Niagara Falls, Ontario Hotel & City Guide

In the City of Niagara Falls, Ontario - on the Canadian side - you'll find acre after acre of painstakingly landscaped lawns and a cornucopia of colorful flower beds, all open to the public at no charge. There has been a remarkable construction boom in recent years, especially in the Oakes Drive and Fallsview areas. Hotels and resorts have been constructed, existing facilities modernized, with the emphasis placed on eco-friendly architecture that blends with the stunning natural features.

You will also find Casino Niagara. Its striking interior, superb restaurants and appealing shops, combined with a wide variety of games of chance have attracted patrons from the U.S., Canada and the world. In June, 2004, a second casino opened in the Fallsview area: Niagara Fallsview, part of a luxury resort complex . The huge entry courtyard features three bridges to the front door, representing the three local bridges connecting Canada with the United States. An extensive Galleria showcases a street-long expanse of exclusive boutiques. The casino portion of Niagara Fallsview spans 200,000 square feet on one floor and a fifteen hundred seat theatre adjoins the gaming area.

Most of the early European settlers in what is now Niagara Falls were United Empire Loyalists. They resettled just before and after the close of the American Revolution as their unswerving support of the British during that epochal American event had brought them persecution. Fleeing their homes in the former American colonies, they started over again in various areas of what is now Canada, including the West bank of the Niagara River.

The stately rumble of the falls can be heard from miles away, but the sight itself never fails to cause the observer to pause and gaze in wonder at the 600,000 gallon per second mass of hissing, frothing water crashing over a 170 foot cliff and emiting clouds of spray and mist.

The Canadian Falls are also called the Horseshoe Falls because of the shape. A small body of land known as Goat Island divides the river into two channels. On one side is the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and on the far side across the border is the smaller, American Falls. On sunny days rainbows rise just above the mist. The Rainbow Bridge, the Queenston Bridge and the Bridge Street Bridge each span the distance between the cities of Niagara Falls, New York, USA and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada: two different worlds. In New York State, the area beyond Niagara Falls is filled with the charm and beauty of small rural towns. A State Park and the large industrial area of Niagara Falls, New York border the falls.

On the Canadian side, historical sites have been preserved. The Oakes mansion now serves as the headquarters of the Niagara Parks Commission, but its first floor remains as it was in the lifetime of philanthropist Sir Harry Oakes. Fort Erie has been restored and welcomes visitors to reenactments of military life in the early nineteenth century.

The Niagara Parks Commission operates a School of Horticulture on the grounds of its Botanical Gardens. Established in 1936, this is one of the few residential schools for apprentice gardeners. A greenhouse that is second to none, is open year round with free admission and outstanding floral exhibits that change with the seasons. A family oriented vacation destination, Niagara Falls Ontario offers hundreds of acres of parks with broad lawns and shade trees; free boat launching areas; covered picnic pavilions and picnic tables along the Niagara Parkway.

A recreation trail runs parallel to the Niagara River from Lake Erie (site of Historic Fort Erie) in the South, to Lake Ontario (Fort George) and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. This popular trail is used for jogging, biking, and walking, and has historic interpretative plaques placed along its length. The Falls are illuminated year round as an international project. The beautiful display of the various colors lighting the falls is viewed nightly by many visitors. Friday night fireworks at the falls are also a favorite.

Niagara-on-the Lake is a delightfully picturesque town of 13,000 at the northern end of the falls and on the shores of Lake Ontario. It is full of lovely nineteenth century homes set in beautiful gardens. There are many shops and boutiques to delight the visitor. The town has three theaters and is especially famous for its annual George Bernard Shaw festival. Vineyards and wine tasting tours are another popular attraction. The Niagara Falls area is known for both winter and summer sports. Golf, hockey, skiing, fishing and boating are among these.