Niagara Falls Hotels

For the best – but most tourist-laden – vantage points, the famed Maid of the Mist Boat Tour or the Whirlpool Aero Carcan’t be beaten. But Niagara Falls boasts a number of other interesting (and outrageously expensive) tourist attractions.

If you can put aside any moral objections to tacky tourist traps and embrace the quirky side of Niagara Falls, the place will take on a whole new meaning of ‘unreal’. Louis Tussaud’s Wax Museum and Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum are just some of the draw cards of tourist centre Clifton Hill.

There’s no point pretending that it’s possible to escape the tourist throng at Niagara Falls. Wherever you go, there’ll be people. But with a glass of Ontario’s famous icewine in hand and a true wonder of nature in front of you, it’s not all bad.

NIAGARA FALLS TOP 10

NIAGARA FALLS LOCAL

The breathtaking Horseshoe Falls is inevitably the focus of any Niagara experience. But the tourist towns of Niagara Falls have a whole other world of entertainment if you’re up for some fun:

Fallsview
The main attraction is the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort,with over 3000 slot machines and 100 gaming tables to keep the punters happy. But if you’re outraged that gambling should somehow steal the thunder from the thundering falls, the casino has some redeeming features, like sophisticated fine dining options and an entertainment theatre with regular celebrity shows.

For family fun, Fallsview Indoor Water Park is a fun, wet and wild adventure – and a lot safer than attempting to swim in the real Niagara Falls! You will find up market hotels here, with quality in-house restaurants.

Clifton Hill
Center Street, Falls Avenue and Ferry Street make up the entertainment area of Clifton Hill. There are plenty of hotel options here, as well as restaurants and attractions for the kids, but being the commercial tourist hub of Niagara Falls means food and fun don’t come cheap here.

The main attractions include Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!, the Movieland Museum of Stars, Guinness World of Records Museum and Louis Tussaud’s Wax Museum. By night, the bright lights of Hard Rock Club might entice you for a drink or two. Or for some thrill and spills, Casino Niagara is another place to throw away more money.

Lundy’s Lane
Lundy’s Lane was the original honeymooner’s destinations at Niagara Falls, and is known as ‘The lane that has it all’ (it also gave rise to the name ‘Viagra Falls’).There are plenty of good shopping plazas here, including the Canada One Factory Outlet Mall,where you can try to recoup on yesterday’s spending at Clifton Hill.

The popularOh Canada Eh?! Dinner Theatrewill excite the hungry musical theatre buff, but if you prefer dinner without the song and dance, there are also some fine-dining options around town. Lundy’s Lane Historical Museum houses an impressive collection of artefacts relating to the War of 1812 between the US and Britain, when fighting took place in Niagara Falls.

Queen Street – Arts & Culture District
For some authentic Canadian culture, a short bus ride from Clifton Hill is Queen Street, the ‘downtown’ of Niagara Falls. Early June, Queen Street is host to the annual Springlicious Beer, Wine and Food Festival, which showcases some of the delicious local produce. But you can sample the local food and wine any time of year at one of the street’s cosy café’s or restaurants. Queen Street is also the bustling arts hub of Niagara Falls, with the Seneca Theatre, art galleries and antique stores at every corner.

Niagara on the LakeNiagara on the Lake is a riverside village a short drive from Niagara Falls. Meander down the Niagara River Recreational Trail, which runs along the picturesque Niagara River to discover historic Fort George and Fort Erie. Spend the afternoon browsing quaint market stalls, or go wine tasting at one of the estate wineries or vineyards in this area. If the timing is right, try to catch a theatre production at the Festival Theatre, where the annual Shaw Festival, dedicated to the playwright George Bernard Shaw, takes place from April to November.

NIAGARA FALLS EAT & DRINK

NIAGARA FALLS EVENTS

Niagara Icewine Festival is a popular winter event, with numerous ice sculptures on show for free. Taking place in January, winery tours to the likes of Pillitteri Estate show off the celebrated Ontario Icewine.

The Shaw Festival takes place at the Festival Theatre, Court House Theatre, Royal George Theatre and Studio Theatre from April to November. Performances of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries galore!

The spectacular Fireworks over the Falls is a sight you will never forget. Set yourself up at one of the vantage points, like Skylon Tower and see the Falls burst to life in colour from May to September.

The Niagara Folk Arts Festival is one of Canada’s oldest heritage events. Held over 16 days in mid-May it features great entertainment, music, dance and theatre.

Live music, market stalls, wine tastings and great food can all be found on Queen Street during the Springlicious Beer, Wine and Food Festival in early June.

The Spring Festival at the Falls in May and June welcomes the arrival of spring. Attractions include fireworks and streets concerts complete with marching band.

They like their wine tastings in Niagara Falls. The Niagara New Vintage Festival in mid-June offers tours to over 30 wineries in the region. Just don’t plan on driving home.

Enjoy delicious samples of fresh food and great local produce from some of Niagara Fall’s top restaurants during the three-day Niagara Food Festival in late-September.

The Niagara on the Lake wine region celebrates Niagara Falls internationally acclaimed wine at the Niagara Wine Festival. Over 100 events, including wine tours and tastings, concerts, live shows and wine seminars, are spread across 25 vineyards. Late-September.

The brilliant Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara on the Lake sees parks come to life with light shows and fireworks between November and January each year.

WHEN TO GO

· Summer (May to September) is Niagara Falls’ peak season. Temperatures range from a pleasant 20°C (67°F) to a warm 30°C (86°F).

· July is the wettest month in Niagara Falls, with heavy bursts of rain not uncommon during the day, dramatically dropping the otherwise toasty temperatures down.

· Winter is between November and January, and is a great time to see Niagara Falls without the crowds. Temperatures, though, can get down to a frosty -1°C (30°F) and many of the attractions like the Maid of the Mist Boat Tour don’t operate.

WHAT TO MISS

· Clifton Hill gets a rough rap from travellers who feel it cheapens the overall vibe of Niagara Falls. So if it’s natural beauty you’re after, give this place a miss to avoid disappointment and to save a few pennies.

· Avoid staying in the cheaper motels in Lundy’s Lane. They are essentially unchanged since their honeymooner heyday twenty years ago.

· It’s hard to believe jumping off Niagara Falls was once an attraction at the falls. And more amazingly, a number of people survived the treacherous act. Just don’t go getting any ideas yourself.

GETTING AROUND

· Niagara Falls hasa cheap and reliable bus system linking the main tourist centres. There are three lines – Red, Blue and Green – which will conveniently drop you off at all the main attractions.

· Taxis are useful for getting out of the centre of Niagara Falls and exploring places like St Catherine’s and Niagara on the Lake.

· The cheapest and easiest mode of transport around Niagara Falls is by foot. All the main sights are within 10-15 minutes walking distance from each other.

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