Anyone who has been visiting the site for a while knows that one of the regular visitors is Lisa from Rochester. A couple of years ago Lisa asked about the layout of Clifton Hill as her niece was doing a project on Niagara Falls. It turns out this neice was Lexi. You may recognize her as someone who has been commenting a little more lately. Lexi is probably the youngest regular visitor we have (she’s in her mid-teens), but has been to Niagara Falls many times. I emailed her and asked her to put together some thoughts about Niagara Falls. This is what she sent:
Hi my name is Lexi. I have been coming to Niagara Falls since I was 3 months old. I have several memories of Niagara Falls pretty much great memories.
I remember sitting on Clifton Hill in that little waterfall thing next to Wendy’s getting my picture taken, riding on the little rides, going on the Double Deck Tour thinking I was a celebrity because I was riding with my own guide (I know there was about 40 others too), taking that Friday Night Horse and Buggie Ride then sitting down at Victoria Park to see the fireworks, staying at the Quality Inn in Room 711 for over 10 years, each night running to my room because I knew the Raccoons would be out for food.
Going to the Skylon Tower not for the view but because my little sister wanted to go on the yellow elevators (actually she wanted her picture with anything yellow). Getting out photo taken going over the falls faking that scared look remembering my little brother was not faking he thought he was going over too.
Going to the Niagara Marketplace and seeing those 3 foot tribal things taking my photos boy I look at that now and some I actually look almost alike. And don’t forget that 6-8 feet stuffed bear had to get my photo with that. Going on the Maid of the Mist being terrified we would go over but so excited after.
Going to Betty’s Restaurant in Chippawa right outside of Niagara Falls. I wonder what was better the homemade food or that piece of pie that was the biggest I have ever seen. Eating breakfast at the Flying Saucer and thinking this was out of space.
Going to Marineland and remembering the Whales actually performing. I still have the photos of me posting at the tank. Boy I wished I could have been picked to feed the whales.
Eating at the Golden Griddle and going to the Buffet almost three times. They had the best food. Seeing the photos here was heartbreaking but who would not want the Skywheel. Remembering the first time going on the Skywheel wondering would I be scared? But remembering coming down the ramp thinking I got to go on again.
The last time riding on the Falls Tower feeling the water leaking on me and thinking they need to renovate this. But, I did not mean tear it down. But having the Fudge shop back boy did they do a great job on that.
Eating at the Rainforest Café and almost having a heart attack when the fake thunderstorms came. But the food was unbelievable. Going to the Hershey Shop and loving the smell of chocolate and enjoying the free samples. Getting the double chocolate shake at the Coke Store. Anyone remember the Ontario Science Place on Falls Avenue? Boy that was fun.
Going through the Mystery Maze and beating the time to get a free pass to the Fun House. It was great back when but boring now. They really need to change that.
Going to Dino Rampage and thinking the snakes and animals actually was jumping out at you. Ripley’s Moving Theatre jolting back and forth what a great ride but hated waiting to get in. Claire’s Harley getting a photo riding a hog. Boy I could go on.
But the memories and feeling of leaving out house and knowing we were on our way. The excitement as soon as we passed though customs. The feeling I can’t wait to spend all that money I save all year and knowing no sooner was the time over I hated turning towards the thruway pass the Pizza Hut.
What is it about the Falls? My Parents, complain on the pricing but we all come back. My Grandparents used to always go and My Aunts still go. I wish I could keep coming back.
Thanks for your contributions Lexi! If anyone else would like to reminisce, send me an email and I’ll post it.
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Wow, this seriously just put the biggest smile on my face.
Thank you Lexi for an awesome contribution.
I thought I would like to add to Lexi’s Thoughts.
I remember when our whole family used to go together from the time Lexi was just born. I can remember when the people movers offered a special van to take you to the Historical Attractions which was included in the price of the Great Gorge Adventure Pass (Was called something else back then), Taking her to Marineland when the Whales used to perform and intentionally sitting too close boy Lexi and her brother and sister loved getting splashed by the whales. And Lexi taking great photos of the giant Walrus coming right up near the ramp next to us. Taking her to the Niagara Aviary and seeing her have the change to hold one of the birds. (Her sister was too afraid), I laugh of what Lexi said about her sister Katelyn loving the Yellow Elevators at the Skylon Tower. When she was about six one year we got photos of her with the Yellow Elevators in the Background, next to the Yellow Trashcans, next to a yellow motorcycle at the hotel parking lot. Anything Yellow. Including one time seeing the Yellow Firetrucks. Taking the kids to the Adventure Dome and Wondering What the fuss was about. Taking them to the funhouse and Lexi going behind the bars there saying she was in Demon Jail. Eating at Mama Mia’s one year with Lexi her sister my mom and Me and My mom being so proud the Lady next to Us commenting how polite and well mannered the girls was. Staying at the Quality and the girls rushing to slide down the Dinosaur Slide at the pool. Taking them to the Fudge shop every year knowing how excited they would be because we alway got them a Beanie and a slice of fudge. Seeing their faces last year when the saw the store was back. Buying them those weird hats every year and laughing they did not care how silly they looked. Taking Lexi on the Pink Panther Ride and her begging to go back on. (Yes that actually runs a few times). Going to the Centre Gift Shop on Lundy’s Lane (Used to be on Victoria Ave another location) and every year buying them Precious Moments statues because they are like 60% off boy the collection they have now. Going to Diane’s Collectibles getting just a good deal on the Italian Charm Bracelets and another Precious moments. Going to African Lion Safari and seeing the Kids faces when the animals came so close. Going to Horse Play in Port Corbourne and spending most of the day horseback riding and all the other activities, Going for a Helicoptor Ride (Niagara Helicopters) Again Lexi was not afraid her sister and brother stayed at the seats boy what a great experience. Going to Mount Carmel and seeing how beautiful the Church is. Taking Lexi to Ripley’s to get her Wax hand made we do it ever year and she loves how little the hand used to be. Going to Niagara on the Lake to all the little shops. Boy there are many special memories of Niagara Falls and of Lexi and her Brother and Sister I look forward to many more.
man, that was a good read! great post, lexi!
well, my grandparents LOVE the casino, my aunts do to, my parents do as well, and i sit and wait for them to come out, just cause i can’t go in (yet :))
when did the marineland whales stop performing?
The wax hand thing sounds very cool, nice to hear good memories of someone who enjoyed the falls.
terrific post lexi!!!!..brought back loads of memories..actually heading to feed the ducks at dufferin and to the the hill tomorrow with our grannddughter..she wants to go on her *ball* again…lol..gonna be a beautiful day with an awesome view…and i’m gonna try my best to stay away from build a bear…she needs another toy like another hole in the head…i’m glad she can’t read…yet…lol
I was hoping I was the youngest regular visitor at 18.
NF has a special place in my family. During WW2 my grandfather was responsible for guarding the electrical plants.
The first time I went to NF when I was six when my grandfather and grandmother took me and my cousin to visit. I believe that we stayed at the Days Inn behind the Hilton and ate at the Denny’s. I really don;t remember that much from the trip.
At seven my dad and a friend from work and I went to a Buffalo Hockey games and we stop over and ate at the Swiss Chalet on Lundeys Lane.
The first visit I remember fully was when I was eleven. We had to pay our 407 bill and decided to eat at Le Biftique. On a split decision my Dad took me to NF. It was only for an hour but we walk to Clifton Hill and I remember going to the Ripleys 3d theater and parking in a lot near the maze. Before that we were going to eat a TGI Fridays but no one ever came to serve us. The manager would had let us park there.
About four years later we were at a Raptors game and they had a booth that if you goto one of those time-share presentation and you can get a trip to NF for 1 night. We paid $40 to attend. We went up there in a snow storm to Barrie to attended. We didn’t buy the time share. We just wanted the trip. We also got a voucher because we to an early one on a Saturday morning.
We waited till my birthday that year to use them. We could use that $50 voucher at the Travelodge Near the Falls. We took the train there as I always wanted to take a VIA train somewhere. The only time I took one was to Oshawa just for fun. We got there around 11:00 a.m. We took the Niagara Falls shuttle to the bottom of Clifton Hill.
We knew what bus to take from there but didn’t know where to get off. The driver didn’t know where the Travelodge Near the Falls was. He drop us off at the Hooters corner. Aster about 30 minutes of walking we found the hotel.
I’ll continue the story tomorrow if you want to hear it.
Please continue. It is amazing hearing of things you did not know about. My Aunt once talked about my older Aunt taking her to NF when she was a teenager they flew from Rochester to Buffalo and took a cab from the Airport to Park Inn. I think it is now either comfort or Quality Clifton hill. Then my Uncle picked them up and took them home.
Thanks for sharing everyone.
We checked into the hotel at around 12:00. We got room 208. We ate lunch at TGI Fridays. The waitress we had was very nice. She gave me some ice cream because it was my birthday. We ate burgers. We walked down Clifton Hill and went to the WWE Store. During the night we went to see a movie at the IMAX. We checked out of the Travelodge and walked to the Old Stone Inn. We knew where it was as we saw it when we were trying to find the Travelodge. We are in the hotel as it came with the package. One of the best roast beef we ever ate. The waiter was great. During the night we walked to the Skylon and when up it. We went to bed early but was woken up from the fireworks. We checked out and rode the Niagara Shuttle to the Bus Station and locked our bags in storage and rode the three different routes for a hour. We did the Gusiness Book of World Records, Table Rock and Journey Behind the Falls. We were suppose to take the train home but VIA said “The train was missing” We took Trentway buses homes. The TTC was also a disaster.
After that we have been going on a monthly basis. Staying up to 3 weeks at a time. I’ve been to at least 85% of the hotel NF has to offer. Ive never spent more than 4 days at any 1 hotel.
Some other memories:
Coming on Dec 25th and have the whole Travelodge to ourselves and walking in -20oC down Clifton hill, up the hill by the casino, across Fallsview and down to the Travelodge.
Staying at the Hilton for the first time. I always wanted to stay at a Hilton as I was a fan of Paris Hilton Back then.
Watching Jay walk from the Casino to Skylon from the Hilton.
Staying at the Rodeway Inn so we could get tickets to Regis at the Casino.
Celebrating my 16th birthday at Hooters in NF as well as the Travelodge. All the staff wished me a happy b-day and gave me a free dinner at the buffet.. The travelodge was our favorite non-fallsview place to stay in room 208. We also did a tour of Niagara On the Lake and NF from the Hilton.
Getting a free upgrade at the Sheraton Fallsview. The manager was great to me. I was going to sick kids and his wife work there as a nurse. This hotel has the best view of the falls IMO.
Staying at the Casino for the first time. My dad got me my own room for a gift while he stay at the Quality Inn Clifton Hill.
The first package we did was from HOCO and we stayed at the Quality Inn Clifton Hill. We been going to NF for a year but never stayed on the hill. HOCO have some of the best properties.
Getting Valet Parking at the Hilton for the first time. They fixed the car so the AC came colder.
Going to the Super 8 and seeing how big the room was. The room was huge.
Staying at the Brock and watching the Rainbow Bridge.
For a Grade 10 Travel and Tourism trip we went to NF. We had to do an assignment about different thing. I was done it before the bus reached Oakville.
Seeing Howie Mandel and Regis at the Casino.
I’ve have soo many memories from NF,
Those are just some of the memories I have had. I’ve been lucky to be able to go there soo much. I work as a Concierge in Toronto and I know more about NF then I do Toronto. I’ve plan trips for them.
Toronto is too crowded, you ask me to name where the CN Tower is i blank out…lol
i would love to go in the casino right now, i play poker w/friends (for fun :)), and i like money…lol
i’ve never stayed at the casino hotel, but i’ve been to the top floor and looked out the window…lol
i’ve stayed at the hilton, it was very nice, and so was the courtyard marriot near TGI Friday’s. i’ve been at the embassy this past christmas, and the sheraton on the hill in March Break 2006.
i go to marineland w/friends and family, usually get season pass, because hey, 5 bucks is worth unlimited entry IMO. my favourite attraction is sky screamer, great thrill, lol
honestly, i could go on but there isn’t that much else, lol.
I wish I possessed a memory like these kids.
Been to NF many many times, but best memory is of a bitterly cold early Sunday morning breakfast at a window table in The Refectory. As we sipped hot tea, trying to warm up, waiting for the food, it started snowing. The frigid air was perfectly still, and the snowflakes were HUGE! Had to be 1-2″ each. It was one of the most awe-inspiring moments of our lives. We got married that summer. That was 28 years ago.
got lottsa memories to share lexi…just can’t sit still long enuuf to write them down.lol….please keep this going..i love the old stuff…
i don’t got many old time memories, i’m still young, but i do remembver standing and watching the falls when i was 3!
does anyone remember when the original batmobile was on display at maple leaf village??..hubby and kids went to see it..but i was very sick in the hotel room….still kickin my ass for not goin down anyhow…lol
I remember that, also remember an employee from one of the places there, explaining that it was VERY fake and not legit at all.
I actually have a photo of my brother on it
Regarding the Batmobile. I saw the real one at a truck show. You couldn’t go inside. The had a stand where you stood behind the door.