NIAGARA FALLS, CANADA

Niagara Falls, Ontario is a great place to visit. Whether it be a day, a weekend or an extended holiday, there is always something to do and see at the Falls.

The Maid of the Mist cruises are famous the world over. The boat takes you first to the base of the American Falls and then on to the basin of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. This is a spectacular experience. Giant rock formations stretch above you while waves crash against the rocks in the river as well as the boat. Raincoats are provided because at times, the mist is as thick as rain.

For the adventurous, a trip under the Falls is a fantastic escape. After buying your ticket, you are ushered into a room where you slip into raingear. From here you step into an elevator and descend 125 feet to the base of the Horseshoe Falls. When you step out, you walk through a 650-foot maze of tunnels to an observation deck at the brink of the Falls. Being just above water level allows you to hear the thunder of the Falls as they pound into the river below. This is an excellent tour for both young and old.

A great way to see the Niagara Parkway is to hop aboard one of Niagara Parks People Movers. The buses run from April 17 to October 14. One low fee allows you full use of the People Movers for the entire day. The buses take you along a 19-mile loop that starts just above the Falls and on to Queenston Heights. The scenery is breathtaking and the buses stop at approximately twenty-minute intervals at different attractions along the way. If you have questions, the courteous conductors on board are always happy to help.

The Great Gorge Adventure is a marvelous trip. You walk along a boardwalk beside a raging stretch of white water while viewing some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Next to the Falls themselves, this is the most magnificent view of the Niagara River. The waters of the Niagara River have cut through this gorge for thousands of years. Walk out onto the platform and see the wonders of this river up close. It is a spectacular sight to see nature at work in the narrowest part of the river.

For a bird's eye view of the Niagara River, take a trip on Niagara's Helicopter Rides. Since 1961, Niagara Helicopters Limited has been flying enthused sightseers over the Falls as well as the attractions. This may well be the highlight of your trip. You will see both natural and man-made wonders from high in the sky.