Niagara Falls Holidays & Holidays in Niagara Falls - Canada
For a fascinating, sometimes frightening but ultimately thrilling time, the Niagara Falls has something for everyone!
There are many ways to view the fabled thunderous Falls in all their glory; take a jetboat along it's gorge, meander across on a famous Maid of the Mist boat, or sweep down in a death defying helicopter dive. Otherwise, for a more calming experience, take a lift down the face of the Falls and feel the mist on your face; a truly enlivening force of nature not to be forgotten.
However, Niagara Falls offers more than just its famous landmark.
Go shopping in the Niagara-on-the-Lake's Heritage District, a prestigious walkway of premium stores that offers exquisite service and stores, then settle back for a famous plate of ribs and reflect on a fantastic days voyaging!
Whatever you choose to do in and around the Niagara Falls, you are sure to be enthralled and enlived!
View all our holidays to Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls Holidays - Where Is Niagara Falls?
As a landmark rather than a city, Niagara Falls is situated between New York, USA, and Southern Ontario, Canada. The city of Niagara Falls, which comprises of people from both sides of the Niagara Falls Gorge, is around 80,000 people.
Niagara Falls Holidays - Local History
The longest sustained period of settlement in the history of the Niagara Falls region was the Woodland Period, which lasted from 1000 BC up to the late 17 th century, where the Iroquois culture dominated southern Ontario.
The beginning of the 17th Century saw European settlers impose their will on the Iroquoian villages, which unfortunately accelerated already apparent tensions between the three prevailing tribes at the time, the Huron, Petun and Neutrals, allowing Europeans to take control of the area.
In 1615, Etienne Brule became the first European to see Niagara Falls, as well as the surrounding lakes: Ontario, Erie Huron and Superior.
In 1625, the Jesuits arrived in Niagara, and their spiritual father, Gabriel Lalemant, named the area Onguiaahra, meaning "the Strait", later to become Niagara.
Fast forwarding to 1812, the United States President James Madison declared war on Canada – many artefacts of the war are still dotted along the riverside, as well as monuments to honour those that died.
Following the War, the region began to rebuild; the territory of Queenston became a bustling community whilst the larger area of Chippawa became a centre for distilleries and factories.
Niagara's development was a rapid one in the 19 th century; the first Clifton hotel was developed in 1820, the first river crossing boat service in 1827, the Welland Canal in 1829, and thirteen bridges across the Niagara River Gorge, with the first being constructed in 1849. Furthermore, the first stage coaches began to run around the end of the 18 th century, and the first railroad in Upper Canada opened in 1841.
In 1855, John August Roebling, whom had previously designed the Brooklyn Bridge, built the Niagara Railway Suspension Bridge, the first bridge of its type in the world.
The tourist trade to the Falls began to flourish in the 1820s, and within 50 years it had increased ten-fold to become the most prominent industry in the area.
After World War One, automobile touring became extremely popular; the area responded by creating hotels, monuments and other attractions along the banks to accommodate the newly found interest. Many of the establishments created at this time still exist today.
Niagara Falls Holidays - Attractions & Sightseeing
Of course, any outing to the famous falls is bound to feature one thing – plenty of water!
Indeed, Niagara's tourist trade has maximised the potential of every inch of the Falls for exploration; a good example of this is the “Cave of the Winds” trip.
This voyage puts you up close and personal with the Falls; an elevator plunges you 175 feet deep into the Niagara Gorge, then invites you to take a guided tour across wooden walkways to the famous “Hurricane Deck”. Starting a mere 6 meters away from the billowing face of Bridal Veil Falls, rainbows are almost always apparent thanks to the massive light refraction caused by the millions of tons of water that douse you with spray.
For a more (literally) in depth jaunt, The Niagara Falls and Great Gorge Adventure Pass available along the banks gives you complete coverage of every angle of this extreme natural wonder.
The pass, which, at time of writing, retails at Adults $34.95, Children 6 to 12 years $21.95, and Kids 5 and under for free, is great value for money, as it includes admission to Journey Behind the Falls, the White Water Walk, the Maid of the Mist, the famous Butterfly Conservatory and much more besides, including railway transportation.
However, if you really want to get as up close as possible, try a jetboat across the mighty river!
For an hour excursion, explore the relentless rapids, stone-walled canyon and legendary whirlpool; an exhilarating time that will leave your heart pounding! If that isn't enough excitement for you, then push your senses to the limit with a Niagara Helicopter ride, which will weave you in, out, up and down and side to side around the river and falls.
Niagara Falls Holidays - Shopping
Both the New York and Ontario sides of the falls offer excellent shopping trips for its visitors; certainly this will help to take the edge off hours and days of exhilarating action – the perfect relaxation technique for worn out adventurers!
On the Ontario side of the Falls, you will find a favourite with the locals, the Niagara Square, a shopping mall of close to 100 shops and services, in-house movie theatre and specialist boutiques, the perfect place for laid back shopping jaunts and a sip of coffee.
Over in New York, venture to the east-side of Military Road along Rainbow Boulevard and be greeted with a cluster of malls and shops, catering for all tastes, offering, amongst its outlets, the budget Niagara Factory Outlet Mall and upmarket label stores.
For a perfectly prestigious and pretty shopping experience, the shops of the Niagara-on-the-Lake's Heritage District will enchant you. Most outlets in this quaint territory are housed in buildings over 200 years old, and offer an array of antiques and other precious goods befitting of the splendid surroundings.
Niagara Falls Holidays - Restaurants
Like the rest of Canada, Niagara Falls' establishments are obsessed with one thing in particular – succulent ribs, a fact well reflected at the famous Tony Roma's restaurant.
This establishment caters for those of you that want a lot to eat at a relatively low price. Roma's offers a unique rib experience, as their cuts are cooked using a specially guarded recipe and are served with a legendary slice of onion loaf, a combination that has made them world-renowned.
Although certainly not reflective of traditional Canadian cuisine, The Outback Steakhouse certainly is in line with traditional Canadian portion i.e. large!
Feast on seasoned steaks, prime rib, chops, ribs, chicken, seafood and pastas, all for a moderate price. Try the speciality "Aussie-Tizers” such as the signature "Bloomin' Onion" and other delectable desserts to top of your meal.
Niagara Falls Holidays - Bars & Clubs
For rifts and relaxation after a hard day, travel to Café Etc…, a Jazz Club with a difference.
Sit back and sniff the air for aromatic fresh espressos, or sup a soothing aperitif or beer as you listen to an ice cool local jazz act.
If partying is your thing, then Rumours Night Club is where it's at! With it's nightly laser shows, mixed crowd and TV screens protruding from the walls featuring hip music videos, Rumours is considered to be the chicest place at the top of Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls, Canada.
Niagara Falls Holidays - Weather
Due, of course, to the gigantic expanse of water, weather can vary tremendously around the Niagara Falls area; expect summer days to be hot and heavy one hour, damp and wet the next. Winter weather can see slight snowfalls of up to around 10cm in the month of January.
Archers Direct Touring Holidays, Cruises & Resort Holidays
For a world of holidays that won't cost you the earth, you've come to the right place. From escorted coach tours and train tours to resort-based beach holidays to cruises and short breaks. From Europe to the Canada & Canada to Australia, we have getaways to suit everyone – all featuring the amazing value that only direct booking can offer. Year round holidays (summer holidays, winter holidays, Christmas holidays & Xmas holidays, half term holidays, Easter holidays) include January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November & December. We fly from the following UK airports: London airports – Heathrow airport, Gatwick airport, Luton airport & Stansted airport as well as Birmingham airport, Bristol airport, East Midlands airport, Edinburgh airport, Glasgow airport, Manchester airport & Newcastle airport.
