Tag Archives: Niagara Falls Getaway

Attractions, Things To Do

Amazing Niagara Falls Tourist Attractions You Have To See

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With the Summer halfway through, now is the time you may be thinking of planning a quick Niagara Falls getaway. If your time is limited, here is a list of Niagara Falls tourist attractions you have to see!

#1: Hornblower Niagara Cruises

Hornblower Niagara Cruises is a thrilling way to experience Canada’s most spectacular wonder of the world. It will take you on the ride of your life with an intimate tour that gets you as close as possible to the Niagara Falls. Within the Niagara Great Gorge you will journey past the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and into the very heart of the famous Horseshoe Falls.

Currently ranked #3 of 41 “Outdoor Activities in Niagara Falls” on TripAdvisor

Visit: www.niagaracruises.com 

#2: Niagara SkyWheel 

Are you ready for a unique sightseeing opportunity with breathtaking views of the Falls and beyond? Then head to Clifton Hill and take a ride on Canada’s largest observation wheel, the Niagara SkyWheel. Towering 175 feet (53 metres) over the Niagara Falls horizon, it is the most exciting way to see Niagara Falls. From this vantage point you will be treated to memorable views of the Horseshoe and American Falls from enclosed climate-controlled gondolas. See the Niagara River, the Niagara Parks and other landmarks.

Currently ranked #9 of 148 “Things to do in Niagara Falls” on TripAdvisor

*Included in the Clifton Hill Fun Pass: Available year-round. 

Visit: www.cliftonhill.com

#3: Skylon Tower

Photo cred @thiagoedomingues

Get a spectacular view 775 feet above the Niagara Falls from the Observation Deck of the awe-inspiring Skylon Tower. Visitors can also enjoy dining in the “Revolving Dining Room” or the family-affordable “Summit Suite Buffet Dining Room” restaurant.

Currently ranked #21 of 148 “Things to do in Niagara Falls” on TripAdvisor

Visit: www.skylon.com 

#4: Niagara Helicopters

Photo cred Christine Hess Photography

You can’t get any higher! The Niagara Helicopters will lift off and provide you with incredible one-of-a-kind views of the Niagara Falls and the landscape below. Beginning with the Sir Adam Beck Generating plant and the Niagara Parks Commission School of Horticulture, the tour follows the Niagara River from the Whirlpool area, over the Whirlpool Rapids and the Rainbow Bridge. Queen Victoria Park stretches below as the helicopter passes by the American Falls and the Skylon Tower.

Currently ranked #8 of 46 “Tours in Niagara Falls” on TripAdvisor

www.niagarahelicopters.com 

#5: Journey Behind the Falls 

Take a journey deep below and behind the heart of Niagara and stand in the mist where the Horseshoe Falls tumbles from 13 storeys above. At Journey Behind the Falls, you’ll experience the awesome spectacle of one-fifth of the world’s fresh water crashing down to the basin below. Up to over 2,800 cubic meters of water thunders over the brink every second, travelling 65 kilometers per hour!

Currently ranked #20 of 148 “Things to do in Niagara Falls” on TripAdvisor

Visit: www.niagaraparks.com 

#6. Clifton Hill

No trip to Niagara Falls is complete without visiting the “Street of Fun by the Falls”! Clifton Hill is loaded with family-fun and attractions for all ages. Attractions, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife line this street from top to bottom.
It is the home of the Niagara Skywheel, the Niagara Speedway, Great Canadian Midway, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum and a 36-hole Dinosaur Adventure Golf course (compete with a “live” volcano) for starters! There are so many things to do on Clifton Hill that a single day is rarely enough.

Currently ranked #27 of 148 “Things to do in Niagara Falls” on TripAdvisor

*Purchase 6 of Clifton Hill’s hottest attractions in the Clifton Hill Fun Pass for a $30 savings off the individual retail prices: Available year-round. 

Visit: www.cliftonhill.com 

#7. Niagara-on-the-Lake 

Ready for a change of scenery? It’s like stepping back in time and taking a breather from the hustle and bustle of Niagara Falls. Here, Niagara-on-the-Lake houses attractions mainly of historic sites. Fort George and the Historical Society Museum, the Shaw Festival, boutique shopping, golf courses, parks and beautiful farmland, agricultural markets and our world-famous Niagara wineries. Check out the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, or simply enjoy the comforts of fine hotels and charming bed and breakfast homes, with many varied restaurants.

Visit: www.niagaraonthelake.com

#8. Fallsview Casino Resort 

The Fallsview Casino Resort is a 2.5 million square foot complex that includes more than 3,000 slot machines and 150 gaming tables, a 368-room five-star hotel, fine-dining restaurants, 50,000 square feet of meeting/conference space, a health spa, a retail facility, a 1,500-seat theatre and much more. The Avalon Ballroom is where some of the world’s top entertainers perform. After catching a show, why not browse the collection of unique shops in the Galleria?

Currently ranked #17 of 127 “Hotels in Niagara Falls” on TripAdvisor

Visit: www.fallsviewcasinoresort.com 

#9: Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours

You won’t find a single bad review regarding this thrilling attraction!  Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours speeds along the Lower Niagara River at 80 km/h in the confines of a jet boat, all while the river guide will tell you all about the fascinating history of the Niagara area and local points of interest. Highlights of your round trip will include the power plants of the Niagara Gorge, the 175 ft. stone wall canyon, and the Whirlpool Cable Car. Rest assured, you’re in professional hands as all captains and jet boats are certified by both the United States Coast Guard and Transport Canada.

Currently ranked #2 of 41 “Outdoor Activities in Niagara Falls” on TripAdvisor

Visit: www.whirlpooljet.com 

#10: Fallsview Indoor Waterpark

The Fallsview Indoor Waterpark is a must-do with the kids! Open year-round and always a tropical, warm-setting no matter the season, it is 125,000 square feet of action-packed water fun. It features a massive play area, a 1,000 gallon tipping bucket, enormous 6 storey high water slides, a full-sized wave pool, and a year-round outdoor activity pool and sundeck, plunge bowl, and two oversized adult only Jacuzzi’s!

Currently ranked #31 of 148 “Things to do in Niagara Falls” on TripAdvisor

www.fallsviewwaterpark.com 

Attractions, Deals, Family, Packages, Travel

Tips to Plan a Weekend Getaway to Remember in Niagara Falls

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If cost and/or finding the time to travel is difficult for you, then perhaps all you need is to plan a weekend getaway in Niagara Falls. Get the most out of your mini-vacation by making it the most enjoyable couple of days spent here.

Pick A Hotel That Speak To Your Interests

Does your family enjoy waterparks? Choose the Sheraton on the Falls for quick access and room packages that feature the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark. A little further away from the tourist hustle and bustle you may pick the Americana Waterpark Resort & Spa on Lundy’s Lane for a quieter stay.

Are you looking to be close to all the family fun attractions while situated only a short walk to view the Falls? Choose hotels such as the Howard Johnson Hotel by the Falls or the Niagara Falls Courtyard by Marriott which also feature packages that cater to family fun.

What about if you are on the opposite side of the spectrum and you are travelling as a couple and prefer a more “outdoorsy” getaway? We have that too! Popular campsites such as Campark Resorts or Jellystone Niagara are available to suit the nature lovers.

Whether you wish to be closer to picnicking at the Niagara Gorge or right in the swing of the things on the “Street of Fun”, you’ll want to choose a Niagara Falls hotel that speaks to your interests with as little driving back and forth as possible.

Photo cred: @mittalkshitij

Bring A Travel Companion — or Two!

Niagara Falls is full of relaxation for the solo traveler, but there’s definitely more fun to be had with a buddy or two! Attractions such as the Niagara SkyWheel, The Hornblower Niagara Crusies, MistRider Zipline to the Falls, and the Whirpool Jet Boat Tours are simply all that more exciting when you have brought a friend to share the laughter and memories with!

The Ultimate Fun with friends in Niagara Falls is with the Clifton Hill Fun Pass. Only $29.95+HST each for SIX attractions!

Leave Your Phone on Airplane Mode the Majority of the Time

It’s tempting now that our phones keep us in touch with the world via social media, news at the tip of our fingers, the urge to share every photo from your trip highlights to the food you eat, to want to bring along your phone everywhere you go. It almost seems like a complete necessity, but the truth of the matter is, just 15 years ago we managed just fine.

We are so attached to our phones now that we take photos to remember the moments — but while not fully being in the moment and enjoying each others company in the present. Obviously, this isn’t always the case, but if you tend to be distracted by your phone, it really is great to disconnect and only use the phone for pictures — save sharing them for the time being.

Take a break from business calls and emails. Tell yourself that you will turn on your phone only briefly in the morning or the evening. Spend quality time with your companion(s), and enjoy the beauty that Niagara Falls holds from hiking to simply standing by the natural wonder for the moment and breathe.

Afterwards, you can use social media to your advantage and start sharing the photos you took by tagging the respective businesses that you frequented. Many places will give you added exposure by asking to share your photos and will link to your accounts. For example, if you are a Travel Blogger or an up and coming Photographer, this is one of the best ways to utilize your skills. Research ahead where you plan on visiting and follow their social media accounts for the potential chance to win something amazing just for reaching out and connecting with them.

Leave Copies of Everything with a Loved One

Nothing can ruin a trip more than facing the possibility of a lost passport, wallet, purse, or your credit cards. Take pictures of all your ID documents, and make sure you have your credit card numbers saved somewhere secure.
Take advantage of hotels that have a safe, and try to avoid bringing all your items with you on your excursions. They can easily get dropped or misplaced while doing many of Niagara’s exciting attractions. You could set down your purse in a taxi or a bus and leave it in there if you are distracted by carrying souvenirs or bags from shopping at our malls and boutiques. This leads me back up to the first point of finding a hotel that speaks to your interests. If you are already situated within the vicinity of attractions that you wish to frequent, than locking up your passports and important documents in your hotel and easily walking to and from where you wish to go makes sense. Stress-free vacationing!

Save Travel Costs While Parking in One Lot for the Day in the Center of it All

This is a large lot located off Clifton Hill and Victoria Avenue. You are short walk from the Fallsview Casino, the Skylon Tower, Queen Victoria Park, viewing the Niagara Falls, shopping options, and all of Niagara’s hottest attractions, including the up and coming Niagara Speedway attraction to be opened in the Spring of 2018 (projected date of June 1st).

Directions to this lot

Things To Do

Niagara Falls Weekend Getaways

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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 new Hornblower Niagara Cruises. 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 Hornblower cruise vessel, 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 Clifton Hill Niagara Falls Hotel 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 $25.95 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?

News

Great American vacation – Niagara Falls

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Originally printed by Examiner.com on August 19th, 2009
CBS News producer Jack Halsbond was behind the wheel of The Early Show’s Winnebago Destination, traveling the country in July and August as part of the “Great American Vacation” giveaway road trip. Read his Web-exclusive road diary.
Niagara Falls was a spectacular backdrop to a magnificent morning highlighted by a full rainbow that appeared from out of the mist, crowning our vacation giveaway with beauty and wonder.
On hand at Niagara Falls are Park Ambassadors, there to help with any questions about the Falls that visitors may have, with their assistance you’ll have the best experience when visiting this magnificent natural wonder. (more…)