If You’ve Made the Trip to Ontario, You’ve Got to See the Niagara Region

The Niagara area, approximately two hours away from Metro Toronto, is
one of the best places to visit for value, as well as diversity, in a
vacation. Within a half hour’s drive are the splendour of the falls, the
beauty of the Niagara escarpment, the stately town of historic
Niagara-on-the-Lake and American attractions are just across the border.

There is truly something for everyone in this area. On our last trip, my
family decided to spend some time focusing on nature and the outdoors.
Our first stop was The Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, the world’s
largest of its kind. Exotic greenery and rivers of water provide a
background to approximately 2,000 butterflies. We were enthralled as we
watched these lovely creatures wing freely throughout the 11,000 foot
structure. The Zebra Longwing, the Blue Morpho, and the well known
Monarch are just a few of the 50 different species that the Conservatory
houses.

Upon entering the facility, we were shown a short video presentation
that gave us some insight into the fascinating world of these beautiful
insects. My five year old son was most impressed with the ‘emergence’
area where we were able to watch as former caterpillars made their way
out of chrysalides and were reborn as winged creatures.

We were pleased to find out that none of butterflies had been captured
in the wild; they were either bred there or obtained from commercial
farms. This attraction was well worth the entrance fee of
$7.50 for adults and $3.75 for children. Children under five are free
of charge.

Admission is free to the surrounding Botanical Gardens and School of
Horticulture. Here, since 1936, students have been learning how to care
for the extensive parks system by
living on site for the first two years of their program. Guests can
visit the rose garden of 2,300 plant varieties, vegetable and herb
gardens and a large arboretum.

If you crave excitement after all of this soothing foliage, try one of
this areas most popular features, the Maid of the Mist boat tour. Since
1846, millions of visitors including presidents and movie stars have
taken this journey, on which one can cruise right to the base of the
falls (clad in provided rain coats). Children and adults alike thrill to
the feel of the cool mist on your face and the sight of the majestic
falls from a much closer perspective. Teddy Roosevelt once called the
Maid of the Mist, “The only way to fully realize the grandeur of the
Great Falls of Niagara” and I’ll tell you, he was right.

For the little kids, Clifton Hill, right next to the Falls, is a treat.
My son loved the Dinosaur Park Miniature Golf. Of course standing beside
the giant dinosaur, which he assured me was a T-Rex, was the highlight
of this activity. Wax museums, fun houses, game arcades and fast food
favourites abound.

When you get tired of the crowds and the souvenir shops, it’s time for a
trip to Niagara-on-Lake. Home of the Shaw Festival, this area is a must
see. A regal British tone is set here by the many antique shops and tea
rooms. Bed and breakfasts are plentiful and vary in price. But children
will also enjoy touring the shops. A favourite is the “Silly Old Bear
Shoppe” a store devoted entirely to Winnie the Pooh paraphernalia. We
spent half an hour there until my son picked out a puzzle. Then we
visited with a horse while his driver waited for customers for the horse
and buggy ride.

If you want to attend one of the Shaw theatre’s excellent productions
but need some care and entertainment for the kids, the new Children’s
Theatre Day-Camp is the perfect solution. Offered in conjunction with
the YMCA, this program operates on selected Sunday afternoons from 1 to
5:15 pm. While parents attend matinees, children are occupied with
theatre activities, crafts and snacks and fun with trained YMCA staff.
Cost is $20 per child.

There is a huge variety of accommodation in this area with choices that
will fit all tastes and budgets. For family value, nothing beats Niagara
Falls. In the off season (September-May), packages for two nights,
including one dinner and two breakfasts, range from $120-$200 (Canadian). In summer the rates go up but it is still possible to find
great packages in the $200 range or rooms for $60-70 a night.

We stayed at the brand new Park Plaza Hotel. Part of our package
included several meals at the neighbouring East Side Mario’s restaurant.
The guest rooms have nice decorative touches such as vertical blinds in
a pleasing shade of teal, and windows that actually open. I enjoyed a
soak in the brand new hot tub. This state of the art tub had controls
for temperature, and air pressure and comfy seats with soft headrests.

Most hotels provide a shuttle to Casino Niagara, if you aren’t within
walking distance. After blowing some money, you may be in the mood to do
some shopping. The Canada One Factory Outlet mall is just down the
street at 7500 Lundy’s Lane.

For those who are interested in visiting the American side of Niagara
Falls, I recommend staying in a country inn. We found a lovely one, the
Asa Ransom House, located in the town Town of Clarence, just 30 minutes
from Niagara Falls. Clarence is the oldest township in Erie County and
originally included the City of Buffalo and several other towns. This
mansion, which was originally built in 1853 by a silversmith named Asa
Ransom, has been expanded to accommodate nine guest rooms, a library
and two dining rooms. The original classic late 1800’s architecture has
been preserved and each room is has been individually decorated with
antiques and period reproductions.

The home is surrounded by gardens, including a lovely herb garden with a
collection of over 70 varieties. Robert and Judy Lenz, who bought the
property in the early 1970’s, watch over every aspect of the operation.
Judy, an interior decorator, personally designed every guest room.
Robert says that his goal is to provide the type of establishment that
he would want to visit.

Our guest room was perfect for a small family. The large room had a nice
king sized bed of carved mahogany, a fireplace, and a garden porch with
a picture window that framed the pond and gardens. There was a private
parlor that could be separated from the main room by a sliding door that
contained a nice pull-out bed for little ones. Other thoughtful
amenities included a cheese and fruit plate which awaited our arrival,
tapes of old radio shows, CD’s along with a tape/CD player, and fluffy
green and white bathrobes.

There was also a television hidden behind a picture on the wall, so as
to preserve the old fashioned atmosphere, as well as a telephone,
computer jacks and air-conditioning.

The rates at Asa Ransom House range from US$95-$145 for bed and
breakfast and US$144-$270 for the modified American plan which includes
dinner and a full breakfast.

We had dinner in the less formal of the two dining rooms. A children’s
menu on the mast of a wooden sail boat was provided for my son. I had
salmon with a mango mustard glaze and my husband had chicken with
raspberry sauce. Both dishes were delicious and nicely presented. The
next morning we took breakfast on the wrap-around porch in front of the
Inn. There were delicious homemade breads and muffins along with three
types of flavoured butter. Fresh fruit and entrees such as Currant
French toast or Cheese Soufflé, completed the meal.

The town of Clarence is small but there is plenty to do. Steps away from
the Inn is a large park, complete with duck pond, swimming pool, tennis
courts, several playgrounds and charming swings and gazebos designed for
adult relaxation.

If you like antiques, shops and large co-ops abound. Nearby attractions
include Artpark, the Lancaster Opera House, Shea’s Performing Arts Centre
and Darien Lake and the Six Flags Amusement Park.

There is so much to do in and around the Niagara region that this trip could
easily become an annual family getaway.

For more information call:

Asa Ransom House: 716-759-2315

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