Niagara Falls CANADA The new Two Billion, that's with a B, Dollar City

by George Bailey

Traditionalists will be pleased to learn great things never change.

The shimmering natural cascade maintains a link to the past and still flows in all its glory.

The 1720 hectare (4,250-acre) parkland between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario administered by the self-financed provincially owned, Niagara Parks Commission remains the "jewel of Niagara". The re-birth of the Commission's gardens after a long Canadian winter are a sight for winter-weary eye. A blaze of yellow daffodils and multi-coloured tulips rear their heads in late April and early May confirming the warm lazy days of summer are ahead. Strolling the pathways in Queen Victoria Park near the falls, under a canopy of mature shade trees with splashes of flowers across the landscape verifies Niagara is a place of extraordinary beauty. Take the same walk at night and see the falls brilliantly illuminated in the colours of the rainbows. Your dreams will be in Technicolor.

Once all the winter ice is out of the lower river Niagara's own love boats, the Maid of the Mist's begin, like they have since 1846, their daily journey's to the base of the falls.

 The drive along the Niagara Parkway, adjacent to the Niagara River, is still what Sir Winston Churchill referred to as  "the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world". The historic fascinating village of Niagara-on-the-Lake at the north end of the parkway offers soft adventure of the most mellow kind. Wine aficionados will discover vineyards that produce some of Canada's best wines. In a take-it-easy mode, then follow the Wine Route signs along winding roads and savour this deliciously peaceful experience as you pass vineyards and dozens of fruit orchards.

Another not to be missed is to travel back past the falls and through the quaint historic village of Chippawa to the town of Fort Erie which anchors the south Niagara Parkway.

For More Information

Niagara Falls Tourism at www.DiscoverNiagara.com or 1-800-563-2557.

The Niagara Parks Commission at www.niagaraparks.com or 1-877-642-7275.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce at www.niagaraonthelake.com or 905-468-1950