Facts On The Famous Niagara Falls, Hotels, Travel, Tours

Niagara Falls Hotels

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 06:38:00 +0000

Niagara Falls Hotels

Niagara Falls is situated between Canada and US on the Niagara River forming three worth-viewing falls: Horse shoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and American Falls. Niagara Falls is one of the most popular falls of the world and attracts a number of tourists every year from all parts of the world. As far as accommodation is concerned, best Niagara Falls hotel is the one which provides the most spectacular view of the Niagara Falls. Whether you have chosen to visit Canada or New York, both of the cities offer excellent views of the Falls and a stay at a hotel from the room of which you can view the attraction will be the major highlight of your entire trip. Bigger chains of hotel Niagara Falls are well-reputed for their excellent facilities and services while newer hotels may prove to be cheaper alternatives for the traveler’s ease.

There are numerous hotels in Niagara Falls and the one you choose depends upon your purpose of visit to the city, whether it is pleasure or business. If it is a pleasure based trip, you would like to have a room which gives you a view of the Niagara Falls. There are also hotels in the city which provide affordable packages to the budget-conscious visitors. But of course, you will have to pay some extra bucks for a straight view of the Falls. The features of the hotels may vary from each other, ranging from business centers and Internet access to airport shuttles and whirlpool baths. If you are looking for a particular type of feature, you should confirm from the hotel staff even before booking your room. The prices of the hotels may also vary depending upon the season you are visiting the city.

Summers are more expensive while falls and winters are less costly. Most of the hotels tend to charge more over the holidays and weekends.

If you are on a business trip, you will like to stay in a hotel which not only provides you a view of the Falls but also easy accessibility to convention facilities and casinos or other areas of your interest. Most of the hotel Niagara

Falls are situated in strategically positioned areas so that the visitors may have some view of the Falls. Niagara Falls is also one of the most popular honeymoon destinations for the newly wed couples and this adds to the necessity for the hotels to have specially designed suites for such people. If you know a 1000 reliable travel agent, you can contact that person to see whether a hotel room is available there or not. You can also check the availability over the Internet. If you want to book your room in a Niagara Falls hotel, you will be surprised to see the number of hotels available there and the facilities provided by them including Internet access, laundry service, conference rooms and libraries. Most of the hotels also quote their prices over the Internet, so that you can choose the one as per your budget and preferences.

By: Clive Richards

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Clive Richards is a frequent traveler to the Hotel Niagara Falls and prefers staying in Embassy Suites Niagara Falls hotels for a suite view of the Niagara Falls from your Niagara Hotels

Facts on Niagara Falls – What is the Festival of Lights

admin — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:29:00 +0000

Facts On Niagara Falls – What is the Festival of Lights?

Niagara Falls is one of the most visited sites in North America, but once a year, thousands of people flock to Niagara, not to see the thunderous falls, but to see the Winter Festival of Lights, Canada’s foremost illumination festival.

The Winter Festival of Lights includes over 125 animated lighting displays and three million tree and ground lights which can be enjoyed around the Niagara Park Winter Wonderland, including displays such as the world famous Enchantment of Disney, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Fort Erie Racing, a Nativity Scene and the World’s largest illuminated Canadian-American Flag.

The festival first began in 1983 when it managed to attract 250,000 people. Since then the celebrations have steadily grown and the attendance now stands at over 1.3million visitors and 1060 motor coaches each year. Planning for the festival is a year round job, with staff investigating new and creative events and entertainment all the time.

The local economy benefits enormously from the festival, which comes at a time of year that is traditionally quiet on the tourist front, creating significant winter employment for nearby communities. The festival requires hundreds of staff and takes on around 400 volunteers each year.

One of the best things about the Winter Festival of Lights is the price – there is no admission fee to view the illuminations (although donations are gratefully accepted). But there’s more than just the thousands of light displays to see. During the festival, visitors can enjoy 20 nights of spectacular fireworks as they explode high over the mighty falls and there are also a variety of concerts and events during festival; this year, visitors can enjoy Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Niagara Falls Comedy Fest, a variety of singers from the Niagara Gospel concert series, including The Martins and The Beene Family, The Mantini Sisters, Charley Price, The Golden Age Variety Show, The Misty Kids Show and the Nutcracker Ballet.

Niagara falls are a spectacular attraction in their own right, but during the winter festival, there is even more to see and do, so its not surprising that the festival attracts over a million visitors each year, which means hotels in Niagara do tend to get booked up quickly and you’ll need to reserve in advance to be sure of a bed.

With so much to see and do for both young and old, the Niagara Winter Festival of Lights continues to be one of the biggest events in the North American festival calendars; don’t you think it’s time you became enlightened?

Niagara Falls Hotels Inexpensive Vacation

admin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:06:00 +0000

Inexpensive Travel to Niagara Falls in the Winter

For those who plan to visit Niagara Falls but are limited by their budgets, then cheap Niagara Falls hotels would be their best option. Since Niagara Falls is one of the premier tourist destinations, you are sure to find a hotel that will fit your modest means.

Niagara Falls Hotels rated with one or two stars offer basic hotel services and amenities that include well-trained staff, basic facilities such as restaurants or cafeterias, a pool area, and comfortable rooms. Pre-booking may be necessary since more and more travelers have realized the importance saving money in terms of finding suitable accommodations and putting the money elsewhere. But even prior to pre-booking, it is important to shop around for the cheapest hotel deals available in the Niagara Falls area.

Thanks to the power of the Internet, tourists can now search for possible cheap hotels and even book them online. Being aware of the different Niagara Falls hotels and what their rates are is definitely valuable for deciding on where to stay while in the area. An even better way to end one’s search for the ideal cheap Niagara Falls hotel would be to ask trusted sources, people who have been to Niagara Falls.

Because of its popularity as a tourist destination, one is also sure to find houses, motels, or hostels which offer basic lodging while in Niagara Falls. These cheaper alternatives may not have the amenities that hotels offer but their rates are significantly lower than hotel rates. Moreover, Niagara Falls in itself already has a lot to offer which gives travelers little time to spend in their hotel rooms; thus, it is best not to spend all their money on lavish hotel accommodations, especially if this will entail large bills that must be paid for later on.

Relevant Advice for Travel in Niagara Falls

Location of the falls is in Niagara New York (near the Buffalo International Airport) and a friendly boarder crossing into Canada you can see the Falls from both countries. Bring your passport with you if you plan to cross the boarder.

Here is the link to the Buffalo international Airport

www.buffaloairport.com

You will want to rent a car at the Buffalo airport and return it there. Remember to bring an area MAP of Niagara Falls Streets and Highways.

This is the Complete Guide to Niagara Falls

Another recommendation is to bring along a Fodors Guide and plan out your vacation to maximize your budget. With this Guide it is possible to have a great time in Niagara Falls region any time of the year, especially in the winter months when the Falls have ice. They still flow but the ice and the lights on the falls are amazing at night. So be sure to see them during the day and night time in the winter.

FODORS Guide to Toronto and the Niagara Falls Area

If you want to get an advanced look at the lay of the land, you can pick up this DVD online and watch and plan out your Niagara Falls vacation. Niagara Falls Area DVD

Where is Niagara Falls ?

Buffalo – Niagara New York / Niagara Falls Ontario Canada

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Facts On Famous Niagara Falls-Fly Over Niagara Falls

admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:28:00 +0000

Facts on the Famous Niagara Falls – Fly Over in a Helicopter

Helicopters are one of the best ways to get around, and they are quite popular as a mode of transport not only in the United States of America but also around the world. If you are a helicopter fan, you may be able to satisfy your interest by purchasing a remote control helicopter.

Toronto is the best place for radio controlled helicopters as the Canadians are among the world’s best craftsmen for remote controlled helicopters. You may go a step further in your hobby by applying to a remote control helicopter training and aficionado club in Toronto. If you are a Canadian then you quite lucky, otherwise you should be willing to travel to Toronto. The Canadian city is a known spot for helicopter purchase and there is always a helicopter flying in the air. However, the goal of the Toronto remote control helicopter training club is to fly a remote control helicopter over the Niagara Falls.

If you have had the good fortune to pay a visit to Canada or if you are a resident of Canada, then you may be aware of the fact that Niagara Falls is the best sight to see in the whole world. I had occasion to see the Niagara Falls in the summer when the waters plummet down to the bottom and also during winter when the Falls freeze in the cold climate. It was truly an amazing and breathtaking sight during both my trips, in summer as well as winter. Therefore, I was thrilled to know about the Toronto helicopter club’s initiative to fly helicopters over the Niagara Falls during summer as well as winter. The club holds two day competitions both in summer as well as winter for remote control helicopter flying. These competitions hold a lot of interest among the locals and they are training for these events all thorough the year. People from all over the world participate in the competitions with the beautifully crafted helicopters. Most helicopter enthusiasts build their own models of helicopters rather than buying them ready made. These enthusiasts get together to fly these beautiful helicopters over the Niagara Falls. They have various qualifying rounds and the best two finally race across the Niagara Falls in a war of speed.

The winner of the race gets a cash award of $ 50000 and a holiday to the Niagara Falls, for the next year’s competition. This sport has been going on for a number of years and people are very excited with the event. I may visit Toronto next year, to see the training trials and the competition at the Niagara Falls itself. As yet, I am not ready to participate in the competition myself, but after a few years, I may participate. It is a great feeling to fly your own custom made helicopter over the Niagara Falls. In case you are a serious enthusiast, go ahead, register for a Toronto helicopter training club, and enjoy the paradise that is Canada.

Author: Abhishek Agarwal

Abhishek has a passion for Remote Control Cars and he has got some great RC Cars Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 106 Page Ebook, "Remote Control Cars Inside Out!" from his website http://www.Auto-Whiz.com/477/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal

Buffalo Airport link http://www.buffaloairport.com/

Don’t Leave Home without it >>Recommended Area Guide>>>>

You may want to take this as well >>Recommended Area Map>>>>

Facts on Niagara Falls – A City of Lights and Magic

admin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:28:00 +0000

Reccommended Advice for Travelers:

AIRPORT: BUF – The Buffalo Niaraga International Airport

The Falls are about a half hour to forty-five minutes from the airport so Rent a Car get a map and an area guide.

Facts On Niagara Falls Festival Of Lights

Don’t leave Home without it… Your Area Guide

This will help you too, trust me I needed it … Your Area Map

It had been an exciting day already: my helicopter ride with Niagara Helicopter had given me a close-up aerial view over Niagara Falls and my visit to the Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory had made for a perfect winter escape to a tropical sanctuary. But more adventure was yet to come.

Appropriately strengthened from my very late lunch at "The Famous", a 24-hour upscale diner at the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort, I was ready for my evening explorations. First on the menu was the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights. Every year from early November to early January, more than 125 animated lighting displays decorate the city. In total more than three million lights illuminate the Niagara Parks Winter Wonderland.

Just driving out of the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort I was greeted by lighting displays in the form of white and blue snowflakes that were mounted on the light poles. On my left hand side at the end of Murray Street I drove by an entire collection of illuminated characters called the "Enchantment of Disney" displays. I turned right onto the Niagara Parkway and shortly behind the Horseshoe Falls I was greeted by the Canada/US Illuminated Flag.

I continued my drive southwards along the Niagara River and reached an area referred to as Dufferin Islands whose circular roadway featured an extensive collection of illuminated displays called "The Great Canadian Outdoors". Trees were decorated in thousands of colourful lights and a whole menagerie of brightly illuminated Canadian animals, including wolves, bears, fish, squirrels, beavers, deer, moose, buffalo and many more flanked the road. The highlight of this area was Noah’s Ark, whose orange, red and green lights were reflecting in the water.

All the lighting displays of the Niagara Falls Festival of Lights can be viewed free of charge, but a group of volunteers was available at the end of the Dufferin Islands displays to accept donations which go to enhance the lights and displays. The Winter Wonderland along the Niagara Parkway includes other lighted displays such as a horse & carriage, an arrangement of grapes and wine, a menorah and a nativity scene. Even a display of Royal Canadian Mounted Police Officers stood on guard.

The Enchantment of Disney displays at the foot of Murray Street include such popular Disney characters as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, the Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty, Mickey Mouse and Disney’s Pixar Cars. In addition to the lighting displays, the Niagara Falls Festival of Lights also features frequent fireworks which are scheduled to run daily between December 26, 2007 and January 6, 2008.

Together with the colourfully illuminated waterfalls these displays made for a truly enchanted environment. The mighty Niagara Falls themselves are illuminated throughout the entire year, a tradition that has been institutionalized since 1925 when the Niagara Falls Illumination Board was put in charge of illumination. But special lighting displays of the Falls were undertaken much earlier, for example in 1860 when a spectacular light display of the Falls celebrated a visit by the Prince of Wales. In 1901 special lighting was installed as part of the Pan American Exposition that was being held in Buffalo. Six year later, the General Electric Company illuminated the Falls for several weeks with 36 powerful projectors.

In 1925, 24 carbon searchlights were installed that created a total of 1,320,000,000 candlepower. Since then the Falls have been illuminated most nights other than during WWII when power was turned off and during the next few years after the war when there was a power shortage due to a construction boom. Nowadays the Falls are illuminated daily at least until 10 pm at night, and from May to December until midnight.

Now I would have a chance to see the illumination process first-hand through a visit to the "Illumination Tower", which is really a former surge tank for one of the now closed power plants that surround the Niagara River. I parked my vehicle at the Fallsview Casino again, walked by the restaurant and retail complex at Queen Victoria Place and right to the heavy set circular illumination tower that reminded me of an early medieval Norman-style castle tower. I found a little bell in the back of the building and rang a couple of times before the door was answered by 76-year old Pete Gordon, star of the show and a lighting operator for the Niagara Parks Commission for 47 years. Pete had not expected any visitors, but graciously let me into the office area of the Illumination Tower. This special visit had been arranged for me by the Niagara Parks Commission.

Pete used to work as a painter for the Niagara Parks Commission, but together with another colleague he has been operating the lights illuminating the Falls for almost half a century. On work days he is usually there from 5 to 12 pm, creating a colourful light display on the majestic Niagara Falls. Pete mentioned that in the early part of the past century the general public was able to go up on top of the Illumination Tower, but due to insurance issues, the tower is closed today to the general public.

After this brief introduction Pete then took me onto the outside viewing platform that houses 18 very large searchlights, each equipped with coloured screens to produce different lighting effects on the huge waterfalls. From here we had a great view of the entire Niagara River, including the American Falls and the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Pete then took me into the control room and showed me some rather ancient-looking control panels which reminded me of an outdated fuse panel, with each colour identified by white, red, green, blue, and yellow knobs. Pete even let me operate the controls and made me create my very own lighting combination of the Falls. After I had done all my colour mixing on the panel inside Pete took me outside to the viewing platform and we actually checked out the colour mix that I had just created.

When the lights overlap they create additional colour combinations and the final product of my attempts was a mix of light blue, yellow, pink and purple. I admit I was rather tickled pink at the realization that I had just changed the colours on the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Back inside the building Pete explained that the huge lights creating this symphony of colour were actually searchlights used during WWII in London during the Battle of Britain. He even pulled out one of the light bulbs used in the search lights, which, incidentally, is made by Osram Sylvania, a German company, and carries a price tag of up to $2000. Today the Falls are illuminated with 500 million candle power. I tought it was rather ironic that these historic searchlights which were meant to protect the city of London from German air attacks during WWII nowadays actually relied on German technology for their illumination power.

Pete, having lived in Niagara Falls all his life, is a great fan of his home town and also has indepth knowledge of this city. He told me the story of the Honeymoon Bridge, which collapsed in 1938 due to an ice jam in the gorge which pushed this steel arch road bridge off its foundation. He even showed me some old photographs of this bridge, before and after its collapse and added that he still remembers seeing the collapsed bridge. He must have been just about six years old at the time.

Niagara Fall’s colourful history is evidenced by another disastrous event that Pete remembers first-hand. A hydro power station with the name of Schoellkopf Power Plant, built in 1895, had been located on the American side of the Niagara River. On June 7, 1956 water had been seeping through a wall and cracks were widening rapidly, despite the workers’ best efforts to stem the flow of water with sandbags. All of a sudden a loud rumble could be heard and the power plant’s wall started to collapse. Moments later the entire southern part of the power station fell into the river below. Debris was thrown as far as the Canadian side of the gorge and one power station worker lost his life. This is just one of the many colourful historic events in Niagara Falls that Pete Gordon remembers first-hand.

I was curious what Pete actually does during his seven hour shift. He said he changes the colour combinations manually every two minutes or so. In between he reads or does crossword puzzles and added that he never feels lonely. Occasionally he gets a special visit from Australian, Japanese, Dutch or Chinese tour groups, and he mentioned that particularly the Japanese travel groups really enjoy the experience of the Illumination Tower. I was admiring the dozens of international, mostly Japanese business cards on the wall. Even celebrities such as Danny DeVito, Rita Perlman and Robert Urich have visited the Illumination Tower.

Before I left, Pete extended a special invitation to me: whenever I planned to return to Niagara Falls he would take me on a personal tour of his home town and show me all the special spots. I am definitely planning to take him up on that and thought to myself that the City of Niagara Falls could not wish for a better ambassador than Pete Gordon who has so much pride and affection for his home town.

Inspired from this almost magical experience in the Illumination Tower I was ready for my last adventure of the day: my first live Magic Show. I drove five minutes into the Clifton Hill area and arrived at the Greg Frewin Theatre. As I entered, a large tour group was just enjoying a dinner buffet and started to file into the theatre and take their spots. I had a chance to sit down with Greg Frewin, the Grandmaster of Magic himself, shortly before the show and get to know this master illusionist a little bit.

Despite his impressive international credentials, Greg Frewin is actually a local boy who hails from Stoney Creek, Ontario, just up the street from Niagara Falls. It became clear very early on that he was fascinated by magic when his grandfather showed him some magic tricks. In grade 9 he met a gentleman who had taken a basic magic course and Greg wanted to learn from him, but this man would not take any students. But Greg insisted, and a week later he got a call back and became this magician’s only student. His teacher became a full-time magician, and Greg shared the same goal, but his parents did not take his career decision seriously.

So he finished high school and worked as a waiter at a local Keg Restaurant for five years. But he continued with his studies of magic, started to enter competitions and perform at small corporate parties. He finally won a National Competition in the United States and came in first among 600 magicians. After this big breakthrough the industry took notice, and international agents from Europe and Japan started approaching Greg. He ended up working in places like Yokohama, Osaka, Tokyo, Taiwan and China, and toured Europe for several months on a cruise boat. He also worked on full-time assignments in France and Germany.

A successful career in Las Vegas followed with appearances on top stages such as The Flamingo Hilton, Caesar’s Palace and the Tropicana. Greg’s skills as an illusionist have received many great international awards: he won first place in numerous international magic convention competitions, winning out over hundreds of other talented magicians, and won the first ever Magician of the Year award bestowed by the Canadian Association of Magicians. More than 35 TV specials have featured the skilled magic act of Greg Frewin. For the first two years at his own theatre, all the Friday and Saturday night performances have been sold out and during the summer tickets are always in high demand.

Two years ago Greg’s life took a different turn with the creation of the Greg Frewin Theatre in Niagara Falls, Ontario. With a young family he now has a more settled lifestyle although he still works extremely long hours. For example, he personally looks after the animals that participate in his show: five tigers, a mountain lion, a cougar, various pigeons and parrots as well as Chuck the Duck. Even after finishing a magic show at 11 pm Greg still drives his animals home and feeds them. One of his Siberian tigers, Boomer, was rejected by his mother as a baby and Greg adopted him. He has been looking after Boomer since he was eight days old. Greg added that his animal training techniques are based on positive reinforcement and that big cats are just as affectionate as house cats. Yet he still realizes that he is dealing with wild animals and is extremely safety-conscious.

Greg added that in addition to his magic shows, the theatre has recently branched out and added other genres, for example Elvis Tribute Artists. This more diverse programming is particularly important during the winter in order to offer a broader variety of entertainment at the theatre.

After giving me this great introduction to his background and the world of magic, Greg excused himself since he had to get ready for the show. I took my place in the audience and started chatting to the woman sitting next to me, a convention traveller from Australia. Both she and I were extremely excited about attending our first magic show.

The show began shortly after, and Greg Frewin and his two female assistants appeared on the stage. The music was pumping and Greg was in full control of his act. Greg’s movement and that of his two assistants were crisply choreographed. Two of his tigers made an appearance, pigeons appeared out of nowhere, and even Chuck the Duck mysteriously popped out of a bucket without any possible explanation. Throughout the act Greg’s two assistants Darlene and Jamie-Lynn vanished and reappeared inexplicably right in front of everyone’s eyes.

With the help of a willing audience member Greg even turned a $50 bill into a $1 bill, in plain vision of an incredulous audience, and to the heart-felt chagrin of the person who had donated the $50. One of the big acts of the night was a mind-boggling levitation illusion that seemed to defy any sense of logic or science. I was sitting right in the front row and watched Greg’s every move like a hawk, but after the whole thing was done I was still completely unable to figure out how Greg had pulled off some of his grand illusions. Judging by the large crowd that gathered around Greg after the show to ask for autographs I realized that he is truly an international talent of the highest caliber, a real celebrity magician.

Images of this action-packed day were flashing through my mind as I drove back to my home for the night. Once I arrived at the Best Western Cairn Croft I stretched out on my king-size bed and mentally savoured the day’s experiences once again, yet already looking forward to another exciting day tomorrow that would give me a chance to experience a close-up encounter of the majestic waterfalls.

Author: Susanne Pacher

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions. Travel and Transitions deals with travel to foreign countries and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences, interviews with travelers and travel experts, insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and many other features.

Check out some of Susanne’s several hundred video clips at http://www.youtube.com/user/travelandtransitions from all sorts of exciting destinations (Cuba, Mexico, Sicily, Austria, Puerto Rico, the United States and Canada).

Life is a Journey – Explore New Horizons. Please take advantage of her articles here: Travel Stories and Photos

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susanne_Pacher

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Fact On Niagara Falls – Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Niagara Falls

admin — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 08:26:00 +0000

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Niagara Falls, Ontario

Everyone wants to bring in the New Year in the most exciting way possible – but you don’t have to travel to Edinburgh or Sydney to do so. Niagara Falls, Ontario, hosts an annual party that is sure to knock your socks off.

Celebrating the New Year in a new and exciting environment is highly desirable – and one of the main bi-products of the increasing number of cheap flights and greater global mobility is that this is becoming more and more possible. People living in Chicago can now choose to celebrate the New Year in Edinburgh, Sydney or Paris; however, you don’t have to travel quite so far away from home to enjoy a spectacular party on December 31st. Visit the Winter Festival of Lights being held in Clifton Hills, in Niagara Falls, Ontario this year and you’ll be able to count down to the 1st of January in style.

Clifton Hills is the major tourist promenade in the town of Niagara Falls, and this year’s New Years Eve festivities will involve performances by 1980s legendary rock band, Foreigner, the Juno Award winning Colin James and the Little Big Band, and rising Canadian talent Justin Hines. ‘Party in Niagara’ is organised every year by the Niagara Parks Commission and the Niagara Falls New Year’s Eve event planners provide party-goers with an outdoor alcohol licensed area, food and drink stalls, and fantastic fireworks over the Niagara Falls waterfalls at both 9pm and midnight.

Best of all, the event is free; held in Queen Victoria Park, it attracts around 30,000 people each year. The event is also covered on television and is screened from 11pm until 12.30am. Jim Williams, chair of the Niagara Parks Commission stated:

"New Year’s Eve is one of Niagara Falls’ busiest and best nights of the year. With the enthusiasm of all our partners, the whole city is coming alive with more to do than anywhere else in Canada. Visitors and residents should come down and enjoy our entire tourism district in full swing – from great music in Queen Victoria Park to high-energy gaming at Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino Resort; from the family fun of Clifton Hills to our romantic restaurants and spectacular hotel getaways."

If you’re looking to turn your New Year’s Eve celebrations into an extended holiday you’ll find plenty of accommodation in Niagara Falls. Whether you choose to spend your time exploring the world’s most impressive waterfall or roaming around the Fallsview tourist area, you’ll definitely find activities to entertain you and your family in Niagara Falls – and you won’t even have stray too far away from home.

About the author:
Andrew Regan is a freelance online journalist who enjoys travel and experiencing different cultures.

By Andrew Regan

To Book your New Years Plans now Use This Link >> Hotel Specials >>

Don’t Leave Home without our Recommended >>Travel Guide>>(Use This Link)

Fact On Niagara Falls Attractions

admin — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Book Your Hotel at Special Rates [HERE>>]

Facts On Famous Niagara Falls Attractions

In early December of 2007 I decided to embark on a three day winter getaway to Niagara Falls, Ontario. In order to explore the city in the best possible way I contacted the experts at Niagara Falls tourism to help me work out a comprehensive itinerary to explore the many facets of Niagara Fall. Their travel specialists helped me put together a packed schedule that exposed me to many interesting sights and activities in this unique city.

My three-day adventure included a thrilling helicopter sightseeing tour, an encounter with nature at the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory and at Bird Kingdom, the world’s largest aviary. I sampled culture and entertainment in a magic show at the Greg Frewin Theatre and a musical production at the Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Theatre.

I also got up close to the majestic Niagara Falls, viewed them from the Skylon Tower and saw an Imax movie called "Niagara: Miracles, Myths and Magic" which presented an interesting dramatization of Niagara Falls’ colourful history. I also checked out some of the actual vessels used by real-life daredevils who went over the Falls and explored the tunnels that take you behind the big cascade of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls in the Journey Behind The Falls experience.

Naturally I sampled some of Niagara Falls hospitality offerings: from my convienent accommodation at the Best Western Cairn Croft to the cozy luxury of the Kilpatrick Manor Bed and Breakfast to a variety of culinary experiences, I got a good idea of Niagara Falls’ broad tourist offering. And of course I explored Clifton Hill – Niagara Fall’s most popular tourist promenade with its gift shops, wax museums, haunted houses, restaurants, hotels and themed attractions.

I even partook of the gambling experience at the Fallsview Casino Resort, a giant top-modern mind-boggling gaming, shopping and entertainment complex. There were so many more things on the list that I could have done, but three days were simply not enough to sample it all.

To help you with your own plans for a visit to Niagara Falls, Ontario, here is an interview with Anna Pierce, the Executive Director of Niagara Falls Tourism who has graciously agreed to provide a general overview of Niagara Falls and everything it has to offer:

1. Please provide us with some general information about Niagara Falls, Ontario. Where is it located and how can I get there? How big is the population of Niagara Falls, Ontario? How do I get around the city?

Niagara Falls is located between Lakes Erie and Ontario sharing a border with New York State. To get to Niagara Falls from the United States, visitors can travel by car over one of three bridges: The Rainbow, Peace or Queenston-Lewiston Bridges. Three international airports service the area: Buffalo in the US, Hamilton and Toronto. Buffalo and Hamilton airports are approximately 40 minutes drive and Toronto is just over one hour away. Via Rail/Amtrak also provide service directly into Niagara Falls.

2. Niagara Falls has a very interesting history. Please give us a brief historical overview of this unique city.

Niagara Falls was first brought to the attention of the European explorers when Father Hennepin was shown the wonder by Native Americans. It was named the Honeymoon Capital of the World after Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother spent his honeymoon here.

Annie Edson Taylor was the first person to go over the Falls in a barrel. She was hoping this feat would make her rich and famous. She died penniless. Since then, several attempts have been made to conquer the Falls. Unfortunately, more have failed than succeeded – they never lived to tell the tale. Attempting any such daredevil exhibitions now is illegal and comes with an extremely hefty fine.

Several battles of the War of 1812 (the only war the American Army ever lost) were fought here. Laura Secord, a settler’s wife, played a prominent role in that war – before the chocolate company made her famous. She overheard US troops planning an ambush against the British and walked over 20 miles in enemy territory to inform British Troops of the impending attacks. Although she received little recognition for her heroism during her lifetime, today Laura Secord is considered to be a Canadian folk hero.

3. Please tell us about one of the most significant attractions in Niagara Falls – the majestic waterfalls themselves. What makes them special and how can I experience them?

Our Falls are special in so many ways, but the most important is the sheer volume of water that flows over the brink. 600,000 gallons per second, in fact. The Falls is NOT the tallest in the world. It only measures 170 feet deep and 2200 feet wide. The best way to experience the Falls is to make sure you view it from ABOVE, BELOW AND BESIDE. Aerial views via tower or helicopter show how it all works. The Maid of the Mist provides the absolute best vantage point below the brink and the Journey Behind the Falls or Table Rock Point give you the best possible view from beside the Wonder. You have to experience all three to truly understand just how spectacular the Falls are.

4. What type of sightseeing opportunities do I have in Niagara Falls?

Niagara Falls offers a wide variety of Sightseeing Opportunities that centre around the Falls as well as many other wonders. We offer Winery Tours featuring Niagara’s World renown ice Wines, biking and hiking along the Niagara Escarpment, wildlife viewing at Marineland, ZOOZ, the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, the Bird Kingdom, gaming at one of two Vegas-style Casinos. You name it, we have it.

5. Niagara Falls also has a number of attractions that appeal to nature lovers, featuring birds, butterflies and elaborately designed parks and gardens. Please provide us with further information about these attractions.

I would suggest checking out the following websites for more information on these great attractions:

www.niagaraparks.com

www.niagarafallsaviary.com

Most of the gardens in the Niagara Parks system can be accessed free of charge. For example, their School of Horticulture, the Greenhouse Collection, Queen Victoria Park, and many others.

6. What kind of museums and locations of historic interest does Niagara Falls, Ontario, have to offer?

We have several museums in and around Niagara Falls. The Clifton Hill area is filled with many novelty museums including Louis Tussaud’s, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Guinness World Records Museum and a few haunted houses sprinkled in. The Lundy’s Lane Historical Museum houses memorabilia from the War of 1812. One of the battlefields of that war is also located on Lundy’s Lane and is said to be one of the most haunted cemeteries in Canada. The Laura Secord Homestead is also open to the public as are two forts – one in Niagara-on-the-Lake and one in Fort Erie. Both 1ff8 were strategic outposts for British troops fighting the attempted invasion from the US.

7. Niagara Falls, Ontario, offers many opportunities to travellers who like the casino and gaming experience. Please tell us more.

Niagara Falls is home to two Casinos: Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino Resort. The Fallsview Casino is a showpiece in and of itself. It houses over 3000 slot machines and 150 game tables, world-class big-name entertainment in the Avalon Ballroom, and great shopping in the Galleria Mall.

8. What other entertainment options and attractions does Niagara Falls, Ontario, have to offer? What are some of the main entertainment areas? What about theme parks?

Clifton Hill offers great family entertainment: museums, arcades, rides including the newest arrival: the SkyWheel (a ferris wheel which is a smaller version of the EYE in London with air conditioned and heated pods providing great views of the Falls).

Many of our hoteliers are opting to add or build indoor waterparks to add to their existing offerings. We have the Great Wolf Lodge Resort, Waves at the Americana Resort and the Sheraton on the Falls Fallsview Waterpark. All three provide visitors with indoor thrills for year-round fun. They each have several waterslides, a wave pool and the mandatory "Giant Bucket". The Fallsview and Waves are both open to the public.

9. What options are there for nightlife in Niagara Falls, Ontario? What about theatre offerings, shows and special performances?

Nightlife is fantastic here in Niagara. In addition to the great outdoor and indoor pubs, clubs and karaoke bars, we have several great shows available. The Oh Canada, Eh? Dinner Theatre features great Canadian music paired with a fantastic dinner. Greg Frewin is a master magician whose show is sure to please the entire family. We also have several comedy shows and blockbuster performances at the Fallsview Casino.

10. Niagara Falls is embedded in one of Canada’s most popular wine regions and the entire area is often referred to as the "Breadbasket of Ontario". Please tell us more about the areas surrounding Niagara Falls.

The Niagara Escarpment is located in the Niagara Fruitbelt. This area is some of the most fertile land in the country. We have a microclimate in the Niagara Region which is ideal for growing fruit. The temperatures in the Fruitbelt are generally 10 degrees less than the surrounding area. Frost is always a consideration. This is why you will see windmills in the middle of fields throughout the region. The windmills are used to break up the frost which is so dangerous to the fruit – especially grapes.

11. What types of festivals and special events highlight the yearly calendar in Niagara Falls, Ontario?

In September we celebrate the grape harvest with the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival. In winter, our Niagara Parks are illuminated with over 2 million twinkling lights. The Winter Festival of Lights is filled with animated lighting displays featuring Disney Characters. The celebration culminates with a free New Year’s Eve Party in Queen Victoria Park.

12. What type of accommodation options are available in Niagara Falls?

Niagara Falls offers accommodation from 2 to 4 star hotels to bed and breakfasts from cottage rentals to campgrounds from budget to luxury.

13. Please describe the culinary options available in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Our signature culinary experience is, of course, Fallsview Dining. The Skylon Tower offers the best view from their Revolving Dining Room, but the Keg Steakhouse, a Cut Above and the Watermark Restaurant all boast excellent food with a view. Dining at the brink of the Falls is also available at the Table Rock House. In Niagara-on-the-Lake the vineyard cafes and restaurants are some of the best in Southern Ontario. The chefs in these restaurants pride themselves in offering recipes featuring meats and produce grown in the Niagara Region.

14. Please tell us about the shopping opportunities in Niagara Falls.

Canada One Factory Outlet, the Fallsview Galleria, the Penn Centre and Niagara Square Malls are all within 15 minutes of the Falls. Niagara-on-the-Lake has many quaint one-of-a-kind shops to choose from as well.

15. What outdoor, recreational and sports opportunities are available in and around Niagara Falls? How about golfing?

Niagara Falls has many hiking, biking and roller-blading trails. Water-based sports such as boating, sailing and fishing are also huge draws for us. Niagara Region is also gaining renown as Canada’s Golf Capital. We have over 48 Golf Courses – both public and private. Several are PGA quality and have been designed by leading course architects. John Daly and Greg Norman have both designed courses in the region.

16. What are some of the big news stories that will be coming up for Niagara Falls in 2008 and beyond?

The biggest news for Niagara Falls is the announcement of a new Convention Centre for Niagara Falls. The details are being finalized as we speak, but they should be breaking ground fairly soon. We are expecting the opening to happen some time in 2010. In short, it’s an exciting time to be part of Niagara Falls’ Tourism Industry.

Thank you, Anna, for your taking the time to provide us with this comprehensive information about Niagara Falls. You have given me some great ideas for a summer getaway and I look forward to visiting Niagara Falls again.

Author: Susanne Pacher

Life is a Journey – Explore New Horizons. Please take advantage of her articles here: Travel Stories and Photos

Don’t Forget Your Travel Guide {HERE>>>}

Facts On Niagara Falls Budget Travel

admin — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 08:28:00 +0000

You Will want to remember 2 things to take along on your trip. A Rand McNaley Map of Niagara Falls Area and our recommended Travel Guide Book . Don’t Leave home without it!

Facts On Famous Niagara Falls On a Travel Buget

One of the most amazing places I have ever visited was Niagara Falls. Here are some tips on how to travel cheap to this spectacular place.

Niagara Falls is a favorite vacation destination for the whole family, and is also very popular as a honeymoon destination. When booking your room at the hotel, consider a package deal when making your reservations. Ask if there is anything available that includes the room plus such amenities as spa, boat rides, public transportation, or free meals. You can often save money with a package deal such as this rather than buying everything separately.

Book your flight on a weekday. Weekend air travel will be costlier.

On a budget, stay on the American side. Hotel rates are usually cheaper on this side than on the Canadian side. You will still find plenty to do and see, and you will save a few dollars at the less expensive hotels.

How to travel cheap as far as meals? Try to find local cafes and diners for your breakfast and lunch, and if you have money leftover then go ahead and splurge for dinner.

Keep your trip on the short side, 3 or 4 days, to avoid spending too much money.

Purchase a Niagara USA Discovery Pass which includes The Cave of the Winds, The Maid of the Mist, Niagara Adventure Theater, Gorge Discovery Center, Aquarium of Niagara, and Scenic Trolley. In addition, you will also receive discount coupons to regional attractions including Top of the Falls Restaurant, Old Fort, Artpark, Frank Lloyd Wright, Erie Canal Cruises, the wax museum, and fashion outlets.

Don’t forget to look for money-saving coupons on the Internet.

If you use these tips on how to travel cheap, you can save a little money and also have an amazing vacation at one of the world’s most spectacular travel destinations.

Author: Terrie Bryan

Want to learn how to travel cheap? Do you ever wonder how everyone else finds such great travel deals? You can’t afford to miss http://www.the-cheap-traveler.com for secrets straight from a fired (and disgruntled) travel agent to you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terrie_Bryan

Facts on Niagara Falls – Region’s Ice Wineries

admin — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 08:28:00 +0000

Facts On Niagara Falls Wine Tours

Wine tours have long been popular in the realm of unique vacations; but for anyone who’d like to take the novelty of such a getaway to a whole new level, Canada’s Niagara region – and its famous Icewineries – await.

One of the most intriguing aspects of a wine tour is learning the history behind a type of wine, a winery or a region that yields the wine – none of which are an exception when it comes to Icewines. The discovery of Icewine in 1794 was accidental when, out of necessity, winemakers in Germany pressed frozen grapes – the resulting juice of which was found to have an unusually high concentration of sugar. It wasn’t until the mid 1800s, however, that the winery intentionally began to produce Icewine for distribution.

The production of Icewine did not extend to Canada until 1973, after which time the venture proved to be a huge success. Today, Canada – and particularly, Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula region – is the largest producer of Icewine, a product that’s often referred to as "liquid gold". That’s because the juice from Icewine grapes composes about one-fifth the amount that would be extracted from unfrozen grapes. For instance, if the grapes of an unfrozen vine produced a bottle of wine, the grapes of a frozen vine would produce just one glass of Icewine.

The Icewine harvest begins in the winter months – typically, in December – once temperatures drop below -10 to -13 degrees Celsius and grapes have frozen on the vines. Natural freezing concentrates the sugars, acids and extracts, thus intensifying the flavors of the juice; then, as the frozen grapes are pressed, the highly concentrated, sweet juice is extracted. The natural water portion, however, remains in the grape skins as ice crystals. The juice is then fermented very slowly over the course of several months to produce Icewine. Typical grapes used for ice wine production include: Riesling Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc and the red grape Cabarnet Franc.

The Niagara region hosts an ice wine festival every January to celebrate the fruit of each year’s harvest. Locals and tourists alike can indulge in ice bars, frozen art exhibits and tours through Niagara’s famous wine routes – alongside, of course, a taste of some of the region’s most exquisite Icewines.

If you’re considering taking an Icewine tasting tour in the Niagara region this winter, rest assured that there are plenty of fantastic options for accommodation in Niagara Falls. The Doubletree Resort Lodge & Spa Fallsview, Niagara Falls, for example, features an award-winning VQA wine list, including Icewine by the glass or bottle at Buchanans Chophouse. So you can get started on the wine tasting before you even hit the festival or your tour!

By touring Niagara’s Ice wineries, you’ll learn about the unique processes involved in making Icewines, as well as have the opportunity to try some of the most exceptional wines in the world. So what are you waiting for? Take the novelty of a wine-tasting tour to a whole new level – experience the Niagara region’s famous Icewines.

Author: Martin McAllister

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martin_McAllister

Facts About Niagara Falls American Side

admin — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 08:28:00 +0000

Facts About Niagara Falls American side

When most people visit Niagara Falls, they often head straight for the Canadian Side of the falls. Just across the Niagara River, in the United States, are some too-often-overlooked attractions and views of these majestic wonders. In the USA, one would be hard-pressed to differentiate Niagara Falls, New York from any other small upstate town. Aside from a small collection of hotels and attractions around the falls, and the towering Seneca Niagara Casino, the American side of the falls has little to distinguish itself as one of the most-visited vacation destinations in the country. It is only until visitors approach almost the brink of the falls themselves where they see that the American side has many wonders to behold.

Niagara Falls State Park

The United States’ part of Niagara Falls is in the Niagara Falls State Park (sometimes called "New York State Park" or "Niagara Reservation State Park"). Started in 1885, the park is the oldest state park in the United States. It was landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted who was one of the initiators and designers of the Niagara Falls State Park – but he is better known for another creation: New York City’s Central Park.

The Niagara Falls State Park manages and operates many of the attractions on this side of the falls. The park encompasses all of the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Goat Island (and surrounding islands), and about one third of Horseshoe Falls. Although the park itself is open year-round, including the Visitors Center, most of the attractions are seasonal and thus off-season adventures offer less direct activity with the falls.

The Visitors Center features general information about the falls, including a snack bar and gift shop. The large garden outside is maintained seasonally. Also in the Visitors Center is the Festival Theater, a year-round attraction which features the 1999 History Channel movie, "Niagara Falls: A History of the Falls."

While most Niagara Falls visitors will agree that the Canadian side of the falls is superior, with better views of all that great water, a distinct advantage to the American side is – interestingly enough – much closer access to the falls themselves, by actually standing "on top" of them (plus, visitors get a great view of Canada!).

Goat Island

Goat Island is the piece of land that separates Bridal Veil Falls from Horseshoe Falls. Accessible by car and part of the Niagara Falls State Park, Goat Island has an interesting location. From here, visitors can see rapids up close, which lead to the American / Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls. It is additionally the location of several of the park’s best attractions. Though the island is big, because of its location and the surrounding hostile waters, it is slowly eroding and will eventually disappear as the three Niagara Falls move upstream over many years. Goat Island is where several of the Niagara Falls State Park attractions are located, including Cave of the Winds. Shuttles take visitors around Goat Island and throughout the park, but there are additionally many walking paths, benches, and scenic vistas on which to stroll around endlessly.

Luna Island

Luna Island is the tiny island that separates the Bridal Veil Falls from the American Falls. It is accessible on foot, but no cars are allowed (the island is so small, more than a few cars wouldn’t fit, anyway). The walkway to Luna Island is on Goat Island. The walk to Luna Island is worth it, as it situates you in between two waterfalls, which is an unusual place to be.

American Rapids

The rapids approaching the American Falls – visible only on the American side, roar through the middle of the park and around the several small islands before toppling over the brink of the American Falls. The rapids reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. At night, they may be illuminated with bright spotlights for a more unusual view.

Terrapin Point

Horseshoe Falls is bordered on the Canadian side by Table Rock Point, and on the American side by Terrapin Point. Here, visi-tors can feel the mist of Horseshoe Falls as they look across the gorge at Canada. More remote than Table Rock Point, Terrapin Point has great views of the Canadian Fallsview resort sections, and the mist here can be just as powerful as Table Rock, if the conditions are right.

Cave of the Winds

The curious name of this quintessential attraction is misleading. Cave of the Winds is not a cave, but rather a walkway that leads visitors over to the base of Bridal Veil Falls – the smallest of the three Niagara Falls. The attraction, however, used to be a cave. Named after the Aeolus, Greek God of Wind, it stood behind Bridal Veil Falls and was a popular tourist spot as early as the 1800s. The earliest tourists had to climb down a rope, and eventually a staircase, to reach the cave. However, there were occasionally cave-ins, which killed or injured tourist. It was intentionally destroyed in 1955 because it was in danger of collapsing.

Visitors are given a poncho and special footwear prior to commencing the hour-long adventure. In groups, they are led with a tour guide down an elevator to near the base of Bridal Veil Falls. From there, they walk on a wooden walkway to what has been dubbed the "Hurricane Deck" – the closest accessible point to the falls. It is at this point where visitors get positively soaked, sometimes even more than on Maid of the Mist. Ice makes the attraction largely inaccessible in the winter, and also requires the decks to be completely re-built each year – a process which can take weeks.

Observation Tower

Located just beyond the Visitors Center in the Niagara Falls State Park, the Observation Tower is the best place in the United States to view the American and Horseshoe Falls. The tower extends out a little bit from the mainland, but still does not come close to the spectacular views from the Canadian side of the falls. Still, the tower offers a very different point of view than the one most visitors are used to. Also, there is a Maid of the Mist dock at the Observation Tower. When boarding here, the tour encompasses basically the same experience. However, near the dock, there is (when weather permits) a path where visitors can walk up next to the American Falls – kind of like the Cave of the Winds, but free, and you don’t get as wet.

Whirlpool State Park

Located on the American side of the Whirlp 1ff8 ool Rapids area, the Whirlpool State Park is a hearty adventurer’s place. Here, a crude cement staircase makes a long descent into the Great Gorge, down to nearly the water level of the rapids. For those who don’t wish to make the difficult descent, there is still the perfect place for picnics and play on the upper level, with great views of the whirlpool and rapids.

Author: Dirk Vanderwilt

Dirk Vanderwilt is the author of several travel guidebooks for the Tourist Town Guides series. Tourist Town Guides offer independent, honest advice about America’s top tourist hotspots.For more information, visit http://www.touristtown.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dirk_Vanderwilt

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