Friday, 3 January 2025

Niagara


Niagara

 


In order to see the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, we joined a day tour from our Toronto Airport hotel, taking a scenic drive along the Niagara Parkway - which Winston Churchill called “The Prettiest Sunday Afternoon Drive in the World”. It is one of the oldest roads in Ontario, originally an aboriginal trail - along the west side of the Niagara River. There are several special points of interest that the day tours stop at, such as the Whirlpool Rapids, which is a natural phenomenon of the Niagara River.  When the Gorge narrows and the river falls, it creates rapids of about 22 mph – some of the wildest and most dangerous in the world. You can view them from the White-Water Walk or Whirlpool State Park, New York side where you need to follow a series of stairways and paths to the base of the gorge. 



Between the Botanical Gardens and Queenston Heights Park is another popular sight -The Floral Clock; a 40-feet diameter working clock that is one of the largest of its kind in the world. This unique and stunning display is a very popular stop on the Niagara Parkway. The floral design is changed twice each year - with violas in the Spring, and cultivars of Alternanthera and Sage, with Golden Privet and Blue Festuca Grass as a contrast - during the Summer and Fall. A Tower at the back of the clock houses Westminster chimes that play every 15 minutes and when it is open, you can take a peek at the mechanism and photographs that show the history of every face design all the way back to 1950. The 10-foot-wide water garden that curves 85 feet around the base of the clock is a popular place to make a wish! 



The Living Water Wayside Chapel is a tiny white building built in 1964 by the Niagara Falls Christian Reformed Church. It is famous for being the Guinness World Record holder as the smallest chapel in the World - with a floor space of about 13 feet by 6 feet and is open to visitors when there are no ceremonies happening.



Niagara Parks’ Botanical Gardens have been part of the Niagara Garden Trail since 1990, featuring 99 acres of award-winning landscapes. Every season reveals gorgeous new blooms, particularly along the walking trails and through the arboretum - one of Canada’s finest tree collections, or the aromatic herb garden, or North America’s largest and most distinguished Victorian rose garden. Queenston Heights is a geographical feature of the Niagara Escarpment immediately above the village of Queenston - where you can learn of the famous 1812 Battle of Queenston Heights and see the 150-ft monument commemorating it.



There are so many other things to do, apart from just looking at the falls; you can walk through Niagara Falls State Park to see them – which was a blaze of autumn colour when I was there. You can eat at the most celebrated restaurant - The Skylon Tower, which offers fine dining 775 feet above the Falls! Choose from the legendary Revolving Dining Room Restaurant with the most breathtaking views or the family-affordable Summit Suite Buffet restaurant.  Admission to the Observation Decks attractions is FREE when dining!  





Apart from this very special place, there are many other places to eat and relax whilst soaking up the atmosphere of this very special place. Clifton Hill, Falls Ave, Victoria-Centre, Fallsview and Lundy's Lane are full of shops, cafes, arcades and even an indoor skydiving centre – all within close proximity to the Falls. 




The Sky Wheel on Clifton Hill is Canada's largest observation wheel, a towering 175 feet high; from where you will be treated to memorable views of the Horseshoe, American Falls, the Niagara River and spectacular aerial views for miles in every direction. You can take a 15-minute Helicopter Ride for a scenic bird’s eye view - flying over them is one of the best ways to view the Falls. 



There are two choices of boat tours; if you are visiting in Canada - you will ride aboard Hornblower's Niagara City Cruises; and from New York the tour is on the Maid of the Mist boat ride. Each 20-minute boat tour takes you on the journey of a lifetime! As well as enjoying magnificent views of Niagara Gorge, American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and come face-to-face to the Canadian Horseshoe Falls – you get completely soaked!



I do like to try something different……so I opted for the Zipline. There was no need to prebook this, and although it suggested a waiting time of well over an hour; by the time I had climbed up to the Launch Deck – stopping to take photos at various observation points on the way – the time whizzed by. 



Once I arrived at the Launch Deck and had the safety gear strapped on – my heart was racing. Any possessions I had on me, were put in a special bag strapped to my back, everything was double checked, and then it was time to go.




 I was hooked on to the wire above, had to sit back (into what was strapped onto my back) – told to spread out my arms and legs – then let go! The next 60 seconds, gliding down 2,200 feet of cable, facing the mighty waterfall, was the most exhilarating you can imagine. 



To be able to see this incredible force of nature and enjoy such views was spellbinding. After landing safely at the base, there were official photos taken before being taken back up to the booking office area. The experience was captured forever on camera and also put together in a unique video – that I just had to buy – at a very reasonable cost. I can highly recommend this for anyone, of any age – it really was the best adrenaline pumping, invigorating time ever! https://www.viator.com/tours/Niagara-Falls-and-Around/Zipline-To-The-Falls-Niagara-Falls-Canada/d773-75080P1?mcid=56757

 


Thank you for taking time to follow my adventures,

Lynne

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