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Niagara Falls, NY: What to Do, Where to
Stay
Recently, ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Courtney Caldwell, took her grandsons on an adventure — a good old-fashioned road trip where they explored a variety of locations including New York’s Niagara Falls. ___________________________________________
by Courtney Caldwell
When one thinks of Niagara Falls they might think weddings, romance, and
honeymoons. And while Niagara Falls is among the most well-know honeymoon
destinations in the United States. it has so much more to offer.
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Johnathan & Jake Caldwell
flank
Ambassador Art |
Actually, a little tidbit we learned from Ambassador Art,
our personal tour guide who was assigned to us from the Niagara Convention and
Tourism Corporation, was that about 50 percent of all Niagara Falls tourists
visit from India and approximately 15 percent visit from Asia. Art explained
that the people from India are taught from a very young age about the power of
water. They learn that the Ganges River is the source of life and the receiver
of death. There are constant cremations along the Ganges River,
stemming from the time of their ancestors to present day. They believe
spirits thrive in the river. Niagara Falls also represents these magical powers
to the people of India, which is why they travel in hordes every year to
experience the enigmatic power and spiritual connection that Niagara Falls represents to
their culture.
Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls, who graciously
hosted us, is an excellent hotel to stay at and included luxe bedding
and free internet hookup in guestrooms. Within walking distance to all the tours
and attractions in Niagara, the accommodation was the perfect base from
which to explore the area.
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1918 Curtiss Jenny (JN- 4D) |
Our first stop in Niagara was a tour of the Aviation
Museum, which actually saddened me by its empty halls. The museum had
amazing old planes including a 1918 Curtiss Jenny (JN-4D) currently going
through a major restoration by Walter Lechowski, an aviation nut and retiree,
who called the restoration of the Jenny his “retirement therapy.” Due to
under-funding, the museum doesn’t have an adequate marketing and advertising
budget to create buzz of its wonderful exhibits so few are aware it even exists.
What a shame. It was shocking to learn that such a wonderful museum struggled to
stay open. If people only knew about it I have no doubt they would enjoy all of
its rich history and memorabilia, and great opportunity to share with
children and grandchildren. I’m not even an aviation buff but there was plenty
to hold my attention and the boys loved it, too. [How you can
help]
Our next stop was the Flight of Angels tethered balloon ride.
The round basket holds up to 15 people and once aboard slowly rises to 400 feet
above all of Niagara Falls.
The panoramic view of both the U.S. and
Canadian Falls are breathtaking and unparalleled for picture taking. The balloon
stays up for about 15 minutes to give everyone a clear view of all angles. The
caged basket ensures everyone’s safety and also allows people to walk around to
other sides to maximize all views. The balloon is so high and prominent that
it’s clearly visible from any location on the ground no matter where you are in
Niagara. As dusk draws overshadows the light, huge spot lights shine on the
white balloon giving it the appearance of what a full moon might have looked
like in the sky millions of years ago when the moon was closer to
earth.
Next stop — The Maid of the Mist. The Maid of the
Mist boat packs a large group of people on two levels and floats right up to the
falls. Once you arrive, you’re smack dab between the NY Falls and the Canadian
Falls. The crushing power of the falls hitting the water and rocks below create
towering plumes of mist. The Maid gets so close that the mist created sprays you
silly, which is why all guests are required to wear a rain poncho during the
tour.
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Maid of the Mist Tour Boat |
As I watched the boat fade into the mist through the rough
waters the passengers looked like a basket of blueberries heading for harvest.
Once they arrived in the mist they virtually disappeared from sight, like
something out of a Stephen King movie, giving me pause about whether to go or
not. The boat bobs in-between the two falls for about seven minutes so
observers can take in the breathtaking beauty and depth of nature’s awesome
power, which surrounds them. If you can remember to take a picture during this
miraculous moment, keep in mind it is near impossible unless you have a
waterproof camera, and even then, you’ll end up with misty pictures at best and
oh yes, did I mention, you will get wet.
One of the most fascinating
things we learned about Niagara Falls was how they had eroded more than six
miles in the last 12,000 years, which means they originally started in
Lewistown, the next town over, and not in Niagara. The Falls, like the Great
Lakes of Michigan, were created as a result of glaciers retreating since the
last ice age some 10,000 years ago, carving out this mesmerizing monument, which
was discovered by the Niagara Indians.
In the local theatre a
documentary on the history of Niagara Falls is offered, which depicts how the
region was discovered by the native Indian tribe and then subsequently fought
over with the French, who were migrating in from the north. As a bordered
territory situated on water between two countries it was a very desirable
region. Eventually, the British arrived to lay claim to the land so the Niagara
Indians and the French joined forces to fight the British, finally winning
and sending the British home defeated but not without great loss to all sides
from the bloody battle.
I strongly recommend the 45-minute
historical flick about the rich history and heritage on how the Indians sided
with the French against the British to protect their land. Rather than it
appearing as a traditional documentary, which could bore the heck out of younger
people, the producers have done an outstanding job at creating a movie that
reflects more of a re-enactment. Both Johnathan and Jake were enthralled during
the entire piece as was I. It provides a much greater understanding and
appreciation of how the Falls ended up as part of America. The movie also
includes more recent snippets on those who have gone over the great falls in
boats, canoes, barrels, even bodily, and lived to talk about it.
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Actors portray Indians for
French War Re-inactment |
Additionally, during 4th of July week, Old Fort
Niagara, the original Fort where the French and Indians conspired to prevent the
British from taking over, presents a living re-enactment of the entire war with
muskets and cannons ablaze. A cast of about 1800 actors from all over the U.S.,
some simply historian buffs, dress in full period regalia and costume for the
one-hour battle. It was a brutal way to fight but the re-enactment really does
provide a trip down reality lane of what our forefathers went through to
preserve our land lending greater appreciation for this serene and
peaceful part of America.
The last thing on our Niagara tour was the
Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour, an absolute must even if you don’t do anything else.
This is one ride that is not for the faint of heart. However, if you are afraid of fast
boats, spinning around and getting soaking wet, this ride may not be for you.
Barring those minor details, this ride is one of the most exciting activities you can
do with your kids, grandkids or even on your honeymoon.
While waiting for our
Jet Boat to load with some 40 passengers I overheard a child sitting behind me
make a comment to her ‘grandpa.’ I turned to look and there sat a man in his
early seventies. I asked him if that was his family seated in the row next to
him to which he replied yes. When I asked how many grandchildren he had, he said
“Forty.” A retired doctor from upstate New York, he shared that having 10
children and 40 grandchildren was now his full time job in retirement and that
he took all his grandchildren, although not at once, on adventures of this
nature and loved every minute of it. How wonderful, and what a coincidence, I
thought. Here is this article on fun things to do with your grandchildren and
there was yet another shining example of a grandparent doing exciting things
with the grandkids.
The Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour is difficult to explain
because it’s like no other amusement ride I’ve ever been on. Although I grew up
on water and was quite a water rat most of my youth from boating to skiing to
fishing, I’ve never experienced anything like this. Nonetheless, let me try to
help you imagine what this was like.
The first thing they do is sit all
the passengers in nearby bleachers to explain the safety features and rules of
the turbulent ride. Next, they have you don bright yellow rain coats and rubber
booties because you do get wet, very wet. After you board the powerful 1500HP
Jet Boat it speeds upriver, making its way into the breathtaking stonewalled
canyon called the Niagara Gorge. The anticipation builds as the boat purposely
plunges in and out of the whitewater swells of Devil's Hole Rapids, where you
get soaked to the bone with hundreds of gallons of water crashing over you. The
driver of the boat does his best to seek out the most raging whitewater he can
fine to ensure a maximum adrenaline rush. Everyone screams like wild banshees.
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Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour
Over Devil's Hole Rapids |
Wearing rubber rain coats and booties was pointless because
they did nothing to keep anyone dry. They do recommend bringing a full change of
clothes and shoes, which you can safely store in lockers on shore and trust me,
you will need them so come prepared. For the sake of comparison, think about how
wet you get when you swim underwater. That’s how wet you get on a Jet Boat ride.
Covered Jet Boats are also available for those who prefer to remain dry but in
my opinion getting soaking wet is part of the fun especially if it’s a hot sunny
summer day. However, you may want to save this tour as your last activity of the
day on your trip to Niagara because even though you change into dry clothes you
still feel internally waterlogged and a bit tired from hanging on for dear life.
During the course of the 30-minute ride and unbeknownst to passengers, a
well-hidden camera along the riverbanks takes photos of passing boats as they
crash through the raging rapids. Upon your return, expect to find dozens of
photos hanging on the wall of the gift shop. They will consist of you and all
the others with mouths agape screaming in terror, not to mention drenched to the
gills. You can either purchase these photos for a nominal fee and frame them, or
burn them so no one can ever see how you look with the fear of God plastered
across your face. Ladies, forget about hair and makeup, and by all means, do not
wear mascara unless it’s waterproof, unless you don’t mind looking like Alice
Cooper. You will look like a drowned rat when you return. Personally,
after my heart beat returned to normal, I found it quite liberating to be
stripped naked of my dignity and pride, and blend in with all the other drowned
rats. We shared wet heads, broad smiles and an adventure never to be forgotten.
My grandsons, who accompanied me on the
trip, loved the Jet Boat and so did I. What’s not to love? It was a great
way to end our Niagara Falls tour. [READ
MORE OF ROAD TRIP REVIEW]
If You Go...
Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation
Niagara Aviation Museum
Flight of
Angels Balloon Rides
Maid of the
Mist
Old Fort Niagara
Whirlpool Jet Boat
Tours
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