Category: Niagara Falls Hotels

Travellers with an appreciation for nature will have a hard time passing up the world-class wildlife attractions in Niagara Falls. Whether you’re interested in marine life, exotic animals or majestic predators, the area has exactly what you need to satisfy your curiosity. When visiting the falls, nature lovers are sure to enjoy visiting the following attractions.

Marineland Canada

Boasting a fascinating abundance of sea creatures, Marineland Canada is the perfect attraction for anyone intrigued by life under the sea. The park attracts thousands of visitors each day and is home to countless fish, dolphins and whales. In addition to its undersea creatures, Marineland Canada features an adorable assortment of sea lions and walruses that are sure to steal your heart. Furthermore, elk, black bears and other Niagara-native wildlife can be observed in Marineland’s Animal Kingdom. Visitors interested in seeing the park’s residents perform should take in one of the entertaining shows at the King Waldorf Stadium. The lovable antics of the hoop-jumping dolphins and back-flipping sea lions will delight guests of all ages.

Marine Land also caters to thrill-seekers with its exciting array of roller-coasters and amusement park rides. Depending on when you visit, you may have the pleasure of being soaked on one of the park’s seasonal water rides. Roller coaster fanatics won’t be able to leave without experiencing Marineland’s death-defying Dragon Mountain coaster.

Safari Niagara

Guests can see exotic animals up close at Safari Niagara. This massive wildlife reserve houses animals from all over the world. African lions, Bengal tigers and Brazilian tapirs are just a few of the reserve’s many residents. Bird lovers will be dying to meet Safari Niagara’s hawks, macaws and cranes. In addition, reptile enthusiasts won’t be able to get enough of the reserve’s snakes, alligators and small lizards. Guests fascinated by apes will enjoy watching the Japanese macaques and olive baboons swing from the reserve’s lush trees.

Safari Niagara also boasts a fun-filled array of warm-weather attractions for summertime guests. After a long, hot day of observing wildlife, guests can cool off in the park’s Splash Pad, a refreshing water-themed playground. Guests interested in taking a water tour of Safari Niagara should consider renting one of the park’s convenient paddleboats. A seasonal catch-and-release fishing pond is available to visitors with a knack for catching fish. In addition, music lovers will enjoy rocking out at one of the park’s free summer concerts.

Niagara Falls State Park

To see Niagara-native wildlife in its natural environment, pay a visit to the newly improved Niagara Falls State Park. Not only will visitors be treated to a breathtakingly close view of deer, elk and black bears, they’ll also have the opportunity to see the iconic falls from an assortment of different angles. If you’re always on the hunt for prime photo opportunities, a guided tour of the park is an absolute must. Travelers with an appreciation for masterfully-preserved woodlands will enjoy taking in the park’s amazing scenery.

The falls aren’t the only fascinating sight to behold when visiting Niagara. If observing wildlife is something you enjoy, Niagara Falls is an essential travel destination.

Image by lezumbalaberenjena from Flickr’s Creative Commons

Making your way through an exhibit-laden museum is usually a feast for the mind. Whether your area of interest is nature, world history or masterfully-preserved artifacts, Niagara Falls has you covered. With its impressive assortment of knowledge-filled institutions, the falls are the perfect destination for travelers looking to expand their intellectual repertoires.

Niagara Falls Museum

As Canada’s oldest museum, the Niagara Falls Museum is home to an extensive range of natural artifacts. Visitors with an interest in plant life won’t want to miss the museum’s famous coast redwood tree exhibit, which features a breathtakingly massive coast redwood that has been preserved in the museum for over a century. Guests who are fascinated by marine life will have a hard time passing up the enormous 40-foot humpback whale skeleton found at the Niagara Museum.

Additionally, anyone with a soft spot for the Old West is sure to love the museum’s collection of posters, guns and other artifacts from Canada’s very first Wild West Show. This show incorporated the talents of such iconic cowboys as Texas Jack Omohundro and Wild Bill Hitchcock, so if you have an appreciation for genuine frontier heroes, this exhibit is essential viewing.

Niagara Falls History Museum

History buffs will have a blast while taking in the educational exhibits found at the Niagara Falls History Museum. Providing visitors with a fun and comprehensive history of the area, this museum is home to artifacts, keepsakes and promotional pieces of art from the various daredevils who have tried — often in vain — to conquer Niagara Falls. Visitors with a knack for geology will love the museum’s interactive illuminated rock exhibit.
Meanwhile, travelers who thrive on military history can feed their minds at the Gale Family War of 1812 Gallery. Equipped with a guided audio tour, war buffs can relive one of Canada’s most iconic armed conflicts. The Niagara Falls History Museum also hosts three to four guest exhibits from other museums each year. Depending on when you visit, you may be in for a limited-time treat.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Niagara Falls

Travelers with an appreciation for the bizarre and unexplained will feel right at home when visiting the Niagara Falls branch of Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum. With a well-deserved reputation for showcasing exhibits that are baffling but true, this popular museum caters to visitors with an insatiable interest in the strangest things the world has to offer. Ripley’s Niagara features rooms full of artifacts from around the world that are believed to possess occult powers. In addition, the museum showcases news clippings and photographic evidence of supernatural occurrences from around the globe. To see human nature at its worst, pay a visit to Ripley’s Museum of Torture. Here, guests will find a spine-tingling assortment of torture and execution devices used by humans throughout history. Visitors with a wicked sense of humor will laugh themselves silly when reading the museum’s collection of lighthearted tombstone engravings.

After taking in the iconic falls, travelers can expand their minds even further by visiting some of the area’s fascinating museums or some of the other free attractions in the area. With interactive exhibits on a breadth of topics, even staunch anti-learners will succumb to the interesting information housed in the area’s many museums.

Pelham Art Festival: Visit the Pelham Art Festival thisMother’s Day weekend for a delicious lunch, unique collections of art and discussions with artists. Visit the festival and purchase a beautiful, one of a kind, piece of artwork for your home or for that special someone. For the art lovers out there this is definitely an event to check out!

Folks Art Festival: Visit this long running Heritage Festival in Niagara Falls, which promises to be full of food, music, children’s activities and much more. Embrace the multiculturalism that surrounds us in Niagara with tons of entertainment and open houses for all to enjoy!

12^th Annual Niagara Falls Review SHARE Grand Prix: Enjoy a day full of racing and mini putt as you and your family raise money for a good cause. Complimentary mini-putt and a BBQ will be a Saturday well spent as you anticipate the winner of this 12^th annual tradition in Niagara Falls.

The breathtaking Niagara Falls are one of the world’s foremost natural wonders. However, if one of your kids is more of an indoor-vacationer, there’s no point in the family sitting around the hotel room flipping channels all day. Simply grab a sack of quarters and hit up the best arcades the area has to offer.

Adventure City

Gamers looking for a more traditional arcade experience will feel right at home when visiting Adventure City. Packed to the brim with arcade hits, Adventure City has something for gamers of all ages. Adding to its nostalgic appeal, Adventure City boasts a wide range of skee-ball machines and hoop-shooting booths. The tickets you earn from playing these games can be redeemed at the arcade’s prize counter, where you’ll find an impressive selection of plush toys, figurines and electronic devices. Patrons who want to remember their visit to this super-sized arcade are sure to love the retro-themed Adventure City shirts, hats and paraphernalia available for purchase at the prize counter.

Adventure City’s interactive rides cater to guests who enjoy cutting-edge arcade games. The arcade’s famous Tour Bus SWAT Team ride enables thrill-seekers to become elite police officers and defend an embattled city from vicious criminals. And, visitors who know their way around a bumper car ring can’t leave without experiencing Adventure City’s Traffic Slam Bumper Cars.

The Great Canadian Midway

One of the premiere destinations for family fun in Niagara Falls, The Great Canadian Midway has countless ways to keep your family entertained. In addition to boasting a broad range of arcade mainstays, this massive entertainment complex is home to a number of unique attractions. Guests interested in getting up-close and personal with exotic animals should take in a screening of the interactive “Safari Adventure” film at the park’s XD Theater. Additionally, haunted house enthusiasts can blast 3D spooks into oblivion in the spine-tingling Ghost Blasters Dark Ride.

Getting your gaming fix in Niagara Falls couldn’t be easier. With the area’s convenient assortment of arcades and family attractions, bad weather will never put a damper on your vacation fun.

Captain Jack’s Pirates Cove

Touted as the largest arcade in Niagara Falls, Captain Jack’s Pirates Cove is the ideal destination for gamers who aren’t afraid of a little exercise. Your family can have hours of fun running, diving and zapping opponents in Captain Jack’s enormous laser tag arena. Gamers interested in honing their stealth skills can practice when visiting the arcade’s intricate laser maze. If your family enjoys miniature golf, don’t hesitate to visit Captain’s Jack’s massive mini golf course. This pirate-themed indoor course features 18 fiendishly challenging holes and a swashbuckling array of glow-in-the-dark nautical decor.

If a fun-filled day of gaming has left your family famished, swing by Captain Jack’s attached restaurant. With a kid- and budget-friendly menu of pizza, burgers and fresh-made sandwiches, it’s the perfect place to replenish your energy for a few more hours at the arcade. Plus, while the kids are at play, adults can sample one of the many fine beers the restaurant has on tap.

Cabaret: The hit musical Cabaret will be coming to Niagara at the Shaw Festival Theater, running spring to fall. The show has been around since 1966 when it premiered on Broadway and has been performed over 1,100 times winning countless awards.

Martin Short and Steve Martin:

Burton Cummings: Another evening full of legendary music will be visiting Niagara Falls when Canadian musician Burton Cummings performs at Fallsview Casino. Enjoy his hit songs throughout his solo career as this award-winning artist takes the stage for an intimate evening of great music.

Like many people, we’re always on the lookout for ways to save money. Whether we’re traveling abroad or exploring our own backyard, it’s important to keep costs down so that we are able to afford the things that really matter.

While Niagara Falls is known the world over as an inexpensive, family friendly vacation destination, it’s always nice to be aware of activities and sights that will fit into any budget. Free activities can be especially beneficial to families or large groups who need to be mindful of their spending.

We’ve crafted a list of five of our favorite things to do in Niagara, all of which are free. Take a look and decide which activity you’ll try on your next visit to the Niagara area.

Niagara Falls History Museum

While there is an admission charge at the Niagara Falls History Museum the majority of the time, those in-the-know visit the museum on Thursdays from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m., when admission is free. Get up-close with the fascinating history of the Niagara region in general and Niagara Falls in particular. If possible, check their calendar in advance, as some Thursday nights the museum offers free movies, dancing and other activities.

The Floral Clock

Located on the Niagara Parkway, the Floral Clock is one of the most iconic sights in Niagara and is photographed almost as often as the falls themselves. Created by planting up to 16,000 plants that vary by season, this large clock offers a burst of bright color and classic chimes that signal each quarter hour.

The clock, its flowers, and the grounds around it are maintained by the parks departments, and their horticulturists are responsible for the selection of the colorful flowers that make up the clock’s face.

McFarland House

Bursting with charm and local history, the McFarland House offers visitors a unique opportunity to catch a glimpse of life as it was many years ago. The McFarland House was the residence of the McFarland family, who were Scottish emigrants. However, the house was also used a hospital during the War of 1812 and was the site of various battles, and some of the objects used during that time are still on display.

Guided tours of the house are available during the summer months, and guests are able to explore the large gardens, as well.

Botanical Gardens

We most enjoy spending our spring outside amongst the flowers. Luckily for us, the Niagara Parks Commissions Botanical Gardens is one of the best in the world. This 99-acre garden offers seasonal displays that begin with tulips and other flowers in the spring, then move on to annuals in the summer, and wind things down with chrysanthemums in the fall. At any time of year this garden is a spectacular place to relax and take in the beauty of nature.

Niagara Glen Nature Area

Just a short distance away from Niagara proper is Niagara Glen Nature Area. Outdoor activities abound at this park and include hiking, cycling, bird watching and views of Niagara Gorge. The sport known as bouldering has become very popular here, as has the tech-centric scavenger hunt called geocaching. Spend a few hours, or an entire day, at Niagara Glen and enjoy all of the natural beauty this area has to offer.
Whether you’re here for just a few days, or you plan to explore the Niagara area for a few weeks, take advantage of a few of the free activities we have to offer. What’s your favorite free activity in Niagara?

Legends in Concert: Experience award winning performances of your favourite singers at Legends in Concert. With tributes to Whitney Houston, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen and many more, this concert is one you will not want to miss.

Runway Art Hair Fashion Event: Combine artistic fashion, design, edge hair and aesthetics with a choreographed runway and you have Runway Art Hair. With tons of interactive activities and proceeds going toward the Many Hands Project, your Saturday will be well spent.

Real Canadian Craft Beer Festival: For the beer enthusiasts out there, the Real Canadian Craft Beer Festival is calling your name. This event will feature craft beer from breweries across Ontario, food from local restaurants and live music.

One of my favorite things about the Niagara area is the abundant fruit and vegetable harvests we can look forward to every year. Farmers all over the area are well-known for producing wonderful bounties season after season, and much of it is organically grown.

While this means that many of the best restaurants in the area have access to and use fresh local produce, it is the vegetarian establishments that benefit the most. In recent years, vegetarian-friendly restaurants have exploded in Niagara Falls, giving all of us access to delicious types of vegetarian cuisines from all around the world.

If you’re a vegetarian visiting our area or you just enjoy vegetarian cuisine, try one of these restaurants and get a true taste of Niagara Falls.

Curry Queen Indian Cuisine

While not strictly a vegetarian restaurant, Curry Queen offers a wide range of Indian, Pakistani and Hakka dishes, many of which are vegetarian. All of their food is prepared according to halal standards, as well. Vegans need simply to inform their server of their request, and the kitchen will prepare a meal accordingly.

The channa masala, chickpeas cooked in a savory sauce, is delicious, as is the vegetable korma. Try the lentil dal for a truly authentic taste of India.

Sahara

If you’re in the mood for Middle Eastern food, look no further than Sahara. Owned by a Middle Eastern family, this small restaurant serves up authentic cuisine with a smile. The chefs take great care to prepare vegetarian meals separately to ensure their customers are satisfied.

Be sure to try the homemade whole wheat pita, and the falafel plate comes highly recommended. This is a great place for authentic, delicious and inexpensive food.

Skylon Tower

One of Niagara’s most iconic landmarks, the revolving restaurant at Skylon Tower is a great choice for a special occasion or simply a nice evening out. At 775 feet above the falls, the view is spectacular and the dining is exceptional.

Because this isn’t a strictly vegetarian establishment, the dinner menu boasts one vegetarian option and one vegan choice. Vegetarians can enjoy the delicious eggplant dish that is served with mozzarella cheese in a spicy tomato sauce. The vegans in your group can try the grilled vegetables with tofu. The restaurant also boasts an impressive wine selection.

Frijoles

This Tex-Mex style restaurant has a wide range of options for everyone in your group. There are traditional meat choices for the carnivores and meatless options for the vegetarians. Vegans will also find something to enjoy, as the staff is well-versed in vegan practices.

Try one of their overstuffed burritos bursting will well-seasoned and delicious fillings. A fish option is available, and all dishes are served with fresh, homemade salsas.

Ten Thousand Buddhas

While not a restaurant per say, Ten Thousand Buddhas is an active Buddhist temple and monastery that serves a vegetarian and vegan buffet once a week during the summer months. Volunteers prepare and serve the food, and you can feast upon delicious vegan Chinese food as well as Buddhist food, which is prepared with no garlic or onions.

The charge for the meal is $7.00 Canadian, but if you can pay more, the service relies on donations of both time and money to maintain operations.

Whether you’re a vegetarian or travel with someone who is, take a moment to consider one or more of these restaurants. They provide a delicious glimpse into all that Niagara has to offer.

Buddhist temple image by Antony Pranata from Flickr’s Creative Commons

Magique Illusionists: If you love magic shows and appreciate the hard work behind grand costumes, Magique Illusionists is the event for you. From January 30 – February 5 at the Niagara Fallsview Casino you can check out Kevin and Caruso as they wow you in your seats!

Abba/Bee Gees Tribute Show: On February 17 relive your disco memories by checking out Night Fever a tribute show to Abba and the Bee Gees at the Greg Frewin Theatre. If you want a night full of upbeat, joyful music that will have you reminiscing, this event is definitely worth checking out!

Chinese New Year Celebration: With the Chinese New Year starting Friday, January 31 get ready for a traditional and eventful celebration. Starting January 31 until February 14 enjoy various Chinese New Year specialities including a gala dinner, Chinese New Year food, ice sculptures and decorations that represent the Chinese culture.

Mythology about the Niagara area is plentiful.

There is something about the Niagara geography, territory, making the region known for larger than life stories. Some stories are true others are not.

One such story is that of a Native girl named Lelawala.

The original Iroquois legend is about a young Seneca girl who while in a canoe was accidentally swept over the falls. She was rescued by Hinum “the Thunder God” who shows how her people can destroy the monster snake residing in the river. The ensuing battle creates the Niagara Falls we see today.

“I guess that’s exactly what it is   a myth, a legend,” says Niagara Falls official historian Sherman Zavitz.

Rick Hill, a Tuscarora native who teaches at Six Nations Polytechnic near Brantford, says there’s some truth to the Lelawala story that of a woman, Thunderbeing spirits and a huge serpent living near the Horseshoe Falls.

“Some elements of what is commonly-known today were derived from native stories, but they’re often times greatly exaggerated to sell a certain narrative,” says Hill, who teaches indigenous history and culture to natives and non natives.

In Maiden of the Mist: A Legend of Niagara Falls, released in 2001, Charles blended the original Iroquois story with that of its European counterpart.

Veronika Martenova Charles, who studied and has a degree in mythology, says extensive research proved aspects of the story were “not all nonsense,” but that the Iroquois indeed did not practice human sacrifice.

Zavitz says some natives take exception to the myth, specifically the suggestion their people practised human sacrifice.  “If it makes a good story, it’s interesting to talk about, but sometimes it’s just that, a good story with no evidence to suggest it ever happened or existed.”