Toronto’s Top 10 : Niagara Falls (part 2) – Fun Things to Do Around Niagara

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Fun Things to Do Around Niagara

  1. Fort George

    This historic British fort, built in 1796, was a key defense post during the War of 1812 between Britain and the US . It has been restored to the period with replica buildings and costumed staff.

    Niagara-on-the-Lake

    • Open Apr–Oct: 10am–5pm daily

    • Adm




    Fort George

  2. Casino Niagara

    Those
    looking for a different kind of thrill at the falls can test their
    skill and luck at 3,000 slot machines and more than 100 gaming tables.

    • 5705 Falls Ave, Niagara Falls

    • 1 888 946 3255

    • Open 24 hrs daily




    Casino Niagara

  3. Queenston Heights Park

    A
    large monument pays tribute to General Brock, a leader of the British
    forces killed in battle here during the War of 1812 . With great views of Niagara River, the park is a fine picnic spot.

    • Niagara River Pkwy, Niagara Falls

  4. IMAX Theatre Niagara Falls

    Don’t miss the awe-inspiring Niagara: Miracles, Myths and Magic,
    chronicling the history of the falls. Projected onto a giant screen,
    the movie, thanks to a special filming technique, makes you feel like
    you’re right in the midst of things. Original stunt barrels are
    displayed in the theater’s Daredevil Gallery.

    • 6170 Fallsview Blvd, Niagara Falls

    • 905 358 3611

  5. Skylon Tower

    Its
    viewing deck affording vistas of as far as 80 miles (130 km), this
    tower rises 775 ft (236 m) above the falls. Fine dining at the revolving
    restaurant.

    • 5200 Robinson St

    • 905 356 2651

    • Open summer: 8am–midnight daily; winter: 11am–9pm daily

    • Adm




    Skylon Tower

  6. Welland Canal

    Linking
    Lakes Ontario and Erie, this eight-lock, 27-mile (43-km) canal first
    opened in 1829, allowing vessels to traverse the Niagara Escarpment –
    and the 328 ft (100 m) height difference between the lakes. The
    canalside trail from Thorold to St. Catharines is great for ship-gazing.

    Lock 3 Viewing Complex & Museum

    • Government Rd, St. Catharines

    • 1 800 305 5134




    Ship passing through Welland Canal

  7. Clifton Hill

    This
    is Niagara Fall’s shopping and entertainment district: museums,
    mini-golf, and midway are just the start. Hotels and restaurants for
    every budget are also to be found here.

    • Niagara Falls

  8. Niagara Helicopter Tour

    Experience some 10 minutes of exhilaration as you swoop over whirlpool rapids, then get up close to the falls.

    Niagara Helicopters

    • 905 357 5672

    Skyway

    • 1 800 491 3117

  9. Old Fort Erie

    This
    reconstructed fort, a supply base for British troops in the 1700s, was
    the site of many battles with US forces in the 1800s.

    • 350 Lakeshore Rd, Ft Erie

    • 905 871 0540

    • Open mid-May–Sep: 10am–6pm daily; limited hrs Oct

    • Adm

  10. MarineLand

    Killer
    whales and arctic belugas aren’t the only attractions at this theme
    park, though to many they are the highlight. Walruses and sea lions also
    make appearances in the marine animal shows; habitats harbor bear, elk,
    and deer. Adventurers can hop on the 10-plus rides, including the
    world’s largest looping roller coaster and the only one with a bowtie
    inversion.

    • 7657 Portage Rd, Niagara Falls

    • 905 356 9565

    • Open 10am–5pm or later, late May–mid-Oct

    • Adm


Visit Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum (

  • 4960 Clifton Hill

  • 905 356 2238

) to see historic film footage of death-defying stunts



Daredevil Feats

For some 200 years,
daredevils have risked their lives at Niagara Falls for a chance at
fame. Nineteen have died; many others have had close calls. The first
daredevil, Sam Patch, dove headfirst from an 85-ft (26-m) -high platform
into the churning Niagara River, in 1829, and survived. Ten days later
he did it again, from a height of 130 ft (40 m). The Great Blondin
couldn’t get enough of the falls, crossing the gorge on a tightrope nine
times in 1859 – once carrying his manager. When Blondin returned in
1860 for more stunts, such as pushing a wheelbarrow across the rope, he
was challenged by a young upstart, The Great Farini, who crossed
carrying a washing machine. Farini performed biweekly, becoming
increasingly daring – doing headstands, hanging by his toes. He survived
them all and died at age 91. The first woman funambulist, Maria
Spelterini, also crossed blindfolded, in 1876. The first person to
survive going over the falls in a barrel was Annie Taylor, in 1901.
Emerging from her battered vessel, the 63-year-old schoolteacher said,
“Nobody ought ever do that again,” advice dozens have since ignored.



The Great Blondin
Blondin’s 1859 tightrope crossing of the Niagara River, his manager on his back



Top 10 Niagara Daredevils

  1. Jean Francois Gravelot, aka The Great Blondin, tightrope crossing, 1859

  2. Guillermo Antonio Farini, aka The Great Farini, stilt tightrope crossing, 1864

  3. Henry Bellini, tightrope crossing and leap into river, 1873

  4. Maria Spelterini, first woman to cross on a tightrope, 1876

  5. Carlisle Graham, first man over the falls in a barrel, 1886

  6. Clifford Calverly, fastest tightrope crossing, 1887

  7. Samuel J. Dixon, hung from rope with one hand, 1890

  8. James Hardy, youngest tightrope crosser, 1896

  9. Annie Edson Taylor, first woman over the falls in a barrel, 1901

  10. Lincoln Beachy, first air-plane stunt at falls, 1911