Travel to Niagara

Travel to Niagara

Located in southern Ontario, between two of North Americas Great Lakes, Ontario and Erie, Niagara welcomes tourists to the world-famous Niagara Falls and an array of natural sanctuaries. With many venues for entertainment, Niagara is a favourite destination both for adults and children alike.

Transportation to Niagara

Niagara receives a great number of visitors each year, who come to witness the grandeur of the falls and the other natural marvels. The easiest way to get to Niagara is by air, as it is close to three international airports: Buffalo Niagara International Airport in New York State, USA; and John Munro International Airport and Lester Pearson International Airport, both in Ontario, Canada.

Most holidaymakers choose to fly to Lester Pearson International Airport, located 27kms northwest of Toronto, which is the nearest Canadian international airport to Niagara Falls. From the airports, taxis, buses and limousines are available to take you to your destination. Travellers who want to hire cars for their own driving pleasure can also find car rental outlets located at the airports.

Alternatively, you can also travel by train to Niagara. Rail service is provided twice daily in Canada to Niagara Falls Rail Station on Bridge Street from Toronto (via St Catherine, Grimsby, Aldershot and Oakville on VIA RIAL) and from New York (via Niagara Falls New York, Buffalo-Exchange, Buffalo-Dick Road, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, Schenectady and Albany-Troy on AMTRAK).

Tourists can also use the bus services, which are provided by Trentway Wager (Coach Canada) and Greyhound Lines of Canada. The Niagara Falls Coach Terminal is conveniently located at the corner of Bridge Street and Erie, in downtown Niagara.

What to see

Inevitably, the Niagara Falls should be at the top of your sightseeing list when you visit Niagara. Famous for its spectacular beauty and powerful streams, the Niagara Falls are best viewed from the Skylon Tower and the Konica Minolta Tower, where you can see the spectacular magnificence of the falls.

Niagara Falls Bird Aviary, a tropical rainforest, is an ideal destination for those who want to observe the many species of birds that will feed from your hands. There are also number of beautiful butterflies which can be seen fluttering their colourful wings at the Butterfly Conservatory.

If you travel with children, make sure you take them to the Aquarium of Niagara, where the little ones can enjoy the interesting shows such as penguin, seal and occasional shark feedings and sea lion shows. The Childrens Discovery Centre is also not to be missed. Boasting interactive galleries and exhibitions where children can take part in a dinosaur walk through the ribs of a Supersaurus, the centre also displays the giant Woolly Rhino and many ice age mammals.

Activities and leisure

A hive of activities, Niagara has something for everyone. If you want to admire the charms of the Niagara River in a speedy way, hop on an open-air jet boat that will take you to the famous white waters of the Niagara Whirlpool. The trip is exciting and guarantees to get you soaking wet.

The young-at-heart or those with children, will love Clifton Hill where you can find all kinds of entertainment and games. With the terrifying Haunted House, Movieland Wax Museum and FX Thrill Ride Theatre, Clifton Hill ensures a great time for all members of the family.

Gambling enthusiasts will never want to leave Niagara Casino, a gigantic casino that features over 96,000 square feet of gaming space with a great number of gaming tables and over 3,000 slot machines.

Daytrips

Driving around Niagara is fun and rewarding. Not far from the centre, you will find Old Fort George, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Wine Country, located adjacent to Lower Niagara, where the river outlets into Lake Ontario. Make sure you stop to shop at the local farms, vineyards, markets, bakeries, delis and wineries. St Catharines is also within driving distance, where you can visit the glass-enclosed Farmers Market, famous for organic cheese, vegetables, flowers and honey.

Safety issues

Niagara is considered a safe place, but you still need to be careful wherever you go. Those with children should not let them out of their sight, especially near the falls. Driving in Canada is easy as long as you study road etiquette thoroughly. Pick-pocketing is common in busy areas. Be on your guard and practice common sense, especially when you are taking time to admire the beauty of the region. Taking out travel insurance for yourself and your family is strongly recommended.