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| Niagara Falls | ||
| province | Ontario | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 82.997 (2011) | |
| height | 173 m | |
| Tourist info web | City of Niagara Falls | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Niagara Falls is a city in the Canadian province Ontario.
Niagara Falls, a border town with the United States, lies directly on the Niagara Falls making it one of the top tourist destinations in the country. Since the chocolate side of the falls - the frontal view - can only be seen from Canada, Niagara Falls, Ontario is the American sister city definitely preferable.
The audience is more interesting and ethnically much more diverse than at other top North American destinations. The number of visitors is considerable, however, and if you have the choice, it is best to visit Niagara Falls outside of the main tourist season and even then not on the weekend. Niagara Falls is most beautiful in spring; The place and the falls also offer an interesting and almost idyllic side in winter.
background
The Canadian town of Niagara Falls is located in the state of Ontario and lives primarily from tourism because of its location directly on the Niagara Falls. For the past few decades, the streets near the falls - especially along Victoria Ave. - a fair-like infrastructure has been created, reminiscent of a small Las Vegas. Simple shows and rides, even a ferris wheel that have nothing to do with the falls, are next to numerous restaurants and takeaways. Numerous hotels have also settled here.
Over 20 million visitors a year should see the falls, which are certainly not the highest, perhaps also not the most beautiful, but undoubtedly the most famous in the world. The Niagara River, which is just 58 km long, flows from Lake Erie into Lake Ontario and forms the Niagara Falls about halfway.
The waterfall consists of two parts, the large, semicircular horseshoe case on the Canadian side and a smaller waterfall on the US side. The border between the two countries runs right through the river.
Geologically speaking, Niagara Falls is only a short-lived phenomenon. They have only existed for a few thousand years and would have disappeared relatively soon if action had not been taken. By building and "switching off" the waterfalls at night, the rock abrasion and thus the migration of the Niagara Falls up the river has been reduced from one meter per year to now 30 cm in 10 years.
For a long time, the falls have also been used by power plants to generate electricity. For this purpose, water is diverted from the river in front of the waterfalls, which is why Niagara Falls no longer look as spectacular as it used to. At night, the cases are literally "switched off" at the push of a button, as the amount of water is then drastically reduced. Even in the off-season, the amount of water let through is less.
In addition to the view during the day, you should also admire the Niagara Falls at night, they are illuminated in color between 9 p.m. and midnight.
getting there
By plane
The closest International Airports are those of Niagara Falls, NY and Buffalo, NY. De facto, however, both regional airports are of no importance for international air traffic. If you come from Europe, you can fly cheaper via one of the major Canadian or American airports (Toronto, Detroit, Newark or JFK).
By bus
The 1 Bus terminal is located in the former downtown area (4555 Erie Avenue, open 7: 00-22: 30). The following bus companies offer connections to Niagara Falls:
- Greyhound Canada. Several times a day to Toronto and New York.
- Coach Canada. Several times a day to Toronto, Montreal and New York.
In the street
For European tourists, travel from the USA is only possible via the 2 Rainbow Bridge possible.
By train
You can travel from the USA by train, e.g. from New York. At least when there is snow, the route is very scenic.
mobility
Many of the cheap accommodation options as well as the bus and train terminals are located in the old part of the city. From here it is about a 30-minute walk to the falls; a cab ride is around $ 10 one way.
Tourist Attractions
- Butterfly Conservatory, 2405 Niagara Pkwy. One of the largest and most beautiful butterfly houses on the continent.Open: daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., in spring and autumn until 6 p.m., in summer until 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.Price: Admission $ 11 tax (children 6-12 $ 6.50 tax).
- Skylon Tower, 5200 Robinson St. 160 m high observation tower, which offers a fantastic view of Niagara Falls in good weather. A luxurious rotating restaurant is located directly below the viewing platform. Parking costs extra; if you are willing to walk 5 or 10 minutes, it is cheaper to park a few streets north of the tower.Open: daily 9 a.m. - 10 p.m., in summer 8 a.m. - midnight.Price: Admission $ 10.95 Tax (Seniors $ 9.95 Tax, Children $ 6.45 Tax).
activities
- Maid of the Mist. The "Maiden of the Fog" is now not a single excursion boat, but a small fleet that drives close to the falls during the day. The excursion takes about half an hour, but depending on the season you have to allow for a bit of waiting time. Since admission is counted, you should point this out in good time if you are traveling with a group or family. Actually, "Maiden of the spray" would be the more accurate translation, because it gets wet on board. You get the blue protective films with which you can still see so many walking around on land. They can also come in handy when walking to Horseshoe Falls later. Cameras and glasses of all kinds get soaking wet, you should take a form of clear film as lens protection with you.
- Helicopter flights. There are several providers of scenic flights over the falls in Niagara Falls and the surrounding area. Located right in the village Niagara Helicopters, where you can book short flights of a few minutes. Helicopters take off at a fast pace. Starts just outside of town at the Niagara District Airport National Helicopters with flights that are a little more expensive, but take a lot longer because of the longer route. From the US there are Rainbow Air. There are numerous different discount coupons on the Internet as well as in hotels and even printed in travel guides. If possible, you shouldn't pay the normal price anywhere.
- An overview is provided on the Niagara Falls Tourism website Attractions & Rides.
shop
The area around Niagara Falls is known for its good wines, especially ice wines are very good to get here. However, they are also correspondingly expensive. For small bottles of ice wine you have to expect $ 30 or more. It's a little cheaper with apple cider (cider). Maple syrup is also a typical souvenir if you make a flying visit from the USA. If you want to bring wine or maple syrup to Europe, you should think about the hand luggage rules on the plane.
- metro, 3770 Montrose Rd, corner of Thorold Stone Rd. Large, well-stocked supermarket.
kitchen
Cheap
- 1 Sahara Desert, 6225 Thorold Stone Rd, corner of Portage Rd. Tel.: 1-905-358-1111. Simple fast food restaurant with delicious Middle Eastern cuisine (shawarma [= Arabic gyros], falafel, etc.) and friendly service. Tourists rarely get lost here.Open: daily 11 a.m.-11 p.m.Price: wrap from € 4, platter from € 7.
medium
- 1 Niagara Brewing Company, 4915-A Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 3N5. Tel.: 1 905-374-4446. Small brewery since 2015, own beers and snacks.Open: Sun 12: 00–21: 00, Mon 12: 00–20: 00, Tue, Wed, Thu 12: 00–22: 00, Fri 12: 00–01: 00, Sa 11: 00–00: 00 .
- 2 Taps On Queen Brewhouse & Grill, 4680 Queen St, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 2L8. Tel.: 1 289-477-1010. Small brewery with burger, pizza, sandwich, etc.Open: daily 12: 00-1: 00 a.m.Price: Poutine 8 CAD, burgers from 12 CAD, pint 5.31 CAD.
- 2 Rainforest Cafe, 4915 Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 3N5. Tel.: 1-905-374-2233. Themed restaurant (chain) with jungle motifs. One of the most interesting restaurants in town for families with children. American and Tex-Mex cuisine with influences from Caribbean cuisine.Open: daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Upscale
- 3 Koutouki Greek Cuisine, 5745 Ferry Street. Greek restaurant currently rated best restaurant in town by Tripadvisor.
nightlife
accommodation
Usually, the tax (GST = VAT, in some provinces an additional Provincial Sales Tax (PST)) of around 15% and a tourism tax of around 4% are added to the stated overnight rates. Some hotels and restaurants also have inexplicable and poorly documented charges of up to 10% on their bills. Abbreviations are often DMF, DMP, DMF, DMDF, PF and TIF. The fees vary widely and are not mandatory and legal, they cannot be identified as a tax. In addition, when staying in larger hotels there are often costs for parking that can quickly reach $ 50 or more.
In addition to hotels, Niagara Falls has dozens of interesting bed and breakfasts, especially many on River Rd.
Cheap
- Clarion President Hotel & Suites by the Falls, 6045 Stanley Ave..
- Comfort Inn Clifton Hill, 4960 Clifton Hill.
- Econo Lodge By the Falls, 5781 Victoria Ave.
- Econo Lodge Near the Falls, 6000 Stanley Ave.
- Quality Inn Clifton Hill, 4946 Clifton Hill.
- Rodeway Inn By the Falls, 5553 Ferry St.
- Rodeway Inn Fallsview, 6663 Stanley Ave..
- HI Hostel Niagara Falls, 4549 Cataract Avenue. Inexpensive hostel (bed $ 15, double room $ 39), close to the train station and bus terminal.
medium
- Comfort Inn Fallsview, 6645 Fallsview Blvd..
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Niagara Falls, ON, 5525 Victoria Ave, at Hunter St. E-mail: [email protected]. New chain hotel, which is currently mostly rated very highly on the Internet. A first-class address for families, because the suites are not only in good shape, but also offer beds for up to 6 people (4 in the separate bedroom that can be locked with a door, 2 more on the sofa bed in the living room). Fridge and microwave in the room. Extensive American breakfast buffet including scrambled eggs, waffles and cereals. Large, well-maintained indoor pool with warm water. There is even a games room (with pool table) and a house library. The only downside is the inevitability of the tourist boom from Clifton Hill, which has to be crossed if you walk to the falls (which is recommended due to the proximity). Children get bright eyes here as they usually only do at Christmas and find the glittering world of the shamelessly overpriced wax figure museums and candy stores much, much more wonderful than the boring waterfalls.
- Travelodge at the Falls, 4943 Clifton Hill.
Upscale
- 1 Embassy Suites by Hilton, 6700 Fallsview Blvd.. The hotel offers a total of 512 2-room suites (117 m, 42 floors, completed in 2003). Breakfast from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. is quick, later you have to queue for up to 20 minutes before you can have breakfast. Additional parking fees ranging from $ 35 to $ 60 plus tax. There is this a few meters down Fallsview Blvd 3 Fallsview Blvd.. Wi-Fi costs extra.Price: Rooms from $ 135.
- 2 Niagara Falls Hilton, 6361 Fallsview Blvd.. According to the company, the 53-storey hotel tower, which only offers suites, is the highest in the country.
- 3 Four Points by Sheraton Niagara Falls Fallsview Hotel, 6455 Fallsview Blvd.. 32-storey hotel high-rise (102 m, completed in 2001).Price: Rooms from $ 189.
- 4 Marriott Niagara Falls Hotel Fallsview & Spa, 6740 Fallsview Blvd.. The hotel has 432 rooms in 10 different categories. According to the company, it is the hotel that is closest to the falls.Price: The standard rate starts at C $ 199 per night.
trips
- United States of America. Theoretically, one can enter the other country via the four bridges that run between the USA and Canada at Niagara Falls. In contrast to entry by plane, you do not have to fill out the online form 72 hours in advance. In practice, however, this is hardly practical for day-trippers. The USA controls every person entering the country with hours of questioning and thorough searches. On the return trip, the Canadians shouldn't always be better.
- Niagara-on-the-Lake. About 25 km away is the picturesque small town, which has Fort George, an old fortress to visit and which invites you to stroll.
