Niagara Falls USA offers the visitor the best close up and personal, natural experience at the falls plus lots of nearby excursions.
Riding on the Maid of the Mist to view both the American and Canadian falls in one fun and misty voyage, the colors of the falls pop out as molecules are shattered as the water tumbles. Lacy beaded thick torrents of greens to whites to translucent blue greens. The 150 high walls capture the winds off the falls and send strong gusts inland for blocks.
“On the United States’ side of the falls you can feel more the natural environment, actually walk right down to the water as it tumbles over the edge and feel the power, hear the roar,” says Jeff Deming, general manager of the Giacomo, the newly renovated ten million dollar investment of a boutique art deco hotel featuring a Maya Revival theme right in the heart of Niagara USA. Proud of his hometown, Jeff is part of a team that is nurturing the rebirth of this historical area. In the works are a culinary school, art seminars, full moon retreat weekends, and more. Its impeccably designed and decorated 39 rooms offer views over the city. From the 16th floor lounge, guests can watch the daily fireworks each evening in luxurious comfort.
A short walk from the Giacomo through the local parks takes you right to the edge of the falls. The Giacomo also provides personal shuttle service to pick you up or drive you to any of the local restaurants.
Close by is the town of Lewiston, ending station of the Underground Railroad which assisted black people from the South to escape from slavery by traveling North to Lewiston and then crossing the Niagara River to Canada and freedom. Lewiston is a charming town, with lots of history and numbers of beautifully maintained Victorian mansions. Many of these homes built multi-story basements in which the local residents would hide the escaping slaves. You can have a delicious lunch at the Silo Restaurant, view the Freedom Crossing Monument, in honor of this town’s humanitarian past, and take a Motherlands Connexion Tour with Kevin Cottrell. Another unique aspect of Lewiston’s past is that the name “cocktail” was invented here from the day that bar keeper Katherine Hustler mixed a gin drink with a cock’s tail feather!
Wine Trails passport: The Niagara Escarpment, a bedrock of limestone and rich soil, passes under the area around Niagara. The famous falls cut right through it. This escarpment provides ideal conditions for the production of grapes suitable for fine wines.
Enjoy the award winning 2008 Pinot Noir at Freedom Run Winerywhere Bryan Calandrelli presents a fascinating overview of the history of wine-making in this region along with this fine vineyard’s production and offers carefully selected artisan wines for your enjoyment.
Just up the road, we enjoyed the Schulze Vineyards’artisan wines, including Siegfred Reserve Riesling while owner Ann Coomer tells the history of her husband’s following his roots to import German stock for their vineyards.
Every season has special charms to enjoy. While driving between vineyards, enjoy the sweet and juicy peaches and cherries of this gorgeous farming region in summer as well as swoon over the gorgeous colors in the autumn. The falls don’t freeze in the winter but instead the mist forms mysterious sculptures on all surrounding structures.
For more information on this region www.niagara-usa.com
Comments