gannetmusic

DLAfamily,

Your post might be a prize -winner for 'most sweeping generalizations and incorrect information in one post' LOL

Cheers

Jerry

tzarinna

I was never a fan of seeing the Falls,it always had that honeymoon attached to it. Which to me screamed tacky. Well,I saw a PBS documentary focusing on the Niagara Glen and I was sold.
My first visit I never made it to the Glen but I still had a blast. I was close to tears as I rode the MOM and hearing the roar of the Falls makes my mouth water. That was my 30th birthday.
I went back again for my 35th. I was too chicken s**t to go down to the Glen but again had a wonderful time.

The parkway I have to agree is great,loved Goat Island. I'd most certainly go again for a long weekend it's not a far drive for me,so why not.

prinret

I recently stayed in the Hilton Fallsview on a business trip. To wake at dawn and see the mist rising from the falls was memorable. For a visitor there is so much history here, especially about the War of 1812.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is special in its own way. It is like stepping back in history.

Both are worth your time.

starrsville

topping

toedtoes

Starrs - Depending on the sites you want to see, take a look at the passes. They can be a good deal.

Toronto CitiPass ($59) includes:
*CN Tower (including Skypod) ($25.99)
*ROM ($20)
*Casa Loma ($16)
*Toronto Zoo ($19)
*Ontario Science Centre ($17)
*Hockey Hall of Fame ($13)

Niagara Parks Adventure Pass ($39.95) includes:
*Maid of the Mist ($14)
*Journey Behind the Falls ($12)
*Butterfly Conservatory ($11)
*White Water Walk ($8.50)
*People Mover Bus for one day ($7.50)

For $10 more, you can get the Season Pass which also includes:
*Whirlpool Aero Car ($11)
*Sir Adam Beck Power Plant($8.50)
*McFarland House ($4.50)
*Laura Secord Homestead ($4.50)
*MacKenzie Printery ($4.50)
*Old Fort Erie ($9)
*People Mover Bus every day

toedtoes

I'm just finishing up the book Niagara - A History of the Falls by Pierre Berton and I wanted to throw out this bit about Isabella Lucy Bird's visit in the 1850s when she made the conscious effort to ignore the carnival rush and instead have a good, long look at the Falls:

<i>&quot;When at last she arose, the sun had long set. A young moon shining on the cascading waters made them appear to be composed of drifting snow. She realized with a start that she had been gazing on the vista for almost four hours. The scene that had once disappointed now exhalted her.

In one way it was very much as she had expected, yet it was also totally different. She was not the first nor would she be the last of those newcomers, who, having read too many accounts of the Falls, found them less than advertised, but, as the days went by and the cataract worked its slow magic, changed their attitudes and became worshippers at the shrine.&quot;</i>

When I read that, I realized that there's something there that connects with the &quot;you only need a day&quot; attitude of the Falls. If you only go for a day and you spend your time trying to get in all the must do's (MotM, CotW, JbtF, etc.), you aren't giving the Falls time to work its magic on you and you will then leave and tell folks &quot;go to NOTL instead&quot;.

So, I hereby recommend that everyone who visits the Falls find a nice spot to sit on the railing or along the river and just spend some time gazing at the water ignoring everything else around you. Let the spray seep into your pores. Let the roar infiltrate your brain. Let the Falls become a part of you. Only then will you see past the carnival to the true experience.

Now I'm ready to go back a third time!

4Tripping

One of my favourite things to do is go on the gorge walk that starts at Orchard Glen, near the golf course . It is a beautiful walk right down to the river with all kinds of rock formations and little caves that the kids love. Keep a close eye on young children as you near the bottom. The river moves fast.
I also love riding from Queenston to Niagara on the Lake stopping for wine samples, ice cream ,and Niagara fruit.