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Wallenda Daredevil Walk at Niagara Falls – June 15, 2012
Thursday, May 03rd, 2012 •

Niagara Falls Tightrope Walk

Nik Wallenda “King of the High Wire” will dare to tightrope walk across the American and Horseshoe Falls

Nik Wallenda is one step closer to joining Niagara Falls daredevil folklore when he attempts to transverse Niagara Falls. It has been confirmed the date for “The Wallenda Walk at Niagara Falls” is June 15, 2012.

Wallenda Official BannerNiagara Tourism & Convention Corporation (NTCC) has partnered with the City of Niagara Falls, The Conference & Events at Niagara Falls, and Niagara Falls State Parks to put forth comprehensive information for “The Wallenda Walk at Niagara Falls”.

NTCC has launched a website where area residents and visitors will find general information about the logistics of the day, including where to watch the walk live. Additionally, tourists can access an online reservation system for lodging and accommodations, and there will be a continuously updated list of attractions and things to do throughout Niagara County. The site can be accessed at Walkthefalls.com or through “The Wallenda Walk at Niagara Falls” banner at Niagara-usa.com.

 

“We are very excited to welcome Nik Wallenda and the attention his spotlight will bring on the long-standing allure of  Niagara’s tremendous power, and the entire area as a whole,” said Melissa Morinello, director of marketing and communications, NTCC. “Our entire staff will be working diligently to provide the most up-to-date information to residents and visitors who not only want to watch ‘The Wallenda Walk at Niagara Falls’ live, but to also enjoy the many attractions and events that will be happening surrounding June 15, 2012.

 

Wallenda is seventh generation of the legendary Great Wallendas, and set a Guinness world record October 15, 2008 for the longest distance and greatest height ever traveled by bicycle on a

high wire. It has been is lifetime goal to tightrope walk across Niagara Falls.

more…

Category: Events  Tags: , , , ,  One Comment
Will the Maid of the Mist be running in 2012?
Monday, March 05th, 2012 •

maid of the mist

Will the Maid of the Mist be running in 2012? Yes.

The new tour operator is Hornblower Canada Co., but they won’t take start running until 2014.  The current owners, called Maid of the Mist Steamboat Co.  are expecting to make an announcement this month about the 2012 season. Stay tuned.

Category: Events, Local News, Travel  Tags: , ,  2 Comments
The Tragically Hip are Coming to Niagara-on-the-Lake
Sunday, March 04th, 2012 •

This year is the bicentennial of the War of 1812 , and the Tragically Hip will be having a live concert at the Butler’s Barracks on June 30th, 2012.  Thickets are on sale now. Rumour has it that the Niagara Legacy Council will be giving away tickets exclusively to facebook users.  All you need to do is “Like” the Niagara 1812 Facebook page.

Tragically Hip NiagaraTickets
69.50 + service fees – General Admission Ticket
99.50 + service fees – 2–Day General Admission Ticket
Purchase: http://www.ticketmaster.ca/The-Tragically-Hip-tickets/artist/736328

 

 

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Giveaway: Family Day Fest
Sunday, February 12th, 2012 •
As the Family Day weekend approaches, you find yourself tentatively eyeing the dates on the calendar, wondering if your family will do something interesting this year. Well now you found the perfect activity, and you could enjoy it free.
PRIZE:
VIP Family Pass – valued at $96 per – consisting of:
2 Children’s Admission: Includes event admission and Unlimited Ride pass for 2 children aged 2+

2 Adult Admission: Includes Event Admission for 2 adults, does not include ride pass. Individual Ride tickets or passes for adults may be purchased on site.

CONTEST DATE:
Feb 12th to Feb 16th

HOW TO WIN:
All you have to do is answer this question:
Where is Family Day Fest taking place in Niagara Falls?
Leave your answer in a comment below.  Hint: You can find the answer easily here: www.familydayfest.ca.
Want an extra entry?
1. Just ‘Like” the Family Day Fest Facebook page and leave
2. Leave a comment on the Facebook page with a link back to http://www.niagarablog.com/family-day-fest-win

 

Category: Contests, Events  Tags: , ,  27 Comments
RVing Around Niagara Falls
Wednesday, February 08th, 2012 •

Exciting RV Adventure around Niagara Falls

On the list of unforgettable places for RV campers to visit, Niagara Falls should rank near the top. The experience of Niagara is like no other in North America, so why not use this quick guide to help plan your own exciting RV adventure to Niagara Falls?

RV Camping around Niagara Falls

Because you’ve chosen the convenience and comfort of RV camping on your Niagara Falls adventure, you’ll need to know where to find a great campground. Here’s a link to Niagara area campgrounds, sorted by region.

Whether you choose to camp at Youngstown, NY, about fifteen miles north of Niagara Falls, across the border in Niagara Falls, Ontario or at any of the scenic campgrounds in between, you’ll find the hosts friendly and the camping affordable.

What You Need to Know about Niagara Falls

The natural wonder known as Niagara Falls is actually made up of three waterfalls – American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Canadian ‘Horseshoe’ Falls. They’re located on the US/Canadian border between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario on the Niagara River.

This marvelous bend in the river and the immense falls that inhabit it have drawn RV travelers for decades. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, visitors also have a front row seat to outstanding outdoor recreation and intriguing, historic attractions.

Here are some special places you won’t want to miss while on your Niagara RV camping vacation.

  • Queen Victoria Parkon the Canadian side gives unsurpassed views of the falls and is the perfect place to relax in the beauty of nature.
  • Goat Island, encamped between American and Horseshoe Falls, can be reached on foot, so park your vehicle and cross the bridge for an afternoon of hiking the trails, viewing the falls from above and taking the elevator to the bottom of the falls and Cave of the Winds.
  • Journey Behind the Falls, part of Ontario’s Niagara Parks, treats RV travelers to an up-close and awesome view from behind Horseshoe Falls. While visiting Niagara Parks, make time to walk the trails at the Botanical Gardens and be immersed in wonder at the Butterfly Conservatory. Those are just two of the experiences waiting to please visitors on the Canadian side of the falls.
  • For a view of Niagara Falls from the river, nothing beats a ride on the legendary Maid of the Mist. Catch the steamship at Maid of the Mist Plaza in Niagara Falls, ON or at Niagara Reservation State Park at Prospect Point in Niagara Falls, NY.
  • One more dazzling display no RVer should miss is the Class IV rapids in the Great Gorge north of the Rainbow Bridge. You can drive along the gorge, but the best view is on the Ontario side of the Gorge where vantage points on the White Water Walk provide the best vacation photos imaginable.

Many more adventures are waiting for RV campers at Niagara. Here’s a tip for getting the most for your money while on your RV adventure around Niagara Falls. Purchase a Niagara Falls and Great Gorge Adventure Pass that lets you ride the Maid of the Mist, hike the White Water Walk and visit several top attractions in Ontario’s Niagara Parks.

On both sides of the international border, Niagara Falls is a classic RV camping experience. Once you’ve come to the Falls you’re sure to fall in love and your RV camping dreams will be filled by Niagara!

About the Author

Joe Laing is the Marketing Director for El Monte RV Rentals. You can see more great RV vacation ideas in their Monty’s Musings RV Travel Blog and be sure to check out their RV Camping Pictures.

Category: Reviews, Travel  Tags: ,  One Comment
Family Day Fest
Tuesday, February 07th, 2012 •

Family Day Fest: Feb. 18-20, 2012
LONG WEEKEND!
Niagara Falls ON

www.familydayfest.ca

The inaugural Family Day Fest is taking place during Family Day and Presidents’ Day long weekend, featuring the largest indoor amusement park, February 18, 19 & 20th! Boasting an impressive line-up of rides, jumping castles, obstacle courses, arcade games, attractions, carnival games and entertainment!  Open from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Scotiabank Convention Centre, 6815 Stanley Ave, the three-day event boasts plenty of attractions for the entire family.

Entertainment:
JoJo the Clown and his sidekick Chuckles!

Bringing you one of the fastest balloon making routines you’ll ever see, Jo-Jo and Chuckles will have you howling with their comedic antics.

Attractions:
Featuring all-time favourites like: Bumper Cars, Kite Flyer, Train Ride, Chilly Willy, Merry Go Round, Scrambler, Wacky World, Clock Castle, King Croc Slide.

Tickets* offering a variety of admission options, are available at the door or online in advance www.familydayfest.ca/buytickets.html
Day Pass: $25 ages 2+ (incl. entrance + rides)
Adults 18+: $8 (entrance only & accompany)

* Ride tickets available onsite – no refunds for unused tickets. Children 1 and Under FREE (entrance only, no rides)

 

Niagara Falls Stay-and-Play hotel packages available at:

Comfort Inn Niagara Falls: www.comfortinn.com/NiagaraFalls
Courtyard by Marriott: www.marriott.com/courtyard
Days Inn Niagara Falls Clifton Hills Casino: www.daysinncliftonhill.com
Embassy Suites Fallsview: www.embassysuiteshotelfallsview.com       
Four Points by Sheraton: www.sheratonfourpointsniagarafalls.com
Niagara Falls Hilton: www.niagarafallshilton.com
Niagara Falls Marriott: www.marriott.com/NiagaraFalls
Oakes Hotel: www.oakeshotel.com

For general and ticket information about Family Day Fest (incl. corporate or group rates), please visit www.familydayfest.ca, join us on Facebook, call 1-800-567-3889 or email info@familydayfest.ca.

 

 

 

 

Category: Events, General  Tags: ,  2 Comments
Gale Centre Public Ice Skating Schedule
Saturday, February 04th, 2012 •

Gale Recreation Centre

Have you visited the new Gale Recreation Centre yet? Here is a the schedule for public skating and Shinny hockey.

Activity Tue Wed Thu Sat Sun No Ice
Public Skating 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm 2pm – 4pm Sept 25; Oct 2; Dec 4,24,25,31;
Jan 1, 21; Feb 18;
Mar 3, 11, 24, 25; Apr 1;
Adult/Senior Skate 9am – 10am 12pm – 1pm Nov 17; Dec 28, 29; Jan 5; Feb 16
Tiny Tots Skate 10am – 12pm 1pm – 3pm Nov 16; Dec 28, 29;
Jan 5; Feb 1, 16; Mar 14;
Stick & Puck 3:30 pm – 5pm 9am – 10:30 am Nov 17; Dec 28,29;
Jan 5; Feb 1;
Pay as You Play 18+ 12pm – 1:30 pm 12pm – 1:30 pm Nov 17; Dec 28,29;
Jan 5; Mar 15;
Pay as You Play 60+ 3pm – 4pm 10am – 11am Nov 17; Dec 27,29; Jan 5;
Pay as You Play 70+ 1pm – 3pm Dec 27; Jan 31; Mar 13;
Pay as You Play Ladies 7:45 pm – 8:45 pm Oct 1; Nov 19; Dec 24,31;
Jan 21; Feb 25; Mar 3, 24;
Category: Events, Local News  Tags: ,  Leave a Comment
How to Pack Light for a Vacation
Monday, January 16th, 2012 •

With the new luggage weight restrictions and high fees, its important to pack light and right.  In the past I would just throw a bunch of clothes into my cheap luggage and not care too much.  Now you have to care. You have to make sure that your luggage is light and you bring only the stuff you need.  Take these tips from Fashion blogger Nelia.

[from Style Blog] I’m not going to claim to be an expert on packing or travel….BUT, I do travel a heck of a lot, and always…always without checking my baggage. In the past, I’ve had a few a lot of problems with lost bags, and ruined vacation outfits…which is obviously very stressful, and costly. I’ve finally had enough, and whether it’s a two-week European vacay*, or a weekend getaway, carry-on only is the only way I’ll travel. If you want to know how to travel light, without the hassles (and extra fees) that come with checking your bag, read on for my tips!

Heys Style

1. Good Luggage is Key

There’s a reason why this is tip #1. Good luggage can make a huge difference! For the past 8 (or so) years, I’ve traveled with my trusty green Heys carry-on everywhere. And when I say everywhere, I mean everywhere! Places it’s been: Kyrgyzstan (2 times), Kazakhstan (3 times), Paris (3 times), London (2 times), Italy (3 times), Spain (1 time), Moscow (1 time), New York (4 times), Houston (bajillion times), Cuba (2 times), Mexico (1 time), Mont Tremblant (1 time), Quebec and Montreal (2 times), Las Vegas (2 times), LA (1 time)…shall I keep going? My luggage has never let me down, through the cobbles of Red Square, and through the millions of stairs in Paris subway tunnels – it was always, always reliably sturdy and light.

Good luggage will expand when you need it to, will keep your clothes safe and neat, is easy to wheel around, is light, easy to maneuver and to spot. It doesn’t even have to be expensive. Granted, I am pretty biased towards Heys luggage (which is hella solid, affordable, and proudly Canadian!). After 8 years of using my cute green suitcase, I finally had to retire it – simply out of vanity (as it’s still in great condition). I wanted a prettier, newer set, and this Journey Spinner** will hopefully do the job just as well, while looking sleek and stylish.

Lucky for you, Heys is actually giving away a trip worth $5000!!! So if you want to take that new luggage out for a spin, make sure to enter here: http://www.facebook.com/HeysIntl?sk=app_250354528351779 more…

Category: Contests, Travel  Tags: , , , ,  2 Comments
Rink at the Brink Skate for Haiti
Friday, January 06th, 2012 •

rink at the brink skate for Haiti

The St. Catharines (MOB)ilizers, a grassroots group promoting positive change in Niagara region and beyond, is holding another fundraiser in support of Free the Children. On Friday, Jan. 7th, area residents can lace up their skates from 10 a.m. until noon at the Niagara Falls Rink at the Brink. Admission is $5, skate rentals are $5 and you can also get your skates sharpened for $5. The group will also be selling hot chocolate and homemade backed goods, with all proceeds supporting Free the Children communities in Haiti.

See their Facebook page for more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/101594606628889/

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Cheer for our Local Team Canada Stars
Monday, January 02nd, 2012 •

Niagara Team Canada MembersThe Niagara Ice Dogs are well represented on Team Canada in the World Junior Hockey Championships in 2011-12 with 4 team members. TSN.ca is covering the games so be sure to watch.

Dougie Hamilton

2011-12 Team: Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
NHL Draft: Boston 2011 (1st round, 9th overall)
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Born: June 17, 1993
Height: 6’4Weight: 193Shoots: Right

Twice played for Team OHL in the Super Series against Russia (2010, 2011), recording three assists in two games in 2011.
Attended Canada’s National Junior development camp in August 2011.
Named the OHL and CHL Scholastic Player of the Year in 2010-11.
Twice named an OHL second team all-star (2009-10, 2010-11).
Won a silver medal with Ontario at the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
Won the Ivan Tennant Award as top academic high school player in 2009-10.

 Freddie Hamilton

2011-12 Team: Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
NHL Draft: San Jose 2010 (5th round, 129th overall)
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Born: January 1, 1992
Height: 6’0Weight: 185Shoots: Right

Player Notes: Played for the OHL in the 2011 Super Series against Russia, recording a hat trick and finishing plus-4 in one game.
Attended Canada’s National Junior development camp in August 2011.
Represented Canada at the 2010 World Under-18 Championship, where he was named a Top 3 Player on his team.
Won a gold medal with Ontario at the 2009 World Under-17 Challenge.
Won the Ivan Tennant Award as top academic high school player in 2008-09.

Ryan Strome

2011-12 Team: Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
NHL Draft: New York Islanders 2011 (1st round, 5th overall)
Hometown: Mississauga, ON
Born: July 11, 1993
Height: 6’1Weight: 183Shoots: Right
Twitter: @strome18

Played for the OHL in the 2011 Super Series against Russia, recording two goals and three points in two games.
Attended Canada’s National Junior development camp in August 2011.
Named an OHL second team all-star in 2010-11.
Won a silver medal with Ontario at the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, recording two goals and three points in six games.

Mark Visentin

2011-12 Team: Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
NHL Draft: Phoenix 2010 (1st round, 27th overall)
Hometown: Waterdown, ON
Born: August 7, 1992
Height: 6’2Weight: 201Shoots: Left
Twitter: @vizzer29

Backstopped Canada to silver medal at 2011 World Junior Championship, starting four games including the quarterfinal, semifinal, and gold medal game.
.923 SV% was fourth among goalies in tournament and 2.01 GAA ranked third.
Played for the OHL in the 2011 Super Series against Russia.
Attended Canada’s National Junior Team development camp in August 2011.
Named OHL Goaltender of the Year and first team All-Star in 2010-11.
Won a gold medal with Ontario at the 2009 World Under-17 Challenge.

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Niagara College Student Wins
Wednesday, November 30th, 2011 •

Chef David Adjey with winner Janine Hall

Three culinary students battled it out at the TABASCO® Brand Street Junior Chef Meet at Humber College. Janine Hall, a culinary student at Niagara College took home the prize – $2,500 in cash, $2,500 in Garland Canada merchandise. She is now the undisputed hottest junior chef in Canada.

More pics after the jump…

more…

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Halloween at Niagara Parks
Saturday, October 29th, 2011 •

Fun Halloween Events for the Whole Family!

The Niagara Parks Commission  is pleased to announce two eeerily fun family events taking place throughout October: Ghosts Behind the Falls at Journey Behind the Falls and All Hallow’s Eve at Old Fort Erie.

Ghosts Behind the Falls

Ghosts Behind the FallsGhosts Behind the Falls

Dates: October 7, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 & 29
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Price (excluding taxes): Adult $14.60, Child (6 – 12 years old) $8.95, Children 5 and under FREE
Location: Journey Behind the Falls: 6650 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls, Ontario
Reservations: Not required

A haunting experience awaits you at Journey Behind the Falls. Niagara Parks has called upon its ghosts to greet you during this unique and limited time event. Suitable for all ages. Regular admission applies. Visit during the day and pay only $5 more for the event.

All Hallow’s Eve

All Hallow's EveAll Hallow’s Eve

Dates: October 21 – 23 & October 28 – 31
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Price (excluding taxes): Adult $12.25, Child (6 – 12 years old) $7.95, Children 5 and under FREE
Location: Old Fort Erie, 350 Lakeshore Road, Fort Erie, Ontario
Reservations: (905) 871-0540

Experience the traditions of Halloween, brought to life through the ghosts of Canada’s bloodiest battlefield. A fun and frightening evening at the old stone fort will end with refreshments and the annual burning of a Guy Fawkes effigy at 8:30 p.m. Suitable for all ages. Be prepared and dress for any kind of weather. Regular admission applies. more…

Category: Blue Ghost Tunnel  Tags: ,  Leave a Comment
October Sale: Niagara Falls Tour from Toronto
Friday, October 14th, 2011 •

Niagara Falls tour from Toronto

Toronto, Canada – King Tours is pleased to announce that it is offering all October Niagara Falls tours for only $69.  This is their lowest price of the year!

The tours are offered online through www.NiagaraTours.ca and include: pick-up and return from any location in Toronto, Markham, Mississauga, and North York; a visit to a local winery; wine tasting; a brief stop in the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake; admission to the Maid of the Mist; and free time in Niagara Falls.

King Tours has been operating this popular Niagara Falls tours from Toronto, every day, all year round, for the past 15 years.

Category: Travel  Tags: , , ,  One Comment
Our Food Truck Scene
Tuesday, October 11th, 2011 •

Hamilton is steering food in a new direction. Like so many urban centres, this city, located a 45-minute drive from Toronto,is home to a blossoming food truck scene, offering some truly tempting treats.

Watch for the hot pink Cupcake Diner on wheels, parked in the downtown core of the city as well as at special events. Owner Natalie Ravoi tapped into her love of baking and took it to the streets, literally, and created Canada’s first mobile cupcake shop. She bakes gourmet cupcakes daily with a retro twist.

People line up for varieties like caramel apple pie, chocolate and peanut butter, the 1950s Classic (à la Hostess cupcakes), lemon meringue and raspberry white chocolate. Plus she offers gluten-free and vegan variations, too.

But before diving into dessert, there’s heartier fare to be had. You can’t miss Canada’s only grilled cheese food truck. Look for the gorilla. It’s a sign that you’ve found Gorilla Cheese, owned by Graeme Smith and Scott Austin.

Smith went to Liaison College to become a professional chef and Austin is a grass roots foodie himself. They came up with the idea for a grilled cheese truck, a perfect fit for comfort-food craving urbanites. These aren’t just any garden-variety sandwiches, but gourmet, grilled-to-order ones, made with real cheese from Jensen’s, an Ontario cheese maker based in Simcoe. They’re gooey and wonderful, served alongside tomato soup and baked beans, all made from scratch.

Roving the area called the Golden Horseshoe, stretching from Toronto to Niagara Falls, is El Gastronomo Vagabundo. It’s a joint Australia-Canada project, thanks to its owners Tamara Jensen and Adam Hynam-Smith, a professionally trained chef from Down Under.

They have been serving up tantalizing mobile eats, like heirloom tomato and watermelon salad, Asian specialties, and gourmet tacos like Thai coconut red curry and tempura salmon. Ingredients are sourced from small local producers, making this a true grass-roots operation. To catch El Gastro on the move, follow them on Twitter or Facebook. more…

Category: General, Recipes, Reviews  Tags: , , , ,  One Comment
Maid of the Mist Closes October 24, 2011
Wednesday, October 05th, 2011 •

The last day of operation for the 2011 season is October 24, 2011.

When will the Maid of the Mist be back? Because the boat is dependent on weather conditions, we’re never certain when the first launching date will be.  As soon as we find out we’ll post the information on Niagara Blog as usual.

 

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Shaw Festival launches free mobile application
Thursday, September 22nd, 2011 •

Shaw Festival AppThe Shaw Festival, the renowned Canadian theatre repertory company, is thrilled to announce the release of its new mobile application — another high point to celebrate during its 50th season. Co-developed by Discover Anywhere Mobile and The Shaw’s Marketing and IT Web Teams, the mobile application offers the user one more way to gain access to all that the Shaw Festival offers, while planning their Shaw Festival experience. The mobile app is available now for iPhone users and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or at www.shawfest.com/get-your-free-shaw-app. An app for Blackberry and Android smartphones will be rolled-out in late September, early October.

This new app makes planning a Niagara-on-the-Lake theatre getaway a hassle-free experience. In addition to having the ability to purchase tickets (via direct dial), The Shaw mobile app also provides Shaw Festival theatre enthusiasts easy access to information about the season’s playbill and Niagara theatre packages, as well as information on Niagara-on-the-Lake hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, wineries and area events and attractions.

“We’re very excited to launch this mobile application during our landmark 50th season,” said Executive Director Colleen Blake. “As we look forward to the next 50 years, one of our aims is to implement consumer-friendly tools that make planning a theatre visit as easy as possible. This new application brings the mobility of technology to the cultural experience and it all begins on the screen of a smartphone or tablet computer.”

Commenting on Discover Anywhere’s involvement with the Shaw Festival and the development of its mobile app, David Janes, President of Discover Anywhere remarked: “The Shaw Festival is synonymous with great theatre so when we were asked to create their app, our goal was to create an exceptional experience connecting theatre-goers to all things ‘Shaw’. The app presents all relevant information about The Shaw optimized for mobile, including the current playbill, the performance schedule, ‘getting here’, and ticket and box office information. Additionally, the app invites visitors to discover Niagara-on-the-Lake, its attractions, hotels, wineries all presented using advanced features such as GPS, itinerary planning, social media, augmented reality and mapping.” more…

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Suburban Tourist Tours Niagara Falls
Monday, September 12th, 2011 •

The (Sub)urban Tourist is a travel blog enjoying the outdoor lifestyle and exploring good food and dining experiences.  This summer Margaret Antkowski, who pens the (Sub)urban tourist, took a Niagara Falls tour with her finacé Frank Bourne.  She rated the tour 4.5/5.  Read her review here:

Niagara by bus: sit back, relax and enjoy the tour

The Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls – part of the tour with King Tours. Photo by Frank Bourne

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been to Niagara Falls, Ontario. It must be at least six or seven times since I was a small kid. With each visit over the years, I’ve noticed that traffic has become increasingly insane in the Niagara region. Driving with stop-and-go traffic and trying to find a parking spot in Niagara Falls or Niagara-on-the-Lake can leave you drained, stressed out and definitely not enjoying the visit.

This past weekend Frank and I had the pleasure of trying out a King Tours bus tour from Toronto to Niagara Falls.  And it certainly was a stress-free way to enjoy a day away from Toronto.

The $79 per person ticket included the following:

  • Transportation in a comfortable, air conditioned tour bus from downtown Toronto to Niagara Falls
  • Entry into the Maid of the Mist, without having to wait in line for a ticket
  • About two hours to ourselves to explore Niagara Falls and have lunch
  • A drive along the Niagara River to stop at spots such as the Whirlpool (10 minute stop); the Sir Adam Beck Power Generation plant (a few minutes to take photos); and the Floral Clock (more photos).
  • A 45 minute visit in Niagara-on-the-Lake
  • Wine-tasting at Pillitteri Estates Winery

 

People lining up for the Maid of the Mist. We didn’t have to wait to get tickets but went straight to the line-up for the tour itself. Photo by Frank Bourne

more…

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Niagara Falls Tour Top Tour on Tourism TO
Sunday, September 04th, 2011 •

Niagara Falls is only 2 hours away from Toronto.  It’s no surprise that Toronto tourists often incorporate a trip to Niagara Falls in their vacation itinerary. Tourism.to, a Toronto Travel website, says that their statistics show exactly that.  This past summer their featured Niagara Falls tour that departs from Toronto, has out sold their Toronto Sightseeing tours. Toronto to Niagara Falls tour

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Japanese Tourist Goes Over the Falls
Monday, August 15th, 2011 •

A tourist, visiting from Japan, slipped and fell over the railing today while sitting on a railing posing for a picture. She is presumed dead. See the WIVBTV’s news report.

Category: Niagara Video, Travel  Tags: , , ,  3 Comments
When the Rain Stops Falling
Monday, August 15th, 2011 •

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, August 10, 2011…When the Rain Stops Falling, Andrew Bovell’s stirring generational story, begins previews Thursday at The Shaw’s Studio Theatre.

An apocalyptic torrent of rain. An unexpected phone call from an estranged son. A fish falls from the sky. So begins a journey that delves back across time, space and four generations exposing two family’s multilayered history and their unexpectedly intricate connections. A complex contemporary mystery, When the Rain Stops Falling is epic in its scope, yet surprisingly intimate and desperately moving.

Directed by Peter Hinton, When the Rain Stops Falling features Donna Belleville as Elizabeth Law (older), Wade Bogert-O’Brien as Andrew Price, Krista Colosimo as Gabrielle York (younger), Jeff Meadows as Gabriel Law, Peter Millard as Joe Ryan, Ric Reid as Gabriel York, Tara Rosling as Elizabeth Law (younger), Graeme Somerville as Henry Law and Wendy Thatcher as Gabrielle York (older).

The creative team includes set and costume design by Camellia Koo, lighting design by Kevin Lamotte, music composition/sound design by Richard Feren. Stage managed by Dora Tomassi and assistant stage manager Kristopher Weber.

First produced as part of the Adelaide Festival of the Arts at the Scott Theatre, University of Adelaide, Australia, in 2008, When the Rain Stops Falling has premiered at London’s Almeida Theatre and New York’s Lincoln Center Theater. This production of When the Rain Stops Falling is its Canadian premiere and marks the first time an Australian play has been performed at the Shaw Festival.

When the Rain Stops Falling begins preview performances Thursday, August 11; opens Friday, August 26; and plays in repertory until Saturday, September 17. more…

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