Niagara Falls July 29, 2008: Better get there before it’s too late! The falls are getting older every day! They are receding. Niagara Falls has receded almost 1/2 mile up the Niagara River since 1600. Until recently the falls were creeping up the river at the rate of 3 feet a year, and then in the 80’s the US Army Corp of Engineers came up with a way to slow the erosion down to 1 foot every 10 years.  I suppose that’s good, although it seems that every time we tamper with nature we create new problems. The Canadian Falls is still looking good but unfortunately the US falls is accumulating a large pile of rocks just beneath the spillway therefore reducing the fall height by some 40 feet in the past 40 years.
Regardless of the Falls somewhat eroded appearance I personally think they are still a great world treasure and to me they have never looked better. Both the Canadian and American falls stopped flowing for several hours in March1948 due to an ice jam up the river. Then in 1969 the US Corp of Engineers diverted the flow completely from the American falls to the Canadian falls for several months to determine if the rocks beneath the American Falls could be removed. The answer was “yes”, but too expensive, so everything was put back to normal and the rock pile continues to grow. Click here to learn more about the History of the Falls.
When was the last time you visited Niagara Falls? Don’t tell me you have never been there! Shame on you! I bet you have been to Paris and visited the Eifel Tower, Disney Resorts several times, as well as Rome and visited the Coliseum. You know, all those attractions are new and man made compared to Niagara Falls that has been here for over 12,000 years.
If you are my age you will recall that Niagara Falls, New York at one time was the honeymoon capital of the US. Not any more unless you think staying in the Day’s Inn is something special, well, then again maybe the Day’s Inn is OK for the first night, who is going to take time out of their first honeymoon night to see anything except each other!
Oh, how we have evolved! Now we need, hot bars, cold drinks, rock stars, and lavish suites. Not in Niagara Falls New York, not for the past 30 years, but just cross the border into Canada 10 minutes away you can have it all. Those sleepy Canadians woke up one day and realized you could see both the Canadian and American Falls only from Canada. Up went the hotels, then the 550 foot observation and dining tower, then came the casinos’, Marine Land, TGI Fridays, Marriott, Hilton, Embassy Suites, Wolfgang Puck and so many more I can’t count them. They built beautiful gardens and walkways connecting the various venues together. The Canadians did a B+ job of creating an attraction out of a Natural Wonder. Disney could have done it better, but then Disney can’t build every attraction everywhere in the world. Disney only recreates things and builds fantasy; Niagara Falls is natural and it is still here today.
Obviously the focal points of the Niagara Falls, Ontario experience are the Falls themselves. The next striking part of the skyline is the new Casino in the center of everything and directly overlooking the Falls.  The Casino building is a standout. The interior with its beautiful marble floors, high glass walls, shops and restaurants is well done. But, don’t expect this facility to out-do Bellagio or Wynn in Las Vegas, not even close. Perhaps they think, who needs, a big expensive man made water display like Bellagio when they have one for nothing in their backyard. Don’t expect a celebrity chef like Emeril to be peeking around the corner, or Harry Winston, Oscar de Renta, Channel or Georgio Armani shops. They do have Bentley’s Luggage, The Famous Restaurant, Swarovski, Royal Doulton, Shoeless Jackson’s , and Johnny Rocket. By the way, Shoeless Jackson’s is an upscale sports restaurant with individual TV sets at each booth with your own channel selector. Shoeless Jackson’s is a Canadian chain with 40 restaurants in eastern Canada. I had lunch there and found it to be fun with excellent food as I watched the Rogers Cup Canadian Tennis tournament to see Rafael Nadal capture his second singles title there.
The Casino does have big name entertainment like Tony Bennett, and The Smothers Brothers Show. Now, don’t get me wrong. This is not a put down piece on Niagara Falls, Ontario, to the contrary. I just don’t want to lead you astray.
I choose to stay at the full service Marriott, Niagara Falls, Fall View Hotel and Spa on the 22 floor.  The view doesn’t get any better than this to see both falls and the fireworks, talk about a bird’s eye view. The room even had a fireplace and whirlpool double tub. The hotel had recently undergone a major upgrade that included gutting each floor and totally rebuilding each room. The new rooms have large flat panel HD TV sets, a special wired and wireless internet interface panel built into the desk, new beds, new bathrooms and showers. As usual the service was excellent from the Valet Guy’s to Room Service. The Marriott hotel is connected to the Casino via a beautiful, special flower lined walkway avoiding any traffic or streets.
There is plenty to do here. There are numerous Falls activities including the legendary Maid of the Mist boats that take you within breathtaking proximity to the base of the falls. 800 feet above the Maid of the Mist is the Skylon observation tower and restaurants. I chose to have the buffet lunch and ride to the top. Although there are plenty of negative stories about the price and the quality of the food, I personally found the food excellent and the view outstanding. I consider this a must on your visit (the buffet lunch). The Buffet lunch is the best deal since there is no charge for the ride to the top and after all you have to eat lunch somewhere. Don’t take this as an endorsement for dinner or the rotating dining room, I didn’t do that.
There is an IMAX theater showing the history of Niagara Falls. This larger than life film is offered hourly and some hours is presented in French. The theater complex also houses a small museum with the actual devices the daredevils who went over the falls used. Having one of only 3 National Geographic Stores in the world, the IMAX Theatre in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada isn’t your average shopping experience. You can search for unique and educational children's toys and games, exciting National Geographic books and magazines, thrilling video's and DVD's on featured IMAX® films and National Geographic specials like Sharks, Dolphins, Africa, Great Explorers and more. All purchases help support National Geographic's mandate of education, enlightenment and exploration. As you can see I am a huge National Geographic supporter. Remember National Geographic is not just a magazine. Click here to learn more about National Geographic.
Now for the food! Niagara Falls at the moment is not a “fine dining destination”. Again don’t get me wrong, you won’t starve here. If you are looking for something dependable and casual, I like Wolfgang Puck’s. This is a stand alone restaurant within walking distance of everything.
 For fine dining I suggest Peller Estates Winery Restaurant. Sweeping vineyard views and a warm ambiance make it easy to relax and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Chef Jason Parsons showcases his talent with evolving seasonal menus, and Winemaker Lawrence Buhler’s expert wine pairing skill ensures a truly memorable meal.
The Terrapin Grille Fallsview Restaurant located in the Marriott Hotel is another fine restaurant for lunch and dinner.  The menu is tailored by their French-trained Executive Chef to reflect regional harvests and seasonal selections. They have an extensive wine list from the Niagara Region and beyond. Add night Falls illuminations and fireworks displays over the Falls and you have all of the ingredients for a perfectly romantic evening.
I only spent two impromptu nights in Niagara Falls, Ontario so needless to say this is only a snap shot of my limited time there. I do strongly encourage you to put Niagara Falls on your must visit list. It really is an excellent destination for several days and you won’t run out of things to do. Bring the kids to Niagara Falls, Ontario for a a very historic, Kid friendly environment. Kids of all ages love the Butterfly Conservatory, Journey Behind the Falls , Maid of the Mist, Marineland , Niagara Falls Aviary, Niagara SkyWheel, Whirlpool Aero Car , and the Zooz. 
MrFiveStar is Ron Crider, a freelance Travel and Technical writer. Ron is a world traveler, broadcaster, communications engineer, Travel TV producer and former airline executive. Crider hosts the World Travel and Dining Channel Internet radio station www.wtdradio.com. Crider is also the founder and president of www.mrfivestar.com publications. Ron can be reached at
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