You'll fall for Niagara

By JENELLE CLEARY

Here is something for you trivia buffs. Did you know that there are two Niagara Falls? True!

There is Niagara Falls, Canada and then Niagara Falls, NY, USA!

Also, there is no one waterfall called 'Niagara Falls'. Niagara Falls is actually the name of the group of falls - these being Horseshoe Falls and America Falls.This article will be all about the Niagara Falls township in Canada!

Niagara Falls is something of a tourist mecca. On your travels you soon realise - wherever there is a Ripley's Believe it or Not and a 'House of Horrors wax museum' you are in the depths of the tourism whirlpool.

But to see Niagara Falls makes the 'Clifton Hill Tourist Precinct' area more bearable. All the cheap food places and souvenir stalls seem a thing of the past when you are at the actual falls. The eerie silence at the top of the top compared to the thunderous roar at the base of the falls is amazing.

Maid of the Mist has been operating since 1846 and allows you to get as far into the falls as possible. With your 'plastic poncho' on you will be ohhing and ahhing all the way, while you get a shower of fresh Niagara water!

Even though the falls are what bring you to Niagara in the first place, the city has some great attractions to suit everyone and it is all very visitor-friendly.

The People Mover service is great - this mini-bus drops you at many major interest areas in and around the Niagara precinct. To escape the hustle and bustle, The Botanical Gardens offer a serene atmosphere that allows you to just 'wander'.

From everywhere in the town you can see the Skylon Tower. Although it may resemble some great building from Trapper John or some other late 70's TV show, Skylon gives you get the chance to dine on their revolving restaurant.

At night, the falls are illuminated and you can see them in all their glory. If you can't be there right now though, you can always view Niagara via the FallsCam.

Outside of Niagara (on the US side), there is also the Prime Outlets Mall, which gives you the chance to do some serious outlet shopping for all of your favourite brands such as Gap, Levi, Adidas, Fila, Timberland and Tommy Hillfiger. You can get a special shuttle service form the main street in Niagara over the border to the US side.

The Falls have reportedly stopped flowing only once - in 1845, due to an ice jam in the upper river. Residents were said to have believed that the world was coming to an end because of the eerie silence.

The comforting roar of the water, that many people would've been used to hearing their whole life, was no longer there.

Then there are also the Niagara Daredevils - people who have attempted or succeeded in 'jumping' the Falls.

Accommodation-wise, there are many options in Niagara itself, or even out of town. Hotels, motels, caravan parks - whatever takes your fancy. While I was there, I stayed at the Niagara YHA - one of the best hostels around.

It was just a walk from the falls and in a very quiet part of town. Breakfast is amazing at Dad's Diner (best home fries in town) and also Simon's Restaurant, which serves up unbelievable milkshakes and fluffy mashed potato!

While you are at Niagara you can take a trip to Toronto or explore some of the USA. Either way and whatever mode of transport you choose, you will have no problem finding information.

Getting to Niagara is easy - you can get there without fuss by bus, train or plane. Just remember, if you are coming from the USA, all the usual regulations are in place, as you are going into another country.

Links

Thunder Falls- educational/tourism
Niagara Falls Vacation guide
Niagara Falls Net