Why Londoners should visit Niagara before tourist numbers increase
Niagara consists of three waterfalls on the Canadian-United States border. Plans to increase tourist numbers mean London residents may want to visit sooner rather than later.
Niagara Falls is often dubbed the eighth natural wonder of the world. Its majesty comes with a dose of breathtaking history, planting it in lore and legend. Anyone visiting who believes they will be having an isolated experience is sorely mistaken, as Niagara attracts visitors from around the globe. Yet plans are afoot to double tourist numbers, meaning for many Londoners, now may be the time to visit.
Niagara’s expansion plans
Plans are underway to turn Niagara into a much wider resort, with some dubbing it the ‘Vegas’ of the north. This could include several developments, such as a theme park, a redevelopment of the Ontario Power Generating Station and a huge wheel, similar to the London Eye.
Other plans include the building of more attractions. Niagara already has a few, which generate £373 million in revenue each year. This has been buoyed by the popularity of entertainment and interactive games over the last few years, not just in North America but in Europe and the UK. The online forum has opened up these games to a much wider audience, with UK players having the top-rated online casinos within easy reach
They are often rated and reviewed by third parties, who can sort the best offers and safest venues for visitors. Once they have tried experiences at home, many can then move on to physical attractions with confidence.
Niagara is hoping to welcome as many as 25 million visitors per year; for some, that will undoubtedly spoil the natural inherent beauty. Though this is double the number of figures who already attend, it is quite equipped for tourism already.
Why visit Niagara falls?
Niagara Falls is actually America’s oldest state park. It is made of three falls which straddle the border between Ontario in Canada and New York state in the US. The largest of these is Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are the two smaller ones, which reside on the United States side.
It is possible to get very close to the falls themselves by going through the Cave of Winds. This will take visitors out on what is known as the Hurricane Deck, as close to the falls as is safely possible. The backlash from the water is like heavy rain, so appropriate clothing is required and a poncho is recommended.
A second option is to venture onto a Maid of the Mist tour. This is a boat which will start at the observation tower, then guide itself up the river to American Falls and the basin of Horseshoe Falls. This is not available all year round, so operating times and seasons do need to be checked in advance.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a beautiful little town worth time. It has a great heritage district filled with small, unique shops and eateries. For history buffs, there are also plenty of museums and grounds to visit. These include the former location of Fort Erie, a key position in the War of 1812. It was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad, which helped slaves flee America during the Civil War.
Getting to Niagara from London
There are several airports which serve Niagara Falls. Generally, these are based in Toronto (Island Airport, Pearson International) or Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Direct flights go from Heathrow to the Toronto airports, as well as from London Gatwick. Heathrow will also serve flights to Buffalo Niagara.
From here, it is often just a case of getting a bus to the falls, which can take between 25 and 45 minutes depending on the airport. However, few people will go there directly from their flights and may want to enjoy Toronto or Buffalo first.
Deciding if Buffalo or Toronto will be the chosen base is a hard one. Toronto is a vibrant, global city. The famous CN Tower can be visited, punctuating its skyline while providing panoramic views and excellent hospitality. Yet more than that, it is a city that is alive with arts and culture, much like London. The Princess of Wales Theatre has some great productions; sport is aplenty with the Blue Jays and Maple Leafs. It may even be possible to tie this into an international film festival.
Buffalo is a less trodden path, but one which can delight in equal measure. Most visitors to New York head to the big city, so this can be a pleasant surprise. Busy, but not Manhattan-level busy. This area boomed in the past, meaning this rust belt town can really surprise with its architecture and beauty. The Martin House Complex built by Frank Lloyd Wright is worth checking out. It also has a thriving gastro scene, from craft breweries to boutique confectioners.
The editorial unit
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