NIAGARA FALLS
August 2003
The Trip, Day by Day
Practice Makes Perfect – this was the best Niagara Falls trip ever.
We started with a package deal with Fallsway Quality Inn at Clifton Hill. We have stayed there every time we have gone as we like the location and have been pleased with our accommodations. The package included meal vouchers good at a few different Clifton Hill restaurants, and also some Clifton Hill attraction tickets.
Our strategy for this trip was:
Visit our past favorites
Visit some of the attractions we have previously missed
Build in time to relax by the pool and take it easy
Friday, August 8th
- Left home at 9:00 pm after Big Brother (television program) was over
- Drove to London and stayed at Stoneridge Inn
This was us (okay me) being anxious, and a little crazy. The original intention was to drive up Saturday Morning -- however, I started joking about not waiting and just going. Next thing we knew, we were hoping in the car and driving to Canada -- starting at 9:00 pm!! In the end this worked out well for us, mostly because we were at our destination by 10:30 am on Saturday and had the whole day ahead of us. In the future, I might try and leave right after work, perhaps driving through Hamilton although not all the way to Niagara Falls. We have actually scouted out the Kittling Ridge Winery Inn in Grimsby as a possible stop.
Saturday, August 9th
- Continental breakfast and on the road early
- Niagara-On-The-Lake by 10:30 am
- Arrived via Lakeshore Drive
- Determined Route 55 (aka Niagara Stone Rd) best way to go next time
- Peach festival
- Stop at Floral Clock
- Arrived in Niagara Falls around lunchtime
- Early check-in
- Lunch at Secret Garden restaurant
- Maid of the Mist
- Fun on Clifton Hill
- Dinner at Boston Pizza
- Fun and Games at Great Canadian Midway
- Clifton Hill
- Fireworks from Victoria Park
Upon our early arrival at Niagara-On-The-Lake, we learned they were having their peach festival. The street was blocked off and there was more than usual to check out (not to mention fresh peaches). We wondered thru the shops for about an hour then headed for Niagara Falls.
We stopped for a few pictures at the Floral Clock, then went on to Niagara Falls arriving close to lunchtime. After the Fallsway Quality Inn let us check in early, we went to lunch, then headed for the Maid of the Mist. Next time we would probably go on the Maid of the Mist on a different day as it was extra crowded on a Saturday.
Boston Pizza and the Great Canadian Midway were new since we had last been to Niagara Falls. We were impressed with both on our first visit. The Great Canadian Midway had a moving theater and a ride in addition to the arcade games -- Clifton Hill is becoming more like an amusement park!
Sunday, August 10th
- Breakfast at Tablerock
- Journey Behind the Falls
- Whirlpool Aerocar
- Lunch at Hard Rock Cafe
- Pool with Dragon Slide
- Walked to Skylon Tower by way of park behind Quality Inn
- Dinner at Skylon Tower
- Fireworks from Skylon Tower
- Raccoons on the loose
We took the People Mover to Tablerock first thing Sunday. We had breakfast in the restaurant at Tablerock then went on the Journey Behind the Falls tour. Going early worked out as the crowds were acceptable.
As we had the People Mover pass, we went to the Whirlpool Aerocar (previously known as the Spanish Aerocar). We had never went on it before -- and I was a little nervous since they tend to shut it down in high winds. It was worth the trip, although I will not make it a priority on a future trip.
After a late lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe, we went back to the Quality Inn and made use of the pool. Thomas especially enjoyed the Dragon Slide. Alyssa tried it once, but did not like going under water.
The evenings entertainment was dinner at the revolving restaurant in the Skylon Tower. The view from the tower is breathtaking -- this is definitely a must see attraction. After dinner, we went to the observation deck in time to catch the fireworks from the tower. It was amazing to be above the fireworks with the falls behind them.
When we went back to the Quality Inn, there were raccoons on the loose being terrorized by some kids. The animals would have been fine if left alone.
Monday, August 11th
- Marineland
- Fed Beluga Whales
- Daddy coerced into second ride on Sky Hawk and nearly gets sick
- Water Shows
- Popcorn and Onion Rings for lunch?
- More fun at Great Canadian Midway and Clifton Hill
- Ripley’s Moving Theater
- Just missed the Fireworks
Marineland was worth the trip -- although I was surprised there was so much unutilized space. Feeding the Beluga Whales was the highlight, with the shows coming in second.
Tuesday, August 12th
- Walked across Rainbow Bridge to Niagara Falls, NY
- Updated trolley on Goat Island
- Cave of the Winds Tour
- Discovered new respect for rapids at base of American Falls
- Hurricane Deck
- Luna island, between American and Bridal Veil Falls
- Terrapin Point
- Walk along water
- Lunch at Top of the Falls restaurant at Terrapin Point
- Three Sisters Islands
- Helium Balloon Ride
- US Lookout tower
- Disappointed sushi restaurant gone, ended up at Lotus Garden for Chinese
- Fireworks cancelled?
The Cave of the Winds Tour was incredible -- you get SO close to the falls (and soaking wet). The helium balloon offered a unique view of the area -- the pictures from the balloon are among my favorites from this trip.
Wednesday, August 13th
- Lunch at Victoria Park
- Junk food dinner, hot dogs and fries
- Fireworks from Oakes Garden Theater
- Late night treats at Boston Pizza
Some days it's nice to be leisurely much of anything. This day was not overly planned, and included just viewing/enjoying the falls, Clifton Hill and our accommodations.
Thursday, August 14th – the Trip Home
- No rush to leave
- Pool in the morning
- Clifton Hill
- Last walk to falls
- Lunch?
- Kittling Ridge
- Difficulty finding
- 2 pm stop for gas
- 4ish stop for food in London, signals not working (?)
- Signals also out at next exit – decide to wait until back in Michigan to eat
- ˝ hour delay at Blue Water Bridge
- Power out in rest stop – that’s strange
- Turn on radio to discover we are in the midst of the largest power outage ever
- Manny’s Party store does not have bread – but they had Croissants!
- Only battery operated radio with batteries is Alyssa’s Barbie Bike Radio
It's a good thing we stopped for Gas at 2:00 pm -- because at about 4:00 pm, the power went out for pretty much the entire region. We knew something was up as we were unable to stop to eat in London as planned because the power was out -- so we decided to wait and eat in Michigan. About 6:00 pm, we stopped at a rest stop in Michigan, and found the power was out there as well. That prompted us to turn on the radio only to discover the news that we were in the midst of the largest power outage ever. We stopped at or local party store, and bought what we could to get us by as we already knew that we didn't have food in the house.
Friday, August 15th
- Power back on at 6:00 pm – it was actually a pretty relaxing day!
Bottom Line: August is just about the best time to go to Niagara Falls.
Some things we STILL missed that are on our list for next time:
Not many!! I think there are some museums around Lundy's Lane, there is the Helicopter Ride which I'm not sure I WANT to do. Then there is Fort Erie on the US side.
