Best Travel Destinations - Niagara Falls, the Canadian Side

I have traveled extensively to Europe, Asia, Hawaii, The Caribbean Islands and all around the United States and Canada. Taking into account every place I have been, I have selected the very best two places which I will produce articles about. They are both in North America and both very reasonably priced as well. This article is about my favorite destination in the North East of The U.S. and Canada. It is the Canadian side of Niagara Falls.

Having traveled so much I was totally shocked by the fact that Niagara Falls was such a great destination. I used to think of Niagara Falls as an old fashioned honeymoon destination, which has been replaced by the Caribbean Islands, Cruises or even the Greek Islands in Europe. Nothing could be further from the truth. You do have to go in the warmer weather though, say June to September to enjoy it the most. I liked it so much I have been there over ten times and never get bored.

Let's look at this what the reality of Niagara Falls and all the things to do and see there. First there are the falls themselves. They are magnificent. A river abruptly pours 600,000 gallons of water over 167 feet of cliff per second. That is 2.16 trillion gallons of water per hour. This does not even include an additional slightly smaller amount going over the American Falls at the same time. These falls are one of the ten natural wonders of the world.

One of the many things you can do at the falls is to go under it. There are tunnels galore with portholes and a ledge right next to the falling water itself. Plastic raincoats are provided which can be kept or are disposable. You can feel the power of an unimaginable amount of water falling right next to you. Some of this power is used to generate electricity for a large portion of the Northeast U. S. and Canada.

If you feel even more daring take the boat trip right up to the base of the falls in the Maid Of The Mist tour boat. Further up stream is another boat ride to one of the world's most powerful whirlpools. The four engine boats generate tremendous power but every horsepower is needed to get out of the whirlpool once you get caught inside of it.

Next go to the Niagara Falls Museum and see he story of the falls itself. The discovery, of the falls, its legends surrounding it, the story of the people who tried to conquer it in barrels, boats or even walk across it on tightropes, are all there in a guided tour of the Museum. The Museum has quite a collection of mummies as well as well as minerals from the region and even a whale skeleton.

Niagara On The Lake is a picturesque art and crafts community with fabulous restaurants and shops. On the way back enjoy the Botanical Gardens and Zoo.

If you like to gamble there are two Casinos for you gaming enjoyment. I hit a $200 jackpot with a single quarter bet. Of course I wish I had put in the two quarter maximum and would have won $500, not that I'm complaining. There is a hokey amusement area right near the old casino which is just plain fun.

There are many things you can do in Canada that you can't do in the U.S. Have a Cuban Cigar, a glass of Absinthe (yes legal there), and taste some of the best beer in the world. Don't miss buying up to a case of beer or a liter bottle of duty free liqueur per person on your way back. You benefit from the favorable exchange rate between the U.S. and Canadian dollars.

If you have time you can even take a relatively short ride and see Toronto as well.

Be aware that you need a passport to get into and out of Canada with no problems. Enjoy yourself and have a great vacation.