Bright Lights Big City

In Hamilton, we’ve all grown up so close to Niagara Falls that almost none of us really appreciate it the way we should. Yes, it’s beautiful, but it’s also surrounded by a pretty tacky tourist area, and that’s what usually comes to mind. Tell someone you’re going to Niagara Falls for the night and the answer is usually “why?”

Last weekend I decided it was time to be a tourist in my own backyard, and Doug and I took off to Niagara Falls for the day. At my part time job, I get to be part of a program that gives me free access to almost all the attractions in Niagara Falls, and we decided to take full advantage of it.

First stop: The Midway on Clifton Hill. This attraction might have something to do with the bad rap Niagara Falls gets among locals, but I have a confession: I totally and completely love midway games. As long as I get to put a token into it, and in the end some silly paper tickets shoot out that I can redeem for a plastic ring, I’m sold. Completely and utterly.

Next stop: Fallsview Casino. Doug aptly pointed out that their fountain (on the left) is kind of steampunk, no? We walked around a little, realized the acre upon acre of slots wasn’t for us, and decided to leave. On the way out we had a change of heart and decided to play just one slot with the $5 dollar bill Doug had in his pocket. We won!

The picture on the right is Doug scrambling to pick up all his dollar billz after he threw them up in the air to make it rain, only to discover those people in the background walking around the corner at that exact moment. Good job Doug. I should note that this picture was taken after the 10 minutes Doug spent walking around with all his money fanned out in front of him, refusing to put it in his pocket.

Day two was our big tourist day. Attractions included: The Niagara Falls Imax, The Daredevil Museum, the Skylon Tower, Journey Behind the Falls, White Water Walk, and a “4D” movie where the 4th Dimension was actually just getting sprayed in the face with water. Conclusion: none of them were as good as just looking at the falls. Man, they are pretty.

Other attractions we visited but didn’t get pictures of: Nightmares Fear Factory, which actually scared the crap out of me but had Doug laughing the entire way through, and Dave & Busters. That was my first Dave Busters experience, and I’m really curious if they are all like that? If so, count me out.

I’m amazed this photo turned out and that my camera didn’t break in the process. We were just a few steps away from the base of the falls here, and we couldn’t see anything at all through the mist and spray.

The Whirlpool Aero Car is the only attraction we missed, because it was closed by the time we arrived. It was probably good news because I think I would have freaked out in the middle of it, for sure.

In end the, Niagara Falls is exceedingly beautiful, and spending the day there was a good way to remind me not to take it so for granted.