An Attraction to Fall For

Discover Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

By Sue Marquette Poremba

My son was begging to go to Niagara Falls for a weekend. We had taken him when he was 6, but he didn't remember it. So when our friends suggested both of our families go to the Falls for a weekend, we decided to head for the great white north.

For my husband and me, this trip to Niagara Falls, Canada, was our fifth visit, although we hadn't been there since the summer of 2001 (before September 11). To anyone who hasn't been to Niagara Falls on the Canadian side of the border lately – the town has changed!

While the main attraction to the area is still the magnificent waterfalls, Niagara Falls, Ontario, also boasts a casino and a number of renovations to the town. The Murray Street entrance to the Falls, once a little scary with its small sidewalks, dimly lit paths and railroad bridge, has been transformed to a bright, airy pedestrian area. The Minolta tower is surrounded by high-rise hotels.

Niagara Falls does not lack for hotel space, and most of the hotel rooms are within walking distance to the Falls. Not all the hotels have a view of the Falls, however. For the view, expect to pay several hundred dollars for your room. Hotels without a view will be cheaper, varying in price depending on the type of hotel and the location. Victoria and Stanley Avenues between Clifton Hill and the Fallsview area are good places to look for hotels. Because of the heavy tourist traffic, Niagara Falls is not an area where you want to be driving any more than necessary. It is best to find a hotel a few blocks from the Falls area and be prepared to do a lot of walking.

The Main Event

The main attraction to the area is, of course, the Falls themselves. From Canada, you get a magnificent straight-on view of the American Falls and its Bridal Veil Falls, and a fairly good view of the Horseshoe (or Canadian) Falls. The Falls are among the most photographed attractions in the world, so expect to dodge plenty of people taking pictures. At night, the Falls are lit up with an array of colorful spotlights from 9 p.m. to midnight. My favorite view of the Falls is to go to the Horseshoe Falls where the water is going over the cliff. Watching the Falls from that angle gives you a good idea how swift and powerful the water is.

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