Daily Archive for February 22nd, 2007

Things to do in Niagara Falls: Niagara SkyWheel

Published
by
Graham
on February 22, 2007
in Niagara Falls Attractions and Niagara Falls Weekly Feature - Things to do
. 0 Comments

Starting today, every Thursday I hope to highlight an attraction, hotel, or other operation in Niagara Falls. As I have with the other new features, I’m starting with something easy.

skywheel_logo.gif

A year and a half ago the Golden Griddle on Clifton Hill, along with the lobby of the Quality Inn Clifton Hill was torn down to make room for a giant Ferris wheel. Work continued throughout the winter and into the spring, and on Friday, June 16, 2006 at approximately 5:00 pm it finally opened. I’ve had a chance to go up in the SkyWheel several times and it is very impressive.

According to the press release the SkyWheel is 53 metres (175 feet) tall. There are 42 gondolas. Each one is fully enclosed and equipped with heating and air conditioning. I haven’t had a chance to go up in the winter yet, but during the summer the air conditioning worked well. The sides of the gondolas are made with large UV protected, non-reflective glass to reduce glare. This is supposed to make it better to take pictures. Six gondolas can be loaded at one time. They can hold up to eight passengers, but usually don’t load any more than six.

Thanks to regular visitor Louise of Clifton Hill Resorts for providing me with some of the information for this posting.

U.S. eases passport rules for kids at border

Published
by
Graham
on February 22, 2007
in Niagara Falls News
. 1 Comment

From CTV News:

Children under 15 will not have to comply with new laws forcing visitors to show a passport at U.S. land or sea borders, American officials will announce Thursday.

The announcement will be made by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff in Detroit, U.S. State Department sources told The Canadian Press.

The new passport requirements are expected to take effect as soon as January 2008.

I’ve read elsewhere that it is under 17. I’m not sure which it is…

NPC fights visitor drought

Published
by
Graham
on February 22, 2007
in Niagara Falls News
. 0 Comments

From the Niagara Falls Review:

With U.S. visitors to Niagara at a 30-year low, the Niagara Parks Commission acknowledges it must do more to convince our neighbours to the south a trip to the region is both safe and affordable.

That’s why the commission is proposing a partnership with all tourism stakeholders to offer a Niagara visitation program that would offer the equivalent in accommodations, food and beverage and attraction discounts to any American traveller to offset the costs of any travel documents obtained this year up to the cost for a family of four.