Niagara Falls, Ontario

[sk8jdgca]

We just like taking cheesy pictures along Clifton hill. There are tones of free photo op spots. The sky wheel is good though and the dinosaur mini golf is fun. Bowling is a normal price and is a good rainy day thing to do

 

[garrsmom]

We just got back Saturday. Niagara is an amazing place. Thanks for all of the useful information and I am open for any questions.

 

[Eureka]

Leaving this afternoon and will be crossing the border tomorrow. Will try to check in here when I can. Won't be able to figure out the hosting/posting pictures until I get home though.

 

[mrsboz]

subscribing. thinking of going next spring.

 

[Eureka]

Hi all, we are here in Niagara on the Lake. Got to the border about 11am and to the falls by probably 11:30. We parked by the Skylon ($15 for all day; there are several lots around ranging from $15-22).

We turned in adventure pass vouchers at a welcome center window in/near Queen Victoria Park and scheduled a couple of the attractions for tomorrow early afternoon and one for today. It's supposed to rain in the morning and you can't schedule a time ahead for Hornblower Cruise, it's all first come first serve, so we will see how the weather is to decide when to do it.

By then it was noon so we grabbed a quick lunch at Tim Horton's, because you can't go to Canada and not eat there, lol. Sandwich, drink and donut/pastry meal deals were about $7 each and pretty decent for what it was. Then we went on the white water walk. I really liked it, it was pretty, cool down there (way cooler than it's been in the DC area!) and a lot of great photo ops. Glad we did it today to leave us more flexibility tomorrow.

Now we've checked into our hotel, have not looked around town yet. Going to rest a bit before dinner and a play (Uncle Vanya). There's a Tim Hortons across the street which Ds13 is excited about. He said he's going to walk there "every morning" (we're only staying two nights!) for donuts, which are apparently better than Dunkin Donuts. I'm not a big donut fan so I couldn't really tell you how true that is .

 

[Eureka]

Last night we had tickets to Uncle Vanya, one of the plays in the Shaw Festival. It was very good. Before the show, we ate at a place on Queen St. called Bistro Sixty One. It was primarily Italian food and expensive, but yummy. The kids had wood fired pizzas, DH had a seafood bouillabaisse and I had salmon. We also had a very nice cheese plate to start. We didn't have a chance to wander in any of the shops, and DS15 was looking longingly at the ice cream and gelato places (he can eat his weight in ice cream!) but we didn't have time or stomach space. Maybe tonight.

After getting back from the play at about 11:30pm (we walked from the hotel, not quite a mile), we didn't set an alarm this morning and slept in. Instead of DS13 walking over to "Timmies" as I've been advised to call it if I want to sound like a true Canadian , DS15 and I went over and brought back some breakfast. It was raining but about 70 degrees, and our Journey Behind the Falls wasn't until 1:40 so we were hoping it would clear up.

Got to the falls about 12:30, parked in the same lot by Skylon. Our Niagara's Fury was first. The pre show (for which you stand, kind of like China in Epcot) was not what I expected. I thought it was going to be a documentary about the creation of the falls but it was a short animated version. Then the Fury was a 4D thing where you stand as if you're in a boat while watching the scenery on an IMAX-like screen. They give you ponchos and you do get wet. DS15 was thoroughly underwhelmed and if I didn't have the pass, I'd have thought it wasn't worth it either.

The Journey Behind the Falls was cool though. You go down an elevator into a tunnel where you literally can see "the backside of water". The observation deck was cool too for pictures. After that, we were hungry and needed something more than fast food, so we went to the Elements restaurant in the visitor center. Again, not cheap but the food was good and there's a great view. I had a turkey sandwich on a multigrain baguette which DS13 ended up sharing bc he didn't like his buffalo chicken wrap (too spicy). DH and DS15 had burgers with roasted peppers and mushrooms that were stacked so high, they took them apart to eat them.

After lunch, we did a little souvenir shopping and took our bag and our jackets to the car. By then, the rain had stopped and it was warmer and sunny. We then went down to the Hornblower Cruise. Didn't have to wait long at all and it was fun. The boys have never been out of the country before so DS13 was fascinated with the fact that we could see the Maid of the Mist cruises leaving from the US on the other side of the water. We got soaked but that was the fun of it. Stopped at the sad little arcade at Skylon....I say sad bc half the games and machines were out of order. Luckily we noticed this and only got $5 of tokens and no more.

Now we're back at the hotel chilling. Tomorrow morning we head to Toronto. Niagara has been fun!

 

[Ngwira]

Last night we had tickets to Uncle Vanya, one of the plays in the Shaw Festival. It was very good. Before the show, we ate at an Italian place on Queen St. called Bistro Sixty One. It was primarily Italian food and expensive, but yummy. The kids had wood fired pizzas, DH had a seafood bouillabaisse and I had salmon. We also had a very nice cheese plate to start. We didn't have a chance to wander in any of the shops, and DS15 was looking longingly at the ice cream and gelato places (he can eat his weight in ice cream!) but we didn't have time or stomach space. Maybe tonight.

After getting back from the play at about 11:30pm (we walked from the hotel, not quite a mile), we didn't set an alarm this morning and slept in. Instead of DS13 walking over to "Timmies" as I've been advised to call it if I want to sound like a true Canadian , DS15 and I went over and brought back some breakfast. It was raining but about 70 degrees, and our Journey Behind the Falls wasn't until 1:40 so we were hoping it would clear up.

Got to the falls about 12:30, parked in the same lot by Skylon. Our Niagara's Fury was first. The pre show (for which you stand, kind of like China in Epcot) was not what I expected. I thought it was going to be a documentary about the creation of the falls but it was a short animated version. Then the Fury was a 4D thing where you stand as if you're in a boat while watching the scenery on an IMAX-like screen. They give you ponchos and you do get wet. DS15 was thoroughly underwhelmed and if I didn't have the pass, I'd have thought it wasn't worth it either.

The Journey Behind the Falls was cool though. You go down an elevator into a tunnel where you literally can see "the backside of water". The observation deck was cool too for pictures. After that, we were hungry and needed something more than fast food, so we went to the Elements restaurant in the visitor center. Again, not cheap but the food was good and there's a great view. I had a turkey sandwich on a multigrain baguette which DS13 ended up sharing bc he didn't like his buffalo chicken wrap (too spicy). DH and DS15 had burgers with roasted peppers and mushrooms that were stacked so high, they took them apart to eat them.

After lunch, we did a little souvenir shopping and took our bag and our jackets to the car. By then, the rain had stopped and it was warmer and sunny. We then went down to the Hornblower Cruise. Didn't have to wait long at all and it was fun. The boys have never been out of the country before so DS13 was fascinated with the fact that we could see the Maid of the Mist cruises leaving from the US on the other side of the water. We got soaked but that was the fun of it. Stopped at the sad little arcade at Skylon....I say sad bc half the games and machines were out of order. Luckily we noticed this and only got $5 of tokens and no more.

Now we're back at the hotel chilling. Tomorrow morning we head to Toronto. Niagara has been fun!

Awesome trip report. So glad you are having fun.

 

[momtosam]

Thank you for your reports @Eureka. We leave on Thursday!

 

[rramsr]

Yes, we ro

Are you riding the these rides at Clifton Hill? I had written that off, thinking it was too tourist trap like, but our teen kids would love some 4D Rides--I'm not even sure what a 6D ride is? I asked my daughter and she thought with that many "Ds" that you are on an actual rollercoaster.

Clifton Hill is a tourist trap, but it's awesome! lol It's the ultimate in cheesy touristy area, I love it!! You must not miss it. It's great, even if you don't do anything but just walk it. There are haunted houses, fun houses, wax musuems, 4D rides, mazes etc....[/QUOTE]


Yes, we rode them in Clifton Hills, they were all good but after doing about 5 or so in a row I was starting to feel a little yucky

 

[Eureka]

@sk8jdgca I think it was you who told me about Pizza Rustica in Toronto. It's literally around the corner from our hotel and we had lunch there today. Very good, thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Ngwira]

Hope you are enjoying.

 

[momtosam]

@Eureka did you leave yet? Ripley's has a promotion on their website for $8.88 per person.

 

[Eureka]

@Eureka did you leave yet? Ripley's has a promotion on their website for $8.88 per person.

Yeah, we are in Ottawa now. We used the Toronto City Pass for the aquarium. @Ngwira having fun...the new Cirque du Soleil show is amazing! And I got a call for an interview when I get back. Ambivalent about this particular one, will go into details another time on Debt Dumpers.

 

[Ngwira]

Congrats on the interview. Use it for practice.

 

[CarlisleMom]

Thanks everyone for all the updates! We leave tomorrow!!!!

 

[mullysisters]

Thank for the info. If it's like Seaworld, I'll pass

You're welcome in Canada anytime, friend. Animal Parks are a discrace. Thank you for not supporting cruelty. We have lots of other great stuff!

 

[momtosam]

Hi everyone! We're just back from a great stay. We did most of the things listed on this thread -- Adventure Pass, Clifton Hill pass. We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott and had no trouble getting the TIF removed from our bill. One thing we did that I didn't see mentioned here before was the Greg Frewin magic show. We had great seats in section 2. The kids loved and I loved it. We also got the buffet dinner with it. That was just so so. I'd pass on that and eat somewhere else before the show. They also sell drinks, snacks and appetizers to munch on. One minor issue we had was that our debit card does not have a chip yet. Some atm machines would not accept it because of this. Be careful about that.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Also, bumping to read myself later.

 

[SoundofMusic]

Great thread. Thanks.Has anyone been able to remove TIF lately, particularly at Four Points by Sheraton Fallsview? We have an upcoming reservation and their email said it's voluntary for the businesses but mandatory for the guests.

 

[Ngwira]

Great thread. Thanks.Has anyone been able to remove TIF lately, particularly at Four Points by Sheraton Fallsview? We have an upcoming reservation and their email said it's voluntary for the businesses but mandatory for the guests.

We stayed there last year and had to pay it. Next year, we are trying Marriott properties, specifically the Courtyard at Marriott.