Here is a look at some of the pictures we took of the great times people are having on Clifton Hill, as well as random pics of things you can find while you are having “Fun by the Falls”
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!
Keeping Your Family Safe While on Vacation in Niagara Falls
The last thing you want while on vacation is an accident or something happening to disrupt or shorten your well-deserved family time. Don’t worry, you can still enjoy a trip without having the kids in your grips the whole time. Sometimes we just needed to be reminded of little tips helping to get you ready to tackle your family vacation.
Make Your Visit Memorable for the Right Reasons
If you’re out for March break or planning your summer vacation Niagara Falls is a great option. Although safety starts before you even leave the house. If you are driving make sure your children’s car seats are all properly fastened in the car, you don’t want to have to pull over on a busy road because the baby is tipping over after you merged onto the highway.
There are so many things to see and do sometimes it can get overwhelming for the kids, they get excited and wander off. I know I’ve had to chase after my girls, not a fun time. Parents we should definitely not let ourselves get side tracked. With roads and crowds it’s important to always have an eye on the kids. Playing in the water is fun, but be extra cautious. You never think it’s going to happen to you… better to be safe then sorry right! So stay off the cell, if you have to be talking still be watching, and it goes without saying never leave kids unattended.
The Falls itself has a safety fence, but children like to climb so you can never be too vigilant, this means not allowing your child to get up on the fence while you stand back to take a picture. There are many friendly people passing by who will gladly help you take a photo.
To make sure the family stays together bring a favourite stuffed toy for both of you to hold. If you have more then one child bring a ribbon and all the kids can grab onto it while you walk. A lot of daycares also use a long rope with attached rings for all the little hands to hold. Some families will all wear the same colour shirts to stand out in a crowd.
Exploring all the safe, kid friendly activities along Clifton Hill is one of the highlights of Niagara Falls, but it’s a good idea to set rules out before hand.
Suggestions:
You can stay more focused on paying attention to your kids if your not so worried about what you’re doing next. Planning your itinerary is a good idea. A list of attractions, packages and fun things to do can be found at www.cliftonhill.com you can also pick up the Clifton Hill Fun Pass which will help keep a few dollars IN your pocket during your visit too.
In the end it’s all about common sense, sometimes we do need to be reminded, and that’s okay! Parents we have a lot on our minds these days! Following these tips can help you enjoy a safe and sane vacation with the family.
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.
A few weeks ago we were contacted by professional photographer Ken Cranney, who recently visited Niagara Falls with his wife Ina and son Riley. They traveled all the way from Holland and met up with some close friends, who drove in from New Jersey. Ken is actually a Canadian living in Holland while his wife and son are Dutch. They all converged on Clifton Hill’s World Famous Street of Fun by the Falls to kick off a fun filled weekend!
According to Ken the two families started at Planet Hollywood where they walked and enjoyed browsing the unique stores along Falls Ave. on their way to Clifton Hill’s main tourist area.
We enjoyed so much the activity and all the people taking in the amusements on the Hill.
They spent most of the first day browsing the stores and all the oddities of Ripley’s Believe It or Not and seeing all the wax figure’s at Movieland and Louis Tussauds. Luckily the weather was nice that day and they went for a short walk to the American and Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side and shot photographs. According to Ken “We just took in the sites and action near the river like the Maid of the Mist running to and from the Falls. It was a fun filled day!” Although at this point, they had not seen Clifton Hill’s colorful transformation at night!
Later that evening they ventured out again, but this time with the lights of the night, which was even more fun according to Ken. “We strolled by the Dinosaur Adventure golf which was a total blast to see with all the huge dinosaurs and the Skywheel, which was amazing, just to even watch as people loaded on and off.” To cap the evening with the kids they all shared an ice cream and headed back to their hotel rooms to unwind.
Once everyone was settled and enjoying the evening comforts of their room, Ken headed back alone to the Illuminated Falls to shoot more photographs until midnight, and after they turned off the lights on the Falls. He then walked to the centre of Clifton Hill by the SkyWheel and shot even more images of all the fun in and around the SkyWheel and Dinosaur Adventure Golf.
Click on the images above to expand.
We all had so much fun here in Niagara Falls that I am sure we’ll be back again.. as soon as we can. The people were all so friendly and accommodating it was truly a pleasure for us all. We look forward to our next visit to Niagara Falls!
We are very grateful for Ken sharing his memorable experiences with us and providing some spectacular photos! We greatly look forward to their next visit!
To see more of Ken’s photo work please visit: Riker Video Productie & Fotografie – www.rikervp.nl
Dinosaur Adventure Golf Development in Niagara Falls
As you may be aware, over the winter months some incredibly large dinosaurs and a massive volcano have been constructed on Clifton Hill, behind the Niagara Skywheel.
This development will lead to an amazing prehistoric golf complex coming to Niagara Falls this Summer.
Below are some photos of the Dinosaur Adventure Golf development for you to enjoy:
If you are planning to visit Niagara this Summer, be sure to take advantage of the Clifton Hill FUN PASS, which offers huge savings on Clifton Hill’s best attractions, and will include Dinosaur Adventure Golf, once it officially opens!
Amazing Flickr Album of Niagara Falls at Night by Ming chai
“Delighted to share these moments captured ! Thanks for your Visit ! Have a Nice Day !”
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
Printed by the Review
‘Sexiest man alive’ meets new Maid
Posted By MAKI BECKER, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
People magazine may have named him “Sexiest Man Alive” twice, but even Brad Pitt looked a little goofy in his blue Maid of the Mist poncho.
The superstar actor was in Niagara Falls on a picture-perfect afternoon to take in the sights of the world-famous cataracts Saturday, the Buffalo News reports on its website.
In tow were two of his sons, Maddox and Pax; his parents, Bill and Jane, and his bodyguards. The group enjoyed the attractions while remaining relatively under the radar.
Not with them was Pitt’s equally famous partner, Angelina Jolie, who has been filming the thriller “Salt” in Albany.
“He was looking good,” sighed a star-struck Melissa Harris, 17, of Niagara Falls as the hunky actor rushed past her. (more..)
Click here for photos of Brad Pitt and Family at the Maid of the Mist
Movieland Wax Museum on Clifton Hill launches brand new exhibit!
Be sure to check out Movieland Wax Museum in Niagara Falls, Canada…they have just launched a brand new entrance exhibit featuring a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean!
Featured are two of the most famous characters from the popular movie series:
Captain Jack Sparrow
Will Turner