Attractions

Exploring the Falls

You simply cannot come this far and not see the falls, which are the seventh natural wonder of the world. The most exciting way to do that is from the decks of the Maid of the Mist, 5920 River Rd. (tel. 905/358-5781; www.maidofthemist.com). The sturdy boat takes you right in -- through the turbulent waters around the American Falls; past the Rock of Ages; and to the foot of the Horseshoe Falls, where 34.5 million imperial gallons of water tumble over the 54m-high (176-ft.) cataract each minute. You'll get wet, and your glasses will mist, but that won't detract from the thrill. Boats leave from the dock on the parkway just down from the Rainbow Bridge. Trips operate daily from mid-May to mid-October. Fares are C$14 (US$13/£6.30) for adults and C$8.60 (US$8.20/£3.90) for children 6 to 12, free for children 5 and under.

Go down under the falls using the elevator at Table Rock House, which drops you 46m (151 ft.) through solid rock to the tunnels and viewing portals of the Journey Behind the Falls (tel. 905/354-1551). You'll receive -- and appreciate -- a rain poncho. Admission is C$10 (US$9.50/£4.50) for adults, C$6 (US$5.70/£2.70) for children 6 to 12, free for children 5 and under.

You can ride the external glass-fronted elevators 159m (522 ft.) to the top of the Skylon Tower Observation Deck, 5200 Robinson St. (tel. 905/356-2651; www.skylon.com). The observation deck is open daily from 8am to midnight from June to Labour Day; hours vary in other seasons, so call ahead. Adults pay C$12 (US$11/£5.40), children 12 and under C$6 (US$5.70/£2.70).

For a different view of Niagara Falls, stop by the IMAX Theater, 6170 Buchanan Ave. (tel. 905/358-3611; www.imaxniagara.com). You can view the raging, swirling waters in Niagara: Miracles, Myths, and Magic, shown on a six-story-high screen. Admission is C$12 (US$11/£5.40) for adults and students, C$9.50 (US$9.05/£4.30) for seniors, C$8.50 (US$8.10/£3.85) for children 4 to 12. I consider this a lot of money to pay for a movie that is only 45 minutes long. Still, I'm an IMAX fan, and, I have to admit, the film looks great; also, if you see a second feature, it will cost only C$6 (US$5.70/£2.70) per person.

The falls are also exciting in winter, when the ice bridge and other formations are quite remarkable.

The Falls by Night -- Don't miss seeing the falls after dark. Twenty-two xenon gas spotlights, each producing 250 million candlepower of light, illuminate them in shades of rose pink, red magenta, amber, blue, and green. Call tel. 800/563-2557 (in the U.S.) or 905/356-6061 for schedules. The show starts around 5pm in winter, 8:30pm in spring and fall, and 9pm in summer. In addition, from July to early September, free fireworks start at 10pm every Friday.

Tip: The Perfect Falls View -- I love seeing Niagara Falls from the Skylon Tower, but the price of admission seems steep to me. One alternative used to be to come up to the Skylon's revolving restaurant for a midafternoon snack, but even that has become impossible since the place started charging a C$26 (US$25/£12) minimum per-adult charge at lunch and C$40 (US$38/£18) minimum at dinner. (This is a food charge -- money spent on alcohol doesn't count!) There is one strategy that still works: stop by the restaurant after the dinner rush for dessert and coffee; the restaurant will usually waive the minimum charge once the mealtime crowd thins out. Just make sure you ask before you are seated!

A Family Adventure

If you're looking for something to keep the kids amused, visit MarineLand, 7657 Portage Rd. (tel. 905/356-9565; www.marinelandcanada.com). At the aquarium-theater, King Waldorf, the walrus mascot, presides over performances by killer whales, dolphins, and sea lions. Friendship Cove, a 4.5 million-gallon breeding and observation tank, lets the little ones see killer whales up close. Another aquarium features displays of freshwater fish. At the small wildlife display, children enjoy petting and feeding the deer, and seeing bears and Canadian elk.

MarineLand also has theme-park rides, including a roller coaster, a Tivoli wheel (a fancy Ferris wheel), Dragon Boat rides, and a fully equipped playground. The big thriller is Dragon Mountain, a roller coaster that loops, double-loops, and spirals through 305m (1,000 ft.) of tunnels. You can picnic or eat at one of the three restaurants.

In summer, admission is C$39 (US$37/£18) for adults and children 10 and over, C$32 (US$30/£14) for children 5 to 9, and free for children 4 and under. Open daily July and August from 9am to 6pm; mid-April to mid-May and September to mid-October from 10am to 4pm; and mid-May to June from 10am to 5pm. Closed November through mid-April. Rides open in late May and close the first Monday in October. In town, drive south on Stanley Street and follow the signs; from the QEW, take the McLeod Road exit.

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Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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				Frommer's Toronto 2009 Author: Hilary Davidson Pub Date: December 31, 2008 Price: $17.99				Related Titles: Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies For Dummies, 2nd Edition Frommer's Alberta Frommer's Algonquin Provincial Park, 2nd Edition

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