Let’s face it we have all travelled somewhere in our lifetime whether it be a mini getaway, an all-inclusive 7-day resort vacation, a one night stay at a hotel, or a long weekend road trip with the family. The best part of travelling is the act of getting away from day-to-day routines, and kissing your home and responsibilities goodbye for one week. Let’s admit it when travelling there is a thing called travel plans and research that need to take place before saying, ‘bon voyage.’ Like most travellers it is common to research the best hotels, top attractions, and  affordable restaurants at your destination of choice. With travel plans also comes the chatter of sharing the excitement with friends and family. Enter the dos & don’t stories. These stories are shared from those close to you who travelled to the same location and want to express their advice before you make the same mistake. This blog clears up those comments you heard from family and friends and will provide you first hand to all the answers to all your questions you are wanting to know before you hit the jet plan or your Dodge Durango to get to Niagara Falls, Canada.

“Don’t worry Niagara Falls turns off at night.. right?”

Ah Ha! The most famous question that floats around on the web by visitor comments. As much as it would be a site to see the Falls switch the water off like a faucet in a sink, it doesn’t happen this way. The Falls doesn’t turn off at night, but the amount of water that flows over the Falls is reduced by the Hydro Power Stations located on both the Canadian and United States side of the border. The water is held in a reservoir overnight and released the next morning over the Falls. So don’t worry you won’t miss the Falls when visiting the city.

“The best time to travel to Niagara Falls is end of June, beginning of July”

Niagara Falls is a destination that is naturally busy with visitors year round, especially between the months of May – September. For those who wish to brave the large crowds the best time of the year would be between the summer months when the temperatures are sizzling and our boat ride is the best form to cool right down. Family vacations are popular in the summer months especially when kids are done school at the end of June. For those who are looking for an R&R getaway then we suggest considering travelling in the city’s off peak tourism months from September to October. The bonus part? Our famous boat ride still operates during these seasons.The temperature also begin to cool down and crowds begin to reduce in size.

“You don’t need your own camera the attraction takes one for you”

When you visit Hornblower Niagara Cruises you WILL not want to miss bringing your own camera aboard our boats as the experience is truly a one-of-a-kind. It’s common where guests will bring their selfie sticks, smart phones, tablets and cameras on board the boat just to have a keepsake of the Falls. Pictures are not taken throughout the attraction so we recommend you bring your own. You can get your picture taken when exiting the tunnel at the Hornblower Landing and retrieved when exiting the Niagara Parks Gift Shop. The pictures are not part of Hornblower Niagara Cruises.

“Never take your child onboard the boat before the age of five”

Many visitors who travel to Hornblower Niagara Cruises bring their children. One of the best moments for employees is watching the young children squint their noses while giggling with pure delight when seeing Niagara Falls for the first time. There is no age limit to ride the boats as the Falls offers a unique feeling for everyone who visits. For guests enjoying the evening cruises, the ‘Falls Illumination Cruise’ and ‘Falls illumination Cruise With Bonus Fireworks’ do offer an onboard fully-licensed bar that does require i.d. before purchasing an alcoholic  beverage on board the boat.

“Just wing your travel plans when visiting Niagara Falls, Canada”

If you relate to Jennifer Lopez’s character in ‘The Wedding Planner’ then you do not, we repeat do not want to wing your travel plans to the Niagara Falls. The city is filled with so many beautiful sites to see and attractions to explore. From our famous boat tour to the Falls, to walking the hill of fun on Clifton Hill, to watching a show at the Avalon Theatre at the Fallsview Casino & Resort there is a lot to see and for some in a short amount of time. Plan your days and nights accordingly by doing the following: Speak to your hotel concierge before you depart for the morning adventures, book your reservations online in advance, and take advantage of the city’s WeGo bus transportation system to avoid the leg spasms and sore feet.

“Be brave you don’t need a poncho when you go onboard the boat”

We promise to bring our guests as close and possible to the waterfalls and when we do all of our guests aboard the top deck and portions of the lower deck will get soaked with the Niagara mist. Luckily for each and every guest they are provided with a red poncho, but the ponchos is optional but we highly recommend it.

“You don’t need to do your research the history and geology of Niagara Falls as the boat tour communicates its onboard”

Travelling to any new city or destination is exciting especially where there is tons of history and stories involved. Visitors who travel to Niagara always ask questions about one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Although we do not provide an on board speaker system communicating the history and geology of Niagara Falls, guests can purchase a Souvenir Audio Guide that is sold at our Ticket Plaza when purchasing a boat ticket or at the Hornblower Landing at Mist Gear Retail. The handheld guide is perfect to put in your pocket and plug in your ears while touring past all three waterfalls. It tells a narrative story about the natural wonder.

“Fireworks happen every night in Niagara Falls”

Everyone loves fireworks and when fireworks occur in a city you are visiting for the first time it just adds to the excitement. Fireworks in Niagara Falls occur Fridays, Sundays and holidays for those looking to see a colourful and jaw-dropping light show. For guests looking to see the waterfalls up close in the evening can do so aboard our 40-minute ‘Falls Illumination Cruise With Bonus Fireworks.’ The evening cruise features an onboard bar, light snacks and music. When our fireworks cruise isn’t operating the ‘Falls Illumination Cruise’ takes to the waters on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

So before you plan your travels be sure to read our blog to help answer all your questions about the advice you received.

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