Are you planning a family reunion? Instead of arranging a traditional gathering with the whole family at home, why not make your next reunion a vacation event? Now more than ever, families are seeking alternative venues for getting together. A vacation that unites family members from near and far provides excellent opportunities to catch up and create new memories the whole gang will enjoy for years to come.
While organizing a family reunion vacation, keep in mind that not every family member has the same capabilities, and not every vacation destination is suited for all. For example, that feisty grandma in the family might be the major model of modern independent living solutions, ready to rock any travel excursion, but trekking the Himalayan Mountains might not be ideal for dear granny. You get the idea. Think of vacation spots that cater to both seniors and kids so everybody can enjoy a family reunion while exploring a different part of the world. One such ideal destination is Niagara Falls, NY in the US.
Admittedly, Niagara Falls might be a far-flung option for some family members due to the distance in travel. For example, it’s a long flight for our kids (about 21 hours from Australia to the Falls). But with families scattered all over the world, it can be a more convenient location for cousins in the US or uncles and aunties in Central Europe. Besides, joining immediate and extended family together will be worth the travel because of the promise of good times shared amidst breathtaking Niagara Falls views.
ABOUT NIAGARA FALLS
Niagara Falls is not just one waterfall, but three falls called the Horseshoe Falls (also known as the Canadian Falls), Bridal Veil Falls, and the American Falls. From these titles, you might accurately deduce that the Falls expand across the USA and Canadian borders, with a portion of the Falls, positioned near Buffalo NY, and the other close to Ontario, Canada.
The geography of Niagara Falls was forged during the Ice Age when a massive glacier carved a giant swath through the region that we know today as the Great Lakes. The meltwaters from the receding glacier filled the lakes and flowed into the Niagara River and emptied off the Niagara Escarpment. Over time, erosion from the forceful flow of the waters chiseled through the rock beds forming the three conjoined waterfalls. The Falls were discovered about 12,000 years ago, and have been mesmerizing visitors as a tourist site with its awesome beauty for the last 200 hundred years.
WHICH SIDE IS BETTER FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY, CANADIAN OR AMERICAN?
It’s an age-old debate…which side of the Falls is better, the American or Canadian side? Both sides offer pros and cons to consider.
Niagara Falls in Canada: For a family reunion, the Canadian side provides more entertainment opportunities for the whole clan. This alternative offers great restaurants, casinos, and a ton of unique shops all within walking distance up and down Clifton Hill which is also known as the “Street of Fun.”
The Clifton Hill region also features amusement rides for the kids, and the Ripley’s Believe it or Not museum will lead to hours of enjoyment for the old and young ones alike in your family. Although it’s impossible to get a bad view of Niagara Falls because of their impressive dynamism, the consensus in tourist opinion generally admits the Canadian side lends a more expansive field of vision than the US side.
Niagara Falls in USA: On the other end of the Rainbow Bridge lies Niagara Falls, NY in the US where offerings are different, but no less attractive for a family reunion vacation. In terms of entertainment such as shopping, arcades, and amusement rides, the US side doesn’t deliver as well as the Ontario side. While there are a few casinos such as the opulent Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino, the number of these establishments is far less than Canada’s offerings.
However, what the US side lacks in ancillary entertainment trappings, it compensates by presenting exciting up-close-and-personal experiences of the actual Falls. The US side offers a full-contact, immersive experience with the majestic waterfalls that the entire family will find unforgettable. The kids will be enchanted with the Cave of the Winds tour where guests take a 175-mile elevator ride descending into the Niagara Gorge. Once there, tourists don bright yellow rain slickers and proceed to the Hurricane Deck where the thundering waters of the Bridal Veil Falls rush to give you and your family members a wet greeting. The Maid of the Mist tour is equally thrilling for you and the whole troupe as you go out on a boat trip into the roaring waters of the Niagara Gorge. Both tours are exhilarating and give the whole family a riveting, tactile experience of Niagara Falls.
Whether you and the family opt for the Canadian or the American side, one thing is for sure…Niagara Falls is a spectacular destination for a family reunion vacation. Enjoying the sights and scenery of this unique location while savoring time with your loved ones will galvanize special memories you will savor for years to come.
If we can make it all the way from Australia, what’s your excuse?
