New York City 1.5 hrs

Miami 1.75 hrs

Philadelphia 3 hrs

Boston 1.5 hrs

Los Angeles 4.5 hrs

Chicago 1.5 hrs

Dallas-Fort Worth 3.5 hrs

San Francisco 4.75 hrs

The city of Niagara Falls is located on an isthmus between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The falls and the river border to the east with the Great Lakes to the north and south. The city itself is built on the Great Lakes lowland plain. The falls are about 3,500 feet in width, drop 175 feet, and are divided into two parts by Goat's Island.

This four-season destination has summers that range from pleasantly warm to full-out hot, with some cool nights. Temperatures average 75°. Fall brings beautiful foliage and mild to cool temperatures that average around 61°. Expect snow from November-February, but the surrounding lakes and falls keep the weather relatively mild for a Canadian winter. Spring weather is brisk and sunny, filling the land with blossoms and averaging 54°.

The winter ice cascading through the falls is a fantastic sight, but this destination is most popular during the warmer months. For the best of the falls, visit between April and October, when the water flow is at its peak. If you plan to incorporate nature excursions into your city visit, summer is the best time for you. Also, most special events are planned for the warm months.

Niagara Falls was long known as the Honeymoon Capital of the World, which legend attributes to Napoleon's brother visiting for his honeymoon and then spreading the word of its beauty and romantic allure.

In addition to its romantic appeal and, of course, the spectacular Falls, there are many attractions for all types of visitors to enjoy like the casino, fantastic restaurants, arcades, Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum and other goofy displays, haunted houses, and still more.

Beyond the city, Canada's beautiful wilderness can be enjoyed peacefully on hikes or slow river raft floats, or with adrenaline-pumping speed on jet boat rides, and kayaking white-water rapids.

Skylon Tower: For spectacular views of the falls during the day take a glass elevator to the top of this tower. You'll get a great panoramic view on the way up and a birds-eye view of the falls over a fine meal in the rotating restaurant at the top.

Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour: If you feel the need for speed, take this thrill ride through Niagara's raging rapids. You'll start slow and easy in the Lower Niagara Gorge and then take off through turbulent rapids to the Niagara River Whirlpools. You aren't finished 'til you make the 16-foot drop into Devil's Hole!

Best Night View of the Illuminated Falls: If you want the best view of the colorfully illuminated falls at night, head for the observation deck of the Minolta Tower. The night view from there is matched only by the view from its Pinnacle Restaurant next to the deck.

Maid of the Mist: This boat ride takes you right to the foot of the falls, enveloping you in clouds of spray and mist that turn a calm boat ride into an exciting adventure. You'll be given a raincoat, but you'll still get wet - don't worry, it's half the fun!

Journey Behind the Falls: You can actually walk behind the falls and see what it's like to have millions of gallons of water rush over your head. You'll start at Table Rock House and wind through a series of tunnels leading to a mantle behind the falls.

Spanish Aero Car: The closest you'll get to flying over the falls without wings, this aerial tram provides an open view of the rapids leading to the falls and the Niagara Whirlpool. This is just about the best photo opportunity you can hope for.

Butterfly Conservatory: One of the most impressive exhibits in Niagara Falls is the 11,000-square-foot greenhouse containing tropical plants from all over the world. Each plant is specially chosento support the 2,000 butterflies that flit about freely, landing wherever it suits them - even on your head!

Golf: Niagara Falls has several quality golf courses. A favorite is Oakland's, an 18-hole course with vast expanses of land and special features. Challenging enough to satisfy seasoned golfers yet accessible to all skill levels, Oakland's provides a perfect day on the green.

Icewine Vinyards: Some grapes are left on the vine well after the autumn harvest, into the coldest days of the winter. When the grapes are frozen into crystal balls they are harvested and pressed into Icewine. You can sample these and many other fine wines, as well as view the pressing process, at many of Niagara's fine wineries.

Fishing: With over 75 miles of shoreline, you simply can't ignore the options for quality fishing in this area. Lake Ontario is filled with salmon and trout, while Lake Erie is home to perch, smallmouth bass, and pickerel.Many people fish from shore, but you can always charter a boat, from canoes to large group vessels.

Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum: The world-recognized name speaks for itself. Stop by for an eye-popping, mind-boggling walk through the mysteries, oddities, and absurdities of the world. For the best time, check your disbelief and common sense at the door!

Shopping: No vacation would be complete without souvenirs, and the many varied shops and boutiques of the Souvenir Outlet Mall provide endless choices and bargains. Brand-name stores and duty-free shops are concentrated around Falls Avenue and Clifton Hill.

Niagara's dining choices are as varied as the people who come to play. There are romantic settings aplenty for honeymooners and still-in-love-after-all-these-yearsers, cool good-time eateries for the hip young things who want to party all weekend and not let a quiet meal spoil their fun, family restaurants what seems every five steps, and so on. Everyone is welcome in Niagara, so Niagara is sure to cater to them all.

Gourmet

Renaissance Fallsview Hotel: This restaurant serves exquisite gourmet fare in an elegant setting. The walls are glass, so nothing obstructs the fantastic view of Niagara Falls. Specializing in traditional Canadian fare, the menu features several fresh game selections and some of the finest and most inventive desserts anywhere! 6455 Fallsview Boulevard, Niagara Falls, ON

Mark Picone at Vineland Estates Winery: Chef Mark Picone has established a new "Niagara" cuisine with Tuscan flair utilizing local products at this acclaimed wine and culinary destination just a few miles from the Falls. From inside the restaurant or on the patio deck, guests get a view of vineyards and Lake Ontario while enjoying Whole Wheat Linguine with Grilled Beef Tips, Pan-Roasted Chicken Breast Suprême, and East Coast Sterling Salmon Steak from the seasonal menu - as well as excellent Vidal and Riesling wines from the estate. 3620 Moyer Road, Vineland, ON

Highly Recommended

The Millery Dining Room: A homey atmosphere and tantalizing food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is also a fine wine selection and service that is remarkably gracious. Add in the timeless appeal of the wood-burning fireplace, brass chandeliers, bookcases, and cathedral ceilings, and you've got an excellent dining experience! 5425 Robinson Street at Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls, ON

The Pinnacle Restaurant: Excellent cuisine accompanies a breathtaking view of the Horseshoe and American Falls from this eatery some 525 feet atop the Minolta Tower. Steaks, seafood, and pasta are draws, with treats like Grilled Vegetable Pasta, Iroquois Shorelines Baked Salmon, and Washington State Rack of Lamb Mediterranean Style. The perfect place for viewing the Falls at lunch or at dinner. 6732 Oakes Drive, Niagara Falls, ON

Local Flair

The Oh Canada, Eh?! Dinner Show: This expeiene comically reels you into the folk culture of The Great White North with some traditional (and some not-so-traditional) Canadian songs sung in a rustic log cabin. The actors serve you the 5-course meal and they flit about singing and impersonating famous Canadian characters. This is a great time you'll consider a highlight of your visit! 8585 Lundy's Lane, Niagara Falls, ON

Victoria Park Restaurant: Located in Queen Victoria Park right across from the Falls, this local favorite is a great place to sit back, relax on the outdoor patio or in the beer garden, smell the flowers in the surrounding botanical park, and enjoy lunch or dinner while taking in a spectacular view of both the American and Horseshoe Falls. The fare is crafted from fresh, seasonal ingredients, and is served with local wines from the burgeoning Niagara wine region. Niagara Parkway, Queen Victoria Park, Niagara Falls, ON

Romantic

Casa D'Oro Dining Lounge: Steeped in tradition and grace, this restaurant brings all the fineries of old-world Italy to the table. Candlelight casts dancing shadows along the muted tones of the walls as you dine on tender, flaky seafood prepared to Mediterranean perfection, and traditional meat dishes with a twist. Follow dinner with a dance in the backroom Rialto Club. 5875 Victoria Avenue, Niagara Falls, ON

Schimshack's: While filming "Niagara" in 1952, Marilyn Monroe oftenate here with hubby Joe DiMaggio. How's that for romantic? Located on the edge of the Niagara Escarpment northeast of the Falls, this restaurant offers sophisticated ambiance and fine food, from filet mignon and aged prime rib to baby-back ribs and Florida stone crab claws. The tiered dining room gives each table a panoramic view of Niagara County's orchards and vineyards, and, on a clear day, Lake Ontario and Toronto's skyline. 2943 Upper Mountain Road, Sanborn, NY

Niagara Falls has no trouble keeping its millions of yearly visitors entertained after dark. Its carnival atmosphere alone makes a good time of walking around town, popping in and out of the many attractions, and people-watching. Of course, there are also plenty of clubs featuring music, dance, and comedy, as well as laid-back pubs and pool halls.

Hard Rock Café: This shrine to modern music, nicknamed "The Smithsonian of Rock-n-Roll," has a Beatles tribute room and a restaurant-wide mural depicting all the greats from Elvis to Jimi Hendrix. In addition to the best atmosphere a music fan could want, there's also great food and a 60-foot guitar bar.

Casino Niagara: More an amusement park for adults than a casino, this one-stop entertainment palace has heaps of games, an amphitheater, 100-plus shops, restaurants, a wine cellar, and arcade complete with a virtual reality center.

Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club: The beauty of the falls may put you close to tears, but this comedy club that attracts top jokesters from around the world will keep you in stitches.

Rumours Night Club: Top DJs spin you into a frenzy well into the wee hours.

The Basement: This club features bands nightly so you can dance and mingle with the hip crowd.

The Illumination Lights: This spectacular sight of the Falls lit up at night is a year-round, nightly event that gathers delighted crowds. Powerful colored spotlights aimed at the Falls create a beautiful dance of light and water. Year-round

Icewine Festival: Take the chill out of winter by joining locals in celebration of the world-famous Niagara Icewines. The many events include Icewine tastings, wine-making and cooking lessons, ice sculpture competitions, and more. January

Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament: Held on Lake Ontario, this team event makes philanthropy of fishing by donating the proceeds to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. It's not a bad bonus that you're quite likely to catch yourself a fine dinner! June

Niagara Grape & Wine Festival: Starting the festivities with a parade and filling in the days with tours and tastings, concerts, and gourmet dinners, this is the time to celebrate all the wines of the Niagara region. September

The Festival of Lights: This festival of lights began over 70 years ago to add an extra touch of loveliness to the snowy blanket that covers Niagara in winter. The week-long event brings millions of lights to adorn the city streets, as well as the OxyLights laser show. November-December

The summers in Niagara Falls are warm, so loose-fitting, natural fibers will be the most comfortable for sightseeing and hiking. During the autumn and spring, the days tend to be warm, but the nights get chilly. Layers are the best choice for easy transitions from indoors to out, and day to night. Winter turns Niagara into a snowy wonderland, so bundle up with a heavy coat, hat, gloves, scarves and boots.

We strongly advise that you confirm the following information and regard this only as a basic guide.

Tax Refund: The GST (Goods & Services Tax) is reimbursable upon departure, but you must keep your receipts. Simply pick up a copy of the Tax Refund Application for Visitors at any Customs Office and most tourism centers, duty-free shops, and some hotels. The form is short and easy to fill out and, along with your receipts, it is all you need to be reimbursed on the spot as you exit the country.

English and French are the regional languages, as Canada is officially bilingual.

The electrical current is the same as in the United States, so you won't need an adapter.

We strongly advise that you confirm the following information and regard this only as a basic guide.

Drinking: The legal drinking age in the province of Ontario in 19.

Entry: A photo ID (such as a passport) is required to enter Canada, as is proof of US citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate). Visas are not required.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: Effective January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including US citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

The passport requirement does NOT apply to US citizens traveling to or returning directly from a US territory. US citizens returning directlyfrom a US territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. US territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Canadian Customs: Visitors may enter Canada with personal effects duty-free provided that they declare them to the customs officials upon arrival and that the goods are not subject to restrictions. Persons aged 16 and over are authorized to take 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, and 2.2 pounds of smoking tobacco. Persons 18 and over may take 40 ounces of duty-free alcoholic beverages.

Cultural Property: Canada has restrictions to ensure that objects of historical, cultural, artistic, or scientific significance remain in Canada. To take objects that are more than 50 years old (or made by a person who is no longer living) out of the country - including artifacts, fossils, fine art, decorative art, rare books, or archival materials - you may require an export permit. You must check with the Movable Cultural Property Program, 15 Eddy Street, 3rd Floor, Room 13, Hull, Quebec, Canada K1A 0M5, phone 819-997-7761, fax 819-997-7757.

US Customs: US residents returning from Canada after a visit of 48 hours or more may return with $800 worth of duty-free articles for personal use. Up to 100 cigars (non-Cuban), 32 ounces of alcoholic beverages (travelers over 21), and 200 cigarettes per person may be included in the duty and not included in the basic exemption. Works of art are exempt, however a receipt of purchase may be required.

Niagara Falls Tourism: 5515 Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario L2G 3X4, Canada, phone: 800-56-FALLS or 905-356-6061