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PD Day Niagara Falls: Friday, November 24th

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Local elementary schools get a well-deserved break with a PD Day this Friday, November 24th, 2023. While the weather might be on the cooler side (a forecasted high of 3°C), there’s a wealth of options to fill the day with FUN this week!

Curious about all the kid friendly activities? Our list below has everything from holiday season events to educational workshops…there’s definitely something for every young adventurer to enjoy.

1. Explore Clifton Hill: A Wonderland for Kids

Nestled in the heart of Niagara Falls, Clifton Hill is the ultimate haven for families. With attractions tailored to kids, you can spend hours here without a dull moment. Get the Clifton Hill Fun Pass for just $22.95+tax per child (12 and under) and enjoy:

  • Niagara SkyWheel
  • Movieland Wax Museum
  • Zombie Attack 6D Theatre Ride
  • Ghostblasters Dark Ride
  • Cosmic Coaster at XD Ride Theatre
  • Dinosaur Adventure Golf or Wizard’s Golf.

2. Immerse in the Winter Festivities

Niagara Falls is gearing up for a winter spectacle.

3. Cultural Delights and Festive Performances

Get into the holiday spirit with enchanting performances:

4. Creative Workshops for Young Minds

Let your little ones unleash their creativity:

  • Holiday Floral Arrangement Workshop (Nov 24, 2023, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM): Craft a beautiful seasonal arrangement at the Niagara Falls History Museum.
  • Contact: Clark Bernat – Phone: 905-356-7521 x 5906.

  • Magic Explorers PD Day Workshop (Nov 24, 2023, 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM): A magical journey at the MacBain Community Centre.
  • Contact: Beth Angle – Phone: 905-356-7521 x 3336.

5. Engaging Programs by the City

The City of Niagara Falls is rolling out a series of engaging programs:

6. Open Swim at MacBain Community Centre

Splash and play this PD Day with Open Swim at the MacBain Community Centre. Check out the schedule for various pool activities.

This PD Day promises a blend of fun, creativity, and festive delights for your children. So, gear up for a day filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable experiences in Niagara Falls!


Things To Do

Winter is here…and still lots to do in Niagara with your loved one!

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Reading Time:  3 minutes -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

Things To Do

Niagara Falls on a Budget

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Reading Time:  4 minutes -

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!

[youtube width=”500″ height=”375″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fs3o1MALgw[/youtube]

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.

News

Estée Lauder Global Landmarks Illumination

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Reading Time:  < 1 minuteThursday, October 14
The Niagara Parks Commission and the Niagara Falls Illumination Board will partner with Estée Lauder to illuminate both the American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls in pink, as part of the Global Landmark Illumination campaign. Together with other prominent landmarks around the globe, the world-famous Falls will be lit in pink, thereby continuing a tradition of drawing attention to the need for knowledge and research aimed at combating breast cancer.
Event Highlights
7 p.m. Pink Falls Illumination Ceremony and Silent Auction at the Table Rock Grand Hall
7:30 p.m. Pink Fireworks Display over Niagara Falls

© CAA Winter Festival of Lights

News

Niagara Falls Tunnels

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Reading Time:  < 1 minuteFrom WGRZ News
NIAGARA FALLS, ONT – 10 stories beneath the raging waters of the Niagara River sits a maze of massive tunnels, each of them 30 feet across. The remnants of the industrial break-through that introduced the world to the power in water.
These tunnels are called tailraces and they are just part of the system of the hydro power generating plants that sit on the Ontario side of Niagara Falls.
The Toronto Power Company building has been idle and vacant for more than 30 years. When it came on line in 1906 it represented the latest technology. It made it possible for someone to turn on (and off) electricity with the push of a button.
Just down river a bit is the Rankine Station of the Canadian Niagara Power Company. This facility is in much better condition and in fact was in use up until last year.
Today the Niagara Parks Commission oversees both facilities and right now is attempting to rehab them and find a suitable reuse.
The Commission is also in the process of sealing off those tailraces because they are becoming unstable and hazardous. Because of their massive size and dramatic image, they have become an attraction for so-called urban explorers. Parks officials say these explorers put themselves at great risk when they go in, so they just want to remove the temptation.
More information on the history of these great facilities and power generation on the Niagara Frontier is available on the Niagara Parks Commission’s website.

Attractions

Falling for Niagara’s roses

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Reading Time:  < 1 minuteOriginally printed in The Star
Falling for Niagara’s roses
Botanical Gardens’ showcase deserves more attention from tourists
Aug 27, 2009 04:30 AM
Paul Dalby
Special to the Star
NIAGARA FALLS–It’s a bit like having an older brother who always grabs the attention of the girls. Here in the honeymoon capital, nothing can outshine the Falls – unless, of course, it’s Charles Darwin, Dusty Springfield and Dolly Parton.
We’re not talking here about new inductees into the town’s wax museum, just a trio of blooms that could make an appearance in North America’s biggest and best Victorian rose garden. (more…)

News

Great American vacation – Niagara Falls

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Reading Time:  < 1 minuteOriginally 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…)

Attractions

Niagara Falls Video of the Day: Journey Behind The Falls

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Reading Time:  < 1 minuteNiagara Falls Video of the Day: Journey Behind The Falls
From Youtube user: travelandtransitions
Added: January 04, 2008
“Finally, I had a chance to explore the great falls up close, actually as close as you can get: I walked down from the Niagara Falls Fallsview Casino to the Niagara River from where I had a great view of the American Falls. Just a few steps further I reached the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, the larger of the two. I had a quick lunch in the Table Rock Center and then headed into the basement where I started to explore a series of tunnels that terminate in two portals located behind the falls. Viewing the power of these majestic waterfalls from these openings and from the outside viewing platform is a truly awe-inspiring experience.”
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_wzfCMhSEg]