From the Buffalo News:
As Western New Yorkers, we’ve all been to the falls a million times. But although the cataracts’ natural beauty is the draw for us — and our out-of-town visitors — there’s no avoiding the bustling strips of tourist-centric attractions.
Yes, these places are hokey. Yes, many are overpriced. And no, the booming neon palaces will never be confused with the rich cultural institutions we have throughout our region. But sometimes these morsels of escapist entertainment, though aimed at entertaining tourists, satisfy the cravings of us locals.
There’s little doubt that the Canadian side of the falls — for better or worse — outdoes its American counterpart when it comes to shear numbers of flashy entertainment options. But as the Niagara Falls, Ont., landscape gets more and more crowded, it’s increasingly difficult to uncover the gems worth visiting. Here, we highlight a variety of attractions, events, restaurants and bars that should be on your radar when you travel across the border.