The temperatures are sub-zero in Ontario and St. Petersburg, but Niagara Falls is a hot topic among Russia’s social media movers and shakers, as they descend in their hordes on the CliftonHill.com Niagara Falls Webcam.
Niagara Falls Webcam at Cliftonhill.com
Does this mean that our new friends may be visiting us soon? We sure hope so!
Niagara Falls, Canada (PRWEB) March 04, 2013
The Niagara Falls buzz has gone viral as almost 1,000,000 Russian socialites jumped on the addme.ru Top Ten Most Interesting Webcams in the World list this February. Not only did they enjoy watching the glorious Horseshoe Falls themselves, they shared it with their friends on VK.com at unprecedented levels, driving a 1000 percent increase in traffic to the Cliftonhill.com Niagara Falls Webcam.
You’ll be forgiven for not knowing anything about either of these sites, but to Russians they are the equivalent of Reddit and Facebook, and Niagara Falls has made an incredible splash amongst our friends in the East. Addme.ru boasts over 300,000 fans on VK.com and the massive social networking site showcased the Clifton Hill Niagara Falls Webcam page to over 3,000,000 fans of their Science and Facts sections!
Visitors loved the fact that they could not only see the beauty of the Falls, but also experience the thundering sound of Niagara Falls from “the old continent”. After taking in the sights and sounds they flocked in droves to find out more about our beautiful city and to check us out on Facebook.
Joel Noden, Director of Marketing at CliftonHill.com, had this to say about the massive interest in the webcam: “In addition to viewing the spectacular Niagara Falls Web Cam, our Russian friends checked out other “Fun by the Falls” pages, with a close focus on our Niagara Falls attractions discount pages. They made a beeline for our many discounted attractions including 50 percent off a Clifton Hill Fun Pass, 47 percent off a Niagara Falls Helicopter Tour, and many more. Another popular destination was our “build your own Niagara Falls Hotels package” page. Does this mean that our new friends may be visiting us soon? We sure hope so!”
About Clifton Hill Located on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, Clifton Hill offers an exciting array of attractions, resort hotels, restaurants, shops and nightclubs, providing fun experiences for everyone. Where else can you ride a giant wheel 175 feet above Niagara Falls for the most amazing views, putt with life size dinosaurs in a 36-hole mini-golf adventure, be challenged by over 300 interactive games at Canada’s largest entertainment complex, along with many other unique adventures? It’s all right here, on Clifton Hill! https://www.cliftonhill.com/explore/media-gallery/niagara-falls-cam
Okay Canadians! March Break is almost here and it looks like Niagara Falls may be the place to go with temperatures expected to rise above the freezing mark this weekend. The sun is expected to shine and so will the smiles on your kids faces when they see all the glitz and glamour that Niagara has to offer!
But what about safety? Please buckle up, stay alert and drive defensively. Keep your full attention on the road ahead and minimize all distractions. Plan ahead of time your route; the GPS is a great invention. So many times we get busy with all the major details of our trip that we forget the obvious…like mapping out the clearest route. I know I’ve been guilty of this. Pulling alongside the highway messing around with a map or finding a gas station attendant that you hope has all the answers because you mistakenly assumed you knew…or your spouse knew. If you don’t have a GPS, have one person in your vehicle as the designated navigator. Have them read out the directions so you don’t have to keep one eye on the road and the other on any electronic devices. Also, and this should go without saying, make sure that your vehicle can survive the trip! Fill up your tank, check all your fluid levels, tire pressure and all your lights before you pull out of your driveway. When I was in highschool my dad used to nag me all the time about keeping a blanket, candles, first aid kit, water and some snacks (such as granola bars) in the trunk at all times. I used to dismiss his advice as idle ramblings until one cold Winter’s night a few years later that I ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere….take heed, it can happen to you!
I would also recommend carrying just the items in your wallet that you need for your trip. Think one credit card each, a bank card, Drivers Licence, Health Card, Passport if needed and any Roadside Assistance cards. If you carry too much you run the risk of a major hassle should you have your wallet or purse stolen. Identity theft is unfortunately a growing concern.
As someone that has worked in the tourism industry for a number of years I can tell you that too many times I have seen children wander off in a blink of an eye. Don’t assume that it only happens to poor parenting. You can simply be rifling through your purse and your child is off to the races because a certain arcade game caught their eye. It happens, but it can be avoided. I like to play a game with my son called “hold on” when we are in a busy area. The first person that let goes of each other’s hand loses. It works and he gets a riot out of it. Also, I’m a big fan of the safety harness. You may not like the idea, but at the end of the day your child is SAFE!
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:
Kids shouldn’t be where they can’t see you.
Don’t talk to strangers.
Beforehand, point out the safe places for help. A ticket booth, retail shop or Tim Horton’s, and point out the staff uniforms.
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 and you can also pick up the Clifton Hill Fun Pass which will help keep a few dollars IN your pocket during your visit too.
Christine
First trip, second trip, FREE night! That’s right, the most successful and popular promotion is back this Spring!
It only takes two separate trips to earn one night free with the Choice Privileges rewards program. Register at ChoiceHotels.com to earn one night free when you stay at any Choice Hotels property worldwide during two separate trips, from February 28 to May 15, 2013. Reservations must be made online at ChoiceHotels.ca or by calling 1-800-4CHOICE. For these, and other great member perks, join the Choice Privileges rewards program. It’s easy and free to join by signing up at the front desk, online at ChoicePrivileges.ca or by calling 1-866-283-3510. http://www.choicehotels.com/en/choice-privileges?cp_country=CN&refd=choiceprivileges.ca
With March Break, Spring Recess and Easter around the corner it’s an excellent time to take advantage of this deal at the Comfort Inn Clifton Hill! It’s just an added incentive to come to Niagara Falls and enjoy your stay, while earning enough Choice Privilege Points to earn yourself an additional free night’s stay on your next trip.
Choice Privileges members must register at ChoiceHotels.com before their first stay to earn unlimited free nights.
If you are not a Choice Privilege member yet, you can enroll at the Comfort Inn between February 28, 2013 and May 15, 2013 and are automatically eligible for the promotion regardless of how you booked your stay!
• Members must book at ChoiceHotels.ca, ChoiceHotels.com, 800.4CHOICE or 800.BO.RÊVES and after your second qualifying stay with arrival between February 28, 2013 and May 15, 2013
you will receive enough Choice Privileges points to redeem for a FREE night at over 1,500 hotels!
• Members may also book via a mobile device and corporate travellers can book through a travel agent or corporate booking system.
• Elite Diamond and Elite Platinum members can book directly with a hotel, however if they book through ChoiceHotels.com these members will receive 100 additional Choice Privileges points with every qualifying stay.
• For Comfort™, Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, Cambria Suites® or Ascend Hotel Collection™ hotels, a trip is defined as a stay that is any number of consecutive nights at one hotel regardless of check‐ins or check‐outs.
Program rules and conditions apply, details at www.choicehotels.com http://www.choicehotels.ca/en/comfort-hotel-cn060
Christine
You blink and it’s here. March Break. Parents without a March Break plan face the possibility of spending their own hard-earned holidays ensuring the family isn’t bored – or worse – testing each other’s patience for an entire week. We’ve all been there before, booking a last minute getaway with the best intentions, only to have its foundation crumble before your eyes because you never took into account last minute details that you should have tweaked beforehand. Whether it be financial savings, or preparing for any injuries that quite possibly, and with all probability with a little one, may occur. Suddenly your vacation starts to unravel and you feel totally incompetent because its the little things that can really make or break your vacation and could have easily been avoided.
With March Break only a couple of weeks away, booking a last-minute getaway so the whole family can unwind isn’t as impossible as it may sound. The perfect destination can still be found for all types of families and budgets. From getting the best possible deal to ensuring the family stays safe, here are some helpful…and quite often, overlooked tips. There ARE last minute getaway options for families, not just couples without children.
Many hotels often offer package savings that you won’t necessarily be aware of unless you do research beforehand. Be your own Private Investigator. If there is a certain hotel chain that you are fond of, check out their website, subscribe to their newsletter, read their blog postings or even become a “fan” of their social media pages. You will find that many hotel chains advertise through this route and have monthly and even weekly special savings…maybe even contest giveaways!…that can greatly benefit you in the long run. As an example, the Comfort Inn Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls offers all the above in their website and continuously sustains many special offers and package deals year round. https://www.cliftonhill.com/niagara-falls-packages and follow them socially on Facebook “Comfort Inn Clifton Hill: Niagara Falls Hotel and Resort” and/or on Twitter “@cliftonhillfun” and “@Niagara_Hotel”.
Since travelling with the whole clan can get pricey – vacationers need to start saving even before going on holiday. Consider a pre-packaged vacation that includes meals, which limits the need to spend more money while on holiday. The Comfort Inn always offers a complimentary breakfast with your stay, ensuring cost-effective savings on your most important meal of the day! Most establishments in tourist destinations will charge you an obscene amount of money to crack open an egg and fry some bacon…and if you have a family of four, consider that a savings of close to, if not more, than $60. Navigate your way through their website and you will find additional package savings complete with meal vouchers at family friendly establishments such as Kelsey’s and Boston Pizza! https://www.cliftonhill.com/niagara-falls-restaurants Alleviate boredom!
From destination activities like theme parks, water parks and museums for the kids to shopping, tours and golf outings for the parents, you need to ensure a memorable and lively holiday. For families who prefer to stay on a resort than venture off property, a hotel with an indoor pool or games room could help offset a rainy day when the kids are forced to stay indoors. For everyone else, look to book with a hotel that is affiliated with or offers significant savings with many local attractions that you can ALL enjoy. If you are looking to book a trip to Niagara Falls, the Comfort Inn Clifton Hill offers just that…attraction savings off property such as the Greg Frewin Magic Show and the Niagara Helicopter Tours to hitting up five side-by-side attractions just a mere couple of minutes from each other with the Clifton Hill Fun Pass!
www.cliftonhill.com/packages/build-a-package-deals/helicopter-tour Smartly Organize Your Packing
This one I can’t emphasize enough. Years ago when my husband moved back to Ontario from British Columbia with a few of his closest friends, he literally brought his entire wardrobe with him in one shot with the false understanding that he would be under the baggage weight. He was wrong. There he was, 15 minutes until boarding time throwing away sweaters, shoes and a few pairs of jeans all in the name of being under the required weight. If you have children, you know that traveling light is not an option. Make sure that you evenly distribute luggage weight. If you are 10 lbs over and your spouse is 10 lbs under in baggage weight…you know what to do. Transfer items from your suitcase to the other! And let’s be honest, it’s usually us women that carry all the “extras”…think curling irons, makeup, five different pairs of shoes “just in case” you find a need to finally wear those stilettos. You get the point. Make sure you check with your airline ahead of time regarding stroller and childseat guidelines as well. You don’t want any last minute surprises. Share the excitement
Encourage kids of all ages to document their experiences with photos or diary entries. Nominating them as the ‘official family photographer’ will not only keep them busy, but memories captured can then be shared on social media sites or in photo albums or framed pictures that can be hung in your home…and remember to have them tag their memories with the hotel or attraction of their choosing as well! They will appreciate the feedback and the response will ignite a sense of importance in your children as well. It’s a win-win. Stay safe
Travelling is inherently risky, so the wise vacationer will take preventative precautions, including visiting a travel clinic that can set them up with prescriptions and antibiotics ahead of time. It’s always a good idea to have the whole family visit the doctor before you go, that way you can tackle ahead of time any preventative measures needed to avoid a potentially disastrous trip. When you check-in at the hotel, don’t be afraid to ask where the closest hospital is located, and if needed, have them supply you with a map. You may not think this will be necessary, but usually when you are on vacation you drink more and this will lower your inhibitions. That stair you so easily stepped up when you checked in may be a bomb waiting to detonate after a few alcoholic beverages. Also, carry a first aid kit with you. Bandaids, gauze, tweezers, whatever. You never know when you may need them. Stay safe and have fun!
Wherever you decide to go during your March Break getaway, follow these tips for a successful, stress-free, family FUN vacation! Enjoy and stay safe :).
Christine
One of the hottest female celebrities of 2012 has made her debut on the Street of Fun by the Falls…more specifically the Movieland Wax Museum of the Stars! Katy Perry, who just last year caused a media frenzy by setting sail on the “Maid of the Mist” in June has now reinvented herself as a wax icon. The “Firework” singer, songwriter, actress and fashion icon stands tall and bright upon a lit up lollipop encrusted stage facing Clifton Hill, catching the attention of all the tourists. The newest addition to the museum will be sure to draw crowds as the audio and visual element really adds to experience. The set will dazzle you, intrigue you and entice you and will definitely leave you…”Wide Awake”!
At Movieland Wax Museum you see not only movie stars, but top television and music celebrities as well. Take your picture with old Hollywood favorites like Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump, Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator, Marilyn Monroe and Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones to newer additions like Justin Bieber, Hannah Montana, Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow and even Bollywood super-sensation Shah Rukh Khan! There are over 100 figures to interact with and the museum caters to all age groups…Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Star Wars and the Twilight Mega Stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart and even Laurel and Hardy for Grandma and Grandpa!
For those brave enough, the “House of Horrors” at the end of your visit will satisfy the adrenaline junkies looking for a good scare! You will need to feel your way through a dark mirror maze of terror in order to get to the exit, but to those of you that don’t think you can handle Freddy Krueger and Frankenstein, you can take the alternate route and skip it altogether!
Movieland Wax Museum can be found at the bottom of Clifton Hill, next to the Great Canadian Midway and Wendy’s Restaurant. We are open 365 days a year, including all Holidays. Call 905-358-3601 for hours of operation, ticket prices and other helpful information. https://www.cliftonhill.com/attractions/movieland-wax-museum-stars
Christine
A few years ago my husband and I headed up North in the dead of Winter expecting a weekend full of activites and events galore. However, the weather turned into a snowstorm and many events were cancelled and we were left to our own devices. We were disappointed to say the least and rarely left our room to explore the beautiful scenery outside because we were too cold and miserable. Looking back, if we only took the time to research what the city had to offer we would have never have fallen victim to boredom and might have even (gasp!) enjoyed ourselves and forgot about those Winter chills through the bones! My point is, you can’t play God with the weather but you CAN take control of your vacation and find a way to make the most of the season, have fun doing it and leave satisfied, fulfilled and with your significant other singing your praises and Niagara Falls is just the place to go to take in the majestic beauty and engage in a few activities that the shortest month of the year has to offer…really!
Let’s start with the Falls itself. The natural beauty is astonishing this time of year. The water is frozen and the Niagara Falls hang over the crest line 167 feet like sparkling chandeliers in the sunlight. You can take in the view from the many lookout points available or located just a 5 minute jaunt up Clifton Hill is the Niagara Skywheel. At a height of 170 feet, it’s 3 feet taller then the Falls. At the peak of the giant ferris wheel, you will be amazed at the exceptional bird’s eye view of not only the grandeur of the Niagara Falls, but of the surrounding area as well! And don’t be discouraged if you arrive late as the Falls are lit after dusk and the ride is open late into the evening hours.
When you have seen all of what you could of one of the natural 7 Wonders of the World, try the Rink on the Brink! Open until the end of the month, it’s an outdoor skating rink that overlooks the Falls. It generally closes at 9:00 p.m., with weekends slightly later. You can spend hours of fun and romance on the ice and all while getting in a little cardiovascular activity! https://www.cliftonhill.com/events/rink-brink
Further up the Niagara Parkway rolls into the famous wineries of Niagara On the Lake. Why not take a tour? And to all you men out there, you can earn some bonus points with the lady by stopping by any of the 28 wineries of Niagara-On-The-Lake between 11-5 on any weekend in February for the “Days of Wine & Chocolate” event! Touring passes are $35 per person (plus HST) and can be purchased at any of the wineries. Savour wine while pairing it with some delicious chocolate infused snacks!! When it’s time to wind down, the Comfort Inn Clifton Hill offers reasonable rates this time of the year and is located right in the heart of the tourism district. You are just moments away from many attractions and restaurants. Kelsey’s Bar & Grill in particular is actually attached to the hotel so that if you don’t feel like venturing out in the snowy armageddon, you don’t have to!
All in all, Niagara Falls has plenty to see and do with your loved one during this dreary time of the year. You don’t need to be holed up in your hotel room cursing Mother Nature…you can be out enjoying it and maybe even forgetting that when you get home you will have a mound of snow to shovel at your door! Ha! More reason to get away and book your trip to the Honeymoon Capital of the World! Best of luck booking your vacation and safe travels!
Christine
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