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Where's Johnny Jet: Under the Mist at Niagara FallsGreetings! We pick up where we left off last week: on our way to Niagara Falls. After a couple of nights there we travel to JFK for an international flight to someplace new. By Johnny Jet JohnnyJet.com October 19, 2005
KEY: Bold links open pictures in a separate browser window, while regular hyperlinks open websites. Greetings! We pick up where we left off last week: on our way to Niagara Falls. After a couple of nights there we travel to JFK for an international flight to someplace new. Getting to Niagara Falls The taxi ride from the Buffalo airport to Niagara Falls (US side) is 25 miles, takes 30 minutes and costs $45. The other closest major international airport is Toronto's Pearson (YYZ) -- 75 miles, 90 minutes and $75 by cab. Niagara Falls is renowned for its beauty and valuable hydroelectric power. The falls are located on the United States-Canadian border, between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. They lie both in the State of New York and the Province of Ontario. The name "Niagara" is believed to originate from an Iroquois word meaning "thunder of waters." And thunder is what they do. The mighty Niagara River plunges at 600,000 gallons per second over a 167-foot cliff of dolostone and shale. That makes Niagara Falls the second largest falls in the world (behind only Victoria Falls in Africa). What's amazing is that 20 percent of all the fresh water in the world lies in the four Upper Great Lakes (Michigan, Huron, Superior and Erie), and all the outflow empties into the Niagara River. The river eventually goes over the falls, then into Lake Ontario (the fifth Great Lake). Travel Media Showcase I hadn't been to Niagara Falls since I was a kid, so when I was invited to attend the Travel Media Showcase (TMS) I jumped at the chance. The three-day conference is an excellent place for travel writers, Convention and Visitor bureaus and PR firms to network. The format is unique: Exhibitors set up individual 15-minute appointments with travel writers and personalities. Each participant has 40 appointments over two days. That gives writers a chance to learn about a specific city, state or country they are interested in, because CVBs and PR firms come from all over the U.S., Canada and a few foreign countries as well. Obviously, New Orleans had to cancel, but everyone looks forward to seeing them at next year's TMS in North Carolina. Holiday Inn The host hotel was the Holiday Inn Select. This full-service property with restaurant, lounge, pool, sauna and Jacuzzi is in need of a renovation. And it will get one in December, when Crowne Plaza takes over. The $8 million renovation will be completed by September 2006. The hotel was fine for my couple of nights, though. It's in a good location: near the heart of Niagara Falls USA, and directly across the street from the Seneca Niagara Casino. The hotel has 397 guest rooms, and the best part is high-speed internet access is available for free in all of them. Room rates start at $71. Holiday Inn Select, 300 Third Street, Niagara Falls, NY; tel. 716-285-3361; 800-95-FALLS. Top of the Falls Restaurant My first stop was the opening reception party held on the lawn of the Top of the Falls Restaurant. I'm not sure how the restaurant food is (we were at a catered event), but I do know this place has incredible views of the Horseshoe Falls. Three falls make up Niagara Falls: the "American Falls" (between Prospect Point and Luna Island), "Bridal Veil Falls" (between Luna Island and Goat Island), and the "Canadian/Horseshoe Falls" (between Goat Island and Table Rock). This was my first chance to get up close to the Falls, and I was surprised how close the sidewalk is to the gushing river. When the sun sets the Canadians across the way turn on their different-colored flood lights, which illuminate the falls and the mist nicely. This reception was a perfect place to catch up with friends, and meet new travel industry colleagues. Top of the Falls Restaurant, located at Terrapin Point on Goat Island; tel. 716-278-0348. The Falls One of the first questions everyone asks (well, at least I did) is: How many daredevils made it over? The first to jump and survive was Sam Patch in 1829; the first person to go over in a barrel was 63-year-old Annie Taylor in 1901. She and her cat survived. Fourteen other people have intentionally gone over the falls in or on a device (five did not make it). In 1960 a 9-year-old boy wearing a life preserver fell in and survived the plunge. It made news throughout the world, and is still referred to as the "Miracle at Niagara." The second question I asked was: Do the falls freeze? The answer is: The water is always gushing, but the water does freeze along the banks and the river. Oh Canada! As you can imagine there are many tourist attractions on both the U.S. and Canada sides. In fact, there are Hard Rock Caf¿s directly across the river from each other. Our neighbors to our North have the best view of the falls. They also have nicer hotels and casinos. But the Canadian side is also more touristy, so your choice depends on what you want. To get across one of the three international bridges (Rainbow, Whirlpool and the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge) that are within six miles of the falls is easy. The Rainbow Bridge is the main tourist border crossing, and that's the one I walked across. It took five minutes and cost 50 U.S. cents, which was collected on the way back to the U.S. on the Canadian side (Driving across costs $2.50 USD). Be sure to bring photo ID. For now driver's license are okay, but in 2007 passports will be required (but that might change). New York Side and the Cave of the Winds Tour On the American side, the major attractions can be completed in a day. Many tourists make a day trip from New York City by flying into Buffalo on JetBlue, since flight time is only 55 minutes. However, those who want to relax and take in all the sights need at least three days. Of course, I had only one full day. I chose the two most popular attractions: a boat ride and the Cave of the Winds tour. When we were handed our very own sandals and disposable yellow rain poncho at The Cave of the Winds, I knew we were in for a treat. Still, I had no idea how much of a treat it would be. After a short wait (In the summer the line gets real long -- and it's usually hot) for the 17-story elevator ride down a rock cliff, we were quickly briefed by a guide. We were then let loose to walk down, around and up a special wooden platform of stairs that are rebuilt each year. The Hurricane Deck brings visitors within a few feet at the base of Bridal Veil Falls. Going up there really made me appreciate how powerful and awesome Niagara Falls is. Just be prepared to get wet, because the poncho doesn't do much up on the Hurricane Deck. At the end, it was neat to see that almost everyone donated their sandals to the folks in New Orleans. Adults $8; juniors (6-12) $7; children 5 and under Free. Cave of the Winds, Niagara Falls, NY; tel. 716-278-1730. Maid of the Mist The second -- and most popular -- attraction is a boat ride on The Maid of the Mist. A park ranger gave me a good tip: He told me to keep my sandals on from the Cave of the Winds tour, then donate them after the boat ride. The Maid of the Mist provides passengers with their very own stylish blue poncho. And if you think you get wet walking up the Cave of the Wind stairs, wait till you take this 15- minute ride. In the summer boats depart every 30 minutes from both the American and Canadian sides. The American side is better for this one, because there's a better launch, with a new sleek observation tower/elevator that takes passengers to and from the dock. Once on the boat, passengers truly understand why it's called Maid of the Mist: You get within 100 yards of the Horseshoe Falls, and yes it's real misty. It's amazing to get up close, and hear the roar and feel the gale force wind power of the falls. Boats operate between April and October 24. Maid of the Mist: Adults $11.50; juniors (6-12) $6.75; children 5 and under free (price includes $1 for tower). Buffalo to JFK The following day I had a 12:55 p.m. JetBlue flight to JFK. I left the hotel at 11:30, and arrived at the airport at noon. The JetBlue agent told me the plane was delayed due to bad weather in New York (remnants of one of the hurricanes). I wasn't worried, because my international flight was not departing until 7:40 p.m. The good news is that Buffalo Niagara International Airport is pretty nice. There are not many shops, but there are restaurants that serve both of Buffalo's signature treats: hot wings, and a beef on weck. There is even an Airport Salon (716-634-6644). After a few hours of waiting (JetBlue did a good job giving everyone info on the delay, and even brought a snack cart through the waiting area) I started to get concerned. I had good reason to worry: My JetBlue flight ended up delayed by five hours! Can you believe it? I arrived at JFK at 7:10 p.m., and still needed to grab my checked luggage and run to a different terminal for my overnight international flight. I'll tell you next week whether I made it or not, and where the flight was to. Videos Here's a 1-minute Johnny Jet video. of my trip to Niagara Falls. Happy Travels, Johnny Jet Please tell us what you think of this week's newsletter! Web Resources
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John E. DiScala (aka Johnny Jet), is the founder of www.johnnyjet.com, the ultimate travel website and weekly newsletter. He logs over 150,000 miles a year, has been featured in over 400 articles (including Frommers.com, USA Today, Time, Fortune, the New York Times, CNBC and MSNBC), and has published the book, You Are Here Traveling With JohnnyJet.com. Head over to our New York State Message Boards to talk about Niagara Falls.
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