By Jared Paventi
The sister cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario in
Canada and Niagara Falls,
New York in the
United States have experienced a recent rebirth. From the 1950s to 1970s, Niagara Falls was one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world. During the 1980s, it reigned as as a family destination. The turn of the century brought gambling to both sides of the falls, enticing a younger crowd to visit.
Watching the Water from Canada
The best views of the Falls are from the Canadian side. This affords visitors the chance to see the American and Horseshoe Falls together from the outside. The best access point for the falls is along Niagara River Parkway in Canada. Parking lots line the parkway, which faces out along the river and buses run from the lots to the tourist center of the city.
Watching the Water from the United States
The best place to see the falls from the U.S. side is Niagara Falls State Park. The best vantage point is the observation tower. The tower -- admission is $1 for adults and free for children age 5 and under -- provides the best overall view from America with a full views of the American and Horseshoe Falls. The tower is open year round.
Observation Tower
Niagara Falls State Park
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
Tel: (716) 278-1796
www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/
Cave of the Winds and Maid of the Mist
Adventure seekers can get closer to the falls while on the American side. The famous Cave of the Winds and Maid of the Mist tours are operated by the New York State Parks Department as part of the park. The Cave of the Winds takes visitors to the bottom of Niagara Gorge by elevator, where they can walk out on to a platform at the foot of the falls. The Maid of the Mist boards at the base of the Observation Tower and takes a half-hour trip to the base of both falls.
Niagara Falls State Park
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
Tel: (716) 278-1796
www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/
Ripley's Believe It Or Not
The Ripley's Believe It or Not Company operates two attractions in Niagara Falls. The Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum is a collection of strange and tough to believe exhibits is located on Clifton Hill. There are more than 700 displays, including extensive footage of people who have navigated over the falls. The Ripley's Moving Theater, located next door, is a virtual reality theater where viewers feel every movement taking place on screen.
Ripley's Believe It Or Not
4983 Clifton Hill
Niagara Falls Ontario L2G3N5
Canada
Tel: 905-356-2261
www.ripleys.com/locations.php
Gambling in Canada
Casino Niagara opened its doors in 1996 on the footprint of a former amusement park. It is home to 100,000 square feet of gaming with slots and tables. At twice the size, the Niagara Fallsview Casino opened eight years later. The 200,000-square-foot gaming floor looks out at the Horseshoe Falls. Between the two, there are more than 3,000 slots and 250 gaming tables on the Canadian side.
Casino Niagara
5705 Falls Ave.
Niagara Falls Ontario L2G 6T3
888-946-3255
casinoniagara.com
Fallsview Casino resort Hotel
6380 Fallsview Blvd.
Niagara Falls, Ontario L2G 7X5
888-325-5788
fallsviewcasinoresort.com
American Gambling
The Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel, operated by the Seneca Indian Nation, is located a few hundred feet from Niagara Falls State Park on the American side. It has 147,000 square feet of gaming space with 99 tables and 4,200 slot machines.
Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel
310 4th St
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
Tel: (716) 278-1200
senecaniagaracasino.com
About the Author:
Jared Paventi is the communications director for a disease-related nonprofit in the Northeast. He holds a master's degree from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication and a bachelor's degree from St. Bonaventure University. He also writes a food appreciation blog: Al Dente.
