Niagara Falls

We will be traveling to Niagara Falls in the middle of September to see the Falls and all the tourist attractions. We should get the Niagara Falls Classic Adventure Pass for $65 cn. That gives us 48 hours of free transportation between all the attractions up and down the Canadian side and free admission to Journey Behind the Falls, Hornblower Niagara Cruises, Niagara's Fury Interactive Movie, White Water Walk, Two-day WEGO Access. The shuttle bus transportation, saves a lot of hassles with the crazy traffic, parking and parking fees. It was highly recommended by a couple of locals. From our hotel on Clifton Hills, we are a short walk to all the attractions on Clifton Hills including the Niagara Casino, for those so inclined. I'll try to set up Saturday dinner on the top of the Skylon Tower, probably at the Summit Suite Dinner Buffet, not in the revolving restaurant. Sunday lunch could be at historic Queen Victoria Place. The Falls are illuminated every evening and fireworks are set off over the Falls at 10 PM on weekends in September. There is a good possibility that once we arrive and park our cars on Friday, we won't move them until we leave on Sunday. For the adventurous, there is the Whirlpool Jet Boat Trip for $70 cn and the Zip line down to the base of the Falls for $60 cn or both for $108 cn. You will get completely soaked in the Jet Boat Trip. They have some enclosed jet boats but they might be sold out already. I am interested in both events. We may or not get to the American side of the Falls.

We have a block of 12 rooms set up at the Travelodge At the Falls, 4943 Clifton Hills, right in the middle of the tourist attractions. Some rooms have one bed and some have two beds. The current exchange rate is 28%. The room rates are $131 US on Friday night and $186 US on Saturday night with all fees and taxes included. There is still a $15 cn parking fee for each night, typical of Niagara Falls. The rooms do not have a view of the falls. They are a block away from where you can stand and see the falls. High up rooms with a view of the Falls are a lot more expensive. This is still high season until the middle of October. You can see the fireworks from the hotel. We will have discount breakfast coupons for the Clifton Family Restaurant next door. Please call the hotel and book your room from the Jaguar Car Club block. Call 866-443-4485 weekdays and you will be talking to Kim Parker-Moore in Group Sales. The block of rooms will be held until Sept 5.

We will meet and leave around 9 or 10 AM at the Tim Horton's, 1952 S. Cedar St. Imlay City, 48444. It is about half a mile north of I69, Exit 168, Rt. 53. The exact time will be confirmed before the trip. We will be crossing the border at Port Huron/Sarnia. If others wish to cross at Detroit/Windsor, we will have a lunch stop, so we can meet up there. We may get split up crossing the border. After crossing at Sarnia, we will meet up on the side of the road about a mile from the border, in sight of the Home Depot on the right.

Traveling the expressways all the way, it is about 4:15 of driving time from Imlay City to Niagara Falls. Traveling the County Route 3 through Ontario takes about 6:15 to make the same trip. I don't know what scenery, activities or stops are on Route 3. I would like to survey those who have reserved a hotel room to see which route they would prefer. I know one older car wants the slower route. I know of another modern car wants to get there and start seeing the Niagara attractions. We may split up and part of the group travel in two different routes.

Taking the expressways, we will have lunch 2 hours later at Chuck's Roadhouse Bar and Grill, 765 Exeter Rd, London ON N6E 3T2. It is about a half mile North of Route 401, at Wellington Road S. Taking Route 3, we would have lunch 3 hours later in Port Stanley or St. Thomas. If anyone has a specific knowledge of any worthwhile stops along Route 3, please let me know.

Please let me know when you have booked your room and I will keep in touch with you about all the final trip plans. There will be a $5 fee for copies of trip activities.

There will be more information in the September Indicator. Don't forget the identification that you will need to cross the Border. There is a Currency Exchange at all the borders, including Niagara Falls.

If you can't leave on Friday morning, don't worry. You can leave after work on Friday, arrive before the Friday fireworks, and still have almost 2 days at the Falls with your friends.

Bob Matejek

BobMatejek@aol.com

248-842-1046