THINGS TO DO IN NIAGARA THAT I HAVEN'T TRIED YET

The New Year is quickly approaching and I was thinking about making some new resolutions that wouldn't be too difficult to keep.  I thought I'd apply an 'adventure' theme to it and come up with a list of things to do in Niagara that I haven't yet tried.  Being a Niagara Tour guide gives me the passion and opportunity to do a lot of exploring down by the Falls but as new attractions pop up, I have found myself getting behind.  I figure with a full year to weight the success of my resolutions, I have plenty of time to knock these off.

1. Grow my nails long enough to get a window front gig in Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum on Clifton Hill.

Back in the 70's my sister and I had a few paper routes between us.  The most famous person on my paper route turned out to be Rob Nicholson, the Canadian Attorney General and Minister of Justice.  He was just a student then and I really didn't know him all that well.  My sister, however, delivered papers to Sandy Allen, the tallest woman in the world .  She lived in an apt. building on Simcoe Street that could accommodate her height.  At 7'7", she was quite an ominous figure at the door when we went to collect.  Then we'd see her at Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum down on Clifton Hill.  I used to think she had a great job, standing there greeting the tourists.  I don't really know how much she enjoyed it but I hope she did. Sandy passed away in her early fifties in 2008.  She was a really nice lady!



Joining the Polar Bear Dippers and jumping into Lake Erie in January was one of last year's resolutions!
Way too much fun!!


2.  Participate in the Niagara Falls International Marathon.

The marathon starts out in Buffalo and crossing the peace bridge before heading down the Niagara Parkway to the finish line.  I'm not quite that zealous but there's a 5 kilometre 'walking option' that sounds just fine to me.  This doesn't take place until October so I have plenty of time to brush up on my walking skills.

3.  Go on the Drop Zone ride at Marineland.

I remember the first time I went on the roller coaster at Marineland.  I was TERRIFIED but I did it!  I hardly peed my pants at all!  There are a lot of things to do in Niagara that might give you the rush of going over the Falls in a barrel without actually taking that plunge.  The Drop Zone seems to be a step in the right direction.

4.  Search for Poisonous glow-in-the-dark mushrooms down in the Niagara Glen

Back in the 90's I had a part time job at the Italian Cafe on Robinson St.  For two hours every evening it was where the action was for the post 60 Italian male types in the surrounding neighbourhood.  Never a dull moment!  I remember the buzz when one of them brought in a phallic shaped red pepper.  Even more titillating was the time when Pellegrino found a bunch of glow in the dark poisonous mushrooms.  The cafe had one small washroom and every time someone arrived at the cafe, he was rushed back into the washroom to join the rest of the gang.  Soon, the washroom became as crowded as a subway in China.  No one could bear to not be present to see their compadre's reactions.  Even I allowed myself to be lured into the dark washroom with, already brimming with about 15 Italian men.  That was barely safer than eating the mushrooms, in retrospect.

5.  Jumping off the Weightman Bridge in Chippawa

I've always been scared to take part in this rite of passage for all Niagara teenagers.  It used to be one of the most popular things to do in Niagara for the teen set.  I'm probably one of the few that never did it, even once.  I did watch with envy as my youngest daughter took the plunge into the swift waters below!  I may not get around to this one as they've made it illegal, just as I finally got up my nerve. 

6.  Watch someone go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. 

Of course, this resolution will take some co-operation.  I feel good about it, though.  Interest in barrel riding over the Falls waned back in the 90's when bungee jumping became all the rage.  I feel good about this one, though.  A lot of  unaccomplished crack pots will probably be scrambling to do something 'headline' grabbing before 2012. 

If you are planning an 'adventure' visit to Niagara Falls this year and would like a qualified and entertaining Niagara Tour Guide to help you get the most of your vacation, please follow this link for more information.