Tourists in Niagara: A most charming town

About half an hour's drive away from Niagara Falls down the parkway along the Niagara River is the lovely, historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL). It is located on the shores of Lake Ontario, hence its name, which was originally adopted as a postal address to distinguish it from the town beside the waterfalls.




NOTL was first settled in 1781 by families loyal to Britain. The town was destroyed during the War of 1812 but its residents rebuilt. Many of those 19th century homes, and civic, religious and commercial buildings survive to this day. The Prince of Wales Hotel boasts that it was established in 1894.




The town is home to the Shaw Festival which showcases the works of George Bernard Shaw. The playwright lends his name to the flower-draped Shaw Café and Wine Bar.




Another "George" famous in Niagara-on-the-Lake is The Royal George, a theater which is a venue for the Shaw Festival.




According to one of its plaques, the Niagara Courthouse was built in 1847 for the United Counties of Lincoln, Welland and Haldimand. The counties went their separate ways (then merged again, but with different partners) and the old courthouse was renovated to include a theater which is also used during the Shaw Festival.




One of the town's most famous residents is the artist Trisha Romance, whose artwork features heartwarming scenes of families, children and homes. Trisha has since moved to a farm, but her former home still serves as a gallery, both for her work and that of her daughter Tanya, who is also an artist.




On the Niagara Parkway just before Niagara-on-the-Lake, in the middle of the region's wine country, is the tiniest chapel that I have ever seen: The Living Water Wayside Chapel. It only has two pews inside and was meant to be a place to rest for people walking along the parkway, but it is so adorable that it has become popular as a wedding venue.

Tourists in Niagara: Amusement

Welcome to Clifton Hill, the amusement and entertainment area just above Niagara Falls. My husband and I took a ride on the SkyWheel, which gives a fantastic view of the falls and the river.




Clifton Hill is a street full of amusement centers, restaurants, gift shops, themed attractions and hotels. Though my husband and I didn't go to any of the attractions, I had great fun looking at all the outrageous signs and displays. I think the House of Frankenstein is a haunted house, but poor Mr Monster was forced (notice the chains) to sell burgers at the neighboring Burger King so I have no idea who's doing the scaring in the mansion.




My favorite building was Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, designed as a toppled-over tower with a view of the pipes underneath the building. But someone has to explain to me how the car managed to stay on the street.




Is there anything else that Ripley's could have considered to place on top of the tower's spire?




Even if you don't play, the architecture and interior design of Fallsview Casino Resort is worth the visit. Though it also has shops and a theater. This is the upper part of the fountain in the lobby—Victorian Era meets Industrial Age.




I love the dome over the escalators that lead down to the food court and the promenade overlooking the falls.

Tourists in Niagara: The falls

Again thanks to my brother and sister-in-law, we were able to see firsthand one of the most amazing waterfalls in this world. I only have one word for Niagara Falls: awesome. Here is the Maid of the Mist at its closest approach to the magnificent Canadian Horseshoe Falls.




The American Falls are separated from the tiny (comparatively speaking) Bridal Veil Falls (on the right) by a small island. The American Falls may not be as spectacular as Horseshoe Falls, but it definitely looks much more dangerous with those huge boulders at its base.




My sister-in-law's brother and sister went on a Maid of the Mist ride. My husband and I didn't (the wind was still too cold for us and we didn't relish the idea of getting soaked), but we did go behind the falls. This is the view from the first portal in the tunnel. In the farther portal, there is almost nothing to see except a solid white wall of water.




My favorite spot on the promenade was where I could watch the water go over the rock ledge and turn from dark to light green. I found it absolutely mesmerizing.




On our second trip to Niagara after the wedding, this time with my aunt and cousin, we were blessed with a rainbow at the falls. It was wonderful.

George, this post is especially for you.
Natural or man-made, take a refreshing dip in Watery Wednesday.