Quick Tips:

Tip #1 If you are a member of AAA, go to a local office in your city and pick up coupons, Adventure Passes or Marineland tickets. If you wait and purchase your adventure passes in Canada you will pay more! The Adventure Pass includes Journey Under the Falls, The Maid of the Mist, White Water Walk, The Butterfly Conservatory, an all day pass for the people mover and a ride on the incline. Once you arrive in Niagara Falls you will have no problem finding coupon books at your hotel.

Tip #2 If you have children and are searching for inexpensive accommodations, look into the Skyline Inn. Located near Clifton Hill, this hotel does not provide the view, however, for around C per night your children can enjoy the brand new indoor water park, which can be accessed via an enclosed bridge. If you want the view take them on The Maid of the Mist!

Best Way To Get Around:

The forty-two-story Embassy Suites Hotel is located on Fallsview Boulevard just overlooking the Horseshoe Falls. Parking is limited around the hotel, therefore you may want to have your car valet parked which will run you $23.40 per day (this includes tax). The lobby is tastefully decorated with a beautiful glass chandelier and several seasonal photographs of the falls taken from various rooms throughout the hotel. To the right of the reception desk is TGI Friday’s and a nice little gift shop; to the left are the elevators and a Starbuck’s.

The receptionist was friendly and helpful upon check-in; however, they did not recognize AAA. After leaving the lobby we headed over to the elevators, which worked well (since additional elevators have been added) the entire length of our stay. In fact, we never had to wait more then five minutes. I found suite 3206 comfortable for four adults and one child. If you are interested in the suite layout, check the Embassy website for floor plans.

The room was very spacious, no noise from surrounding rooms, the view was spectacular, and there was ample space for clothes. The room was equipped with two televisions, two telephones, a clock radio, blow dryer, coffee maker, ice bucket, safe (located in the closet), an iron and ironing board and plenty of hangers for your clothes. During the week you also receive a free newspaper. Although the room was spacious and the view outstanding, there were several items that were disappointing. First, the pillows were extremely flat; therefore, I would suggest bringing your own pillows if possible. Second, towels were limited even when additional ones were requested. Third, the cleanliness of the room was poor. There was mold in the bathroom, the faucets leaked and the floor was very dirty. Finally, the refrigerator was approximately 1' x 3', which doesn’t offer much room for many items, therefore, I would suggest bringing a small cooler.

With your stay, the hotel offers a complimentary breakfast in TGI Friday’s (lobby level). Breakfast consisted of omelets and eggs, hash browns, bacon, sausage, pancakes, French toast sticks, fresh fruit, toast, yogurt, cold cereal, muffins, juice, and coffee. The complimentary manager’s reception (held daily from 2:00pm until 7:30pm) was located on the 9th floor and consisted of snacks and two free drink tickets per room per day. There is also a fine dinning restaurant on the 9th floor (The Keg Steakhouse), which overlooks the falls. Finishing off the 9th floor is a nice pool area and small game room.

The Embassy is within walking distance of the new casino and a number of restaurants and it sits across the street from the incline, making the falls easily accessible. If you don’t want to walk, ask about the shuttle, which will cost approximately C$12 for your entire stay. Be aware of the fact that the hotel is now charging for shuttle service and parking, which was not the case when they initially opened.

 www.niagarafallsembassysuites.com

Marineland offers two shows. The first is at the King Waldorf Stadium, located to the left as you walk in the park. This 30-minute show features animated animal trainers showing off the exceptional abilities of the sea lions, walruses, and dolphins. Remember, if you get close enough your child may get picked to feed and pet a dolphin. The second show takes place at the Aquarium Dome located to the right of the front gate. This is an educational exhibit that children will enjoy.

Marineland offers Friendship Cove, an area where you can watch killer whales jump, splash, and perform different activities. If you don’t want to get wet, go around to the backside of the pool. Artic Cove is an area where the public can pet and feed Beluga whales. Sessions are at different times throughout the day and the cost is $8 CDN per person. The park also offers the public the opportunity to feed black bears and deer. Bear food cost $2 and is worth watching them perform for the food.

The park has plenty of rides so check out their web site for individual rides and height restrictions. I noticed several gift shops throughout the park and prices were typical of any entertainment park. Behind King Waldorf Stadium was an arcade for both adults and children. There were plenty of food vendors around the park, but few are open in the off-season. We ate in the restaurant located next to the King Waldorf Stadium. There was plenty of seating inside and out, the food was excellent, and prices were reasonable.

The only downfall to the park was the fact that the map was deceiving. The park is very spread out so plan on doing a lot of walking. Bring comfortable shoes and a blanket to rest in the grass. Make sure to take advantage of the locker rentals if you have items that you don’t have to carry. All in all, my family had a wonderful day at this park and I would recommend it as a definite see when you are in Niagara Falls.