NIAGARA FALLS
Area: Ontario
Country: Canada


Location:
In E Canada, in S of Ontario province. 81 mls S of downtown Toronto. 95 mls S of Pearson international airport. 28 mls W of Buffalo airport (USA).

Telephone code from UK:
1 905

Website:
http://www.tourismniagara.com

Position:
In centre of broad isthmus that divides Lakes Ontario (to N) and Erie (to S); on W bank of Niagara River, which divides Canada's Ontario province from US state of New York.

Description:
Drawing 16 million visitors each year, the Falls are acknowledged as one of the world's natural wonders and are indeed Canada's most important tourist attraction. There are actually 2 waterfalls: the smaller American Falls, near the E bank on the US side, and the much larger, more impressive Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side. Both can be viewed from any part of the long pedestrian promenade built high above the river bank, which is punctuated by elevated viewing platforms and ranks of coin-operated telescopes. The tourist hub (º ml by º ml) centres on a single uphill street running at right angles back from the busy riverside avenue. This is home to a dense population of rather tacky retailers, souvenir shops, cheap and cheerful emporia, amusements, minor museums and fast-food eateries in a manner similar to certain English coastal resorts. Downtown proper is N and W of the riverfront area, and is generally an unremarkable, low-rise, workaday area. This ramshackle, easy-going town is undergoing something of a transformation, with high-rise, upmarket hotels, a convention centre and the Minolta Tower Casino being welcome additions. Plenty of parkland, botanical centres, vineyards and minor theme parks provide alternative interest for visitors staying for more than a couple of days.

Suitability:
For anyone wishing to experience one of the world's most spectacular natural settings.

Accommodation:
Mixture of unsophisticated hotels to upmarket bracket, plus various motels and cheap B&Bs dotted along riverfront road and in elevated positions overlooking Falls.

Shopping:
Unpretentious collection of motley souvenir shops and cheap and cheerful stores in tourist downtown area opposite Falls. Handful of indoor plazas, including one on edge of Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Choice of factory outlets offering discounted branded names farther out, in downtown proper. Excursions into Buffalo and Niagara Falls USA often a better bet for low-priced jeans, trainers etc.

Entertainments:
Daytime: experiencing sheer spectacle (and sound) of millions of tonnes of cascading water is the principal attraction as well as getting the best photographic record of "me and the Falls"; remarkable Skylon Tower for awesome panoramic view of river and beyond into USA; amusement arcades and themed museums, including Guinness World of Records and Tussaud's waxworks; memorable (if wet) "Maid of the Mist" boat trips close to Falls; walk behind Horseshoe's wall of water; helicopter tours for those with the funds; horticultural centre and Victoria Park (adjacent to Horseshoe Falls) provide attractive setting for a stroll or picnic; plenty of cycle trails; 3 golf courses. Nightlife: not notable as a throbbing late-night destination, although there are several bars in and around tourist part of downtown; nightly illumination of Falls is well worth the wait (in summer), even if only visiting for the day.

Eating:
Predominantly fast-food joints offering the ubiquitous hamburger, fries and pizza, supplemented by roadside-diner chains; some smart restaurants at larger hotels. Bon vivants will be disappointed.

Public-transport:
Transit Buses offers reliable public bus service around town; efficient "People Mover" coaches ply several miles up and down length of riverfront, depositing tourists at several points along W bank within sight of Falls. National rail and coach terminals located at Whirlpool Bridge.

Local-excursions:
Toronto's attractions, entertainments and sophisticated shopping within 1»-hr drive. Three toll bridges across Niagara River connect Canada with USA.