Niagara Falls AttractionsNiagara Falls Attractions go way beyond the Falls themselves. You'll find many more of nature's wonders here including exotic birds, plants, and butterflies. If you're looking for some urban adventures why not indulge in a little fun at the casino or try out the many great restaurants, shops and wineries in the region? Plan your adventure here! More Natural Beauty To keep with the "natural" theme to start, you might want to visit the beautiful gardens maintained by the provincial government's Niagara Parks Commission. Victoria Park that lines the Niagara Parkway along the Falls is a flower-lover's delight, as is the Oakes Garden Theatre. Also check out the Floral Clock and the Niagara Parks Botanical Garden operated by the School of Horticulture (a very prestigious college for gardeners).
This is one of my personal faves. It opened in 2003 and has already won "Niagara Falls Attraction of the Year" four times. It's housed in a renovated former factory and is home to 400 tropical creatures – the biggest bird house in the region.
Don't make me choose between the toucans and the macaws – I can't decide which ones I love the best. (See my article about Bird Kingdom here.) Want more experiences with the wild things? Try Marineland Ontario, with its dolphin and sea lion shows that I remember from childhood (they have amusement park rides too). And what about butterflies? Try the Butterfly Conservatory (tip: wear bright clothing … butterflies are attracted to it and they'll be more likely to settle on your shoulder this way). Urban Excitement Amusement palaces on Clifton Hill: Those long-time veterans from childhood are still here - Movieland Wax Museum of the Stars and Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum -- and are still drawing big crowds. You can also find beautiful tropical songbirds at the greenhouse at the Floral Showcase, which is free, and especially wonderful in winter if you can't afford a trip to the Bahamas. (Despite the cold, winter is one of my favourite times to visit the Falls. For one thing, it's not as crowded! And for another, the icicles are amazing. See my article on Niagara Falls in winter.)
Casinos: But new players have moved into the Niagara tourism market in recent years too. These include Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino Resort Hotel, which are more than just gaming places. They're entertainment complexes that include live music concert venues, restaurants, bars and shops. There's more to Niagara than Niagara Falls. By "Niagara" people in this region mean a much larger place … the Niagara Region, which includes several cities and towns and a wide swath of farmland. For more info see my article on the Niagara Region (also called the Niagara Penninsula). HOT TIP: SAVE $$$ on Niagara Falls Attractions with Niagara Falls Ontario Coupons You may enjoy Niagara Falls in Winter |
