On the Canadian Side

On the Canadian Side

After enjoying the falls from the U.S. side, you may want to walk or drive across Rainbow Bridge to the Canadian side, where you can get a far view of the U.S. falls and a close-up of the Horseshoe Falls. You may park your car for the day in any of several lots on the Canadian side and hop onto one of the People Mover buses, which run continuously to all the sights along the river.

The amusement parks and tacky souvenir shops that surround the falls attest to the area's history as a major tourist attraction. Most of the gaudiness on the Canadian side is contained on Clifton Hill. Sometimes referred to as Museum Alley, the area includes more wax museums than one usually sees in a lifetime. Here follow some of the more notable attractions in Canada's Niagara Falls.

Students of the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture celebrate the art of horticulture with 100 acres of immaculately maintained gardens. The Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, within the botanical gardens, houses one of North America's largest collections of free-flying butterflies; at least 2,000 are protected in a climate-controlled, rain forest-like conservatory. 2405 N. Niagara Pkwy. 905/356-8119 or 877/642-7275. www.niagaraparks.com/attractions. Gardens free, butterfly conservatory C$10. Daily 9-6

At Journey Behind the Falls,your admission ticket includes use of rubber boots and a hooded rain slicker. An elevator takes you to an observation deck that provides a fish's-eye view of the Horseshoe Falls and the Niagara River. From here a walk through three tunnels cut into the rock takes you behind the wall of crashing water. Tours begin at Table Rock House, Queen Victoria Park. 905/371-0254 or 877/642-7275. niagaraparks.com. C$10. Mid-June-early Sept., daily 9 AM-11 PM; early Sept.-mid-June, daily 9-5

On the site of one of the fiercest battles in the War of 1812 is Lundy's Lane Historical Museum,in a limestone building dating from 1874. There are displays about the lives of settlers during the war period and exhibits of native artifacts and military attire. 5810 Ferry St. 905/358-5082. www.lundyslanemuseum.com. C$2. May-Nov., daily 9-4; Dec.-Apr., weekdays noon-4

Rising 775 feet above the falls, the Skylon Tower offers the best view of both the great Niagara Gorge and the entire city. An indoor-outdoor observation deck offers visibility up to 80 mi on clear days. Amusements for children plus a revolving dining room are other reasons to visit. The view from the Revolving Dining Room is breathtaking, and the food is good, too. Traditionally prepared rack of lamb, baked salmon, steak, and chicken make up the list of entrées. (Plan on spending at least C$40 per person to dine here.) The lower level has a gaming arcade, and there's a 3-D/4-D theater within the compound. 5200 Robinson St. 905/356-2651 or 800/814-9577. www.skylon.com. C$10.50. Mid-June-early Sept., daily 8 AM-midnight; early Sept.-mid June, daily 10-10

Casino Niagara,in a setting reminiscent of the 1920s, has slot and video-poker machines and tables for blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, among other games, Within the casino are several lounges and all-you-can-eat buffet restaurants. Also here, and especially notable, is the 21 Club restaurant, which serves high-end steak-house fare and some Italian dishes. Valet parking and shuttle service are available. The place is open around the clock. 5705 Falls Ave. 905/374-3598 or 888/946-3255. www.discoverniagara.com

Marineland,a theme park with a marine show, wildlife displays, and rides, is 1 mi south of the falls. The daily marine show includes performing killer whales, dolphins, harbor seals, and sea lions. Three separate aquariums also house sharks, an ocean reef, and freshwater fish from around the world. Children can pet and feed members of a herd of 500 deer and get nose-to-nose with North American freshwater fish. Among the many rides is Dragon Mountain, the world's largest steel roller coaster. Marineland is signposted from Niagara Parkway or reached from the Queen Elizabeth Way by exiting at McLeod Road (Exit 27). 8375 Stanley Ave. 905/356-9565. www.marinelandcanada.com. C$33.95. Late June-early Oct., daily 9-6; shows at regular intervals

The Whirlpool Aero Car,in operation since 1916, is a cable car that crosses the Whirlpool Basin in the Niagara Gorge. This trip is not for the fainthearted, but it's one of the few ways to get an aerial view of the gorge, the whirlpool, the rapids, and the hydroelectric plants. Niagara Pkwy. 3 mi north of the falls. 905/371-0254 or 877/642-7275. www.niagaraparks.com. C$10. Mid-June-early Sept., weekdays 10-5, weekends 9-5

Another way to see the whirlpool is to take a helicopter tour. Niagara Helicopters takes you on a nine-minute flight over the giant whirlpool, up the Niagara Gorge, and past the American Falls, then banks around the curve of the Horseshoe Falls. Daily trips run year-round (weather permitting). It costs C$100 per person; family rates are available. 3731 Victoria Ave. 905/357-5672 or 800/281-8034. www.niagarahelicopters.com

If you're here in winter, don't miss the stunning Winter Festival of Lights (www.niagarafallstourism.com/wfol), during which 70 trees are illuminated with 34,000 lights in the parkland near the Rainbow Bridge.

Important note: Citizens and legal residents of the United States don't need a passport or a visa to enter Canada, but proof of citizenship (a birth certificate or valid passport) and some form of photo identification is required. Naturalized U.S. residents should carry their naturalization certificate. Permanent residents who are not citizens should carry their "green card."