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Niagara Falls ranks number one on the MUST-SEE list of 90% of tourists visiting Ontario in a recent survey. It's easy to see why! Lundy's Lane, Theatre, Casino's, Restaurants, and of course the Falls themselves! What more could you ask for?

WARNING FOR VISITORS: even if you've wanted to since you were a child - do NOT try to go over the falls in a barrel or any other wacky contraption. If history is an indicator, you will die trying. You'd think this advice would be unneccesary common sense, but almost every year someone tries it! Go figure! This warning is only for visitors, as locals should know better. :)

Living in Toronto, we often pack ourselves off to Niagara Falls for a day of fun. Sometimes we stick together, and sometimes we segment off into groups because there are so many diverse things to do! Taking a minute to count, I have been to Niagara Falls over 20 times myself with friends, family or on business.

THINGS TO DO:

Lundy's Lane is fun for old and young. A tacky collection of fun houses, silly shops, and even Madame Tussads Wax Museum and Ripley's Believe it or Not! This is a great place to drop quick a piece of cash since admission to each attraction ranges from $6-$18 per person. There is also a small amusement park for the younger children to blow off some steam. Finally, if you are hungry, you may want to pop into the Rain Forest Cafe for a bite to eat? Too steep for your pocketbook? No problem there are several small cafe's and food stands along the way!

As for the Falls themselves, 20 million visitors annually can't be wrong. My parents spent their honeymoon here 40 years ago - them and hundreds of thousands of other couples over the years. The falls are especially enchanting at night, when they are lit up in several different colours. Hotels line the streets facing the falls, and a $10 upgrade will get you a fallsview. I suggest the Sheraton Fallsview for one of the most stunning views. At the Falls be sure to sign up for the complete tour package including a ride on the Maid of the Mist. You'll even get to view the falls from behind!

Sick of the touristy stuff, or just have an itch to gamble? Niagara Falls offers two full service casino's. The old one, just off of Lundy's Lane, which I actually prefer, and the new Fallsview Casino, closer to the falls. Both casinos are attached to hotels with room prices ranging from $139-$179 for basic rooms and several hundred dollars for suites. Or, you can shell out an extra hundred for a room with a jacuzzi and a view facing the falls. The old casino is built on three separate floors which used to be smoking, non-smoking and high-roller rooms. However, with the new smoke-free legislation the casino has been rearranged to include a mix of gaming and slots on all floors. The new casino is one huge floor only, but offers shows and restaurants - as well as newer decor which doesn't smell like old smoke.

Finally, you will never starve in Niagara Falls. There are restaurants for all tastes and wallets throughout the city, all within walking distance of each other. (My idea of walking distance is about 3km (Just under 2 miles), but with so much to see, you'll never notice the walk0.

When visiting Niagara Falls you might as well stay overnight. You can book rooms from the cheap (say the Super 8, or older Lundy's motels) to the pricey (Niagara Fallsview, pretty much anything Fallsview). However, the cheapest room at the most expensive hotel will only run you $199, so prices aren't as bad a downtown Toronto. If you go online and contact the Niagara Falls Tourist Information Centre, http://www.niagarafallstourism .com) before visiting, you can probably snag yourself or your family a wicked hot 1/2 price or package deal!

Learn more about this author, Susan Huizinga.
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