Trying to Find An Open Attraction Down At The Falls

The weather was still holding out before that inevitable first dose of winter and I figured I would extend my grandson's tour of Niagara Falls into the next day.  I had some free coupons for Niagara Parks attraction that expire at the end of the year.  I figured I'd be less enthusiastic to use them come December.  Originally, I wanted to go to the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, as the tropical rainforest setting is reminiscent of summer.  My daughter Tara was visiting for the weekend and we didn't have enough coupons for that so I settled on the White Water Walk, which takes you down by elevator where you can walk along a boardwalk beside the rapids that swirl down river from the Falls.  No luck there as it was already closed for the season.  A few rides past the Aero Car indicated that there was no action their either and Reilly was getting restless for some 'kid activity'.  I strolled through the Wood Carving and Totem Pole Park for a while and this was about as appealing to little boys as any other attraction on the parkway so we decided to turn around and head back to the Glen Nature Area. 

A little too little, a little too late as it also closed for the season last weekend.  We did peek through the slats of the fences to whet Reilly's appetite.

Ultimately, we settled on a day time drive down by the Falls.  The Maid of the Mist is closed as well but that didn't stop the tourists from spending time down by the waterfalls.  The sidewalks and parks were lined with people from all over the world.  I felt a sense of encouragment and pride when I realized that for them, the attraction would never be man made.  The Cataracts themselves were enough to bring the people and they are not a seasonal attraction. 

Actually, timing was great as my grandson loves rainbows but had never seen the rainbow over the Falls.  This rainbow beats 'em all.  People were pointing and staring, cameras were snapping and cars were crawling to get a better view. 

One of the few advantages of driving down the parkway in the late autumn is the lack of leaves on the trees that obstruct a clear view of much of the scenery along the parkway.  Today the Old Scow that sits marooned just above the brink of the Falls, was in full view.  I was able to get in a 'tour guide' tale and snap a picture from the car. 

Along with the Niagara Rainbow, this generated some interest amongst the kids.  This was a good thing because my last stop at Dufferin Islands for a nature walk was thwarted as well.  The Winter Festival of Lights displays were set up throughout 'Duff' which apparently was enough for them to close down access to the trails.  We ended up travelling further into town for a bite to eat.  Touristy restaurants are well above my entertainment budget and new ones pop up so frequently that you're never quite sure if you're going to blow money on a 'dud'.  Besides, restaurants in the tourist section arbitrarily apply that annoying DMF charge of 3% to the bills.  Apparently is is voluntary and tourists can refuse to pay it, but I haven't seen that tried and I don't have the patience to squabble over it.
For more information on the Rainbow Over Niagara please visit my article at
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/394485_the-niagara-rainbow

For more information on The Old Scow please visit my article at http://www.bukisa.com/articles/400920_the-old-scow-above-niagara-falls