Niagara Falls, NY (NFL) is the last station in NY before the Amtrak/VIARail Maple Leaf crosses the border into Canada, and it’s the starting point for two Amtrak Empire service trains to NYC, which makes it a convenient and flexible private car destination. Beside the TSA border crossing facility for train passengers, there’s a small car shop and a busy freight yard. The station facilities include HEP power hookup, switching, water and septic pumping. The station is a couple of miles out of town, but cabs are plentiful and cheap, and most cab drivers will take you to the Canadian side of the falls. Nearest car rental, Budget Car Rental–a few miles away close to the airport, is open Sunday. Before you go: 1) make a car reservation, and it saves a lot of traveling locally; 2) don’t forget your passport.
The Railroad Tourist’s Top Five list for NFL:
Aerial view of the falls (from Wikipedia).
1. The Falls
The falls area is approximately 3 miles from the train station–while the destination is considered a safe neighborhood, the walk-through neighborhood is a concern at night. The Falls are surrounded by large landscaped walking parks dating back to the 19th century on both sides, and connected by an international footbridge. Words do no justice to the sights and sounds of standing next to a lot of rushing water.
The Festival Theatre at the Shaw Festival.
2. The Shaw Festival and Niagara on the Lake, ON
Located in Niagara on the Lake (20 miles north of Niagara Falls, and served from the falls by numerous shuttle bus connections), the Shaw Fest is the second largest repertory theater company in North America with a cultural mandate to present plays written the post-Edwardian era (musicals, dramas but no Shakespeare here). Two shows daily every day except Monday on each of four stages located in various theaters around a highly walkable Victorian-era downtown. As these shows are rotated in each theater, repertory style (each member of the cast has a role in at least two shows), It’s possible to stay for a week, go to the theater twice a day and not see the same show twice.
Lewiston, NY (from http://www.pbase.com/image/81378642)
3. Lewiston, NY
Located on the Niagara River 20 minutes north of the Niagara Falls area, Lewiston offers visitors a restored historic downtown area, shops and restaurants, and a summer schedule of outdoor concerts by prominent musicians in the towns Art Park. Rail fans can visit the site of the first railroad to be constructed in North America–an inclined railway with wooden rails built in the 1700s to move goods to the docks.
GOTrain
3. Ride the Train to Toronto.
GO Transit runs special weekend service between Niagara Falls, Ontario and Toronto for summertime three-day weekends. A great way to get to town for a low price, and check out the bi-level cars. Trains depart 11:30 am, 7:30 and 10:30 pm for Toronto. Return trains depart 9 am 4:15 and 8:15 pm from Toronto. Trip takes 2 hours each way. One way fare $19.50.
Niagara College’s brewery.
4. Niagara College’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute.
(135 Taylor Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario)– Ontario’s preeminent technical college. Home to the Canadian Food and Wine Institute, the student-run Benchmark Restaurant, a student-run teaching brewery with an 8.5 barrel production system, and their teaching winery. Reservations are recommended. Winery–Tours 10:30 am every day. $15 tasting and education fee. Call 905-641-2252 Ext: 4079 for reservations. Restaurant–Lunch Tues-Sat 11:30 to 2 pm. Dinner Wednesday through Saturday 5 to 9 pm. 905-641-2252 ext. 4619 for reservations. Directions–In Niagara on the Lake– on Taylor Road SE of Glendale. http://www.canadianfoodandwineinstitute.ca/content/
Ontario Wine Country.
5. Ontario’s Wine Country.
The Niagara Region of Ontario is home to more than 27 wineries. Cold climate white wines and ice wines dominate the local vinecultural scene. Most wineries offer tours and tastings, and many attractions feature food and entertainment. See: http://winecountryontario.ca/niagara-on-the-lake
