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.

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!

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!

Planifiez votre Semaine de Relâche

Avez-vous commencé à planifier votre aventure pour votre semaine de relâche? Si vous ne savez pas quoi faire on facilite la décision! Planifiez votre voyage à Niagara Falls, c’est la où vous trouverez la célèbre « rue du plaisir », près des chutes,  Clifton Hill.

On est rendu au milieu de l’année scolaire, c’est l’heure de se relâcher et récompenser les enfants pour leurs efforts. N’est-ce pas? On vous jure que votre expérience à Niagara Falls serait unique et complètement inoubliable!

 Ne vous inquiétez pas de la météo!

Neige ou pluie, mais espérons toujours pour le SOLEIL! Peut importe la météo, presque toutes les attractions le long de Clifton Hill se trouves à l’intérieur. Savourez un repas chez Boston Pizza et amusez-vous en même temps avec votre famille en jouant aux quilles. Les perdants achètent 5 jetons des jeux Midway pour les gagnants… une suggestion excellente n’est-ce pas?!

 Une des attractions la plus populaire sur la colline est le Skywheel. Découvrez les vues pittoresques par les cabines échauffées qui vous prennent 175 pieds (53 mètres) au-dessus des chutes majestueuses de Niagara.

 L’Aventure du Golf Dinosaur est la nouvelle attraction à être ajouté aux aventures de la colline, prête à ouvrir pour la semaine de relâche. C’est une des plus grandes cours de golf miniature dans la nation avec les dinosaures réalistes en route à chacun des 18 trous. Afin d’arriver au 18^e trou, les golfeurs doivent passer par un volcan énorme  qui éclate avec du vapeur.

 Promotions pour la Semaine de Relâche

Pendant les vacances vous pouviez bénéficier des prix promotionnels. Économisez  de l’argent pendant que vous amuser avec la famille sur Clifton Hill. Pour plus d’informations à propos des attractions, les restaurants et les paquets d’hôtels, veuillez visiter le site : http://www.CliftonHill.com/

 En plus, le spectacle du magicien célèbre, Greg Frewin, se passe à quelques minutes de la colline. Commencez avec un repas chez Boston Pizza ou le restaurant Kelsey’s, suivi d’un spectacle de talent magique de Greg Frewin (Ne vous inquiéter pas, les parents s’amusent aussi). Explorez-vous les attractions inépuisables!

 Dirigez-vous vers Clifton Hill

On trouve des fois que la vie nous reprend et on oublie de passer le temps avec la famille. Réunissez-vous à Niagara Falls sur Clifton Hill, c’est là où on oublie le travail et concentre sur la vie familiale!

Cold Warm or Wet….Fun in Any Weather

Clifton Hill has a great reputation for being tons of fun in the spring/summer time.  Although we have noticed more and more people realize with so many indoor attractions we have to offer, there is just as much activity during the winter months as well!

 In fact the only truly outdoor activity is our Dinosaur Adventure Golf.  Even our popular SkyWheel has heated booths for you to enjoy the beauty of the falls during any season. 

Transformations Coming

Spring is just around the corner, and this also means changes along Clifton Hill.  The Kelsey’s has been transformed and is more inviting and entertaining then ever!  As well look for our newest attraction, The XD Theatre Ride, opening in early May.

Niagara Falls Activities for Canada Day and Independence Day Long Weekend
The first official long weekend of the summer!

This coming weekend Canada and the United States of America, two great nations, friends and neighbors or neighbours (depending on which side of the mighty Niagara you call home!) are joining together to commemorate the formation of their great countries!

Do you Like Fireworks? This weekend Niagara Falls will detonate loads of them!

July 1st Friday Night at 10 P.M.
Fired from the base of the Niagara gorge, directly across from the American Falls, a spectacular pyrotechnic display will kick off the weekend celebrations in style! To get the best view, be sure to watch from the bottom of Clifton Hill. (Locals secret). These spectacular Canada Day fireworks are provided free for your viewing pleasure by the: local Hotel, Attraction and Restaurant owners of Niagara Falls, Canada.

July 2nd Saturday at 9:40 P.M.
The Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls, New York will be Celebrating America’s Independence Day with a thunderous array of Fireworks! Best place for viewing? You guessed it, at the base of Clifton Hill.

July 3rd Sunday Night at 10P.M.
Another great fireworks show put on by the Tourism Business community of Niagara Falls, Canada. A third night of watching fireworks might call for a different perspective. Why not from the Niagara Skywheel? The Skywheel is Canada’s largest giant wheel and offers an amazing view 170 feet above the Falls. The SkyWheel is also one of 5 great attractions included on the Clifton Hill FUN PASS, all for only $24.95. It is the best value for attractions in Niagara Falls.

Niagara’s fireworks are a great way to kick off an amazing night on Clifton Hill’s World Famous Street of Fun by the Falls! After the fireworks, be sure to stop by the Great Canadian Midway on your way up ‘The Hill’ and enjoy the challenge of over 300 interactive games! Hungry? A late night snack at Boston Pizza or Kelsey’s Bar & Grill might be in order. Both have a great selection of appetizers and entrées perfect for sharing!

Looking to enjoy some Bowling, Billiards and maybe a Beer? Try Strike Rock and Bowl’s 25,000 square foot entertainment complex; the centerpiece of Niagara’s exciting Nightlife on Clifton Hill.

So, what else is there to do over the long weekend in Niagara Falls? The answer… lots!

International Dance Competition
There is the International Dance Competition on July 2 and 3 at the Scotia Bank Convention Centre. So you think you can Dance? Well these people really can!

Greg Frewin’s Magic Show
A true Las Vegas style show, just a 5-minute walk from Clifton Hill. The “Beyond Belief Magic Show“ runs at 8 p.m. every night of the weekend.

Friendship Festival
Take in a concert under the stars. The Fort Erie Friendship festival has 2 amazing shows scheduled: Big Sugar on Friday night (July 1st) and Ian Thornley & Big Wreck on Saturday (July 2nd). Gates open at 7 pm.

There’s a lot to do at night…What about during the day? Plenty.
Dinosaur Adventure Golf is a great daytime attraction, offering fun for the whole family or for that special someone in your life. Here you can enjoy a relaxing tropical setting complete with a 50 ft tall volcano and waterfall. Just watch out for the towering Dinosaurs! They provide the perfect backdrop for an incredible photo!

Dinosaur Adventure Golf is located directly behind the Niagara Skywheel and is also a part of the Clifton Hill FUN PASS. The FUN PASS offers 5 attractions for $25 including these two must do adventures!

Also, don’t forget to take some time to relax and watch all the people and activity on Clifton Hill’s World Famous Street of Fun by the Falls; It’s a Niagara Falls tradition! The best places to enjoy all the hustle and bustle is from Kelsey’s Patio, where there is great views and live entertainment, which adds to the atmosphere, or Boston Pizza with its open air patio spilling out into the Niagara SkyWheel Courtyard.

There is still so much more to see and do. You will just have to come to Clifton Hill and discover all the Fun by the Falls in person!

Movie trailer for Niagara Falls honeymoon film: Camille

Back in July 2006 we posted about the movie Camille, which was shot in Niagara Falls, Canada. Camille is a supernatural-themed love story starring Sienna Miller and James Franco.

You can view the trailer for Camille here:

You can visit the films official website here:

http://www.camillemovie.com/

Originally printed by the Niagara Gazette Aug 27th, 09′

NIAGARA FALLS: Jim and Pam wed here — for “The Office”
Emmy-winning TV comedy crew shoots wedding scenes in Niagara Falls

By Michele Deluca
michele.deluca@niagara-gazette.com

Like thousands of other couples throughout the ages, Jim and Pam were married in Niagara Falls on Thursday.

There was debate over where to tie the knot. It was a toss up between the Maid of the Mist or Terrapin Point. Ultimately the boat won and viewers of the Emmy-winning TV comedy, “The Office,” will be able to watch the whole thing unfold during a two-part show that airs on Oct. 8. (more…)

Originally printed by BuddyTV Aug 27, 09′

The Office: Tourists Surprised by Jim-Pam Wedding on Niagara Falls
Thursday, August 27, 2009

If you were somehow aboard the Maid of the Mist on the Niagara Falls last week and spotted a couple with the guy making funny faces to a camera, congratulations, you just stepped into the filming of the highly anticipated Pam-Jim wedding on The Office. The two-part episode is set to air on October 8, and of course the Office people chose to do it on the US side of the falls. (more…)

Printed by the Review

Falls trivia fails to stump Jeopardy players
City spotlighted on long-running TV quiz show
Posted By REVIEW STAFF

For the first 10 minutes of Thursday night’s airing of the popular game show Jeopardy, contestants did all they could to steer clear of the category “Niagara Falls.”

But in the end, they had had no trouble finding the right questions to match up with all five answers dealing with Honeymoon Capital history and landmarks. (more…)