Romantic Niagara Falls

Known for its legendary 188-foot high, thunderous waterfall, the city of Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada also offers cultural nightlife, a growing culinary scene and world-famous wine country. Niagara Falls is full of festivals: the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival, the Niagara Ice Wine Festival, the Niagara Falls International Marathon and the Winter Festival of Lights are just a few.

Niagara Falls is also known for its ample outdoor recreational opportunities, including clean parks and trails; the 56-kilometer Niagara River Recreational Trail connects Lake Erie to Niagara-on-the-Lake, winding past river and parkland. Other natural attractions include the Centennial Lilac Garden and the Butterfly Conservatory, home to more than 2,000 tropical flutterers.

The Embassy Suites Niagara Falls is a 42-story building over Canadian Niagara Falls, approximately 100 yards from the water's edge and 45 miles from Buffalo/Niagara International Airport. Within walking distance are Casino Niagara, Clifton Hill, Maid of the Mist, Skylon Tower and the new Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. The Hotel offers complimentary breakfast and a complimentary Manager's reception. Hotel amenities include the 10-storey atrium, dining overlooking the falls, indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness center, valet parking, shuttle to the Casino and attractions, Starbucks, and TGI Fridays. The hotel's new restaurant, The Keg Steakhouse & Bar, features a ledge stone fireplace and a showpiece 3-level tiered seating, with floor to ceiling windows for panoramic views of the Falls from every table in the restaurant. The hotel also offers valet laundry service. All rooms have hairdryers, coffeemakers, irons and ironing boards, and microwaves.

If you're tired of the sunshine and the roar of the Falls, why not try walking in total darkness while scary monsters leap out at you? That's the gist of this haunted house, where you never know what will come at you next and what will send you screaming towards the exit. But don't worry, you simply yell out "screamers" and the ordeal is over;you'll simply join thousands of others on the Chicken List.

The lifelike figures in this museum are the closest most of us will come to meeting heroes from the past and those making headlines today. From movie stars to presidents, they've all been reproduced at this world-famous waxworks with franchises around the globe. The Niagara Falls' version is located near Casino Niagara and is a short drive from the Falls. Here, you'll find some 200 figures in and photos with your hero or heroine are encouraged.

Open year-round including all holidays. Admission fee: CAN12.95 (adult), CAN7.69 (child).

It's difficult to imagine these luxurious dining rooms were once a cannery in the early 1900s. Today, the 200-seat restaurant features three elegant dining rooms: Carriages, The Cannery, and The Library, each with its own ambiance and enjoyable cuisine. Located within the Pillar and Post Inn in beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake, the restaurant features a red brick interior that combines country charm with elegance. The food is a potpourri of selections spanning the globe, and delicacies from the region. Favorites include the slow roasted prime rib and goat cheese soufflé.

Described by Winston Churchill as "the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world," the Niagara Parks Commission adminstered trail, runs 58 kilometres from Historic Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake to Fort Erie. Used by non-motorized traffic, the trail divides into four sections, each taking up to two hours by bike. The trail records the history of the region and was a popular route for both American and British troops during the War of 1812. Plaques and information markers outline the story so that you can follow along while admiring the views.

It all began 12,000 years ago when a huge trench was carved to create Niagara Falls—spectacular natural wonder. At the time, the Falls were about 7 miles down river in the Lewiston-Queenston area. In their present position, the Horseshoe Falls (170 feet high and 2,500 feet wide) on the Canadian side and the American Bridal Veil Falls (180 feet tall and 1,100 feet wide) are eroding at the rate of about 6 feet each year. Together, they pour about 200,000 cubic feet of water every second over the brink. Come the Winter holiday season, the Falls are beguilingly decked out for the annual Winter Festival of Lights.

A 15-minute drive from the Falls, with a spectacular view along the Niagara Parkway and the Niagara River, leads to this charming, historic village. Home to such attractions as Historic Fort George, Fort George National Historic Park, and McFarland House, the town is located where the Niagara River opens out into Lake Ontario. Visitors can enjoy a carriage ride in the Old Town, or attend the world-renowned Shaw Festival. With everything from world famous wineries, gift shops, and picturesque golf courses, you won't be disappointed.

The multiple award winning Hillebrand Estates Winery offers guests exquisite meals at their Vineyard Cafe. Chef Tony de Luca prepares what he calls wine country cuisine using fresh, local ingredients from the region. For example, you can savour the Ontario lamb rack with honeycomb roasted vegetables, spinach and spring potatoes on cumin sweet pepper jus for dinner and pair it with a Hillebrand wine. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly and ready to help if you're not sure which wine would best complement your meal.

Gushing waterfalls and winding rivers welcome visitors to Niagara Falls, New York, home to the oldest state park in the United States. The city’s four main regions—falls, river, lake, canal—all offer a mix of arts and entertainment as well as their own natural beauty, as implied in their names.

Across the border from Niagara Falls, Ontario, the city differs from its Canadian neighbor in its dedication to nature preservation and the little emphasis it places on casinos. The Falls helped build the city, as industrial builders took advantage of the power provided by the waterfall, but now its strength lies in protecting natural resources rather than using them.

Start in the falls region, home to Niagara Falls State Park, where world-famous waterfalls reside; then take a helium balloon ride and spot Buffalo, New York, and Toronto from 400 feet in the air; also in the neighborhood is a casino and half a dozen other parks. The lake region contains the 30 Mile Point Lighthouse, packed with historical and educational sites and a rentable 3-bedroom suite. Hike, bike or ski alongside the Erie Canal in the canal region, then end your journey with a trip to the Underground Railroad Regional Interpretive Center, in the river region.

Holding the distinction of being the oldest state park in the nation, this 400-acre preserve also contains what has been called one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World; the Falls themselves. Walk along miles of trails, take in the spectacular beauty of the Three Sisters Islands, picnic on Goat Island or take part in the Cave of the Winds excursion. The visitor's center features interactive displays, a movie theater for the Niagara Wonders big screen film, a virtual reality helicopter ride above the Falls, and a gift shop.

What do Teddy Roosevelt, Marilyn Monroe and Diana, Princess of Wales, have in common? You guessed it. They've all taken rides on the Maid of the Mist—or rather one of seven Maids, which have been in service over the past 150 years. This world-famous boat takes its passengers right into the heart of the Falls. You can catch the boat on either the American or Canadian side, with boardings every 15 minutes between April and the end of October.

Overlooking the lower whirlpool rapids, this 42-acre park features a nature trail; gorge caves; picnic area; winter snowshoeing and cross-country skiing; and a spectacular 300-foot walkway that winds its way along the Niagara River. At the end of it, you're treated to a stunning view of the rapids in all their majestic splendor. The park is popular with hikers, camera buffs and bird watchers, as well as fishermen on the lookout for trout and salmon. Nearby parks include the Whirlpool State Park, and Niagara Falls State Park.

This restaurant attracts diners from as far away as Toronto and Buffalo seeking delicious French gourmet feasts. Chef Lee Parsons produces wonderful dishes without the need for heavy spicing or other tricks of the trade. Located within the historic Prince of Wales Hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the restaurant offers exemplary service and presentation, making for a memorable evening. The menu includes Supreme of Salmon (CAD34), Breast of Muscovy Duck (CAD38), and Roasted Grain-Fed Squab (CAD42). The cheese tray features 24 varieties, and the wine selection is extensive.

Known as Niagara Falls' Fun Street, this stretch of road running from Victoria Avenue to River Road is home to many of the city's amusement parks, houses of horror, and fun-style museums. Located a block from Casino Niagara and walking distance to the Falls, the strip, along with a stretch of Victoria Avenue, features such attractions as the Alien Encounter, Guinness World Of Records Museum, Adventure Dome, Louis Tussaud's Waxworks, and Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Museum.

The Embassy Suites Niagara Falls is a 42-story building over Canadian Niagara Falls, approximately 100 yards from the water's edge and 45 miles from Buffalo/Niagara International Airport. Within walking distance are Casino Niagara, Clifton Hill, Maid of the Mist, Skylon Tower and the new Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. The Hotel offers complimentary breakfast and a complimentary Manager's reception. Hotel amenities include the 10-storey atrium, dining overlooking the falls, indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness center, valet parking, shuttle to the Casino and attractions, Starbucks, and TGI Fridays. The hotel's new restaurant, The Keg Steakhouse & Bar, features a ledge stone fireplace and a showpiece 3-level tiered seating, with floor to ceiling windows for panoramic views of the Falls from every table in the restaurant. The hotel also offers valet laundry service. All rooms have hairdryers, coffeemakers, irons and ironing boards, and microwaves.

Known for its legendary 188-foot high, thunderous waterfall, the city of Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada also offers cultural nightlife, a growing culinary scene and world-famous wine country. Niagara Falls is full of festivals: the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival, the Niagara Ice Wine Festival, the Niagara Falls International Marathon and the Winter Festival of Lights are just a few.

Niagara Falls is also known for its ample outdoor recreational opportunities, including clean parks and trails; the 56-kilometer Niagara River Recreational Trail connects Lake Erie to Niagara-on-the-Lake, winding past river and parkland. Other natural attractions include the Centennial Lilac Garden and the Butterfly Conservatory, home to more than 2,000 tropical flutterers.