Niagara Falls Ontario Canada ~ Nice Place To Visit Again~
Written: Aug 11 '04 (Updated Aug 11 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great views of both falls.
Cons: cannot pull off of road anywhere. Pay to park.
The Bottom Line: Awesome views..Our stay was 2 full days.
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| kay67's Full Review: Niagara Falls |
We went to Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada this past July 20-22, 2004. I had only been somewhere in Canada one other time in my life and I was too young to remember anything more than fishing on a lake with my grandfather and I caught the most fish, LOL.
We left Huntingdon Co. Pa at about 1:30 A.M and headed north. I had printed out directions from the nearest town to me and to end at Niagara Falls NY. When I had printed the route I did not know we would end up staying in Canada. My hubby drove and I copiloted all night and we reached Niagara Falls NY around 7-7:15 A.M I believe. We turned away from the falls and drove about one half mile towards what we hoped were desperately needed restrooms and to tank up on gas before we left the states.
After finding out gas was $2.09 we topped her off and walked around a bit more to wake up then headed our trusty ole van towards the border of Canada. After almost running the border, literally, {since we didn't see the lady in the booth because of tinted windows on the toll booth type area}, we paid the $2.50 American or 3.50 CAN, answered a couple questions about how we were related- where we lived and did we have a hotel already? We were then allowed through the border with no search or showing of driver license or birth certificates.
We found our hotel the Admiral Inn fairly easy. That review is found here.http://www.epinions.com/content_151262170756 Need an inexpensive but clean room? Check here.
Around 2 in the afternoon of July 20th we were standing and looking out towards the falls-both the Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls. I'm glad we ended up staying in Niagara Falls Ontario itself because we had better views of both falls than if we had stayed on The United States side which would've been in..yep you guessed it..Niagara Falls, New York. My hubby and I didn't know what to expect. We both imagined we'd view the falls from the bottom, looking upwards. We've since found out you view the falls almost even with the crestline of both falls. I found it amazing how high into the air the mist rises from the Canadian falls(Horseshoe falls).
We had tentatively planned what we were going to do while we were at the falls. I had looked up information online so that I wouldn't be shocked with prices, LOL. One of the things we definitely wanted to do while there was the Maid Of The Mist so we went to the information booth/ticket area located across the 4 lane road from the falls. Total price for four adults ended up being 119$ American for a Great Gorge package. The package deal consisted of: Maid Of The Mist, Journey Behind The Falls, White Water Walk, and Butterfly Conservatory. Also found near the conservatory are the famed Floral Gardens and they were free to stroll through. Also included in the package was a free people mover pass to the White Water Walk and the Butterfly Conservatory, since these are to far to walk to from the actual falls themselves. Even though we bought the package Tuesday we didn't use them till Wednesday. We camcorded the Falls a little bit longer then headed back to the hotel to find something else to get into. After locking up our camcorder in our van, we headed towards Clifton Hill.
There are tons of fun awaiting you on and around Clifton Hill. Wanna karaoke in public? Hard Rock Cafe? Wanna see the worlds largest ball rotating and supported entirely by water? Total weight of the ball and base was 11 tons. Amazing. My oldest son went in the Ripleys Believe It Or Not Museum & the Guinness World Records Museum alone while my youngest son choose to go in to the Ripleys Believe It Or Not Museum, the Guinness World Records Museum and the Ripleys Moving Theater In 4-D. Hubby and I moseyed around, people watched and finally the boys were done. We headed back to our motel, then went to a McDonalds up the street about a mile from our hotel.
The following morning we headed out to the restaurant that we had ate breakfast at the day before, then back to the Falls we went. We stopped at the place where we had purchased the tickets the day before. Very pleasant lady. I didn't know what I was doing and I'm glad we had stopped back at that center because she tore off certain stubs from our package deal and asked what time we wanted to do each thing. Dry or wet first? We opted for a 10:30 White Water Walk and an 12:10 Butterfly Conservatory.
*The Butterfly Conservatory* There are hundreds of different butterflies trapped in a tropical setting inside a large dome-roofed building. We were ushered into a small-not air conditioned room and shown a short video before we entered the domed area. Here your allowed to wander around at will. there were a couple waterfalls and I remember seeing one statue at least. I found this very peaceful and a cooling break from the heat of day that was already hot at 11 a.m. Lines at this was about a ten minute wait. When you exit you exit into the giftshop. We didn't spend time in any of the gift shops.
*White Water Walk* This is a walk along the rapids below the Rainbow Bridge. The rapids are classed as classic rapids, the highest grade of rapids in the world. We had to descend in an elevator to get to this and then walk through a long tunnel which opened out into a deck above the rapids. There were placards with tidbits of history involving the falls. Theres a walkway that leads from this enclosure, taking you along the base of the gorge. Your allowed to wander at will here also. Exit is into the gift shop of course.
*Maid Of The Mist* If you do nothing else at Niagara Falls-take the Maid Of The Mist boat ride. They take you very close to the base of the Canadian Falls. We loved this and ended up slightly wet. To reach this you must also take another elevator ride stand in line, give your ticket and receive a free postcard, stand in line, accept a rain complimentary rain slicker(thin), then stand in line some more. Total ride lasts about 15 minutes. We're planning a trip back next year and this is definitely one of the things we are doing again. Exit into the gift shop.
*Journey Behind The Falls* This is located in a large building closest to the Horseshoe Falls. We gave up our last stub off our package and then bought an ice cream cone while waiting for our alloted time. Finally we were ushered down a hallway only to stand in line some more. After receiving another rain slicker only this one bright yellow, we stood in line some more and then were finally allowed to enter the tunnel area to reach our destination. I don't remember an elevator ride at this spot. The tunnels lead you to two openings behind the Canadian Falls. You cannot get too close to the Falls since there is a flimsy metal barrier stopping you about 12-15 feet from the actual opening. The roar of the water is quite loud and you do get somewhat wet since the water drips off the roof of the tunnels. Plus there's another deck you can walk down onto to get an up close feel of the Falls and more spray. And lastly you exit into the gift shop.
After 2 days I found out there are no grocery stores nearby. But there are tons of stores on every block pushing T-shirts, and hats&such, rice items like a necklace with writing on a single grain of rice. I was almost tempted into this but 20$ plus for a necklace with one grain of rice that has our names or something on it...no just not me, sorry. Also little convenience stores on almost every street corner, but I only found one gas station within a quarter mile or so away from our hotel. The sign that day said gas was about 7something CAN. That is crazy, now I know why everyone pays to park and walks or takes one of the 3 modes of transportation closest to the falls.
Overall I have to recommend Niagara Falls Ontario Canada. Thankfully the weather cooperated the whole time we were there. If you've never been there, it's a sight to see. Just remember you cannot pull off the road and get out to look. You must pay to park in a pay parking lot, at your motel, or one of the pay for spots found along most of the roads. These have machines nearby that accept money and have timers. We left the van at our motel when we hit Niagara Falls on Tuesday and didn't move it till we left Thursday morning. We are going back for a 6 year anniversary next year. We spent a total of almost 600$ and that included our gas to get there, fee to get into Canada, toll booth fees, lodgings, eats, Great Gorge passes for 4, Ripleys tickets, 4 tee shirts, and a lil gambling too.
Note of interest: Did you know there is a scow trapped behind the Canadian Falls? I camcorded a great shot of it as we drove by the Falls one last time on our way out of Canada. The oldest boy found this neat.
Getting back into the US was another story. we crossed back over the Rainbow Bridge then waited in line for about 40 minutes before finally reaching the checkpoint itself. The lady asked for my hubby's driver license and birth certificates. She asked if we are all related, where we are going, and do we have any plants or animals. okaaayyy. Your good to go she said. Ahhh, homeward bound. I was really missing my house and the cats by this point.
This is a great place to visit, but be prepared to do some walking and waiting in lines. My legs were sore and I do alot of walking on a normal day, LOL. I'm glad we went during the week. Some lines were long so I'd hate to see them on a sunny weekend. Id like to be there on a Friday next time to see the fireworks they have throughout the summertime on Friday nights. At dark they also light up the falls with colored lights. Very nice.
When we go back again we are checking out the Skylon Tower and Marineland which is nearby. And I still won't have a grip on the exchange rate, LOL.
PS....We were told they are building a monorail around Niagara Falls and supposed to be completed in 2005. I'm hoping this is done when we go back next August.
Thank you for reading.
~Wanda~
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug
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Epinions.com ID:
kay67
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Member: Wanda
Location: Central Pennsylvania, USA.
Reviews written: 159
Trusted by: 167 members
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