BD

Birthday Trip to Niagara Falls

Friday, June 20th - Saturday, June 28th

Here is our updated itinerary:

Friday, June 20th - Flying from Las Vegas to St. Louis via Southwest 2715. Leave Vegas at 5:05 pm - nonstop arriving in St. Louis at 10:15

Renting a seven-passenger minivan from National Car Rental in St. Louis, turning it in at the Buffalo, NY airport on Saturday, June 28th at 4:00 p.m.

Leaving St. Louis probably mid-afternoon on Tuesday, June 24th via car. Hope to stay around Dayton (346 miles from Arnold) that night.

Leaving Dayton, Ohio Wednesday morning, June 25th and driving to Niagara Falls (350 miles).

Staying three nights at the Embassy Suites at Niagara Falls.

Leaving Buffalo Saturday, June 28th; flying Southwest 3084 non-stop to Las Vegas. Leaves Buffalo at 5:20 p.m. - Arrives in Vegas 7:05 p.m.

Embassy Suites Fallsview - 6700 Fallsview Boulevard, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada L2G 3W6 100 yards to the brink of Niagara Falls.

The Embassy Suites Hotel Niagara Falls - Fallsview is closest hotel to Niagara Falls, located beside the Niagara Fallsview Casino, and in the heart of the Fallsview Tourist District. The hotel towers 42 floors above the Falls with 512 spacious 2-room suites including luxurious Fallsview, Whirlpool, Fireplace, Jr. Presidential and Presidential Suites. The Keg Steakhouse is located on the 9th floor.

I booked a Jr. Presidential Suite with breakfast

Jr. Presidential and Presidential Suites offer guests first class accommodations with upgraded amenities as well as panoramic view of the Falls.

Junior Presidential Suites offer an impressive view overlooking both the famous Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls. This Suite offers spectacular floor to ceiling windows - located high above the Falls on floors 28-36. This spacious 2-room suite features 1 King size bed with an adjacent fireplace, and a large two person whirlpool with windows opening to a view of the Falls. The full size living room has a sofa bed and a large dining area.

All Suites are equipped with 2 colour TV's, Nintendo 64 games, pay per view movies, 2 telephones, coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, individual climate control, safe, refrigerator, wet bar, mini-bar and microwave. Also available is wireless high speed internet access. Wake up to Niagara Falls right outside your window! This suite sleeps 5 people comfortably.

Dinner at The Skylon Restaurant 8:00 on the 27th

Virtual Tours Page

Cave of the Winds

The Cave of the Winds trip takes you closer to the waters of Niagara Falls than you thought possible. You ride an elevator 175 feet (53 meters) deep into the Niagara Gorge. Then, clad in a bright yellow poncho and wearing the special footwear provided, you follow a tour guide over a series of wooden walkways to the famous "Hurricane Deck". As you stand at the railing, you are a mere 20 feet (6 meters) from the billowing torrents of Bridal Veil Falls. The rushing waters loom above you, dousing you with a generous spray as you face the thundering Falls head-on. Rainbows are usually visible day and night. Everyone can experience the sights of Niagara Falls. A deck has been built 150 feet from the base of the Falls especially designed for handicapped and adults with children in arms.

While there is no actual cave anymore, the original cave was a natural cave behind Bridal Veil Falls 130 feet (40m) high, 100 feet (30m) wide and 30 feet (9m) in depth. It was discovered in 1834, and originally dubbed Aeolus' Cave, after the Greek god of winds. Guided tours began officially in 1841, and continued until a rock fall in 1920 made it clear the passage was no longer safe. The cave was obliterated in a massive 1954 rock fall and subsequent dynamiting of a dangerous overhang. The tour officially reopened in 1924, now bringing visitors to the front of the Bridal Veil instead of behind it, on a series of decks and walkways. Tropical storm-like conditions can be experienced, as winds can reach up to 68 mph underneath the falls.

2008 Pricing $10.00 US for adults. Open 9:00 am - 7:30 pm seven days a week

Parking available on Goat Island for $8.00 per car.

Journey Behind the Falls

The sound is like thunder, the sight awe-inspiring! Take a journey deep below and behind the heart of Niagara and stand in the mist where the mighty Horseshoe Falls tumbles from 13 stories above!

Admission Prices are shown in Canadian dollars and do not include applicable taxes. December 3, 2007 to mid-April 2008: Winter rates are reduced when the attraction's Lower Observation deck is closed due to ice conditions: $9.00 Adults (13+ years), $7.20 Children (6 to 12 years). The Upper deck is protected and remains open year-round. April through November 2008: $12.00 Adults (13+ years), $7.20 Children (6 to 12 years) Children 5 and under are FREE all year!

Dates of Operation: Open Year-round except December 25.

Hours of Operation: All times subject to change. Last tickets sold 30 minutes prior to closing.

Opening Time - 9 a.m. Closing Times - January to June: 5:30 p.m. weekdays, 7:30 p.m.weekends

June to September: 8:30 p.m. weekdays, 9:30 p.m. weekends,

Location Enter Journey Behind the Falls at Table Rock Center, beside the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, at 6650 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Paid Parking is available at the Falls Parking Lot, just across the street.

Maid of the Mist

Water rushes all around as you "soak" in the excitement and explore the roar of the Falls. A historical ride aboard the world-famous Maid of the Mist is a half hour thrill of a lifetime! North America's oldest tourist attraction, millions of visitors have enjoyed the boat tours since 1846.

The following is for departures from the Canadian docks only. Times and rates all subject to change.

Admission Prices are shown in Canadian dollars and include taxes. $14.50 Adults (13+ years), $8.90 Children (6 to 12 years). Children 5 and under are FREE!

Dates of Operation: Opening date for the Season is weather dependent. Closes for the winter starting October 24.

Hours of Operation: Each day the last tickets are sold at the closing times shown: June 21 to August 8, 9:00 am to 7:45 pm

Available from early May (start date is weather dependent) to October 24 each year, admission to the Maid of the Mist is included with the Niagara Falls & Great Gorge Adventure Pass, departing from the Canadian docks only.

The entrance for Canadian departures for Maid of the Mist is at 5920 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. This is at the north end of Queen Victoria Park, close to the Rainbow Bridge and Oakes Garden Theatre at the foot of the Clifton Hill tourist area.

Attraction Facts & Figures

A powerful diesel-engined boat will take you from the Canadian docks past the base of the American Falls, then into the basin of the magnificent Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Operating from late April/early May (weather dependent) to October 24 each year, the Maid departs every 15 minutes. Two 600-passenger boats, Maids VI and VII, are each 80-feet long and have two 350-horsepower engines that carry the vessels against the powerful current. A recyclable souvenir raincoat is provided free with admission to help keep you dry from the mist and spray.

The Maid of the Mist Steamship Company is privately owned and leases the land for its Canadian operations from The Niagara Parks Commission.

Steamship departures from the Canadian side of the Niagara River are located at the Maid of the Mist Plaza. Previously the location of the Princess Elizabeth Building , the Plaza was built in 1991 and is unique in that it is set into the gorge wall, with all buildings below ground level. The large brown stone tower, covered in split brick mosaic carvings of vines, houses four high-speed elevators that take passengers down to the docks at the river’s edge. Taking a few steps up to the top of the tower provides a wonderful panoramic view of Niagara Falls and it is a very popular location for photographers.

Shopping & Dining at Maid of the Mist Plaza

At the end of your boat tour, you will enter the Maid of the Mist Plaza, which includes gift shops, a quick serve food outlet, a Welcome Center and the ticket offices for the Maid of the Mist. A two-level outdoor Marketplace features live entertainment daily throughout the summer, fun shopping like Misty Bear's Workshop where you can stuff and dress your own bear, and lots of tasty snack items.

White Water Walk

Stroll along a boardwalk at the very edge of one of the world's wildest stretches of whitewater! Marvel at the relentless power and beauty of nature and see how the deep and narrow Great Gorge was created. Trillions of gallons of water are forced into this accelerating trough - the sight will take your breath away!

The White Water Walk features a photo gallery that reviews the stunters and daredevils from years past that tried to conquer Niagara's dangerous whitewater rapids.

Admission Prices are shown in Canadian dollars and do not include taxes. $8.50 Adults (13+ years), $5.00 Children (6 to 12 years) Children 5 and under are FREE!

Dates of Operation: Open Seasonally, daily between March 21 and November.

Hours of Operation: All times subject to change. Last tickets sold 30 minutes prior to closing time. Opening Time - 9 a.m. Closing Times - June 23 to Sept 2: 8:00 p.m.

Location - 4330 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Just 4 km north of the Falls, on the People Mover bus route, near the Whirlpool Bridge. Within walking distance of the Niagara Falls Ontario train and bus stations. Free parking available. This attraction is wheelchair accessible except for 2 small viewing areas which are reached by stairs.

Facts & Figures about White Water Walk

At White Water Walk, you'll ride an elevator down 70 meters, then walk along a tunnel that is 73 meters long. The Boardwalk beside the rapids is 305 metres (1,000 feet or ¼ mile) and stairs lead to two observation areas at the edge of the River.

The water travels at different speeds along the length of the Niagara River. South of the Falls where the river is wide and slow, the maximum speed is about 40 km/h. Near the brink of the Falls, a speed of 109 km/h has been recorded. As the water travels through the Whirlpool Rapids at White Water Walk, it is traveling at about 48km/hr or 30mph, creating the Whirlpool Rapids - "Class 6 white-water rapids".

Rivers are rated on a scale of 1 to 6 in eastern North America, and 1 to 10 in western North America. The Colorado River is the benchmark for white-water, where some sections are Class 5 and 6 and the flow is 60,000cfs.

White Water Rapids - Class Definitions

Class 1: Little to no current. Small waves with no obstacles. Class 2: More current than Class 1 with bigger waves, but no major obstacles. Class 3: Rapids are longer and more turbulent. Bigger waves, holes and stronger currents than Class 2. Generally considered intermediate. Proper guide training is a prerequisite for safe navigation of Class 3 and above. Class 4: Steeper, longer and containing more obstructions than Class 3. Multiple obstacles to maneuver around. Trained guide is necessary. Class 5: Strong currents and big waves. Several boulders and holes. Has a greater potential to hold and flip boats. Class 6: Extremely difficult to successfully maneuver due to significantly steeper vertical drops and boulders. Usually considered unrunnable.

The Whirlpool Rapids consist of 4 kilometers of 3-5 meter standing waves, making this stretch of whitewater the largest/finest series of standing waves in North America. These standing waves are thought to be caused not by rock obstructions on the bottom of the river, which is probably swept clean here, but by the sheer force (volume and speed) of the water being forced through the narrowing of the gorge at this point.

From here the water races into a part of the river called the Eddy Basin, which in turn opens out into the Whirlpool.

The 90-degree turn in the river is the point at which a geological catastrophe began 4,500 years ago. Here the Falls intersected the ancient St. David’s Gorge. The Whirlpool Rapids were created in just a few days, possibly hours, by the event that started at the Whirlpool 4,500 years ago. Having turned into the more ancient/pre-existing riverbed, the falls then tore out the glacial debris that filled the older gorge, re-establishing as a falls again only when it reached the area of the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge.

Today the 90-degree turn in the river provides a unique view of two world-class whitewater rapids: upriver, the Class 6 Whirlpool Rapids, and downriver, the Class 5 Devil’s Hole Rapids.

The Whirlpool Aero Car offers visitors the only opportunity to look directly into the eye of this gigantic whirlpool.

But there’s more than Ice Age history here. This site also provides visitors with an excellent view of the 410-million year old rock layers of the Niagara Gorge. In these strata, infused under the sun with buff, rust, lavender and green, are the epic stories of plate tectonics, mountain-building, and fossils of marine creatures once alive, now gone forever.

The river depth ranges to over 15 meters at the Whirlpool rapids and 38 meters at the Whirlpool. The deepest part of the Gorge is 98 meters at the escarpment. It gradually decreases in height until it reaches the Falls where it is 61 meters deep. It is 5 meters across the Gorge to the American side and the waves are 3 to 5 meters high!

Whirlpool Jet

From: Niagara Falls, Ontario The Whirlpool Jet Ticket and Info Centre at Feather in the Niagara Glen is located on the Niagara Parkway (River Road - the road right beside the Niagara River) between the Whirlpool Aero Car/Whirlpool Golf Course and the Butterfly Conservatory. From the Falls area in Niagara Falls follow the Niagara Parkway north. Pass under the Rainbow Bridge, pass the Whirlpool Bridge, pass the White Water Walk, the Whirlpool, The Whirlpool Aero Car and the ticket and info centre is located on the right hand side. If you reach the Butterfly Conservatory when traveling from the Falls area you have gone too far. Note: There is very little to no parking available at Feather in the Niagara Glen. We encourage all guests to reach our departure location via the People Mover Service operated by the Niagara Parks Commission. Exit a stop #9 - Niagara Glen. This stop is 8 km from the Falls.

Whirlpool Aero Car Niagara Falls

High above the racing Niagara River, you'll be transported through the air in an antique cable car.

Far below, the torrent of water abruptly changes direction and creates one of the world’s most mesmerizing natural phenomenon – the Niagara Whirlpool. Sometimes frightening and always unforgettable!

Admission: Prices are shown in Canadian dollars and do not include taxes. $11.00 Adults (13+ years)

Dates of Operation: Open Seasonally, Daily from March 21 to November. Operation is weather dependent.

Hours of Operation: All times subject to change. Last tickets sold 30 minutes before closing times listed. Opening Times - March 21 to June 29: 10:00 a.m. Closing Times -May 22 to June 30: 6 p.m. weekdays, 7 p.m. weekends

Location 3850 Niagara River Parkway Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada Located north 4.5 km.(3 miles) north of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls.

Features: The aerial cable car travels safely between two different points of the Canadian shore of the Niagara River over the spectacular Whirlpool. A round trip is about one kilometer (3,600 feet) and takes about 10 minutes to navigate. The capacity of the car is 35 standing passengers. A breathtaking view of the Niagara River's Whirlpool Rapids. Built in 1913 by the Niagara Aero Car Company using Leonardo Torres-Quevedo's patent. Opened on August 8, 1916. Upgrades in design and function occurred in 1961, 1967 and 1984. History

The Aero car was designed by a Spanish engineer, Leonardo Torres Quevedo and has been in operation since 1916. The cable car is suspended from six sturdy cables and offers a wonderful view of the Niagara Whirlpool which is formed at the end of the rapids where the gorge turns abruptly counterclockwise and the river escapes through the narrowest channel in the gorge.

Rainbow Bridge

This is the Gateway between the Cities of Niagara Falls !

Cross the bridge by auto, on foot or a bicycle.

It's also a great location for viewing the Falls & Friday night fireworks.

Current fare is $.50 for pedestrians and bicyclists (each way)

$3.00 U.S. funds & $3.50 Canadian funds for autos (round trip).

Construction of the Rainbow Bridge started in May of 1940 and opened November 1st 1941. The deck of this bridge is 202 feet (61.5m) above the water and 950 feet (289.5m) in length. The water current under this bridge averages 26-30 miles per hour. The water depth is in excess of 175 feet (53m). In one minute it is estimated that six billion (6,000,000,000) pounds of water cross under the Rainbow Bridge. The bridges abutments are 50 (15m) feet above the water to avoid damage from ice in the river which incidentally destroyed the previous Honeymoon Bridge in January of 1938.

IMAX® Theatre

IMAX® Theatre Niagara Falls - Located Next to the Skylon Tower and the Niagara Fallsview Casino

The Daredevil Gallery not only has on display the historical artifacts that survived the plunge (five of their passengers did not), but each comes with the exciting stories of those who challenged the mighty Falls, as well as vintage photography of the actual events and general Niagara Falls facts.

The Niagara Daredevil Exhibit This exhibit is the only collection of original daredevil barrels found in Niagara Falls. Each historical artifact comes complete with the exciting story of those who have challenged the mighty Falls along with vintage photography of the actual events

6170 Fallsview Boulevard Niagara Falls, Ontario L2G 7T8 Phone: (905)358-3611 Toll Free: (866)405-IMAX (4629) Fax: (905)358-3613

Fireworks Nightly Illumination

Over the falls every Friday & Sunday night during the Summer !

2008 FIREWORKS SCHEDULE

June 1,6,8,13,15,20,22,27,29

Illumination of the Falls

Every evening beginning at dusk the Falls are lit in the colours of the rainbow - don't miss the unmatched beauty of the Falls at night!

Illumination of the Falls has been Financed and Operated by The Niagara Falls Illumination Board since 1925.

2008 FALLS ILLUMINATION SCHEDULE

May 1 to August 14 9:00 p.m. - Midnight

A HISTORY OF THE ILLUMINATION OF NIAGARA FALLS

Lighting the Falls to allow visitors to enjoy the beauty of the mighty Niagara even at night, was first attempted more than 140 years ago. In 1860, a spectacular illumination of the Falls celebrated a visit by the Prince of Wales. About 200 coloured and white calcium, volcanic and torpedo lights were placed along the banks above and below the American Falls, on the road down the bank of the Canadian side of the gorge and behind the water of the Horseshoe Falls. The lights were called Bengal lights and were the kind used at sea to signal for help or give warning.

The lights were ignited along with rockets, spinning wheels and other fireworks, creating an effect that the London Times called “grand, magical and brilliant beyond all power of words to portray”… the likes of which the Prince would “probably never see again”.

Illumination of the Falls using electricity first occurred in January 1879, during a visit by the Marquis of Lorne, Governor-General of Canada and his wife Princess Louise. The lights had an illumination power of 32,000 candles, just a fraction of the intensity used today.

A 36-horsepower generating station in Prospect Park, Niagara Falls, New York, operated in July 1879 with 16 open arc lamps each projecting 2,000 candlepower. The Niagara Falls New York Gazette reported “On the evening of the Fourth, the Park was crowded with visitors and citizens and a very satisfactory exhibition of the new light was given.” The lights were used for only one season.

In May 1892, Frank LeBlond, one of the owners of the Maid of the Mist, purchased a 4,000 candlepower light and placed it on the Canadian dock of the Maid of the Mist to light the American Falls. He placed gelatin plates in front of the lights to provide a variety of colours. Then in 1895, Captain John Brinker built the Great Gorge Railroad and announced that it would provide night excursions three times weekly during the summer season, complete with lights to illuminate the Whirlpool. The Gazette reported “Forty arc lamps of 2,000 candlepower each will be placed in the gorge along a distance of 250 feet. Lights will be clustered and so many in such a short distance will make the gorge as light as day. Each arc light will be filled with three globes, white, red and blue, and will work automatically, alternating colours. A huge searchlight will also operate from the cars.”

Large crowds were drawn to the Falls in 1901 for special lighting that was set up as part of the Pan American Exposition being held in Buffalo.

In 1907, W. D’Arcy Ryan of the General Electric Company designed lighting that provided far more power than ever before. Thirty-six projectors illuminated the Falls with a combined candlepower of 1,115,000,000. The display ran for several weeks.

For more than a decade after that, different attempts were made to raise financing to install permanent lighting. Some efforts were prevented by the First World War, but in 1925, a group of interested businessmen finally created the Niagara Falls Illumination Board, to finance, operate and maintain a new, permanent illumination system. Today’s contributing members are the City of Niagara Falls, New York, the City of Niagara Falls, Ontario, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Ontario Power Generation and The Niagara Parks Commission.

The Board’s first installation in 1925 was twenty-four carbon searchlights each 26 inches in diameter, emitting a total of 1,320,000,000 candlepower. The Falls have been illuminated most nights since that time ~ except during World War II when the lights were turned off to conserve power and during subsequent years when generating facilities could not keep pace with electrical requirements of the construction boom. It was not until January 1950 that the Illumination Board was able to guarantee enough power to operate the lights on a regular basis

In 1997 and 1998, new fixtures replaced the outdated lamps and fixtures at the Illumination Tower, doubling the intensity of the lights on the Falls without doubling the hydro bills. Currently a total of twenty-one xenon lights, each with a 76-cm (30 in) diameter, are used to illuminate the Falls in a rainbow of colours. Eighteen are located at the Illumination Tower, beside the Queen Victoria Place and three are located below street level in the gorge opposite the American Falls. Each of the xenon spotlights produces more than 390 million peak beam and has a brilliance of 250 million candlepower.

The Falls are illuminated nightly until at least 10 p.m. January through April and until midnight the rest of the year. In recent years the only occasion the Falls were in darkness was for a few evenings in August 2003 when the lights were turned off to support recovery efforts during a major North American black-out.

Click here for Reservations

The Wet Jet departs daily from both Niagara-on-the-Lake as well as Lewiston NY. Passengers for this trip must be at least 6 yrs of age and 44 inches in height. Following the safety orientation and briefing, passengers are offered some spectacular gear which is intended to keep people warmer while on board - during cooler times of the season. Passengers always receive a life jacket and a set of aqua socks (no need to get your shoes wet). During cooler months we provide all passengers a wool sweater, a full length splash suit and a poncho. We have sizes that fit almost all types and ages. Aqua socks are offered in North American (mens sizes) of 6, 8, 10 and 12. If you would like to bring your own footwear or sandals - feel free - however, they must have a back strap around the heel of you foot, not traditional "flip flops". $56.00 usd All rides are subject to 5% tax and 3.5% service charge. Call for Reservations! 905-468-4800 Toll Free: 1-888-438-4444

Book the 10:00am trip online and save $10.00 per person on individual Regular rates.

We do not reserve specific seats for any wet jet departure. Guests choose where they would like to sit after attending the pre trip orientation and briefing. Every seat on the wet jet is an exciting and WET experience. The closer one sits to the front of the boat the more intense the experience might be. Guests looking for a little less intensity can choose to sit closer to the back. Families with smaller children sit towards the back of the boat with the older passengers sitting on the outside of the younger passengers. Passengers are allowed to bring a hat or visor, glasses and water proof cameras. All other personal items are left on shore for the trip. Reservations are highly recommended and trips do depart daily, rain or shine!

Niagara on the Lake

Fort Niagara

Link to Niagara Falls Photos

Botanical Gardens

Niagara Parks' Botanical Gardens is located on the scenic Niagara Parkway and the Great Gorge, just a 10 minute drive north of the Falls. This beautiful Garden setting is home to the Butterfly Conservatory and serves as the unique outdoor classroom for students attending the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture.

Established in 1936, visitors enjoy 40 hectares (99 acres) of beautifully maintained gardens, including perennials, rhododendrons, azaleas, a formal parterre garden, shade, herb and vegetable plantings, an aviary as well as our world-famous rose garden featuring over 2,400 roses. Footpaths wind past the Butterfly Conservatory and butterfly garden, ponds and an arboretum featuring one of Canada’s finest collections of ornamental trees and shrubs.

The Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens are truly an enriching experience for all seasons. Click here to see our calendar of What's in Bloom throughout the year at Niagara Parks. To learn more about the facility, read our Botanical Gardens Fact Sheet or download a copy of our Brochure that includes a comprehensive map of the grounds. (Adobe Reader required - see link at bottom of page to download.)

Winner of the 2007 AccessibleNiagara.com "Breaking the Barrier" Award, the Gardens are fully accessible.

Guided Horse & Carriage tours of the gardens are available daily during the summer months.

Wouldn't this be a spectacular venue for your wedding? Click here to learn about Weddings at Niagara Parks.

Admission FREE!

Hours of Operation Outdoors - Open daily year-round, dawn until dusk

Location 2565 Niagara Parkway, 9 kilometers (6 miles) north of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls near the Lewiston-Queenston International Bridge.

Heritage Trail

The Battle of Chippawa, fought on July 5th 1814, was the opening engagement of the Niagara campaign of 1814, the longest and bloodiest military operation of the War of 1812.

The battle took place on the fields of Canadian Samuel Street's farm near the banks of the Niagara River. It began when a British, Canadian and aboriginal force of about 2,000 men, under Major-General Phineas Riall, attacked an invading American army of about 3,500 men under Major-General Jacob Brown. The fighting started early in the morning and lasted until nearly six o'clock in the evening. When it was over, the attackers had been decisively defeated. Three weeks later, however, the invaders were turned back at the bloody battle of Lundy's Lane, fought on 25 July 1814.

The Battle of Chippawa cost the lives of about 200 American, British, Canadian and native warriors allied to both sides, most of whom are thought to be buried at the battle site. It marked the first time the American regulars faced British regulars in a stand-up military action fought in the open and many historians cite Chippawa as the birthplace of the modern American army. Due to a shortage of cloth, the American force wore grey uniforms instead of the usual blue. To this day, tradition says that West Point cadets wear grey uniforms to honour those who fought in this battle.

The Niagara Parks Commission acquired the site of the Battle of Chippawa in 1995 and has preserved 121 hectares (300 acres) of this pristine battlefield, the last remaining site from the War of 1812. A self-guided walking tour helps you retrace the events of the battle. A memorial service is held on July 5th each year to commemorate the fallen of all the nations involved in this pivotal battle.

A focal point of the Battlefield is the memorial cairn, dedicated to the regiments and First Nations warriors who fought in the battle and to commemorate the peace that has prevailed between Canada and the United States since that time. The monument is constructed of dolomite limestone donated by Fort Niagara (Youngstown, NY), another key site in the War of 1812.

Niagara Parks is preparing to celebrate the War of 1812 Bi-Centennial. Plans are being made for special events beginning in 2012 - visit the official website http://www.visit1812.com/ for updates on this important milestone shared by Canada and the United States of America - 200 Years of Peace.

Horse & Carriage Rides

Enjoy the sights of Niagara Parks from the comfort of a horse-drawn carriage. Two relaxing tours are available: meandering through the 99-acre Botanical Gardens, or beside the Falls through Queen Victoria Park.

The Queen Victoria Park/Falls tour is available year-round, weather depending, and departs from beside the Queen Victoria Place Gift Shop.

The Botanical Gardens tours run through the summer and depart from the south-west side of the Butterfly Conservatory.

It is not necessary to make reservations. Tickets are available at the Queen Victoria Place Gift Shop or the Butterfly Conservatory Gift Shop.

Queen Victoria Park: per carriage rates - each carriage carries up to 6 people.

15 minute tour $45.00 45 minute tour $107.00 80 minute tour (from the Falls to Dufferin Island Conservation Area) $170.00 Year-round, weather permitting. Tours begin daily at 10:00 a.m.

Botanical Gardens: $15.00 per person. May to mid-October. Tours begin daily at 10:00 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Restaurants

Skylon Restaurant

Revolving Dining Room - Lunch Menu

Reservation times: 11:30 a.m.; 1:00 p.m.; 2:30 p.m. Sunday Brunch Buffet – available Sundays only year round

Lunch Buffet – available daily May 19, 2007 through October 8, 2007

Lunch RSVN Times: 11:30 a.m.; 1:00 p.m.; 2:30 p.m.

Dinner RSVN Times: 4:30 p.m.; 5:00 p.m.; 6:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m.; 8:00 p.m.; 8:30 p.m.; 9:00 p.m.

Early Dinner Special RSVN Times: 4:30 p.m.; 5:00 p.m. seatings only Children's Menu Available Daily

THE DOME Within the Dome of the Skylon Tower, the circular design and provision of three separate and complete levels make it possible for all visitors to enjoy an unobstructed view. Viewing conditions are further enhanced through the use of a special grey glass in the windows to diffuse sunlight and reduce glare. These windows allow for quality photographs to be taken from the inside deck on those occasions when inclement weather defers one from strolling the outside area.

OBSERVATION

The indoor/outdoor Observatory, the highest vantage point in Niagara, is located on the third floor of the Dome. On a clear day visitors can see close to 8,000 square miles of Canada and the United States, including the skylines of Toronto and Buffalo. At night, year-round, you can enjoy the colour light display of the Falls and cities of Niagara Falls, Canada and Niagara Falls, New York. A souvenir shop is located on the indoor section of the observatory.

Summer Hours - 8:00 a.m. to midnight Winter Hours - 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

SUMMIT SUITE The second floor of the Dome features the Summit Suite Dining Room. The Summit Suite is open to guests from mid-May to mid-October, and offers a comfortable, casual setting where you can enjoy our outstanding luncheon or dinner buffets. During the winter months the Summit Suite accommodates various receptions, banquets and business meetings which can be arranged by contacting the Sales and Marketing office.

REVOLVING DINING ROOM The Skylon's world famous Revolving Dining Room is located on the first floor of the Dome. For a taste of the extraordinary, our award winning continental cuisine must be experienced. The lunch or dinner menu is rivalled only by the view, as you rotate over Niagara at one revolution per hour. When dining at night, you can encounter the magical atmosphere created by the illumination of the Falls. Dining rooms are complimented with their own kitchens located within the Dome to ensure efficient service. The Festival of Lights, running from early November to early January, has added a further dimension to the Skylon and the Christmas season. View the magnificent Festival of Lights while dining inside.

Cost for a trip up to the Observation Deck - Adult $11.99 CDN Plus Tax

The Watermark Restaurant

The Watermark Restaurant CONTINENTAL CUISINE On the 33rd and 34th floor of the Hilton, enjoy fallsview dining in the innovative atmosphere of Watermark, complete with aquariums, vaulted ceilings, and 5.5m-tall (18-ft.) windows to capture the panorama. The menu is heavy on the beef. Lighter fare includes a vegetarian fet-tuccine; roasted Atlantic salmon with golden vegetable caviar, red pepper cream, and watercress coulis; and grilled breast of chicken with a forest mushroom demi. Desserts are heavy – English-style bread pudding, chocolate fudge cake, and apple pie bundles with cinnamon ice cream.

6361 Fallsview Blvd., Niagara Falls, Canada 905-353-7138

Dinner reservations required. Main courses $12-$28

The Keg Steakhouse

(Located on the 9th floor of Embassy Suites HOtel) This chain restaurant will pleasantly surprise you. Steak comes cooked just the way you like it – it's their specialty. Choose from steak combinations with ribs and seafood or try the impeccable steak cuts such as sirloin, New York, and prime rib. But don't hold back. Try other mouthwatering items such as the baked garlic shrimp or the crab, Parmesan, and spinach dip. Baked goat cheese is warm and smooth, while steak and lobster – even though it's Atlantic frozen – is a real indulgence. Yes, it's a steakhouse, but you'll leave impressed – expect a little more.

Main courses $17-$43

6700 Fallsview Blvd,

Table Rock Restaurant

COMING IN SPRING 2008 - Delight in a new culinary event with incredible view, flavors and an artisan twist!

As the perfect place to enjoy the spectacular view, Elements on the Falls Restaurant will offer a comfortable family environment for good food and fun. The restaurant sits atop the brink of the Horseshoe Falls, adjacent to a Grand Hall viewing gallery, and will house a collection of items inspired by the Falls.

Edgewaters Tap & Grill

Edgewaters offers a panoramic view of both the American and Horseshoe Falls, a reasonably priced roadhouse menu and a casual, relaxed atmosphere. Indoors or on the expansive covered terrace, this is a popular spot to enjoy free concert and fireworks evenings held during the summer. Located on the second level of Queen Victoria Place, wheelchair access is available through the entrance at the rear of the building. Showers or wedding parties can be booked at Edgewaters or in the Commissioner's Quarters, a quaint venue for private functions only located on the third floor of Queen Victoria Place.

Queenston Heights Restaurant

Join us for elegant dining and the award-winning Best of Niagara Wine Cellar, a diverse collection of the finest Niagara VQA wines. Selected exclusively for Niagara Parks, new wines are regularly added to our collection, so you can return again and again to experience the best that Niagara has to offer.

Exquisite menu selections are created by our talented culinary team, featuring fresh and delicious Niagara produce.

Located at the Gateway to Niagara Wine Country, the beautiful and rustic venue has a panoramic view of the north Niagara River and the vineyards below. This is a historic setting beneath Brock's Monument, high atop the Niagara Escarpment.

Riverview Market Eatery

Riverview Market Eatery is Niagara's only Market style eatery, with fresh and affordable meals prepared as you order ~ sandwiches and wraps, pasta, pizza, burgers and other popular items hot from the grill, as well as beverages and desserts. Enjoy free lunch-time entertainment on the patio daily throughout the summer. Located on the ground level of Queen Victoria Place, Riverview is fully accessible. Open Year-round.

Lunch and Dinner Menu

Queen Victoria Place is a historic building located at 6345 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, directly across from the American Falls. Hours of operation vary throughout the year with later closing times during the summer and on weekends. Limited Paid Parking is available on-site. Full Fair Exchange is paid on U.S. currency

Whirlpool Restaurant

Open to the public throughout the golfing season, you can overlook the 18th hole while enjoying casual meals, Niagara wines and of course our great, friendly service. A Children's menu is available and we offer full tournament and banquet services.

Hours of Operation Open during golf season, approximately May to October, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed during winter months.

Located just 7 km north of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls at the Whirlpool Public Golf Course, 3351 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

Free parking is available on-site. Whirlpool Restaurant is wheelchair accessible - our Pro Shop staff will provide assistance with the elevator. Full Fair Exchange is paid on U.S. currency. All major credit cards are accepted. For reservations and additional information please call us at (905) 356-7221.

Tim Hortons Burger Town - Pizza Pizza - Ah-So Sushi

There are many tasty choices at Maid of the Mist Marketplace, including our delicious Bear Claws™ that you can enjoy along with a cool beverage while listening to live musical entertainment throughout the summer.

Anchor's Buffalo Wings

On a Friday night in 1964, Dominic Bellissimo was tending bar at the now famous Anchor Bar Restaurant in Buffalo, NY. Late that evening, a group of Dominic's friends arrived at the bar with ravenous appetites. Dominic asked his mother, Teressa, to prepare something for his friends to eat.

They looked like chicken wings, a part of the chicken that usually went into the stock pot for soup.

Teressa had deep fried the wings and flavored them with a secret sauce. The wings were an instant hit and it didn't take long for people to flock to the bar to experience this new taste sensation. From that evening on, Buffalo Wings became a regular part of the menu at the Anchor Bar.

The phenomenon created in 1964 by Teressa Bellissimo has spread across the globe. Although many have tried to duplicate Buffalo Wings, the closely guarded secret recipe is what makes Frank & Teressa's the proclaimed "Best Wings in the World."

1047 Main St. Buffalo, NY Lunch Menu Link Dinner Menu Link

Anchor Bar Telephone For Reservations only: (716) 884-4083

Online Order information line: (716) 853-1791 Toll Free: (877) 571-1791

Hours: Mon - Thurs 11 am - 10 pm Friday 11 am - 12 am Saturday 12 pm - 12 am

Clifton Hill Restaurants & Eateries (Niagara Falls Ontario)

VISIT THE BRAND NEW BOSTON PIZZA ON CLIFTON HILL !

Located at the top of Clifton Hill, Kelsey's overlooks "the street of fun at the Falls". Come in and join us on our newly enclosed patio and watch all of the action on Clifton Hill. Our varied menu offers everything from party platter appetizers, finger foods, salads and super burgers to fresh crust pizza, sizzling Fajitas, delectable pastas and more. We also have a junior menu for the kids. After a busy day of sightseeing, come to Kelsey's Neighbourhood Bar and Grill to unwind. Sit and relax in our bar area and enjoy an ice cold draught beer while you recap all of the days activities and fun.

Wendy's Restaurant is located on Clifton Hill just minutes from the Quality Inn Clifton Hill. Our 200 seat restaurant includes an outdoor patio that overlooks Clifton Hill. At Wendy's we offer a wide variety of Hamburgers and Salads made fresh daily, Dave's way. Try our pitas. It makes a great meal, anytime.

Niagara Falls Ontario is located just across the river from Niagara Falls New York with the great waterfall situated right between these twin cities. The Canadian side offers the best views of Niagara Falls and has a very different character than its counterpart in the USA. Niagara Falls Ontario is much more commercialized and tourist oriented than Niagara Falls New York. On the Canadian-side, the escarpment overlooking the falls has a beautiful park with well-manicured gardens, but just behind that, the hill is covered with high-rise hotels, casinos and numerous tourist attractions. The adjacent streets are filled with museums, souvenir shops, gaming arcades, restaurants, clubs and tourist attractions of all kinds. If you don't mind all of the commercialism, Niagara Falls Ontario offers more to see and more to do than Niagara Falls New York.

Crossing the border

The main border crossing between Niagara Falls New York and Niagara Falls Ontario is via the Rainbow Bridge that spans the Niagara River Gorge just a few hundred meters below the falls. Unfortunately, this bridge can become quite congested especially on weekends during the summer vacation season and traffic may back up several kilometers forcing you to wait an hour or more to cross. With a bit of foresight, you can avoid the annoying delays.

You can cross the Niagara River into Canada on the Peace Bridge in Buffalo New York approximately 25 miles south of the falls. Once you reach the Canadian side of the border, you can either take a quick trip along the Queen Elizabeth Highway to Niagara Falls, or you can take the scenic drive along the Niagara River Parkway. As an alternate, you can cross the river and enter Canada at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge about 5 miles north of the falls, then take the spectacularly scenic Niagara River Parkway along the Niagara Gorge to the falls.

Attractions The main attraction in Niagara Falls is naturally the waterfall, and the Canadian view is magnificent. A rock escarpment adjacent to the falls provides a wonderful viewing platform with panoramic views of the Horseshoe Falls as well as the smaller American Falls. This shelf of rock several hundred meters wide and a kilometer long has been converted into the beautiful Victoria Park. Niagara Parkway which becomes River Road through the park can become quite congested with gawking sightseers during the popular tourist season. The best way to fully view the falls is to park your car and explore it afoot. Plan on seeing it in early morning or late afternoon when a gleaming rainbow shines incessantly in the mists, and see it at night when the colored spotlights create an illuminated spectacle.

There are large public parking facilities above the Horseshoe Falls with people mover shuttles to transport you to view points along the river. You can avoid some of the congestion by driving to the top of the hill, turning south on Victoria Street and left on Clark Street, then parking in one of the lots near the Skylon Tower. It is just a few blocks walk down the hill to Victoria Park and the falls.

The Clifton Hill area has something for everyone. Located only one block to the Falls are over 35 attractions, including the new Niagara SkyWheel, Canada’s largest observation wheel. Towering 175 feet above the city, the Niagara SkyWheel delivers stunning daytime and nighttime views of the Horseshoe and American Falls. Clifton Hill has a wide variety of restaurants, lots of shopping, and numerous hotels to fit all budgets. Clifton Hill is also the place to be for nightlife with night clubs, comedy clubs, live music venues, and cafes that stay open late.