Showing 1-15 of 15 results
-
Bird Kingdom
Up the street, the jungly Bird Kingdom claims to be the world's largest indoor aviary, with 400 species of free-flying tropical birds from around the globe. You can also buddy-up with a boa constrictor in the Reptile Encounter Zone.
-
Butterfly Conservatory
Almost opposite Niagara Glen is the glass-enclosed Butterfly Conservatory where more than 50 species (some as big as birds) flit around 130 species of flowers and plants. This is also a breeding facility; see young butterflies released, usually around daily.
-
Daredevil Gallery
The most engaging thing around Clifton Hill is the Daredevil Gallery attached to IMAX Niagara . Scratch your head in amazement at the battered collection of barrels and padded bubbles in which people have ridden over the falls (not all of them successfully). There's also a history of falls 'funambulism' (tightrope walking) here.
-
Floral Showhouse
Around 1km south of Horseshoe Falls, the Floral Showhouse offers year-round floral displays and some warm respite on a chilly day. Opposite, lodged on rocks in the rapids, the Old Scow is a rusty steel barge that's been waiting to be washed over the falls since 1918 - a teetering symbol of western imperialism, perhaps?
-
Journey Behind the Falls
From Table Rock Information Centre, you can Journey Behind the Falls by donning a very un-sexy plastic poncho and traversing rock-cut tunnels halfway down the cliff - as close as you can get to the falls without getting in a barrel. It's open year-round, but be prepared to queue.
-
Laura Secord Homestead
The demure Laura Secord Homestead celebrates a Canadian heroine who lived here during the War of 1812. She's famous for booting it nearly 30km to warn the British soldiers of impending attack by the USA - even though she was a US citizen. The rose garden out front was planted by Laura herself. Tours on the half-hour.
-
Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum
The ivy-covered Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum was where the esteemed William Lyon Mackenzie once edited the hell-raising Colonial Advocate . Enthusiastic young staff conduct tours every half-hour.
-
Maid of the Mist
Maid of the Mist is a brave little boat that's been ploughing headlong into the falls' misty veil since 1846. It's loud and wet and lots of fun. Everyone heads for the boat's upper deck, but views from either end of the lower deck are just as good. Departures every 15 minutes, weather permitting.
-
Minolta Tower
Leering over the falls, the Minolta Tower is another bodacious vantage point, with indoor and outdoor observation galleries. On a clear day the view extends from Toronto to Buffalo, New York. There's a restaurant here too.
-
Niagara Glen Nature Reserve
About 8km north of the falls is the exceptional Niagara Glen Nature Reserve, where you can get a sense of what the area was like pre-Europeans. There are 4km of walking trails winding down into a gorge, past huge boulders, cold caves, wildflowers and woods. The Niagara Parks Commission offers guided nature walks daily during summer for a nominal fee. Bring something to drink - water in the Niagara River is far from clean.
-
Advertisement
-
Queenston Heights Park
In Queenston village, a snoozy historic throwback north of the falls near the Lewiston Bridge to the US, is Queenston Heights Park, a national historic site. Here, the commanding Brock Monument honors Major General Sir Isaac Brock, 'Saviour of Upper Canada.' The tower stairwell was closed for repairs at the time of research, but might be open by the time you read this.
-
Skylon Tower
Skylon Tower is a 158m spire with yellow elevators crawling like bugs up the exterior. The views are real eye-poppers, and the revolving restaurant is worth a spin or two.
-
Ten Thousand Buddhas Sarira Stupa
If the tourist bustle is messing with your yang, find tranquility at the totally out-of-context Buddhist temple Ten Thousand Buddhas Sarira Stupa. Visitors are welcome to wander the serene complex and view the various sculptures, bells and artworks.
-
Whirlpool Aero Car
Dangling above the Niagara River 4.5km north of Horseshoe Falls is the Whirlpool Aero Car. Designed by Spanish engineer Leonardo Torres Quevedo, it's been operating since 1916 (but don't worry - it's still in good shape). The gondola travels 550m between two outcrops above a deadly whirlpool created by the falls - count the logs and tires spinning in the eddies below. No wheelchair access.
-
White Water Walk
At the northern end of town, next to Whirlpool Bridge, White Water Walk is another way to get up close and personal, this time via an elevator down to a 325m boardwalk suspended above the rampaging torrents, just downstream from the falls.
Showing 1-15 of 15 results
