Absolutely Necessary Things to Pack for a Visit to The Falls

Travel Tips

Each destination has its unique peculiarities, which means  when deciding what you will pack for a visit, there are particular things that will make your time there easier, or more fun, or more rewarding.
For a vacation in Niagara Falls, you need to pack all of the usual suspects – er , objects – that you would for a typical trip, but there are some things that will really make a difference.  Add the following things to your packing list, throw them into your suitcase and you’ll thank me for it!




1.A large clear plastic bag.  Why? If you own a good camera, you will want to protect it from the mist that is an almost permanent fixture at The Falls.  I like to have my camera ready, and I often carry it around my neck, but cover it with the plastic bag to keep it dry.  Sometimes you can use the plastic to shield the camera while you take a shot.  Also bring along some soft dry cloths to wipe any wayward water drops off the lens.  It is particularly important to protect your camera if you take a ride on the Maid of the Mist.  It is such a dramatic occaision for pictures, but the spray is intense.



2.  A folding umbrella – not for the rain, but for the spray if you are going to spend some time at the edge of The Falls and do not want to get soaked. (Actually, on a 30  degree day, it feels pretty good!)
3. A copy of the Frommers Niagara Region Guide that will tell you the best places to visit, eat and stay, and reveal insider tips you would never otherwise discover. (In the interest of full disclosure, I wrote the guide, but trust me when I tell you that it is a thorough and detailed guide, with lots of useful info.)

4. Your ipod or iphone – the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass lets you download a lively commentary for all of the places on the tour, with the history and lore you need to really appreciate what you are seeing.

5.  Some blank postcards and a good pen – for collecting autographs.  Niagara Falls attracts famous people like flies to honey.  There is seldom a week goes by without a notable character showing up Falls side.



6. a good pair of binoculars – that way you can visit the Canadian side of The Falls, but use your binos to get a close view of the American Falls, as well as the birds, Navy Island and the details of the rocks and islands at the top of The Falls.

7. Motion sickness pills – if you stay in The Tower Hotel – which stands atop a 500 foot tall tower – you might need them.  One whole wall of each room is all windows, and the tower will sway slightly if the wind is a bit agressive.  Very exciting, but maybe a bit queasy for a delicate tummy.



8. Your lucky rabbit foot, four leaf clover, or lucky charm – you will want to visit the glamourous Fallsview Casino, and with luck you may leave richer than you arrived.  (You will have a good time even if you loose a bit of coin.)

9. Your favourite mantra – the  Cham Shan Budhist Temple (aka The Ten Thousand Budha Temple of Peace) is a special building that you will not want to miss.  A little contemplation and some time to appreciate the truly special architecture here will put you in a Zen state of mind.



10. An easily washed, stain resistant t-shirt .  Niagara Falls is a surprising hotbed of Italian cusine, due mostly to extensive Italian immigration after WWI and WWII.  Places like Antica Pizza, or Mamma Mia’s offer up slurpy family-style plates of pasta, meatballs  and pizza – messy but delicious and affordable  and not to be missed. Just like Mamma used to make, – if Mamma was named Gina or Serafina.

Bargaining eh?

Niagara Falls for the Bargain Hunter

Regretably, we are a nation of non-hagglers.

Canadians, in general, are not good at bargaining.  It’s somehow – well – not polite to badger someone into cutting their prices.  Bargaining is not a Canadian thing.

But paradoxically, there is no one who enjoys a bargain more than we do.  So what we are good at is searching out the best places, best prices and best buys.

Here’s five of the best buys in Niagara Falls, no bargaining or bartering required. (Now that’s a real Canadian deal.)
1. The Bundled Attractions Pass: The Niagara Falls Adventure Pass is a great way to save money.  The pass costs 40% less than if you bought four attractions seperately. For $46.95 per adult, and $34.95 per child, between April and October, you get admission to the Maid of the Mist,  Journey Behind the Falls,  Niagara’s Fury and White Water Walk, along with two day’s rides on the Peoplemover, an all day on-and-off shuttle service along the Niagara Parkway. Also, you’ll receive reduced price admission to the Butterfly Conservatory, Sir Adam Beck 2 Generating Station Power Tour, Whirlpool Aero Car, Old Fort Erie, McFarland House, Laura Secord Homestead and the Mackenzie Printery and Newspaper Museum. An added bonus of the Pass: visit a Niagara Parks Welcome Centre and staff will reserve your times to see several attractions, allowing you to bypass line-ups and feel like a real VIP. You can buy your pass online and print your own, and you can even arrange to download a guide to your MP3 player. Great Value!

2. Free Light Show: The Falls are illuminated 365 days of the year and they are a spectacular sight.  Smart visitors find a good spot in Queen Victoria Park to sit on the grass and just enjoy the view. Costs nothing.


3. A Night on-the-town Bargain ( if you are a female) Rumours Nightclub welcomes all females on Friday night. No cover charge all night for ladies at this popular dance and drinks bar.


4. Gamble on a Great Night Out for 25 cents ( and up): The people watching is great at the Fallsview Niagara Casino.  You could spend a night just roaming through the gaming rooms watching the action.  But you can gamble yourself – you can bet the minimum amount in one of the one-armed bandits (slots) -  25 cents.  If the stars were aligned correctly, you could go home with more money than you spent.


5.  Even a Bargain Hunter Has to Eat: Dining in Niagara Falls can be expensive, but if you are willing to go a little bit away from the Falls area, there are some real dining bargains.  For a delicious. filling and affordable meal, try the calzones at Johnny Rocco’s Italian Grill on Lundy’s Lane.  Have a glass of wine, a salad, one of the best calzones in town, and you’ll be out of there for under $20.





So, get set for an affordable visit to the Falls! A real Canadian Bargain.

Follow The North Star to Freedom: Niagara Tours

For many slaves fleeing a life of endenturement in the United States, Canada represented freedom.  It was the shining Northern star at the end of the Underground Railroad, the secret network of helpers and hiding places that aided runaway slaves on their journey.

Niagara Bound Tours is a tour company that custom designs tours that will explore the history and heritage of Black immigaration in Niagara, with particular emphasis on the slaves who arrived here as a result of their journey along the Underground Railroad.
The tour features several places of interest, including Hariet Tubman’s church, the crossing sites of freedom seekers on both sides of the border including the Canadian site of for the crossing of Josiah Henson (Uncle Tom’s Cabin character), and the Welland Canal Centre – home of  the permanent Black history exhibit.
Tours can be individual or in groups. The customized tours include a step on guide who is a direct descendant (fifth generation) of a freedom seeker from Kentucky who came to Canada in 1850 settling in the Niagara Region.   Recently added are tours of the Buffalo-Niagara Underground Railroad as well.
NIAGARA BOUND TOURS
87 Masterson Drive
St. Catharines, ON  L2T 3P8
905-685-5375
www.niagaraboundtours.com

Local Author Celebrates Local Flavours

 

 

Pssst!  Want to know who is growing fresh garlic?  Gourd zucchini? Micro-greens? Heritage tomatoes? ...

Ask this lady.  She'll likely know. 

She's Lynn Ogryzlo.  Here you see her teaching a class on preserves, and, while she does do many cooking classes, her real passion is for writing cookbooks.  Not just your run of the mill cookbooks, but books that are tied so closely to the land they are inspired by that you can almost smell the fresh veggies.

Her first cookbook, Niagara Cooks - From Farm To Table, won the award for best local cookbook in the world.  It is an inspiring chronicle of the people and the farms and producers in Niagara who are growing and making wonderful things for our table.  It's a treasure trove of information on where to get the best produce and the hard-to-find ingredients and who to get them from.  In addition to that information, she supplies easy to make recipes for the ingredients, with the final products lovingly photographed by her husband, John.  Each recipe has a backstory, making it the kind of cookbook that I love, not just a collection of impersonal recipes, but an inspiring read as well as an instructional one.

 
Her follow-up book, Niagara Cooks - A Seasonal Attitude - chronicles the bounty of Niagara through all four seasons, again compiling the stories of the growers and producers who inspired her.

In her next book, she expands her territory and explores the culinary richness of the entire province, in The Ontario Table, again beautifully illustrated with John's photos.

All three are gorgeous books, and they are particular favourites of mine because of the philosophy that is their context - that we should get to know our local farmers, that we should use and celebrate the wonderful things that grow in our back yards, and that we should, in a simple and joyous way, appreciate theexcellent variety of our (metaphorical and literal) table.






You can find Lynn's book at many outlets in Niagara or order them from her website here.

Niagara Peaches - Heaven in your Hand!

UnimPEACHable Niagara! 

 Quiet Acres Presents the Best of Niagara at its Roadside Stand

I've had imported peaches. Nothing special.  The Georgia peach is talked about a lot. It's an okay peach.  But nothing beats a Niagara peach.  Nowhere else can you get a peach that is firm yet tender, sweet but just tart enough, with intense flavour notes of almonds, florals and citrus. A just picked Niagara peach, at is ripest best, is one of life's pleasures worth savouring.

And right now, the first peaches of the season are ready so it's time to plan a road trip down the Niagara Peninsula to load up on these lovelies.

The early peaches are clingstone, which means they are a bit harder to slice, but the flavour is gorgeous. Eat them in your hand, make a peach pie ( my personal favourite), bake up a peach cobbler, whirl them into a smoothie or slice them over vanilla ice cream. Best dessert ever.  And if, by some slim chance, you have some left over, they can be preserved in a simple syrup to be enjoyed on a dark winter's day, or made into jam.

And according to Maureen MacSween of Quiet Acres in Niagara on the Lake, this is a vintage season for peaches. "The hot weather has been great for the peaches.  The high heat units boost the sugar and flavour and since we irrigate our orchards, the peaches have developed superbly this season.The heat not only boost the flavour and size of the peaches, it gives them nice rosy red cheeks.  So they look good too." 

 If you are looking for a place to buy peaches, as well as the other fruits and vegetables that are in season right now, head for the Quiet Acres fruit and vegetable stand on Lakeshore Road in NOTL.  Plums,cherries, local garlic, zucchini, corn, apricots, fresh dug new potatoes - and many other beautiful fresh local produce is available here.  The staff are friendly and helpful - and pretty too!

 It's a perfect excuse for a drive to Niagara. 

 Quiet Acres is easy to find - here's a map to help.

 

Quiet Acres

 672 Lakeshore Road 

 Niagara-on-the-Lake,

 Ontario, Canada.

Follow The North Star To Freedom

For many slaves fleeing a life of endenturement in the United States, Canada represented freedom. It was the shining Northern star at the end of the Underground Railroad, the secret network of helpers and hiding places that aided runaway slaves on their journey.

Niagara Bound Tours is a tour company that custom designs tours that will explore the history and heritage of Black immigaration in Niagara, with particular emphasis on the slaves who arrived here as a result of their journey along the Underground Railroad.
The tour features several places of interest, including Hariet Tubman's church, the crossing sites of freedom seekers on both sides of the border including the Canadian site of for the crossing of Josiah Henson (Uncle Tom’s Cabin character), and the Welland Canal Centre – home of the permanent Black history exhibit.
Tours can be individual or in groups. The customized tours include a step on guide who is a direct descendant (fifth generation) of a freedom seeker from Kentucky who came to Canada in 1850 settling in the Niagara Region. Recently added are tours of the Buffalo-Niagara Underground Railroad tours as well.
NIAGARA BOUND TOURS
87 Masterson Drive
St. Catharines, ON L2T 3P8
905-685-5375
www.niagaraboundtours.com

A Margarita by the Falls? Why not?

Photo courtesy of Margaritaville Niagara

Seems so out of season, but sometimes doing the opposite of what is expected has a frisson all of its own.
One of the newest additions to the dining/nightlife scene in Niagara Falls is Margaritaville, one of a chain of Jimmy Buffet's establishments that have honed the art of casual entertainment to a high gloss.
This attractive bar and restauarant has a great patio that shines in good weather, but the view is pretty good from inside, too. And the margaritas are guarranteed to be great. Food is the usual pub grub, tasty and plentiful.
Plus every Wednesday night is Beach Night, so you can wear your flip-flops and pretend.

Photo courtesy of Margaritaville Niagara

It's a nice place to stop in for a drink and nibbles, or for a casual meal. Situated so close to the Falls, it is easy to walk to any of the attractions.

Photo courtesy of Margaritaville Niagara

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville - Niagara Falls
6300 Fallsview Blvd.
Niagara Falls, ON
Phone: 905-354-1245
info@margaritaville.ca
www.margaritavilleniagara.ca

Niagara Falls Bird Kingdom

It may be cool and rainy outside as Fall sets in, but inside the Bird Kingdom, the atmosphere is warm and steamy, and the birds are happy to see you.
This family friendly attraction located near the Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls is the perfect place when the family wants an outing and the weather is iffy. Even in good weather, the Bird Kingdom is a pleasure.

(Photo Courtesy of The Bird Kingdom)
It's the world's largest free-flying aviary with hundreds of exotic birds in a climate controlled jungle atmosphere, filled with bird song. Visitors can feed the birds and even hold them, with the help of a trainer.

(Photo courtesy of Bird Kingdom)
There's an historic hand carved Javanese Tea Room as well as a good gift shop.
Why not let everything go to the birds and spend a few hours with our feathered friends? It is fun, educational and good for the soul. Studies say that time spent with nature lowers blood pressure, reduces stress and increases positive emotions.
5651 River RoadNiagara Falls, OntarioL2E 7M7Toll Free: 1-866-994-0090Phone: 905-356-8888

www.birdkingdom.ca

Canada's Bloodiest Battlefield

Old Fort Erie is a place that is of particular appeal right now, as Canada and America prepare to celebrate 200 years of peace, and to mark the end of the War of 1812.

The original Fort Erie was built by the British in 1764, and was improved into the Fort you can visit today in 1805-1807. Over the next seven years, the fort was fought over by both American and British troops, changing hands and being partially destroyed. It was witness to brutal combat that resulted in huge losses on both sides.
Old Fort Erie was the first fort built in Ontario by the British - in 1764 during Pontiac’s Rebellion. The fort was abandoned by American troops in 1814, and subsequently occupied by Britisth troups after the Treaty of Ghent brought an end to the War of 1812. The fort lay in ruins for years, until the Niagara Parks had it rebuilt as a make work project during the Great Depression in 1939. Fort Erie remains Canada's bloodiest battlefield, and stands today as a brilliant and authentic replica of military and domestic life as it was lived in Canada from 1812 to about 1814.

The fort is a truly fascinating place to visit, both entertaining and informative. There are tours of the grounds and the buildings, weekly 'ghost tours', battle recreations, and costumed guides. A perfect destintion for a family outing.
If you are interested in a bit of a fright, consider the following special events at the Fort:
Murder Mystery at Old Fort Erie: September 10 & 11 at 7pm
Experience a murder most foul in the creepy interior of the old stone fort. A different story each night - Friday: "Militia Muster" Saturday: "Wedding in the Fort". Exciting prizes to be won! Adults 13+ $10 per night or $15 for both; Children 6-12 $5 per night or $8 for both. Tours will depart from the front gate of the Fort. Please call for reservations 905-871-7211.

Horseplay on the Beach

Spend the day Horsin' Around!

(Photo Courtesy of Horseplay Niagara)
As another long hot summer weekend - possibly one of the last of the season- approaches, here's an idea of something different to do. Why not take a horseback ride through a cool forest trail or along the beach, maybe with your lover, friend, mate, even your kids? And this is an adventure you can take in any season - it operates all year, with special winter rides that have their own unique charm.
Horseplay Niagara runs trail rides through scenic forests and along the beaches of Lake Erie. There are over 300 acres of trails, and Horseplay Niagara will tailor the ride to fit the riding abilities of the clients. Children as young as 6 can enjoy this experience.

(Photo courtesy of Horseplay Niagara)
There are several types of rides available , including cookouts and sunset rides, and rides can last from one hour to half a day.

(Photo courtesy of Horseplay Niagara)
Horseplay Niagara is only a 30 minute drive from Niagara Falls. So, grab your gear, haul out your cowboy hat, saddle up, and enjoy the outdoors on horseback!

Bargaining, Eh?

Regretably, we are a nation of non-hagglers.

(Photo courtesy of ed yourdon)
Canadians, in general, are not good at bargaining. It's somehow - well - not polite to badger someone into cutting their prices. Bargaining is not a Canadian thing.

(Photo courtesy of tonylanciabeta)
But paradoxically, there is no one who enjoys a bargain more than we do. So what we are good at is searching out the best places, best prices and best buys.

(Photo courtesy of eblaser)
Here's five of the best buys in Niagara Falls, no bargaining or bartering required. (Now that's a real Canadian deal.)
1. The Bundled Attractions Pass: The Niagara Falls and Great Gorge Adventure Pass is a great way to save money. The pass costs 40% less than if you bought four attractions seperately. For $39.95 per adult, and $27.95 per child, between April and October, you get admission to the Maid of the Mist, Journey Behind the Falls, Niagara's Fury and White Water Walk, along with two day's rides on the Peoplemover, an all day on-and-off shuttle service along the Niagara Parkway. Also, you'll receive reduced price admission to the Butterfly Conservatory, Sir Adam Beck 2 Generating Station Power Tour, Whirlpool Aero Car, Old Fort Erie, McFarland House, Laura Secord Homestead and the Mackenzie Printery and Newspaper Museum. An added bonus of the Pass: visit a Niagara Parks Welcome Centre and staff will reserve your times to see several attractions, allowing you to bypass line-ups and feel like a real VIP. You can buy your pass online and print your own, and you can even arrange to download a guide to your MP3 player. Great Value!
2. Free Light Show: The Falls are illuminated 365 days of the year and they are a spectacular sight. Smart visitors find a good spot in Queen Victoria Park to sit on the grass and just enjoy the view. Costs nothing.

(Photo courtesy of diego_3336)
3. A Night on-the-town Bargain ( if you are a female) Rumours Nightclub welcomes all females on Friday night. No cover charge all night for ladies at this popular dance and drinks bar.

(Photo courtesy of Rumours )
4. Gamble on a Great Night Out for 25 cents ( and up): The people watching is great at the Fallsview Niagara Casino. You could spend a night just roaming through the gaming rooms watching the action. But you can gamble yourself - you can bet the minimum amount in one of the one-armed bandits (slots) - 25 cents. If the stars were aligned correctly, you could go home with more money than you spent.

(Photo courtesy of Hamik_Bey)
5. Even a Bargain Hunter Has to Eat: Dining in Niagara Falls can be expensive, but if you are willing to go a little bit away from the Falls area, there are some real dining bargains. For a delicious. filling and affordable meal, try the calzones at Johnny Rocco's Italian Grill on Lundy's Lane. Have a glass of wine, a salad, one of the best calzones in town, and you'll be out of there for under $20.

(Photo courtesy of Dyanna)

Eat Like a Local In Niagara Falls

The locals know where to eat for good reliable food at good prices. That's why, whenever I travel, I try to hang out with some of the neighbourhood characters who will share the secrets of their town with me.
In Niagara Falls, there are a huge number of places to dine, many of them on the touristy side, and many of them more expensive than they should be. If you want to avoid the fast food route without breaking the bank, there are several delicious choices, but you may not find them on the standard tourist list.
Here's a few of the places that a friendly resident of Niagara Falls would direct you to, if you asked him where to get a great meal at a reasonable price:

Betty's Restaurant

(Photo courtesy of Betty's Restaurant)
This casual and unassuming restaurant has been in the Chippewa neighbourhood for over forty years and has been an enduring favourite for families in Niagara Falls for a reasonable and filling meal. Famous for their fish and chips ( $11.99) and their generous slices of Trudy's homemade pies ($3.29) this is a perfect place for a relaxed dinner with the kids. The decor is simple and the service is fast and friendly.

Napoli Ristorante & Pizzeria

(Photo courtesy of Napoli Pizzeria)
There's an explanation for the abundance of really fine Italian restaurants in Niagara Falls. A large influx of Italian immigration in the early part of the 1900's and again after the second world war brought many Italians to Canada. The Niagara area has the largest concentration of Italians in the country and the culinary scene has reaped the benefits. When in doubt in Niagara Falls, choose an Italian Restaurant and chances are you will have an exceptional meal. Napoli's is one of the long time places where the food is freshly prepared, with Italian zest. The gnocchi are freshly made and the pizzas are excellent. The Classic basic pizza with tomato and mozarella, a bargain at $8.50, is a great choice. Pair that with a fresh salad, a glass of wine and some good Italian bread, and - Cia, Bella! -you have some good eats.

Johnny Rocco's Italian Grill

(Photo courtesy of Johnny Rocco's Italian Grill)
This is the place for calzones - those half-circle stuffed pizzas that are filled with meat, vegetables, or cheese, then folded over to resemble a large turnover, baked and served with tomato sauce. Try "Johnny Rocco's Choice ", with mozzzarella, kalamalta olives, mushrooms, hot peppers, pepperoni, proscuitto and chicken ($13.99). The pizzas and calzones are done in a super-hot pizza oven. Sit out on the patio, enjoy a good cold beer, and try a calzone. Lovely.
These are three of the "frequently-frequented by locals" restaurants that will give you a more intimate, less big chain, dining experience in The Falls.
Enjoy!
Tell them a local sent you.