Niagara Falls Fun - Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls Canada

72% des mères veulent plus…

Bien que nous célébrons des anniversaires et des fêtes ici, il y a toujours une journée spéciale à chaque année où nous commémorons toutes les mamans qui travaillent fort à élever leurs enfants, c’est la fête des mères! C’est un jour pour dire merci et de donner à son tour. Les fleurs sont un bon début, mais un sondage de Forbes dit que maman veut un petit peu plus cette année.

Une raison parfaite pour une évasion avec maman

Vous pouvez vraiment montrer à maman que vous l’aimez avec un voyage à Niagara Falls cette année. Gâtez-la avec un tour sur le mondialement célèbre SkyWheel de Niagara qui offre des vues splendides des chutes, quand elle descend elle se sentira comme elle vient de faire un mini-voyage au spa. On sait bien que les mamans méritent de prendre congé de la cuisine, et avec tout les superbes choix à Clifton Hill, les mamans qui aiment bien la pizza peuvent goûter une tranche d’une des pizzas de viande célèbres de Boston Pizza. Votre maman va également avoir beaucoup de choix sur le nouveau menu de Kelsey’s, alors qu’en bas de la rue Mama Mia se vente de sa cuisine Italienne extraordinaire. Cliquez ici si vous souhaitez voir plus de restaurants.

Chocolats, friandises et fudge, Oh là là!

Maintenant maman est toute pleine, heureuse, et elle a même gardé de la place pour le dessert!  Bien sûr, il y a des offres délicieux sur le menu du restaurant, ou bien vous pouvez descendre à quelques pas sur Clifton Hill, et juste à côté du Great Canadian Midway vous allez retrouver le Fudge Factory. Rappelez-vous du sondage dont on parlé plus tôt? Eh bien, 37% des mamans ont également dit qu’elles aimeraient des cadeaux de confits pour leur journée spéciale!  Vous retrouverez des friandises, et d’autres produits irrésistiblement délicieux, et peut-être une petite collation de supplémentaire pour plus tard.  Maman n’aura pas à se sentir coupable pur un peu plus de sucre dans son régime alimentaire, car Clifton Hill mène directement à la Promenade du Niagara où vous pouvez prendre une longue marche à côté des chutes dans les sentiers bordés de fleurs.

Bonnes nouvelles, mamans

La Fédération Nationale aux Détaillants dit qu’une personne normale va dépenser plus sur leur maman cette année!  Au total, les dépenses pourraient atteindre 18,6 milliards. Si vous allez dépenser l’argent, pourquoi ne pas procurer quelque chose

Clifton Hill Niagara Falls Launches New Official Website and Online Fun Pass

Vacation planners can now explore Clifton Hill Niagara Falls through a compelling new website that brings the magic of Clifton Hill to life – http://www.cliftonhill.com

Living up to Clifton Hill’s reputation as being the authority of FUN in Niagara, visitors can now engage with a bright and happy website environment featuring a bold new style and colour. They will also enjoy navigating seamlessly into all the fun-to-explore sections with the sites lively and engaging content. Visitors can also take advantage of the newly launched online FUN PASS, which offers $20 in savings, plus a bonus spin on the Niagara SkyWheel!

The new site features:
· Internet exclusive offers, Group deals, and party packages.
· Brilliant colours and larger-than-life graphics
· Easier search options
· Secure online Hotel room reservations
· Secure ticket purchasing for popular attractions and Clifton Hill Fun Passes.
· Videos, interactive maps, virtual tours and photos galleries.

See The Magic of Clifton Hill Come To Life!
It’s easier than ever to eat, stay and play at the Falls! For those looking for an informative website that showcases the over 100 unique attractions, exceptional events and family entertainment found in Niagara and Clifton Hill, the new site doesn’t disappoint.

“This NEW website was designed to give visitors the FULL Clifton Hill Experience!” said Nicholas Tritchew, Project Manager for CliftonHill.com. “Visitors can discover the latest events and attractions, plus keep up to date on the latest Clifton Hill news and offers with the blog and e-newsletters.”

CliftonHill.com provides helpful details on Niagara’s top entertainment, attractions and retail; including the all-new XD Theater attraction, which is slated to open sometime this Spring at the Great Canadian Midway. This “soon to open” attraction will bring state-of-the-art FX technology to Clifton Hill and feature: full immersion stereoscopic imaging, realistic motion with 2 G’s of acceleration, special seats that bear 400 movements per second, plus intense wind and cutting edge light effects.

Also, overnight guests looking to save money and time, can build their own “a-la-carte” vacation packages, complete with hotel rooms, amenities and attractions, with the Comfort Inn Clifton Hill package builder. This includes exclusive offers like the new online version of the Clifton Hill FUN PASS, where you get a 2nd RIDE on the Niagara SkyWheel as an added ONLINE BONUS!

The Clifton Hill FUN PASS includes:

• The Niagara SkyWheel (Canada’s Largest Observation Wheel)
• Galaxy Golf or Dinosaur Adventure Golf (The nation’s largest miniature golf course complete with realistically eerie special effects like “Raptor” and “T-Rex” and a steam-erupting volcano)
• Movieland Wax Museum of Stars
• Ghostblasters Dark Ride
• Plus 5 Great Canadian Midway tokens

“It’s our goal to provide a comprehensive guide of the Clifton Hill area. We’ve made it much easier for people to include fun attractions, events and special passes to their Clifton Hill vacation,” said Tritchew.

Whether a visitor is interested in games, restaurants, attractions, activities, entertainment or special events, CliftonHill.com is the perfect place to start planning a FUN by the FALLS adventure.

Célébrons la fête de Pâques à Niagara Falls

Avec tous-ce qui ce passe à Niagara Falls nous sommes tellement excitées que la Pâques s’en vient. C’est une fête encore plus spéciale pour les membres de l’équipe d’hockey les Étoiles de Montréal qui célèbrent l’acquisition de la coupe Clarkson en battant l’équipe de Brampton 4-2! Félicitations les dames, et merci à tous les partisans de Montréal! Si vous avez manqué toute l’action pendant la Semaine de Relâche peut-être que la Pâques pourrez vous donner la chance de s’enfuir avec la famille à Niagara Falls!

Vos vacances peuvent être remplis des souvenirs incroyables jusqu’à la fin. Les couples peuvent se rapprocher à la discothèque, Rumors. Avec un des meilleurs DJ dans la région filant de la musique qui vous garde sur la piste de danse le long de votre soirée, la discothèque vous fasse une des meilleurs spectacles de lumière au Canada! Vous pouvez pré-réserver votre entrée VIP aujourd’hui à http://www.cliftonhill.com/entertainment/rumours-nightclub. Après une nuit de montrer vos talents, ou une longue journée de marche sur Clifton Hill, vous méritez un endroit excellent à reposer votre tête. Une courte distance de l’action de la colline vous trouverez l’hôtel de Comfort Inn de Clifton Hill. Reconnu comme l’hôtel au milieu de l’action, vous ne devrez même pas vous inquiéter de dépenser de l’argent sur les taxis pour vous déplacer, toute est à votre porte. Soit pour les couples qui cherchent d’avoir une escapade romantique ou bien les familles à la recherche d’une vacance amusante, l’hôtel est dans un lieu sûr et agréable pour tous. Les forfaits abordables peuvent même inclure de divertissement à la Grande Théâtre Frewin, Cliquez ici pour plus de détails.

Il fait plus beau que d’habitude pour ce temps de l’année à Niagara Falls et les prévisions météorologiques indiquent qu’il ya aura du soleil et la température sera de 12°C/54°F pendant la fin de semaine de Pâques. Un autre bénéfice de venir à Niagara Falls pour la fête de Pâques c’est le manque de congestion. Clifton Hill, la célèbre rue de plaisir de Niagara Falls, est plein d’activités le long de l’année et vous offres plusieurs attractions et divertissement à l’intérieur. Il y en a moins de touristes pendant le mois d’Avril, ce qui vous permet d’avoir accès à plusieurs attractions, divertissements et restaurants, sans interruption.

Une visite chez le Great Canadian Midway gardent les enfants très occupées et en plus vous ne devrez pas vous inquiéter de la météo parce que vous serez à l’intérieur, jouant plus que 300 jeux qui vous permet de l’amusement interminable avec la famille. Le Théatre XD, qui ouvrira bientôt ses portes, et le tour noirci de Ghost Blaster sont tout les deux partie du Great Canadian Midway. Il y a tellement d’écoles qui incluent ceci dans l’agenda à cause de fait que les enfants aiment la variété des jeux et d’autres amusements. Ghost Blasters est un jeu interactif où vous tirez sur les cibles pour marquer des points. Gardez votre pistolet laser proche parce que c’est à vous de prendre en bas l’armée des fantômes, des squelettes, vampires et les lutins en roulant de chambre à chambre. Par le deuxième siège vous pouvez aider votre enfant sur le tour au cœur léger qui vous donne la chair de poule. En plus, le Théâtre XD apporte la technologie moderne de FX spéciale à Clifton Hill et mettre en vedette: l’imagerie stéréoscopique, immersion totale, le mouvement réaliste avec jusqu’à 2 G d’accélération, des sièges spéciaux qui portent 400 mouvements par seconde, en plus le vent intense et les effets de lumière éblouissant!

Vous pouvez également vous approcher à certains animaux sauvages préhistoriques au Dinosaur Golf Adventure. Une attraction de mini-golf de 36 trous amusant pour tous les âges. Jouez à proximité d’un volcan «actif » qui mesure de 50-pieds de hauteur avec les éruptions des flammes et jouez directement à travers d’un tube en lave réaliste et caverneuse en route au trou suivant. Si il ne fait pas beau à l’extérieur, vous pouvez toujours passer votre jeu à l’intérieur avec Galaxy Golf, le mini-golf brillant dans le noir, qui vous envoie sur une aventure cosmique extraordinaire de 18 trous.

 Vous devez absolument vous arrêter à la SkyWheel Niagara, la plus grande roue géante au Canada. Jetez un coup d’œil à quelques commentaires qu’ils ont reçu récemment sure TripAdvisor.

« Attraction préférée de notre enfant qui a deux ans »

« Notre fille aime beaucoup les grandes roues. On a faite le tour dans le journée et encore un fois le soirée »

« L’attraction préférée de notre petit fille! »

« Nous allons au chutes en Septembre chaque année pour le baseball et nous allons toujours sur le Skywheel »

Pour bénéficier des économies sur ces attractions et plusieurs d’autres, assurez-vous de regarder la version en ligne pour le Clifton Hill FUN PASS qui vous offre les tours de bonus sur le Skywheel Niagara. Cette affaire fantastique ne peut être fait lorsque vous commandez votre FUN PASS enligne! Il aidera a rendre votre visite amusante  et abordable!

Après avoir faite le tour des chutes et de Clifton Hill, venez voir l’énergie de la colline durant la nuit avec les néons éblouissants et des activités animées. Amis et famille pourront s’amuser au centre de divertissement Rock Strike et Bowl, où ils pourront savourer une pizza gourmet avec un pichet de boissons froides et en même temps avoir un jeu au quilles, des billards et plus.

Si vous planifiez un voyage avec la famille pour le Pâques il ne manque pas des choses à faire le long de Clifton Hill, la célèbre rue de plaisir près des chutes!!

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!

Niagara Falls on a Budget
With all the recent talk of fiscal restraint and budgets, I thought it would be timely to talk about families wanting to get away for a day or so, in a cost effective manner. You may want to print this post and bring it with you on your day of adventure in Niagara Falls.

Meal Planning
A little pre-planning saves you money. Plan for a day of multiple snacks rather than sitting down for one big meal. Pack a few bags of goodies, such as trail mix, nuts and dried fruit before you head out. Once on the road, take a slight detour to pick up some fresh Niagara tender fruits (eg. Peaches are currently in season), at one of many roadside stands. A small cooler bag or lunch bag in the car is all you will need (you will learn why soon).

Getting here
Before heading out, I highly recommended that you read this section on out how to get here and where to park. This will save you valuable time and money. Be sure to leave early, and plan to arrive at arround 10 AM.

If you’re traveling by car on the QEW towards Niagara Falls from either direction, do not take Hwy 420. Instead continue to McLeod Rd taking the McLeod Rd east exit (towards Marineland) and continue to Stanley Avenue. Turn left on Stanley and continue to Robinson St. (you will see a large Skywheel billboard) Turn right on Robinson and continue to the end of the road. Park in the lot on your left.

Once you are in the lot continue until you get as close to the Niagara Skywheel as possible and park. This route just saved you traveling through the heart of the city and heavy traffic. Parking in this lot can save you as much as $10 and puts you in the center of the Niagara Falls entertainment district, with easy access to the Parks, Falls and Clifton Hill.

Here is where the fun begins:
Pick up some Fun Passes at the Niagara Skywheel information booth. You get 5 attractions at $5 each plus Midway tokens. $24.95 for Adults and $19.95 for Kids. For a family of four, you can save over $95 (after tax) on your entertainment for the day!

Following this, take a stroll to the Rainbow Bridge just a short jaunt down Clifton Hill. Once you get on the bridge you will discover some of the best views of both the Canadian Horseshoe and American Falls. For just 50 cents each, you can walk out to the center of the Rainbow Bridge and get some amazing pictures. One foot in Canada and one in the USA. The Canadian and American Falls provide an amazing backdrop, along with the Canadian parklands and Niagara Skywheel nearby. Take your time and get some great pictures then simply walk back to Canada! Just make sure you have proper ID for everyone in your group. Your friends and family back home will wonder how you managed to get such interesting photos. You could also share these photos on Clifton Hill’s Facebook or Twitter pages!

On the way back to Clifton Hill, be sure to stop by Movieland Wax Museum, which is this first attraction you’ll see walking up the hill. This one of a kind attraction showcases the world’s most famous stars in wax! After mingling with the stars, recharge your batteries and grab some fresh cut fries or a soft ice cream at the nearby concessions.

There is still a lot left on your FUN PASS and you can start up again by testing your skills at the nearby Dinosaur Adventure Golf attraction. From here you can move onto the Niagara Skywheel, for breath taking views of the Falls and a chance to sit down and relax in the air conditioned gondolas. Next head off to the Midway for Ghost Blasters and the FX Ride Theatre for some thrills and action. Remember, you also have some Great Canadian Midway tokens to use throughout the 70,000 sq ft arcade. If your taste buds are itching for another quick snack head into Boston Pizza where you can play interactive games and split a small pizza. Cash in your winnings and get ready for the next part of your budget day in Niagara Falls.

Off to the Park

Head back to your car and drive back towards the Robinson street entrance where you started the day.

Park as close to the entrance as you can, but don’t exit the lot. At the foot of Robinson (in the turn around) there is a staircase and path that leads you down into the Niagara Parks called the Jolley Cut. Locals have used this for years and it is a well-kept secret. Grab your snacks and head on down to the Park (remember the cooler bag I told you to keep in the car?). You just saved up to $20 in parking! Enjoy your time in the park and when it is time to go, simply walk up Murray Street, cut through the Skylon Tower parking lot and you are right back at your car.

Heading Home
Retrace your route and you are on your way home after a unique and affordable day in Niagara Falls.

Let’s add up the cost of a full day of fun on a budget. 2 adult Fun Passes $49.90, 2 kids Fun Passes $39.90, snacks(ice cream or Fries and a drink) $15, Bridge toll for 4 people $2 ,an individual pizza shared with drinks for 4 people $25, parking $10-15. Your entire day cost under $150 for a family of 4.

Can you believe in less than 4 weeks it’s Labour Day? Where did the summer go?

If you haven’t had a chance to get away for a few days this summer it’s time to start planning. Quite often I’m asked, “As someone who lives in Niagara, how would you spend two days here?”

Assuming I was coming from Toronto for a 2 day getaway, as a couple or with family, my itinerary would look something like this:

Not being an early riser, I would arrive in Niagara Falls around noon and would stay at the Comfort Inn on Clifton Hill of course. While check in isn’t until 2PM,  the bell desk will store my bags and we  would grab a quick bite to eat at Tim Hortons or Wendy’s.

Then it would be off to the Whirlpool Jet Boats in Queenston or simply stroll to the bottom of Clifton Hill for a ride on the Maid of the Mist. The refreshing coolness of being on the water, accompanied by splashing waves on the Jet Boat or the Falls bellowing mist while sailing on the Maid, is sure to wake you up after the drive to Niagara and lunch. Either way, its way more fun than a shower!

Next it’s off to the Niagara Glen across from the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens. Taking the staircase down into the Glen, you will feel like you are entering a different world. It feels like the temperature drops 10 degrees as you hike the trails of the Glen at your own speed. You can get right up to the river at this point sitting on the rocks you can wave at the Jet Boat as it comes and goes out of the whirlpool.

The next part of my day would be either exploring the fruit belt, between Queenston and Niagara-on-the–Lake, stocking up on fresh fruit for later, or stopping at a winery or two for gourmet wine samples.

Then it’s back to the Comfort Inn Clifton Hill for check–in and to relax for an hour to recharge and get ready for a fun filled night on Clifton Hill! Before dinner we’d pick up our Fun Passes at the SkyWheel, then enjoy a delicious meal at Kelsey’s, with its prime view of either Clifton Hill or Victoria Ave from its open air patios and great food at reasonable prices!

Then with Fun Pass in hand, it’s off to let loose on The Hill! The Clifton Hill Fun Pass is the best deal in town, 5 of the top attractions in the city plus Great Canadian Midway tokens for $24.95 is less than $5 for each attraction. The Skywheel is spectacular at night as is Dinosaur Adventure Golf; They set the stage for a fun-filled evening the whole family can enjoy.

Clifton Hill is still hopping right into the wee hours of the morning, and is a great place to end the evening with a night cap at Boston Pizza / Strike Rock and Bowl.

The next morning would start with a satisfying breakfast provided free with your hotel room at the Comfort Inn. Then we would either take a stroll down to the Falls or if we had purchased the Marineland package as part of our hotel stay it would be off to Marineland for the day.

Then it’s homeward bound after enjoying a great mix of excitement and relaxation for 2 days. The combination of great deals and free activities makes this trip affordable as well as fun for couples or families.

That’s how I would spend a two day getaway in Niagara Falls.

How would you spend your two day getaway to Niagara?