Tourism in Niagara Falls, arguably Canada’s most recognized destination worldwide, is soaring to new heights. Both the Canadian and American sides of the Niagara River offer an enticing variety of options for tourists. Niagara Falls attracts a wide mix of visitors from the typical honeymooners to die-hard family travelers.  Why not take a second honeymoon, with the kids this time.

When you hear the name Niagara Falls, what images come to mind?  The Three Stooges?  Someone going over in a barrel or walking across on a tightrope?  Around such an incredible natural wonder, there has been a history of dare-devilry -- some who decided to take on the falls made it, and others didn't.  Luckily, most have been content to watch from the water's edge, as the Niagara River, which links Great Lakes Erie and Ontario, plunges down through the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side.  Tourism has been prevalent in the area since the early 19th century, and while the surrounding attractions have changed with the times, the thundering falls have remained, just creeping slowly upstream from erosion.

In addition to contemporary attractions, Niagara Falls has parks of interest for nature lovers of all ages. The Butterfly Conservatory is full of beautiful winged creatures that fly around an enclosed area and may even land on your shirt.

The Botanical Gardens, including an herb garden, vegetable garden, and rock garden, is tended lovingly by the students at the specialized School of Horticulture. The Bird Aviary is housed in a heritage building that was formally part of the old Niagara Falls Museum and prior to that a corset factory. Now the expanded building has gorgeous greenhouses with free flying birds.

Growth on the Canadian Side

"Niagara Falls has been a tourism destination for well over 100 years," notes Caroline Atherton, vice president of Niagara Falls Tourism in Canada. "Within the last 10 years, there has been a considerable change in the type of tourism product inventory that has been developed here in the city, from higher- end brand name hotels to professional level golf courses and the quality of the surrounding wineries."

"The entire destination is going through--in essence--a renaissance, even Clifton Hill, which is family-orientated. Old mainstays are gone, now there are interactive activities such as the Ripley’s 4D Theatre and The Great Canadian Midway, which has been revamped from a traditional arcade to state-of-the-art interactive games," continues Ms. Atherton.  These attractions are part of Clifton Hill, the wonderfully kitschy central street full of wax museums, miniature golf, arcade-like games and rides, and other entertaining tourist oddities.  Obviously, this helps make Niagara Falls an entertaining destination for kids.

Canadian tourism officials agree that the turning point in rejuvenating the region for visitors was the construction of Casino Niagara in 1996. While this casino began to build nightlife for Niagara, the Fallsview Casino Resort, which opened later, added a hotel, galleria and the Avalon Theatre, where well-known Canadian and American acts appear. The new casino resort and surrounding hotel properties continue to attract honeymooners (and those on second honeymoons, with kids) from every country, who have been flocking to Niagara Falls since Napoleon’s brother brought his bride in the late 1800s. All newlyweds who register with the city receive a honeymoon certificate entitling them to some two-for-one offers on attractions.

The Canadian side of the Falls enhanced its family appeal enormously when Great Wolf Lodge opened in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in the spring of 2006. The all–suite, indoor waterpark resort is designed in Great Wolf's signature national-parks-log-cabin-style, and has over 400 suites.  Kid themed suites are also available, including KidCabin, WolfDen and KidKamp.  Within a vast entertainment area including a games arcade, there is a 103,000-square-foot indoor water park, with a wave pool, waterslides, interactive wet play area,  pools, a lazy river, and family and adult whirlpools. In summer, guests can go outside and try the smaller outdoor activity pool. The company claims that 5 million liters of water--no match for the Falls--are filtered through the waterpark each hour.

Fabulous Festivals to Gather Around

"Niagara Falls is a very solid family market. Especially during the summer season, it’s our bread and butter. Now with the new product in this area, we have something for everybody," adds Atherton. Tourism officials run festivals throughout the year to drive business in the off season, as well as offer visitors extra activities. Annual events include the very popular Festival of Lights running from early-November to early-January. The Niagara Food Festival is held in September to kick off the harvest season and also features wine from the region.  The Fallsview Casino International Marathon is held on the third Sunday in October.  The race starts in Buffalo and makes its way across the Peace Bridge, ending at the Canadian falls.

2007 is the year when American visitors will be required to have a valid US passport to fly into Canada and return (overland travelers will require a passport in late 2007 or early 2008.). Niagara Falls Tourism in Canada, along with their counterparts on the American side of the falls, is working on the issue of how best to deal with trans-border and custom issues. Although there is not a lot of joint promotion at this point, the Doors Open Niagara event celebrates historical buildings in both nations. Despite the constraints imposed by security issues, Ms. Atherton is enthusiastic: "We see continuous growth and expansion and feel we have a bright future ahead."

Experiencing the American Side

On the American side, Niagara Falls continues to prove itself as a worthy family destination. The viewing platforms at Niagara Falls State Park allow a perspective of the American falls from the top, while the Cave of the Winds brings visitors underneath the Bridal Veil section to inevitably get sprayed.

Most dramatic of all is the Maid of the Mist, a boat ride that brings you right up to the base of both the American and Canadian Falls—a breathtaking view and one of the most celebrated attractions in the area.

Other fun family attractions on the American side include the Aquarium of Niagara, where you can watch a sea lion show, witness a shark feeding, or marvel at 1,500 more aquatic animals from all over the world. Old Fort Niagara offers a tour of this National Historic Landmark and period-dressed, historical re-enactors who explain what life was like in the 1700s.

The Niagara Aerospace Museum presents the history of American aviation through flight-simulators, aircraft models, rocket engines, and even some personal memorabilia of community members. The Niagara Power Project Visitor Center in nearby Lewiston exhibits the history of energy and electricity with a host of kid-friendly, interactive exhibits, including a model turbine, a Victorian house, and, best of all, an Observation Deck for watching hydroelectric power in action on the Niagara River.

Great Hotels in the Area

Luckily, since you'll be staying in one of the top tourist destinations in the world, you won't have a lack of choices in accommodation on either side of the border. (If crowds don't interest you, you may want to avoid the Clifton Hill area.) It pays to shop around, since packages are often available, especially in the cold winter off-season. If the Great Wolf Lodge is not to your liking, here are just a few suggestions of properties that welcome families as warmly as honeymooners.

There are three Hampton Inns (800/HAMPTON) in the area, two in Canada and one in the U.S.A.  In Canada, there are properties "At the Falls," amidst major tourist attractions, and "North of the Falls," still within walking distance of the downtown area.  On the American side, there's a Hampton Inn on Rainbow Boulevard in downtown Niagara Falls.  All properties feature the amenities that the Hampton Inn is known for: complimentary breakfast, high-speed Internet access, and morning newspaper.

For a fancier Canadian choice, try the Courtyard by Marriott (800/771-1123).  This hotel has a variety of suites amidst its 250 plus rooms, including whirlpool, fireplace, and two-room family suites with two queen beds plus a pull-out sofa.  The Marriott has an indoor/outdoor pool, whirlpool and sauna, fitness center, and in-room Sony Playstation.  There are three restaurants on-property, including a breakfast buffet, a TGI Friday's, and an elegant steakhouse with a children's menu. 

The Embassy Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview (800/420-6980, 905/356-3600) is another recommended choice for its spacious rooms with two queen beds, large living areas and pullout sofabeds. Clean and contemporary rooms sleep four easily (six if you  have little ones). Its location behind the Incline at Table Rock is so convenient, and the views over both the Horseshoe and American Falls are almost priceless.  The hotel also includes a made-to-order breakfast for all in its rates, and has a hot tub and sundeck for a break from the sightseeing. 

Details, Details

A good value Adventure Pass is sold at the Incline ticket counter and many other attractions; for a discount price, you get admission to the Butterfly Conservatory, Maid of the Mist, WhiteWater Walk and Journey Behind the Falls. The pass also provides unlimited use of the Incline and the PeopleMover (a green public bus) which runs down Niagara Parkway past many attractions. With younger children, consider paying individual attraction admissions, as they will probably wear out before you get to all of the ones included in the pass.

When it comes to dining, you'll be spoiled for choice, though things are generally tourist-expensive. We like Tim Horton's, a long-time Canadian favorite  known for its strong coffee and delicious hot chocolate. Kelsey's in Clifton Hill is popular for an above average dinner, and the local branch of Wolfgang Puck's is as reliably good -- and kid-pleasing -- as we've come to expect.

For more information, visit the following websites: www.niagara-usa.com, www.tourismniagara.com, www.cliftonhill.com, and www.niagaraparks.com.