowl	Boston Pizza
Great Canadian Midway	Galaxy Golf	Ghost Blasters

Be sure to pick up a Winter Fun Pass, it includes the Niagara SkyWheel, Movieland Wax Museum, Galaxy Golf and Ghostblasters Dark Ride. It’s the best value in town for attraction entertainment! You can use it all in one night, or come back later in the weekend, or even later in the year for the ones you missed. And, NOW you can enjoy 4 of Clifton Hill’s best for up to $20 off!

Ripley’s Believe it or Not! in Niagara Falls Will be Holding Free Sword Swallowing Shows on Saturday February 25th 2012

Sword Swallowers celebrate by swallowing together at Ripley’s Believe It or Not locations worldwide!

Sword Swallowers Association Int’l. President Proclaims Sword Swallower’s Day

MUNCIE, IN (SSAI) – On February 25th, Sword Swallowers around the world will celebrate World Sword Swallower’s Day by doing what they do best — Swallowing swords!

Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI) President Dan Meyer announced the 6th annual World Sword Swallower’s Day to raise awareness of sword swallowers around the world.

Founded by SSAI and co-sponsored by Ripley’s Believe It or Not, World Sword Swallower’s Day is set for February 25th in conjunction with February as National Swallowing Disorders Month.

In celebration of World Sword Swallower’s Day, more than 30 sword swallowers are expected to “drop swords” at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditoriums worldwide on Saturday, February 25th at 2:25 pm. (more…)

Rumours Nightclub presents New Years Eve 2012
Saturday, December 31st!

Doors Open at 7:00 PM
Tickets are $50 at the door

DJ OZ-E BLOWING UP THE DANCEFLOOR WITH – TOP 40-HIP HOP-OLD SCHOOL-REGGAE-REGGAETON-R&B-HOUSE-ROCK- PARTY BANGAZ & DANCEFLOOR DESTROYERS ALL NIGHT LONG AND INTO THE EARLY MORN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No advance tickets available (Pay at the door upon entering)
Dress code in effect: No baggy clothes, sports wear or boots will be allowed.
No Bottle Service will be available for this event. No guest list. No VIP access or passes.
Only those 19 years of age and over will be admitted. (No exceptions)
Government photo I.D. required (Passport, drivers licence, BYID card, Military card, photo health card).

Rumours Nightclub: 4960 Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, L2E 6S8
Phone (905) 358-6152, Club Email: rumours@cliftonhill.com

NYE Warm Up Parties – December 28th and 29th!