Niagara Travel Magazine - Family Edition

niagara

canada

FAMILY FUN EDITION

TRAVEL

ready, set, go Experience Niagara Falls like never before

HIT THE BEACH

Discover Niagara's lesser-known waters

PLUS

DOZENS OF INSIDER TIPS FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

be wonderstruck.

Experience the big wonders and small pleasures of Niagara, Canada.

The thunder of the Falls, casino excitement, acclaimed local cuisine and over 70 world-class wineries along our scenic wine route - they’re all here.

Whatever wonders you choose, Niagara is your getaway destination.

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Images courtesy of Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership (OTMPC) and Niagara Tourism Partners. niagara. a place of wonders...big and small.

a place of wonders...big and small www.visitniagaracanada.com

inside

niagara TRAVE L

Published by The Tourism Partnership of Niagara 5881 Dunn Street Niagara Falls, ON Canada L2G 2N9 Design & Production Loud+Clear For general information and advertising sales contact: 289-477-5344 info@niagarasrto.com Printed in Canada Niagara Canada Travel 2014. Niagara Canada Travel is published once a year by The Tourism Partnership of Niagara with funding provided by the Government of Ontario.

All rights reserved. Reproduction without permissions is prohibited. All information is current at press time. At the time of publishing, we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible, but details may change. The publisher cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy of all information and will not be responsible for errors, changes or omissions. We ask that you refer to visitniagaracanada.com for the most up-to-date information. Special thanks to Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership (OTMPC) and Niagara tourism partners for allowing us to use their photos throughout this publication. ©

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Niagara by the Numbers

5

Wild Things

6

A Whole New View

8

Away WEGO

Add up these numbers for a guaranteed good time.

Meet Niagara's creatures and critters.

Experience Niagara Falls like never before.

Lose your car keys and discover a great new way to explore Niagara Falls.

By Liz Fleming

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Naturally Reserved Discover Niagara's natural side on a hike through the Niagara Glen.

By Barbara Ramsay Orr

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Niagara Falls History & Heroes Teach your kids how fun history can be.

By Barbara Ramsay Orr

20 Follow us online for Niagara travel info 'on the go.'

Discover Niagara's lesser-known watery delights.

By Liz Fleming

a place of wonders...big and small.

www.visitniagaracanada.com

Water Music

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@visit_niagara

Niagara Falls Playdate Create lifetime memories with a fun-filled day in the Falls.

By Betty Zyvatkauskas

visitniagara

VisitNiagaraCanada

The Tourism Partnership of Niagara (TPN) was established in 2010 as one of Ontario’s 13 Regional Tourism Organizations (RTOs). Representing all of the municipalities within the Regional Municipality of Niagara, the TPN is an independent, industry-led, not-for-profit organization responsible for working with tourism partners to enhance and grow Niagara’s tourism products and marketing activities. For more information on TPN go to www.niagarasrto.com

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Getting to Niagara You'll be enjoying your Niagara getaway before you know it.

Images courtesy of Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership (OTMPC), Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) and Niagara Tourism Partners including, City of St. Catharines Tourism, The Good Earth Food and Wine Co., Illuminaqua, Niagara Parks Commission, Twenty Valley Tourism, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, Photographer Dwayne Coon, Brian Youngblut, Hornblower Niagara Cruises, Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Winter Festival of Lights.

visitniagaracanada.com

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Niagara by the numbers

Any way you add these up, it equals a guaranteed good time.

¢

5

The number of kilometres per hour thrill seekers that brave the rapids of the Niagara River on a Whirlpool Jet Boat reach on their 45 to 60 minute guided tour. Guests pass historical landmarks and awe-inspiring scenery through the Devil’s Hole Class 5 rapids and into the magnificent Whirlpool.

The small price to pay for one of the best rides in Niagara. Visit Lakeside Park in Port Dalhousie from Victoria Day through Thanksgiving and enjoy a ride on the fully restored and working 1903 Carousel which still charges the same rate as it did back in the 1900’s.

4,500 The number of slot machines in Niagara to choose from at two great locations: Fallsview Casino and Casino Niagara.

27,000

birdie. Home to 48 courses, Niagara has the greatest single concentration of golf facilities in one region,

metres of indoor water

anywhere in Canada.

three indoor waterparks.

Choose between the Great Wolf Lodge, Waves Indoor Waterpark at the Americana

168,000

The number of cubic metres of water that spill over

Resort and The Fallsview

the crestline of Niagara Falls every minute during peak

Indoor Waterpark, which

daytime tourist hours. Niagara Parks’ Journey Behind the

features direct indoor

Falls takes you deep below and behind it all, allowing you

connections to the Sheraton

to stand in the mist where the mighty Horseshoe Falls

on the Falls, Crowne Plaza

tumbles from 13 storeys above.

Niagara Falls-Fallsview Hotel and the Skyline Inn.

niagara. a place of wonders...big and small.

The number of different golf holes awaiting your next

The total number of square park fun at Niagara Falls’

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850

Wild things

look up

Animal experiences don’t get much more interactive than letting a giraffe munch a snack from the palm of your hand. Safari Niagara in Stevensville allows guests to get up close and personal with more than 500 animal species. The park features free educational animal presentations, guided tours, animal feedings, a petting farm as well as a splash pad, play equipment and much more. www.safariniagara.com

flutter by The Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory is an experience like no other. Explore at your own pace on the self-guided walking tour through the lush, tropical environment that over 2,000 butterflies call home.

Don’t be surprised if one of the beautiful residents catches a ride on your shoulder. www.niagaraparks.com

serious horsepower Experience Niagara on four legs with a horseback trail ride.

Trot along the Trans-Canada Trail at Horseplay Niagara in Wainfleet or explore the Niagara Escarpment at Niagara Riding Stables in Niagara-on-the-Lake. www.horseplayniagara.com www.niagarariding.com

bird is the word

Looking to meet some new creatures and critters on your next getaway?

Niagara is a must for animal lovers of all stripes.

Home to over 400 birds, Bird Kingdom in Niagara Falls is the largest freeflying indoor aviary in the world. You’ll feel like you’ve travelled to South America in this 50,000 square-foot, multi-level rainforest setting that features a 40-foot waterfall. www.birdkingdom.ca

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YOGA AT SOUTHBROOK VINEYARDS

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niagara. a place of wonders...big and small.

over

behind

Experience Niagara Falls like never before u n d er

All aboard Niagara Wonder & Niagara Thunder The launch of Hornblower Niagara Cruises’ state-of-the-art catamaran Voyage To The Falls tours of Niagara Falls marks the beginning of an exciting new era for one of the world’s most popular visitor experiences. Guests aboard the new Niagara Wonder and Niagara Thunder 700-passenger boats will experience the unforgettable thrill of a lifetime on a journey past the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and into the very heart of the mighty Horseshoe Falls for an up-close and personal connection with the thundering water, awesome power and amazing mist of Niagara Falls.

Tiered decks on the boats will ensure an unobstructed viewing experience for all with on-board comforts that include retractable glass walls for dry viewing areas, on-board concessions and passenger washrooms.

Exciting new tour options include Early Morning Sunrise Tours and extraordinary new evening and nighttime cruises. These extended

The backstage pass Journey Behind the Falls takes visitors on a journey deep below and behind the Horseshoe Falls.

After taking an elevator ride 45 metres (150 feet) down, you’ll follow bedrock tunnels to viewing portals and observation decks that provide a whole new perspective on the 2,800 cubic metres of water thundering over the brink every second! www.niagaraparks.com

Niagara Helicopters

Hornblower Niagara Cruises

one-hour experiences include Sunset Cocktail Cruises, Falls Illumination Cruises and Falls Fireworks Cruises. Set against the backdrop of stunning sunsets, a dazzling city skyline and the beautiful colours of Falls illumination and fireworks, these cruise experiences also feature on-board music, a licensed bar and snacks.

Hornblower Niagara Cruises offers customers the opportunity to purchase tickets at home and print them in advance for their preferred cruise tour, date and time, alleviating the long waits visitors may have experienced in days gone by. Customized private charter tours are also available for special events and weddings. What a way to say, “I do!” www.niagaracruises.com

Journey Behind the Falls

The downstream delight The White Water Walk will take you for an unforgettable walk on the wild side along one of the world’s most extreme stretches of whitewater. After riding 70 metres (230 feet) down in an elevator, a boardwalk with observation areas provides a perfect perch to take in the Class 6 Whirlpool Rapids, the largest series of standing waves in North America. www.niagaraparks.com

The view from on high Helicopter tours offer visitors the ultimate high when it comes to seeing the Falls. Don’t forget your camera! The helicopter’s large windows will ensure you capture the perfect shot to remember the ride of a lifetime. www.niagarahelicopters.com, www.nationalhelicopters.com/niagara

The White Water Walk

OPPOSITE PAGE: HELICOPTER TOUR OVER NIAGARA FALLS

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CLIFTON HILL, NIAGARA FALLS

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niagara. a place of wonders...big and small.

WEGO Shift gears and discover a whole new way to get around Niagara Falls

By Liz Fleming There’s nothing that kills fun faster than searching for a parking spot. Luckily, visitors to Niagara Falls can now forget parking hassles entirely. WEGO has you covered.

The best of all possible transportation options, WEGO is a hop-on/hop-off, fully accessible system that starts at 9 a.m., as the Niagara Falls attractions open and finishes as late as 1 a.m. during the busy tourist season. For one fee, you can ride WEGO all day long from destination to destination on the well planned, interlinking routes.

Designed to make exploring Niagara Falls’ many attractions as convenient as possible, WEGO’s state-of-the-art buses are divided into colour-coded routes that cover all the areas a tourist might want to explore. Your pass gives you access to all the routes, some of which cruise the major hotel strips, so you can kiss your car keys goodbye at the beginning of your holiday and not think about them again until it’s time to go home.

Each WEGO bus makes stops every 20-30 minutes at the designated spots on its route. To help visitors maximize their fun and minimize the time they spend waiting, riders can use smartphones to access WEGO’s BusTime Tools for up-to-the-minute location and arrival times for the various stops at www.wegoniagarafalls.com. The online listing makes it easy to plan your travels.

The Falls and the Table Rock Welcome Centre are both located at the main transfer point for all of the routes, so no matter which bus you hop on to, you can rest assured you won’t miss the spectacle of more than 168,000 cubic metres (6 million cubic ft.) of water flowing over the crest line of the Falls every minute! Table Rock Welcome Centre's prime location in Niagara Falls is the only spot from which you can gaze directly over the Falls as you enjoy a meal at Elements on the Falls Restaurant. The complex also houses a shopping area, the Journey Behind the Falls and Niagara’s Fury, a 4D ‘immersive’ film experience that will explain the birth of Niagara Falls in a way you’ll never forget! www.niagaraparks.com Just where else can you go? A quick look at the WEGO route map tells you – everywhere! We’ve highlighted a few of the most exciting stops on the following pages.

WEGOs' bus routes cover all the areas you'l l want to see.Pick a colour and start exploring.

IMAX® IMAX Corporation

< The Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort Try your luck at the tables, play the slots, check out the world-famous performers appearing in the Avalon Theatre, shop at unique boutiques or dine at one of the 18 delicious dining options in this stunning complex. www.fallsviewcasinoresort.com

< Imax Theatre

Oh Canada Eh?! Dinner Theatre

Discover the human history of Niagara Falls through the magic of a 60-foot IMAX screen. Niagara: Miracles, Myths and Magic, will introduce you to stories of brave warriors, adventurous explorers and death-defying daredevils that will make you look at the Falls in a whole new way. www.imaxniagara.com

Looking for a quintessentially Canadian good time? This is the place! A cast of hilarious characters will sing, dance and fill you full of classic Canadian comfort food. The two-hour show will entertain the whole family and children 12 years and under are free when you purchase a full-price adult ticket in the Maple seating section. www.ohcanadaeh.com

Marineland >

you can't beat

Featuring the world’s largest collection of beluga whales, as well as killer whales, bison, elk and friendly deer, Marineland offers daily dolphin and sea lion shows, an amusement park and more. www.marinelandcanada.com

The Blue LinE < The Skylon Tower Take in the awe-inspiring views of the Falls while riding up the 158-metre Skylon Tower, but don’t blink, the Yellow Bug elevators will whisk you to the top in under a minute! Don’t worry, there’s plenty of time to enjoy the view from the indoor and outdoor observation decks. www.skylon.com

< Bus and Train Terminals If you’d like to make your holiday in Niagara Falls completely car-free and carefree, you’ll find both the bus and train terminals located on the Purple Line, so you can simply hop on and ride to the hotel of your choice! www.gotransit.com

French Twist > While you’re on the Purple Line, make a stop at Paris Crepes Café for delicious sweet and savoury crepes and French Bistro cuisine. www.pariscrepescafe.com

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niagara. a place of wonders...big and small.

Waves Indoor Waterpark at Americana Resort > Whether you’re staying at the resort, or just diving in for a few hours of splashing with a day pass, Waves Indoor Waterpark offers 25,000 square feet of fun. The space is flooded in natural light, making you feel like you’ve escaped to the beach during cold winter months. In the summer, the sun shines in thanks to a retractable roof. www.americananiagara.com

rock it on

the red line

< Canada One Factory Outlets You’ll find a collection of name brand outlet stores such as Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, lululemon, Nike and more at this conveniently located mall. www.canadaoneoutlets.com

Clifton Hill >

Casino Niagara

Called the ‘Street of Fun by the Falls’, Clifton Hill offers a wealth of wax museums, restaurants and hotels, a dinosaur-themed mini putt course and the 300 interactive games at Canada’s largest entertainment complex. There's also the 53-metre Niagara SkyWheel, a four-season ride that takes you high above the Falls in an enclosed gondola. www.cliftonhill.com

In addition to all the fun of the gaming tables and slot machines, Casino Niagara is also home to Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club and offers full sports wagering. www.casinoniagara.com

Fallsview Indoor Waterpark >

Greg Frewin Theatre >

You’ll find three acres of sensational splashing just a two-minute walk from the Falls at Fallsview Indoor Waterpark. Thrill seekers will love the 16 waterslides and those who prefer a more relaxed vibe will enjoy a long soak in the hot springs or stretching out on the sunny pool patio during the summer months. www.fallsviewwaterpark.com

Greg Frewin earned the title of The International Grand Champion of Magic after winning first place in all of the world's top magic competitions. Catch one of his amazing shows for yourself. www.gregfrewintheatre.com

it's a party on

The PURPLE LinE

For WEGO route maps, schedules and more visit www.wegoniagarafalls.com

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it's great on

The GREEN LinE

< Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory

White Water Walk, Whirlpool Aero Car & Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours > Feel the rush of the Class 6 Whirlpool Rapids, North America’s largest series of standing waves, on the roaring boardwalk trek that’s known as the White Water Walk. Once you’ve walked beside them, take in the view from above while riding the Whirlpool Aero Car, an antique cable car that takes you high above the raging Niagara River, or brave the rapids on a Whirlpool Jet Boat tour. www.niagaraparks.com, www.whirlpooljet.com

Queenston Heights Park

<

Be amazed by the over 2,000 butterflies that live here as you explore the 180 metres of lush trails inside the Butterfly Conservatory. This truly immersive experience may include your new fluttering friends catching a ride on your shoulder as you explore their tropical home. www.niagaraparks.com

Home to the first major battle of the War of 1812, the events that took place at the Battle of Queenston Heights, including the death of Sir Isaac Brock, unified Upper Canadians behind the war effort. Today, Queenston Heights Park is filled with gorgeous floral displays, a children's splash pad, tennis courts, a band shell and plenty of open green space for family picnics. High on the Niagara Escarpment, the park remembers its past with both the Brock and Laura Secord Monuments. Take a walking tour of the historic sites to gain a fascinating perspective on our proud history. www.niagaraparks.com

< Hornblower Niagara Cruises This year, Hornblower Niagara Cruises introduces state-of-the-art Catamaran boat tours of Niagara Falls that will take the legacy of North America’s oldest tourist attraction and elevate it to an entirely new level. Your Voyage To The Falls tour will sail you past the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and into the misty heart of the mighty Horseshoe Falls. New Sunset Cocktail Cruises, Falls Illumination Cruises and Falls Fireworks Cruises offer exciting options for seeing the Falls in a whole new light. www.niagaracruises.com

Queen Victoria Park

Bird Kingdom > Be sure to soar into this popular Niagara Falls attraction - the largest free-flying indoor aviary in the world. You’ll find more than 400 birds from 80 species fluttering through the spectacular, multi-level, indoor rainforest that features a 40-foot waterfall and a jungle of tropical plants. www.birdkingdom.ca

Overlooking the magnificent Horseshoe and Bridal Veil Falls, this is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of some of the more high-traffic areas. Be sure to bring your camera! www.niagaraparks.com

for little ones

Did you know there is no admission fee for children five and under at Niagara Parks attractions? For a complete list of applicable attractions, visit www.niagaraparks.com

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niagara. a place of wonders...big and small.

Floral Showhouse

<

free fun

Some of Niagara’s most beautiful blooms can be enjoyed at the Floral Showhouse, a visitor favourite for more than 60 years. Inside, you’ll find orchids, succulents and other tropical plant species, along with colourful tropical birds. When the weather cooperates, tour the impressive outdoor pond, rose and fragrance gardens. www.niagaraparks.com

naturally reserved EXPLORING THE NIAGARA GLEN

BY BARBARA RAMSAY ORR

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Niagara River

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niagara. a place of wonders...big and small.

One of the best ways to experience Niagara is by taking

ESSENTIAL GEAR

a hike through the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve, one of

You’ll need a backpack to carry your lunch and sun block.

more than 35 Niagara conservation areas. Part of the

The trails are rocky and sometimes slippery so good shoes

Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the

are a necessity. While not overly difficult, the trails wind

reserve is home to a myriad of bird species, mammals,

down a 200 foot elevation and will give you a workout. Be

reptiles, fish and flora, including 37 different types of wild

sure to pick up the trail map at the gift shop. It costs $3

orchids. The Niagara Glen Nature Reserve allows hikers

and it has the history and not-to-be-missed highlights

to explore this special and bio-diverse area. Its trails take

of the reserve. If you’re botanically inclined, bring along

you down to one of the lowest points of the Escarpment,

a field guide to Ontario wildflowers to identify the many

guiding you through rocks and outcroppings over 450

species that grow here, like yellow lady’s slipper and

million years old, to the edge of the Gorge. On the trails

Indian Pipedream. You might also want binoculars and,

beside the Niagara River, you are only eight kilometres

depending on the weather, a hat.

from the Falls, and dipping your hand into the cold water that is rushing past at 48 km/h is as close as you can get

PICK YOUR HIKE

to feeling the pulse of the Falls and the Niagara Gorge.

For those who prefer a more level hike, head to the blue

BRING YOUR BIKE

River Path which will take you north and south along the Niagara River. At the junction of the River Path and the

For a weekend of memorable hiking, book a hotel in either

green Eddy Path, you’ll have spectacular views of the

Niagara Falls or Niagara-on-the-Lake, and bring your

Whirlpool. It should take you approximately two hours of

bikes, as the reserve is an easy ride along the Niagara

steady hiking to cover all the trails, but it is far better to

Parkway bike trail from either location. The Bike Train

go slowly, see everything and appreciate the wonder of

from Toronto makes it simple to transport yourself and

this special area.

your bikes to the Falls area, or you can rent from a local provider like Zoom Leisure. You can leave your bikes at the

Wind IT Down

Nature Centre, and then descend to the lower gorge via

After your day of hiking, you’ll be ready to unwind.

the metal stairway. If you drive, there’s parking here at

Try a casual meal, like panzerotti at Antica Pizzeria

the top of the trails.

in Niagara Falls, or the take-out poutine at Rest to

You’re ready to choose your first trail from seven different options, four kilometres in total. Try to explore no more than two of the trails before you stop for lunch. The reserve is in a Carolinian forest zone, where tulip trees, sassafras, black cherry, paw paw and shagbark hickory grow along the pathways. It’s truly breathtaking so take the time to really drink it in. There is a picnic pavilion at Wintergreen Flat and you can get cold drinks and snacks at the Nature Centre where there are also public washrooms. At the centre you can sign up for seasonal

Go Go, part of the Stone Road Grille, in Niagara-onthe-Lake. If you’ve still got energy, there are casinos, nightclubs and often fireworks over the Falls to end a perfect day.

For more information visit www.niagaraparks.com www.anticapizzeria.ca www.stoneroadgrille.com www.biketrain.ca www.zoomleisure.com

guided hikes (11am and 2 pm).

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NIAGARA FALLS

history & heroes Can one place be steeped in tradition and cool at the same time? Is there anywhere you can take the kids that will fill their days with action and interest but also provide sophisticated adventure? Welcome to Niagara Falls.

BY Barbara Ramsay Orr

JOURNEY BEHIND THE FALLS, NIAGARA FALLS.

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niagara. a place of wonders...big and small.

visitniagaracanada.com

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heritage that comes alive for everyone

Are you looking for a place where the history is colourful, complex and multi-dimensional?

Niagara Falls is layered with stories and heroes that engage all ages. Niagara Falls is well stocked with fun-filled family adventures, and many of them deliver compelling history lessons too.

Danger, Daredevils and Dress-up The Niagara Falls History Museum is an example of history that comes vividly alive and offers the perfect destination for

The Journey Behind The Falls attraction gives visitors a close encounter with the rushing water, but in addition there are entertaining plaques placed along the tunnels, which illustrate

family travel. The light-filled display galleries offer relics and

important moments in local history.

stories, as well as the opportunity to try on authentic copies of

In Niagara’s Fury, a 4D multi-sensory show, visitors can follow

War of 1812 uniforms. It is easy to understand the difficulties

the creation of the Falls from its beginnings, guided by Chip, a

of a soldier’s life once you’ve lifted the heavy muskets they

precocious beaver, and Beth, an owl. The chilling wind, rain and

marched with.

quakes suggest the power of the natural forces that shaped the

In the upstairs galleries, art-facts tell the stories of Niagara

Falls so many years ago. It covers ten thousand years of history

Falls’ early days. One case displays the costume worn by

and makes it both fun and memorable.

The Great Blondin when he became the first man to walk a

The White Water Walk brings you up close to one of the fastest

tightrope over the Niagara Gorge. On another wall, there is a

stretches of white water in the world, as well as highlighting

collection of souvenirs of Niagara Falls from its beginning days

interesting information about the characters who participated

as a tourist attraction. Some are beautiful, some are strange,

in Niagara’s story.

but all are interesting to see. It is an attractive and accessible

All three of these experiences are part of the Niagara Falls

museum with something for all ages.

Where The Past is Larger Than Life The IMAX movie, Legends and Daredevils, tells the stories of indigenous peoples and the early explorers who first visited the Falls. Portrayed on the six-story-high movie screen in a darkened theatre, the legends behind the creation of the Falls take on a haunting beauty. There are also dramatizations of the people who, accidentally or deliberately, went over the Falls. Before the movie, you can tour the Niagara Daredevil Gallery where many of the barrels, boats and strange contraptions used in attempts to go over the Falls are on display. Probably the most interesting is the barrel that carried Annie Taylor over the edge. She was the first person, accompanied by her pet black kitten, to survive the trip.

Ice Age Tales and White Water Niagara’s history weaves through almost every one of its attractions, adding texture to many experiences.

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niagara. a place of wonders...big and small.

Adventure Pass offered by The Niagara Parks Commission.

The Family Sleepover For a family-friendly stay, book into the Doubletree Fallsview Resort and Spa, just a short walk from the Falls. Guests get warm cookies when they check in! For a sleep with history, consider The Crowne Plaza, where royalty and Hollywood legends have stayed, including the iconic Marilyn Monroe.

Dining ‘En FamilLe’ Dining with the family in Niagara Falls is only difficult because there are so many choices. Historically, Niagara Falls has had a large Italian population, many of whom moved to the area after World War II, so there are lots of great, authentic choices for Italian dining here.

One good bet is Romano’s Macaroni Grill in the Hilton Fallsview, a relaxed and cheery place where pasta dishes and pizzas can be child-sized. Zappi’s is smaller, family run and totally casual, ideal for deconstructing a busy day over calzones and bruschetta.

OPPOSITE PAGE: WHITE WATER WALK, NIAGARA FALLS.

“Niagara’s history weaves through its attractions.”

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niagara. a place of wonders...big and small.

Water W usic

By Liz Fleming

A paddle whispers as it slices through the water. A sail flaps as it catches a breeze. Gentle waves lap softly as they disappear into a sandy beach. Listen closely on your next trip and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll discover a whole symphony of sounds bubbling up from Niagaraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lesser-known watery delights to accompany the roar and crash of the Falls.

A NIAGARA SUNSET.

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THE ROYAL CANADIAN HENLEY REGATTA, PORT DALHOUSIE.

Keep Calm and Explore Niagara

most important water transport systems, you can step outside

Looking for calm waters? Welland is Canada’s flatwater capital

onto the viewing platform and watch the floating behemoths

and has been chosen to host the canoe and kayak sprint

make their way through the canal. Steering the gigantic ships

competitions when the Pan Am / Parapan Am Games come

is an art form and watching them rise and fall is an experience

to Toronto in 2015. In the meantime, the mirror-like waters

that’s not to be missed. For those who prefer more activity,

of the Welland Recreational Waterway, created when a

bring your bike, your rollerblades or your running shoes and

section of the old Welland Canal was closed, are seeing lots

take advantage of the paved pathway that runs beside the

of use. Set in the centre of 411 acres of beautiful parkland,

canal. Because the trail is safely separated from roadways, it’s

the more than 272 acres of water are open for enjoyment

a particularly popular and stress-free choice for families with

by canoeing enthusiasts, kayakers and flatwater lovers of

children learning to ride or rollerblade.

all types. The still waters even provide entertainment for those who prefer to stay dry as each summer Welland hosts IlluminAqua featuring waterfront music concerts from a floating stage.

The Welland Canal, an important conduit for cargo ships from around the world, offers entertainment of its own. For those who find the big boats fascinating, a visit to the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre at Lock Three is a must.

After immersing yourself in the history of one of Canada’s

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niagara. a place of wonders...big and small.

WELLAND CANALS VIEWING PLATFORM, ST. CATHARINES.

Get Your Oar In The Water Sheltered waterways are a Niagara specialty and have special appeal for rowers. While crews can often be spotted on Welland’s flatwater, the still surface of Port Dalhousie’s Martindale Pond is Niagara’s rowing capital and home to the annual Royal Canadian Henley Regatta and to the Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association Regatta. Both events draw crews from around the world. Recognized as a capital of the rowing world, Port Dalhousie has hosted the World Rowing Championships and Masters Championships several times during its more than 100-year history. Even if you’ve never dipped a blade in the water yourself, you’ll find an afternoon spent watching precision crews carve up the waters of Martindale Pond positively inspiring. After you watch a race or two, you can wander across the road, enjoy a cool drink on a patio, wander the Port Dalhousie pier that juts out into Lake Ontario or visit the lakeside community’s quirkiest tourist attraction – a beautifully restored carousel where a ride has

Experience some of Canada’s top musical talent on a floating stage surrounded by floating fire pods on the waters of the Old Welland Canal. Jim Cuddy, Cowboy Junkies, Ron Sexsmith and Natalie MacMaster are all IlluminAqua alumni. For the lineup, visit www.illuminaqua.com.

always cost just five cents.

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Head For The Boarder!

The aqua-attraction to make the biggest splash in the local water world in recent years has been Niagara Boarder Pass, which opened in Port Colborne in 2012. The first cable wakeboarding park in the area and Ontario’s newest such facility, Niagara Boarder Pass gives boarders the chance to hook up to a 200-metre-long overhead running cable that enables them to hit the surf at variable speeds – fast for the pros and slower for beginners – without need for a boat.

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niagara. a place of wonders...big and small.

OPPositE PAGE: WAKEBOARDING, NIAGARA BOARDER PASS, PORT COLBORNE and WHIRLPOOL JET BOATS, NIAGARA GORGE.

Catch A Wave

and locals. Sound a little wet for your liking? Hike down on foot,

Calm havens and quiet harbors are all very well, but if waves and

find yourself a sunny rock on the riverside, and watch everyone

winds are more to your liking, Niagara has everything you’re

else on the Jet Boats getting soaked!

looking for – from the surfers’ paradise of Wyldewood Beach on the shores of Lake Erie near Port Colborne to the churning waters of the Niagara River, both above and just below the Falls, where the depth reaches 52 metres, exactly the height of the Falls above. Too challenging for most other boaters, the madly flowing currents just beyond the whirlpool at the base of the Canadian or Horseshoe Falls, deep in the Niagara Gorge are the special preserve of Whirlpool Jet Boats.

Set Sail Niagara is nestled between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie and enjoys the benefits of both. Keen sailors can raise their sheets at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Sailing Club, catch a fresh breeze and sail across Lake Ontario to Toronto, or glide away from the moorings at the Buffalo Canoe Club on the shores of Lake Erie, at the far end of Crystal Beach, near Fort Erie. Both clubs offer

A ride that takes laughing passengers on a tour of the Niagara

top-notch facilities for seasoned sailors as well as learning

River through the wildest water this side of a hurricane,

opportunities for those who’d like to try their hands at

Whirlpool Jet Boats is a warm weather favorite with both tourists

the tiller.

visitniagaracanada.com

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Go to visitniagaracanada.com to plan your next family getaway

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niagara. a place of wonders...big and small.

...the water is warm, clean and shallow, PERFECT for family fun.

OPPositE PAGE AND ABOVE: CRYSTAL BEACH, LAKE ERIE.

Hit The Beaches Spend an afternoon strolling the soft, sandy shores of Lake

Whatever your watery passions, you’ll find that Niagara has

Erie’s Crystal Beach and experience the simple pleasures that

what you’re looking for – beaches, yacht clubs, waterfalls (one

have been drawing loyal summer crowds for generations. The

that’s rather famous), rivers, ponds, a wakeboarding park, a

white sand beach stretches for more than two kilometres, and

major canal and two Great Lakes. We may be well known for

the water is warm, clean and shallow, perfect for family fun.

our wine, but really, water is Niagara’s specialty!

Although there is no entry fee, the entrances to the beach are controlled and no alcoholic beverages are allowed – another

For more information, please visit:

family-friendly feature of this beautiful recreation area.

www.buffalocanoeclub.com

Not far from Crystal Beach is Sherkston Shores, a favorite beachfront Niagara destination. Featuring four kilometres of pristine white sand and the warm, clean waters of Lake Erie, Sherkston Shores also offers everything from waterslides tall enough to take your breath away to basketball hoops, a large heated pool, tennis courts, a 240-seat family show-bar, an all-ages video playground, a 300-seat restaurant, a skate park, a climbing wall, archery, miniature golf, fishing, rock climbing, pedal boats and kayaks, a bungee trampoline, a rope climbing

www.forteriecanada.com/tourism/crystalbeach www.henleyregatta.ca www.illuminaqua.com www.niagarasailing.on.ca www.sherkston.com www.stcatharines.ca www.comeplayinwelland.com www.wifc.ca (Welland International Flatwater Centre) www.whirlpooljet.com

challenge facility and more. visitniagaracanada.com

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Niagara Falls Playdate A day spent in the Falls makes lasting memories.

BY betty zyvatkauskas

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niagara. a place of wonders...big and small.

Go to visitniagaracanada.com for more itinerary ideas

Whirlpool Aero Car, Niagara Falls

visitniagaracanada.com

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Whirlpool Aero Car, Niagara Falls niagara. niagara. a place a place of wonders...big of wonders...big and small. and small.

30 30

There’s no getting away from it. Princess Diana took her

Here the Niagara River roars through Cripps Eddy at more

kids and you must take yours for at least one thrilling ride

than 40 km per hour. We find massive boulders that once

beneath Niagara Falls. Hornblower Niagara Cruises' state-

whirled in the river before it changed its course. Delicate

of-the-art catamarans hover at the foot of the Falls long

ferns cling to damp rocks and wildflowers thrive in the shade.

enough to soak passengers in the deluge that is the “mist”

It takes three of us holding hands to reach around the trunk

and thrill them with tales of rescues from the seething

of a towering tulip tree, one of many southern species found

rapids. Going early beats the summer heat plus it leaves us

in this protected wilderness. Feeling energetic? Rent bicycles

most of the day to take in Niagara’s natural beauty.

to explore a section of the Niagara River Recreation Trail, a paved path paralleling the river.

After the foaming fury of the river, enjoy a little respite with a family picnic at Dufferin Islands Nature Area where flocks

Another option for experiencing the Gorge is to soar high

of ducks dabble in the waters between the interconnected

above it. The Whirlpool Aero Car is an antique cable car

islands. We can lie back and appreciate its serene beauty

suspended from six sturdy cables that offers a wonderful

even more knowing that it’s free.

view of the Niagara Whirlpool, which is formed at the end of the rapids where the Gorge turns abruptly counterclockwise,

Having been fed themselves, the kids are now ready to

and the river escapes through the narrowest channel in

watch others feeding, the others being thousands of tropical

the gorge.

butterflies inside Niagara Parks’ Butterfly Conservatory.

“Wear something colourful,” we were told. The advice was

Should the weather turn gloomy we have a back-up plan.

good. Barely ten feet inside the door, a giant Blue Morpho

Hit an indoor waterpark for some spiral slides and spraying

butterfly settles on my daughter’s shoulder. One of some

fountains, then visit Bird Kingdom, an indoor jungle filled

2,000 tropical butterflies hatched in this indoor tropical

with free-flying parrots and a historic Javanese teahouse.

jungle, it flutters off to a plate of juicy orange sections.

If we get the timing right, we’ll see fruit bats feeding on

Others prefer flower nectar, flitting between flowering

apples and bananas. And you don’t have to be a kid to beam

porterweed and bleeding hearts. Butterflies live only a

with glee when tame lorikeets land on you to accept a drink

few weeks at most, so the supply must constantly be

of nectar.

replenished in a hatchery where we watch them emerging from their cocoons.

After nightfall, when the blinking neon lights of Clifton Hill’s wax museums and arcades light up the night, we’ll ride the

The kids have been great so we’ll treat everyone to a meal

Niagara SkyWheel, sharing an enclosed gondola that rises 50

with a view. Suitably family friendly, the Skylon Tower’s

metres above the Falls. We’re on vacation so let’s stay up late

buffet fits the bill with the added bonus of a ride to the

for an evening stroll along the river to Table Rock to see the stately falls illuminated with mega-watt colour.

observation decks in the price.

Day two starts with an adventure: a descent down the metal staircase leading into the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve, a wonderfully wild place to bring children old enough to enjoy a vigorous hike along the rocky paths leading down into the

For more information visit www.maidofthemist.com www.niagaraparks.com www.birdkingdom.ca www.skylon.com www.skywheel.ca

cool depths of the Gorge.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Butterfly Conservatory, Niagara Falls

visitniagaracanada.com

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Spend time having fun on your vacation, not getting there.

With easy access from four international airports, and airport shuttle service offered through the region, getting to Niagara is a breeze. airport

distance to Niagara

Toronto Pearson International Airport

125 km/78 miles

Buffalo niagara usa International Airport

45 km/28 miles

John C Munro Hamilton International Airport

85 km/53 miles

Niagara falls usa International Airport

15 km/9 miles

border crossings Travelers coming via land from the United States have four international bridge crossings in Niagara to choose from: • Rainbow Bridge Niagara Falls • Lewiston-Queenston Bridge Niagara Falls • Peace Bridge Fort Erie • Whirlpool Bridge (Nexus Pass) Niagara Falls.

Montreal

With a valid passport, and in certain cases, a travel visa, border crossing is a seamless process.

Kingston Toronto

Niagara Detroit Chicago Toledo

Boston Buffalo

Cleveland

Cincinnati

Pittsburgh

New York Philadelphia

Circle shows a radius around Niagara, Canada of 650 km or 400 miles.

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niagara. a place of wonders...big and small.

Albany

Additional details about travel documentation can be found at the Canada Border Services Agency website: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

This way to Family Fun in Niagara Plan a perfect family getaway with these six ready-to-be enjoyed itineraries. #1 Young at heart

Discover the old-school attractions that offer all-age fun. CLICK HERE

#2 Beyond the booster seat Trade planes, trains and automobiles for helicopters, horse-drawn carriages, jet boats and more. CLICK HERE

#5 The teen scene

Unplug and reconnect with hard-to-please teens. CLICK HERE

#6 Journey through time

Step back in time and experience the story of Canada. CLICK HERE

#3 Splash and crash

Take Niagaraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amazing waterparks, add the thrill of the Falls and wrap things up with a spectacular fireworks show for an unforgettable adventure. CLICK HERE

#4 Creatures and critters

Head to Niagara for an amazing animal adventure. CLICK HERE