* - Volunteer opportunities exist with these organizations.
Buffalo Zoo (23.5 acres)*
300 Parkside Avenue
(1.94 miles)
(716) 837-3900
Buffalo Museum of Science*
1020 Humboldt Parkway
(3.25 miles)
(716) 896-5200
Traveling/permanent exhibits, with a focus on Buffalo Niagara natural history;
educational programs; teaching resources. Research library open weekdays. Museum open Wednesday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5:00 p.m.
Buffalo Transportation/Pierce-Arrow Museum
263 Michigan Avenue at 201 Seneca Street
(4.32 miles)
(716) 853-0084
The automobile holds a significant place in Buffalo's history. Luxurious Pierce-Arrows were made here in the early 1900s and automotive engines and parts still are. See cars through the years-from vintage to muscle-plus motorcycles, bicycles, trucks, and related memorabilia. Research library. Special exhibits and events. Hours vary. Call ahead.
Aquarium of Niagara USA
701 Whirlpool Street, Niagara Falls, New York
(18.60 miles)
(716) 285-3575 or (800) 500-4609
1500+ aquatic animals: sharks, piranha, California sea lions, endangered Peruvian penguin; upper-level deck overlooks the Niagara Gorge. Open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. year round; open until 7:00 p.m. from July to Labor Day.
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens*
2655 South Park Avenue
(10.76 miles)
(716) 827-1584
A great escape where the weather is always balmy and the scenery is lush and green. Domed glass conservatory in South Park, one of Buffalo's historic city parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Open 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. daily, year-round.
Butterfly Conservatory/Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens
Niagara River Parkway North, Niagara Falls, Ontario
(about 25 miles)
(877) 642-7275
Butterflies from around the world roam freely in a lush, tropical setting. Conservatory is on the botanical garden grounds, which feature herb, vegetable, rock gardens, arboretum. Open daily year-round.
Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls, Ontario
Base of Clifton Hill and Falls Avenue
(19.45 miles)
(905) 358-4783
Street full of amusements, arcades, attractions, and restaurants, FX Thrill Ride, Dinosaur Park, Ghost Blasters.
Lockport Locks and Erie Canal Cruises
www.lockport-ny.com (general tourism/history)
210 Market Street (Routes 31 and 78), Lockport
(27.66 miles)
(716) 433-6155 or (800) 378-0352
Experience the historic Erie Canal, locks and all. Cruises take place from May through October.
Marineland
7657 Portage Road, Niagara Falls, Ontario
(22.72 miles)
(905) 356-9565
Get "up close and personal" with killer and Arctic beluga whales at Friendship Cove; see sea shows at King Waldorf and Aquarium Theatres.
American side
Niagara Falls State Park (400+ acres)
1 Prospect Point, Niagara Falls, New York
(18.79 miles)
Visitors Center: (716) 278-1796
See, hear, and feel the mighty Niagara in New York's oldest state park (opened in 1885). Paths through wooded areas and along the Niagara River lead to breathtaking views of the falls and surrounding natural areas. Open year round. Attractions Seasonal attractions.
Cave of the Winds
Roberts Moses Parkway, Niagara Falls, New York
(18.79 miles)
(716) 278-1730
Travel by tunnel to the base of the American falls for a spectacular, bottoms-up view. Open 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. daily; seasonal hours vary.
$11 for adults.
Goat Island
Beautiful, natural spot with some of the best views of the falls. Accessible by car or foot. Free parking under Goat Island bridge.
Prospect Point Park
Prime viewing spot. See the Falls with morning rainbows or illuminated in color at night. In winter-one of the best seasons to visit-see massive ice formations that may stretch across the river, forming an ice bridge.
Maid of the Mist tour boat
151 Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls
(716) 284-8897
30-minute ride to the edge of the falls. Departs Prospect Point mid-May-late October
Open 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. daily in season.
Observation Tower
Spectacular view of the American Falls.
(716) 278-1796
Top of the Falls Restaurant (at Terrapin Point)
Lunch/dinner daily May-September, coffee bar
(716) 278-0348
Three Sisters Islands: Close-up view of the rapids
Niagara Gorge Trail System
Not your typical walk in the park! Challenge yourself along 14.5 miles of trails with steep stairs and rocks leading to some of Niagara's most dramatic sites: the Horseshoe Falls, Whirlpool Rapids, and the bottom of the gorge. Some areas (Whirlpool State Park and Devil's Hole) are accessible by car.
Guided tours: (716) 278-1728
Canadian side
Falls Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario
Falls nightly illuminations year-round
(19.5 miles)
The center of excitement across the border. Highlights include: Casino Niagara
Shopping (Tommy Hilfiger, Polo, The Hershey Store, Mounted Police Trading Post)
Dining [Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Café, Penthouse Fallsview Dining Room (Sheraton-on-the-Falls Hotel, with 80-foot buffet), Rainforest Café; Fallsview Rainbow Room (Brock Hotel)].
IMAX® Theatre
6710 Buchanan Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario
(20.87 miles)
Next to Skylon Tower, five-minute walk from falls Six-story tall screen.
Skylon Tower
5200 Robinson Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario
(20.66 miles)
775 feet above the Falls
Glass-enclosed elevator to observatory ($7.60 plus tax, U.S.); revolving dining room, Summit Suite Dining Room (buffets); shops
(905) 356-2651 or 1 (800) 746-8860
Charming year-round waterfront destination with world-class theater, a variety of fine restaurants, shops, art galleries, farm markets, and historical sites. Enjoy parks and golf courses; tours of wineries and Fort George; a carriage ride through the streets of Old Town, lined with stately trees and Victorian homes; and a scenic drive along the Niagara Parkway.
The Shaw Festival (see "Arts-Theater")
For more information visit the Niagara-on-the-Lake website.
Pedaling History Bicycle Museum
3943 North Buffalo Road, Orchard Park
(19.06 miles)
Nation's largest museum devoted to giving bicycles their rightful ("Wright-ful?) place in history. Antique, classical, rare bicycles; memorabilia; special events
11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday–Saturday; 1:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Sunday
Closed Tuesdays through Thursdays January 15-April 1
$6
(716) 662-3853
Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours
115 South Water Street (The Riverside Inn), Lewiston, New York
(24.30 miles)
OR
61 Melville Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
(29.52 miles)
Ride the rapids on this one-hour jet boat trek through the Niagara River canyon
Early May-late October
Wet Jet: $41.00/Jet Dome: $29.00 (U.S.) plus tax (includes splash suit)
(905) 468-4800 or 1 (888) 438-4444
For more information on Buffalo Niagara please visit the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau
Chautauqua Institution
Route 394, Chautauqua, New York
(81.03 miles)
Experience art, nature, intellectual stimulation, and spiritual renewal in a Victorian village on Chautauqua Lake. Symphony orchestra, opera, dance, theater, lectures, concerts with popular entertainers; 200+ classes; biking, swimming and water sports, golf, tennis
Nine-week season: late June-August
(716) 357-6250 or (800) 836-ARTS
Please visit the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau for more information.
George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film
900 East Avenue, Rochester, New York (enter on University Avenue)
(74.64 miles)
Focus on the art, technology, and impact of photography and motion pictures. Located on the estate of Eastman Kodak Company founder. Galleries, research/education centers, two theaters; guided tours
Closed Mondays
Contemporary/classic films 8:00 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday
$5.00 museum/$5.00 evening films (students)
(716) 271-3361
www.photomuse.org (joint projects with International Center of Photography; includes K-12 curriculum materials)
Susan B. Anthony House
17 Madison Street, Rochester, New York
(72.3 miles)
The Susan B. Anthony House was the home of the legendary American civil rights leader during the most politically active period of her life, and the site of her famous arrest for voting in 1872.
Closed Mondays
Tuesday - Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Admission: $6.00/Adult, $5.00/Senior Citizen 65 & older, $3.00/Student, $3.00/Child 12 & under.
Please visit the Greater Rochester Visitors Association for more information.
Darien Lake Theme Park and Resort
9993 Allegheny Road (Route 77), Darien Center, New York
(35 miles)
Have a scream on the Shipwreck Falls water ride; Slingshot reverse bungee; Superman, Ride of Steel; or 100 other rides.
Open May-October
(585) 599-4641
Great Lakes Science Center
601 Erieside Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio
(197.31 miles)
Making science fun for all ages. Focus on Great Lakes environmental issues. 350 hands-on exhibits; OMNIMAX® theater; shows demonstrating scientific concepts; situation room with video wall used for viewing major scientific events, such as space shuttle launches
$7.95-$10.00 depending on attractions chosen
9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily
Film times: (216) 694-2000
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
751 Erieside Avenue, One Key Plaza, Cleveland, Ohio
(196.67 miles)
Through a dramatic glass triangle, enter The House That Rock Built to explore the history and intrigue of rock and roll. Interactive exhibits, films/videos, and significant artifacts; Hall of Fame exhibit; frequent celebrity sightings; educational programs and concerts
Office: (216) 781-ROCK; Information/event hotline: (216) 515-8444
Advance tickets: (800) 493-ROLL
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.
For more information on Cleveland:
Cleveland Convention and Visitors Bureau
(800) 321-1001
local.botw.org/Ohio/Cleveland/
www.cleveland.com
Canada's largest city features world-class shopping and theater, Yonge Street nightlife, festivals, fun-and a favorable exchange rate for American dollars.
(100 miles)
CN Tower
301 Front Street West (99.17 miles)
Get high enough to feel the "World's Tallest Building and Free-Standing Structure" sway in the wind. Look-out level at 1,136 feet; Sky Pod viewing at 1,465 feet; glass floor with a view to the bottom; 360 Restaurant, simulated game arcade; Maple Leaf Cinema; rides
Approximately $14.27-$24.00 U.S. ($18.99-$31.99 Canadian) depending on attractions chosen
(416) 86-TOWER; 362-5411 (360 restaurant reservations)
Ontario Science Centre
770 Don Mills Road
(107.86 miles)
Science is fun! 800+ interactive exhibits, demonstrations bring scientific concepts to life; covers nutrition, sports, space, the human body, technology and transportation; science arcade, films in giant, domed-screen OMNIMAX® Theatre
Open 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. daily, year-round
$14 centre only; $11 one film; $20 both or two films
$8 parking/free after 4:30 p.m.
(416) 696-1000
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queen's Park (Bloor Street West and Avenue Road)
(101.07 miles)
Explore human cultures and the natural world in Canada's largest museum. Decorative arts, hands-on biodiversity, earth sciences; and Asian galleries.
Open 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. daily and until 9:30 p.m. Fridays
Students with ID: $12 weekdays/$15 weekends; free 4:30-9:30 p.m. Fridays
$5 featured exhibitions
Parking discount at 9 Bedford Road
(416) 586-5549; Recording: (416) 586-8000
Kensington Market
(100.00 miles)
Located in the College area, just west of the downtown core, the Kensington Market boasts thrift shoppes, open-air food marts, restaurants, bars, cafes, and a plethora of public art and community projects that will keep visitors guessing. Generally, the Market is open 7 days a week excluding Christmas and New Years. The best time for optimal shopping is between the hours of 11:00am and 7:00pm. Many of the grocery and fresh vegetable stores, however, are open earlier than 11:00. Of course bars, restaurants and entertainment remain open well into the evening.
For more information on Toronto:
(800) 363-1990 or www.torontotourism.com (includes currency calculator)
www.city.toronto.on.ca
www.thestar.com
www.empiretickets.com
www.whatsuptoronto.com (entertainment)
www.torontolife.com