As regular readers of my blog will know, I have two active boys who love the outdoors, so when I was next thinking about where we’d head for our holidays, Canada instantly sprang to mind. This country is known for its incredible hiking trails and unforgettable scenery, but I thought we’d start off somewhere that would have plenty for us to see and do so that we don’t get bored – it had to be Niagara Falls. Aside from walking through the state parks that surround them, here are just a few things on our activities list that we can’t wait for.
The White Water Walk
There are a few tours that everyone seems to do, such as the Hornblower Cruise up to the base of the Horseshoe Falls, and while those sound like great experiences, I know my family, and I know they prefer to walk on the wild side a little more. Although the Falls have a romantic reputation, they are far from the calm, tranquil waters everyone thinks, and we’ll be able to get up close and personal with them on the White Water Walk.
We’ll take an elevator 70m down to a short, underground tunnel, which moves through to one of the narrowest points of Niagara river. The view? A huge, winding stretch of Class 6 white water rapids. A boardwalk then stretches 300m along the riverbank will allow us to walk along the river with the ferocious waters, with two viewing platforms that take us as close to the rapids as possible, without jumping in!
The MistRider Zipline
Next up for us is the brand new attraction for July 2016 – the MistRider Zipline! While all the Niagara Falls hotels have unique and beautiful views of the Falls, I don’t think any will be able to beat this experience! Four ziplines carry riders between the Grand View Marketplace and the historic Ontario Power Company building.
You’ll be suspended 220ft above Niagara Gorge if you opt for this activity, and the ziplines themselves traverse a length of 2,200ft at a speed of about 70kmph. If you’re brave enough to keep your eyes open, you’ll catch the stunning scenery and phenomenal views that make this place one of the most photographed in the world.
Niagara Freefall
Taking a break from the outdoors, we’ll be heading off to do some indoor skydiving at the Niagara Freefall and Interactive Centre, which is the only attraction of its kind throughout Canada. I’ve always been a bit nervous of trying the outdoor version, so I can’t wait to experience the same feeling in a controlled and safe environment.
Even young families can enjoy this ride too, as children as young as seven are allowed to take part and get that adrenaline rush, as they experience free-fall in a wind tunnel that generates speeds of up to 120km/h. This something not to be missed for any thrill-seeking families.
Do you think I’ve missed something out? Be sure to let me know in the comments if we should add anything else to our list.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.com