The Full Niagara Experience

The Niagara Parks Commission, better known as Niagara Parks, is an agency of the Government of Ontario. In total, Niagara Parks is in charge of about 16.19 square kilometres (6.25 sq mi) of parkland along the river, in addition to the Niagara Parkway which spans 56 kilometres (25 mi). In this corridor, Niagara Parks manages numerous trails, historic sites, picnic areas and attractions.

Chris Giles, Sr. Manager of Communications and Marketing, is very excited about all that Niagara Parks has to offer. “Tourism continues to rebound well and Niagara Parks is continually adding new experiences and offerings to keep guests coming back. We look forward to welcoming even more visitors as international markets slowly return to their previous visitation levels.”

Niagara Parks offers a host of attractions to suit the interests of just about anyone. Guests can ride 3,500 feet across the Niagara Gorge and over the Niagara Whirlpool suspended high in the sky on the Whirlpool Aero Car or get up close to the river’s Class 6 rapids at the White Water Walk. Golf enthusiasts can play at Niagara Parks’ awardwinning golf facilities, Whirlpool Golf Course and Legends on the Niagara. Those favouring gastronomy can venture into any of Niagara Parks’ restaurants, but awards for the best views while dining on some of Niagara’s finest cuisine and VQA wine pairings no doubt go to Table Rock House Restaurant and Table Rock Bistro + Wine Bar right at the brink of the Falls and to Queen Victoria Place Restaurant just across the street that features outdoor patio dining. All Niagara Parks culinary offerings are Feast ON certified by the Culinary Tourism Alliance, meaning that Niagara Parks is committed to sourcing local food and drink.

The closest you can get to the Falls is with a visit to Journey Behind the Falls. Giles says, “There have been significant renovations at the Journey to enhance visitor experience.” I can’t image how the exciting attraction can be enhanced any more than it already is!

Niagara Parks has a range of heritage sites for the history buff, from Old Fort Erie where the War of 1812 is brought to life to the beautifully restored home of Canada’s most famous heroine at the Laura Secord Homestead, just to name a couple.

For nature lovers, Niagara Parks offers biking trails from one end of the Niagara Parkway to the other. Cyclists can literally bike from Fort Erie right to Niagara-on-the-Lake, following the mighty Niagara River all the way. Hiking trails are also bountiful with access to a variety of paths, including at the Niagara Glen. Butterfly aficionados will be mesmerized by the number of species at the Butterfly Conservatory. Horticulture enthusiasts will revel at the sight of the Floral Clock, the Floral Showhouse and the Botanical Gardens.

Giles is very proud of the adaptive reuse that turned the former William Birch Rankine Power Station that was originally operated by Canadian Niagara Power into the Niagara Parks Power Station + Tunnel. Today, the site has transformed into an awe-inspiring attraction that pays tribute to the history and science of power generation in Niagara while also thrilling guests by bringing them right to the river’s edge for never-before-seen, breathtaking views of the Falls. “Visitors descend 180 feet in a glass-paneled elevator and explore the 2,200-foot long tunnel, leading to an observation deck at the base of the Falls. This tunnel was originally excavated in 1901 with only lanterns, basic dynamite, pickaxes and shovels!”, says Giles. During the day, guests can explore the main generator hall with a self-guided audio tour or a guided tour and explore interactive exhibits –including demonstrations with the larger-than-life Tesla Coil housed in the station. And don’t miss out on the Power Station at Night experience, with its epic sound and light show and multimedia storytelling in the Tunnel, all leading to incredible and exclusive views of the illuminated Falls.

It’s obvious that Chris is very engaged and enthusiastic about Niagara Parks and all it can offer visitors. “We look forward to welcoming everyone to Niagara Parks. The biggest thing for us is to build momentum with all of our experiences and to ensure that all of our visitors make memories to last a lifetime.” niagaraparks.com