Ashley Grant

If you are looking for a fun-filled family getaway this summer, consider a trip to the Lake Erie Islands. The Lake Erie Island region offers something for everyone, from fishing, swimming, boating, camping, lighthouses, and shopping, even a little rest and relaxation.

Whatever your niche may be, you’re sure to find it here. The most popular islands are Kelley and South Bass. Here you will enjoy beaches and boating. On the mainland, you will find Sandusky, Ohio, home to Cedar Point, where you will find the world’s largest collection of roller coasters. Cedar Point has 16 thrilling roller coasters in all, not to mention a wide variety of other exciting rides sure to please the inner thrill-seeker in all of us.

There is something for the little ones as well at Cedar Point–Camp Snoopy, which offers a smaller roller coaster, the Woodstock Express, a 38-foot tall roller coaster that the whole family can enjoy.

On a hot day, visit Soak City, just adjacent to Cedar Point, where you can splash away at the large outdoor water park. Soak City offers many large flume slides, a large wave pool, splash zone, and tadpole town for the little ones, just to name a few. You can slip out to the Cedar Point beach right on Lake Erie and enjoy activities such as volleyball, sandcastle building, swimming, and sunbathing.

You can stay at Cedar Point’s Hotel Breakers. Directly behind the hotel, you can enjoy the sunny beach or take advantage of two outdoor pools, whirlpool spas, or the heated indoor pool. You can take the ferry from Sandusky to Kelley’s or South Bass Islands in Lake Erie for a great family adventure.

Kelleys island is the perfect quiet family adventure. You can take a quiet stroll on the many nature trails and fish for walleye. There is a tram ride that will take you to Inscription Rock, where you can view the petroglyphs created by the Native Americans of the Erie Tribe over 300 years ago.

You will also be able to visit the Glacial Grooves State Memorial, the world’s largest visible glacier trail. If your in for a wilder time, head to South Bass Island, where you will Put-in-Bay just three miles of the inland. This is the hot spot for the young or the young at heart.

Put-in-Bay is the heart of the “nightlife.” There are many bars and pubs to hop around Put-in-Bay. It’s still a great place to visit with the children during the daytime; I would not recommend taking children there at night, especially during the weekend. This is when the rowdy crowd surfaces! Here you can visit the Butterfly Museum to walk amongst hundreds of beautiful, colorful butterflies.

There are so many things to do at the Lake Erie Islands that I could go on for days about; these are just a few. If you enjoy camping, there are so many camping resorts to choose from; you can find anything from nice quiet wooded campgrounds to campgrounds right on the lake edge.

They have awesome firework displays; you can go sit at the lighthouse and see three different firework displays across the lake at the same time. It is quite a sight to see the night sky illuminated with brilliant colors reflecting off of Lake Erie.

If you ever get the chance to go visit the Lake Erie Islands, you will want to go back year after year.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is known as home to sports, theater, and ethnic neighborhoods. A visit to this city is a treat for any visitor because there is always something going on within its perimeters.

The downtown area is known as the “Golden Triangle.” The downtown area offers high-rise buildings, shopping areas, and an opportunity to view various architectural styles in the buildings. It is home to a theater district, which offers top Broadway performances. The name is derived from three rivers joining at the point, known as the downtown area.

The downtown area is a great place to find Pittsburgh’s favorite foods, also. Hot soft pretzels and chestnuts in the Fall make the walk downtown an enjoyable one.

Across the river from downtown is another district. It is home to a sports arena and a large gambling mecca. The inclines are a treat to ride as they make their way up the mountain, known as Mt. Washington. This mode of transportation has been in operation for many years. Commuters make their way on these inclines to work in the morning and return home in the evening if they are residents of the Mount Washington area. Tourists enjoy the scenic trip up and down the mountain. The view from Mount Washington has visitors enthralled, especially in the evening when the city lights shine from the mountain.

On this side of the river is Station Square, which was once the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Station. It is now home to restaurants, shops, and nightclubs. 

There are many ethnic neighborhoods surrounding the downtown area. The “Strip District” is home to vendors, selling fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, and other fresh items. The district has been in operation for many years, and many residents enjoy the opportunity to purchase fresh items. The merchants are friendly, and the streets are always lined with trucks delivering the goods.

This district becomes alive in the evening when the working people and visitors fill the small restaurants, which serve fresh food. There are many nightclubs, playing jazz, country, or rock music. The back door of these establishments faces the River, so the boats can be seen making their way down the river.

No trip to Pittsburgh is complete without a trip to Polish Hill, an ethnic community. It offers fine food and various architectural designs on the many houses.

The rivers offer a choice to ride a boat to explore their paths. There are cruises, which offer sightseeing, along with dinner and dancing.

Pittsburgh welcomes visitors when they come by plane. The airport has various shops within its confines. You will find bargains and unusual items to purchase before you enter the city proper.

There are many fine hotels in the downtown area. In the outskirts of the city, there are many motels, which are comfortable and range from reasonable to luxury. A check with the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.

For a cultural tour of the city, a visitor should visit the Oakland section of the city. There is a museum, library, and other cultural venues located there. 

The city is easy to navigate. There are buses, streetcars, inclines, and a subway system that can take a visit to any part of the city. Contact the Visitors Bureau for information and maps.

For family fun, the city has one of the oldest amusement parks, still in operation. It is Kennywood Park and offers many amusement rides and shows for visitors. It is located off of Interstate 376. It has five roller coasters. The “jackrabbit” is the old wooden kind and has been featured on several television shows and rated as one of the best coasters in the United States.

Halfway between Chicago and New York City lies the twin city of Niagara Falls, gateway to the Great White North and Honeymoon Capital of the World. Here, the Niagara River connects Lake Erie with Lake Ontario to create three spectacular falls of water nearly 70 meters high: American Falls, Bridal Falls, and finally Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side of the border, the largest of the three, which spans nearly a kilometer along its width. All three falls face directly toward Canada, so although the American side claims a greater territory, the Canadian side has the best views.

Seeing the Falls for free

Beautifully manicured parks and walkways run alongside the Falls and the Niagara River, offering amazing views. Low-cost parking is readily available. Bring a picnic lunch on a warm day, and revel in the rainbows and the cool light mist in the air. At night, a light show lights up the spectacle of falling water. In the winter, the surface of the water sheets into hundreds of gleaming icicles.

Every Friday, Sunday, and holiday between mid-May and the end of August, Niagara Parks offers free concerts and fireworks starting at 8 p.m., weather permitting. Additional fireworks are also set off on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. during July and August only. In winter, the lighting of the falls becomes part of the Winter Festival of Lights.

Funky exhibits

Like its New York neighbor, the Canadian city of Niagara Falls also offers a few funky exhibits and far-out museums, most of which line Clifton Hill. The Ripley’s Believe It or Not building is shaped like the Empire State Building fallen on its side and straddled by King Kong. Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks includes the famous likeness of Charles Blondin, the first tightrope walker to have successfully traversed the falls.

Niagara-on-the-lake

Around the ‘corner’ of the Niagara peninsula lies the scenic town of Niagara-on-the-lake, which constantly competes with Stratford, Ontario, for the title of the prettiest town in Canada. Here you can find historical reenactments at Fort George. Niagara-on-the-lake is also home to the Shaw Festival, with some of the best summer theatres in the world.

Butterfly Conservatory

On a cold day, step into the tropical Butterfly Conservatory, and watch in delight as thousands of exotic butterflies settle on nearby flowers and even on your clothing. At the Emergence Window, you can watch while butterflies struggle out of their cocoons and into a new life.

Great wine

Take a tour of one of the Niagara Peninsula’s many award-winning vineyards. Sample some of the famous ice wine, so prized throughout the world that its vintners have to include security features on the bottles to keep them from being counterfeited.

The journey behind the falls

See Horseshoe Falls as you have never seen it before, from a cave network behind the falls. Hundreds of thousands of gallons cascade past the cave openings every second like a curtain of water, less than half a football field away. The cave entrances are open so that the air is full of mist from the falls, although barricades are in place for safety.

Where the wild things are

Just outside Niagara Falls on the other side of the peninsula from Niagara-on-the-lake, Marineland and Game Farm has aquatic shows featuring beluga whales and dolphins. African Lion Safari lets visitors drive through seven-game reserves were over a thousand animals, including a herd of Asian elephants, roam freely.

Try your luck

If going over the falls isn’t quite your style (not to mention that it is against the law in both countries!), you can take a safer kind of risk at Casino Niagara or Fallsview Casino Resort. As the names suggest, Casino Niagara is a classic casino, while Fallsview offers a greater choice of entertainment, from nightly entertainment acts to fine dining. Of course, weddings are extremely popular.

Viewing the falls from above

Take your pick of two observatory towers, a revolving dining room, a Ferris wheel, a cable car, or even a helicopter. The Niagara Skywheel has enclosed gondolas that are temperature controlled through summer and winter. Enjoy a leisurely dinner over the falls on top of the Skylon Tower, or ascend Konika Minolta Tower for a different view of the falls. The Whirlpool Aero Car actually crosses the international boundary four times on a single round trip.

The Maid of the Mist

This 25-meter boat brings its passengers right up to the foot of the falls for an unforgettable experience. You will need the raincoat they give you!

Getting to Niagara Falls is easy. For those who don’t want to drive, tours are offered to Niagara Falls from most of the upper states as well as from Toronto and most parts of Southwestern Ontario.

As border crossings go, the Rainbow Bridge is far less busy than most U.S.-Canada bridges, but you are still likely to have a short to moderate wait depending upon traffic. The Rainbow Bridge is also one of the few border crossings which still allow pedestrians to cross. Alternate border crossings in the area are available at Buffalo or at Lewiston Bridge. In most cases, a valid passport is required to enter the United States.

Niagara Falls, Ontario, is perhaps the most visited destination in Canada. There is something for everyone here, but there are some attractions that receive more attention than others. This article will list the more noteworthy attractions, but this is not to say that those that don’t make the top ten list are not worthy of any attention at all. The best attractions for one visitor may not be the best for another because it is basically a matter of individual taste.

1. The Falls

The most popular attraction in Niagara Falls has to be the Horseshoe Falls. The thundering sounds of the waterfalls as it cascades down over the sheer cliff face sends the spray high into the air so that you may even get a little wet if you are standing across the river from the falls.

2. The Maid of the Mist

There are two boats named the Maid of the Mist that takes tourists up under the falls during the spring and summer. Dressed in a rain cape that you can keep, this is one 30 minutes that will be a thrill of a lifetime. The departure point is located at the north end of Queen Victoria Park, and you depart at the Maid of the Mist Park, a two-level shopping center with restaurants and souvenir shops.

3. Fallsview Water Park

This is the newest tourist attraction in Niagara Falls, where young and old alike can have a fulfilling day. It is located directly across the street from the falls so that you have a wondrous view as you enjoy yourself one or more of the sixteen water slides. The park spans an area of three acres and is adjacent to the major hotels in the Falls area. In addition to the water slides, there is an indoor wave pool, an outdoor sundeck that is open year-round, an activity area, and a huge Beach Play House for the children.

4. Bird Kingdom

With the huge numbers of free-flying birds, this venue is sure to be a hit with all visitors. You will see amazing birds and other creatures from different parts of the world. A typical visit takes about an hour in which you have a chance to feed the Lorikeets, see the many displays and gain valuable information about all the birds from the keepers of the aviary.

5. Go Behind the Falls

Have you ever wondered what it is like behind the sheet of water that tumbles down a giant waterfall? At Niagara Falls, you have this opportunity with the Beyond the Falls experience. The journey takes between 30 and 45 minutes, and due to the spray of the water during spring and summer, you will have to wear a giant rain poncho, which is yours to keep as a souvenir. On this exciting trip, you take an elevator down 150 feet to the tunnels that lead behind the sheets of water. The elevator then starts upwards to the observation decks at the upper and lower portions of the Falls.

6. Clifton Hill

Located only a block away from the Falls, you will find Clifton Hill in the midst of the beautiful Queen Victoria Park. This is a playground extraordinaire. Tee off at Dinosaur Mini-Golf, where all the characters are famous dinosaurs. Nightmare’s Fear Factory is designed to be the scariest experience of your life, and many visitors do chicken out before they can get to the end of the trail. Adult visitors delight in the opportunity to take in their favorite sporting action at the Sports Zone Bar and Games in the interactive games and outdoor patio. At Movieland Wax Museum, you will see all your favorite movie characters preserved for posterity in colorful wax creations. This is just a sampling of what awaits you at this venue where you can literally spend days.

7. Oakes Garden Park

Take a stroll after dinner in Oakes Garden Park, which is located in Niagara Falls directly across from the American Falls. Here the beautifully landscaped grounds will delight you in the changing colors during every season of the year. There is no admission fee for these gardens, allowing you the chance to simply relax and savor the view. There is a restaurant adjacent to the park where you will enjoy the delectable delights on the menu.

8. Skylon Tower

You can’t visit Niagara Falls and not have a meal or a snack in the Skylon Tower. This structure is a landmark in the city just steps away from the Falls. The revolving restaurant close to the top of the tower will provide you with a 360 view without having to even turn your head.

9. Queen Victoria Park

Queen Victoria Park is another venue that is popular with visitors because of the spectacular views of the falls that it affords. It is located along the side of the Niagara Gorge and extends to Oakes Garden Park. By choosing to start at this park and make your way to Oakes Garden Park, you can get in your walking exercise for the day in a breathtaking setting.

10. IMAX Theatre

Learn the story of the Great Lakes and Niagara Falls with the multimedia presentations of the Imax Theatre. Here you will also learn stories of those who have gone over the falls in the past, both deliberately and accidentally, at the Daredevil Gallery.

Niagara Falls, New York, has one of the most breathtaking views in the world of the famous Niagara Falls. Where would you go to find the best view? In addition, what would you do after you enjoy the majesty of Niagara Falls? Beyond the waterfall, there are some other fun and interesting places to go and things to do in Niagara Falls.

Any trip to Niagara Falls should begin at the oldest state park in the United States, Niagara Falls State Park. Dating back to 1885, Niagara Falls State Park was created to keep the area surrounding the Falls free from exploitation and free to the public. There are many winding trails along the river on Goat Island, Luna Island, and the Three Sisters Islands on the Upper Niagara River, and there are serious hiking trails into the Niagara Gorge for more avid nature lovers.

Niagara Falls State Park is home to some great attractions. The Cave of the Winds is an attraction where you can experience the power of Niagara Falls up close and personal by taking an elevator down to a walking tour on the “hurricane” deck only 20 feet from the Bridal Veil Falls. This is an experience like no other as the mighty wind and mist from the Bridal Veil Falls blasts you with hurricane force.

The Visitor Center at Niagara Falls State Park offers a place to buy souvenirs, a snack bar, maps and information, restaurants, and houses the Niagara Adventure Theater, which shows a 40-minute movie on a 45-foot screen with Dolby Digital surround sound technology. Niagara: Legends of Adventure by Academy Award-winning producer Keith Merrill and tells the story of the history of Niagara Falls.

The Niagara Gorge Discovery Center is where you can learn about the rich history of Niagara Falls through wonderful, exciting exhibits that are great for the whole family. You can climb a 26-foot rock wall modeled after the walls of the Niagara Gorge, view a movie in the 180-degree theater, or take a ride on the virtual elevator ride down into the gorge.

The activity that gives the absolute best view of Niagara Falls is The Maid of The Mist, which is a boat ride on the lower Niagara River, which takes you into the basin of the awesome Horseshoe Falls. The power and the beauty will overcome you as you get closer and closer to the wondrous cataract.

There is so much to do and experience in Niagara Falls. It is no wonder that millions of people visit it from all around the world every year. The Cave of the Winds and The Maid of the Mist is the best way to experience the power and the majesty of the mighty Niagara Falls.

Are you looking for a fun, family-oriented vacation that will offer something for everyone? If so, pack your bags, and head to Niagara Falls, Canada.

If you don’t mind heights, there are two fabulous ways to see the Falls. You can see a breathtaking view from 175 feet in the air on the Niagara Skywheel, a Ferris wheel that has climate-controlled gondolas for visitors to ride in. From the sky wheel, you will have a fabulous view of the falls, either day or night. It seemed that they were more beautiful at night when the falls were lit up with all of the colorful lights.

Another way to see the falls would be to take the Niagara Helicopters Limited tour. On this tour, you will fly over the falls and have a really fantastic view of the falls no matter what season it is. Also, it doesn’t matter what time of the day that you take the tour as the falls are always beautiful and the view from the sky is amazing.

There are the Niagara boat tours that take you under the falls. Of course, you will get very wet, and it may be cold if the temperature is not extremely warm. This tour gives you an up-close, personal glimpse into the majestic falls and the amazing power of the water. You will need to have a jacket with a hood or a poncho for this tour.

Of course, there are the many breathtaking views that you can see from almost anywhere in Niagara Falls and the overlooks that you can walk to. If you just take a walk along the sidewalk that is in front of the falls, you can just tell how beautiful nature is and the power that is behind the force of the water that comes over the falls. Be sure that you see the falls at night when there are colored lights on it as it completely astonishes you as to the beauty that is Niagara Falls.

For family fun, there are many shops, museums, and family fun centers located within walking distance of most of the hotels. If your children enjoy water parks, you can enjoy an indoor water park that is located atop a hotel near the falls.

Wax museums abound throughout the area and are well worth the money that it will cost to visit them. Wax figures of rock stars, Elvis Presley, Elvira, many celebrities, movie stars in scenes from some of their most famous movies, and even a famous acrobat that is walking a tight rope over the actual street that the museum is sitting on, along with sports figures as well.

For the kids, there are many activities to keep them busy. The family fun centers are arcades with plenty of games; one of the best is the Great Canadian Midway, which offers over 250 games and rides. The biggest thrill is Ghostblasters, which is an interactive dark ride through a haunted house where you get to blast ghosts with laser-style guns.

If putt-putt golf is your speed, visit Dinosaur Park, an 18 hole golf course in a dinosaur-themed environment. This is great for the boys in the family. There are several other putt-putt courses in the area so that if the children aren’t into dinosaurs, they will still have a place to play.

For the small kids, there is Brick City, which is a land full of Legos. They will have a chance to see all of the fun things that can be built out of Legos, such as trains, towers, boats, people, etc. In the City, the children will also have an opportunity to explore and build on their own. Let their imaginations run wild and see what inventions that they will be able to build.

Families could also visit the Fun House. This is the place where the family can roll, tumble, climb, and crawl together. Play with giant balls, walk across a rope bridge, try to get through the rolling tunnel, and you are sure to laugh all the way to the end. Don’t miss out on visiting the Rain Forest Cafe’. Even if you aren’t interested in eating there, be sure to at least walk near it so that you can see the front of the cafe and their gift shop. It is a site where the kids will be able to really see what a rainforest is like.

These are just a few of the many fun and exciting thrills that await you in Niagara Falls. Shopping, food, and fun make Niagara Falls, Canada, the trip of a lifetime.

Comprising nearly 1,200 square miles that’s more than 94 percent wilderness, Yosemite National Park is one of California’s best-known national parks. Yosemite Valley is the main point of access to the park. Nearly 4 million people visited Yosemite in 2019, according to the National Park Service, and many of them spent all or part of their time in Yosemite Valley. Such heavy recreational use in this relatively tiny area of the park has enormous potential to damage the valley ecosystem, harm local wildlife, and scar the landscape for future visitors.

Leave No Trace is an international stewardship initiative that focuses on helping people enjoy the outdoors responsibly by minimizing their impact on natural areas, thereby protecting and preserving local plants and animals and keeping the area undisturbed for others to enjoy. Leave No Trace is a set of guidelines for all visitors to follow – they’re not just for the pristine Yosemite wilderness. In many ways, Leave No Trace ethics are most important for visitors to Yosemite Valley because careless actions by even a fraction of the millions of visitors there become readily apparent.

Leave No Trace and Yosemite Hiking

Most Yosemite Valley visitors plan day hiking trips on the many Yosemite trails that start in the valley. Although Yosemite Valley is a developed area, day hikers don’t even have to walk a mile off the main roads to reach areas that are designated wilderness. Leave No Trace for day hikers visiting Yosemite means packing out all trash. Hikers should be mindful of the items they bring and avoid dropping or leaving behind tissues, food wrappers, clothing, plastic bottles, or food.

On many Yosemite Valley trails, hikers have limited or no access to facilities once they leave the trailhead. In trail areas where no restrooms are available, Leave No Trace ethics directs visitors to pack out toilet paper and sanitary products. Visitors should bring a small shovel, toilet paper, and a small plastic bag on Yosemite hikes and dig cat holes for solid human waste 100 feet from water and trails. Nothing is more unsightly or unsanitary than waste and toilet paper along trails.

Hikers should also follow designated trails – single file if necessary – and avoid cutting through switchbacks and creating “social trails.” Hikers should wear durable shoes so they can stay on the trail even if it’s muddy or wet. Another Leave No Trace ethic for hiking in Yosemite is respect for others’ Yosemite experiences. By yielding to others on trial, using hushed voices, and taking breaks off to the side of the trail, hikers allow one another to enjoy the sounds of nature and the solitude of Yosemite. The maximum hiking group size is 15 people on Yosemite trails.

Leave No Trace and Yosemite Camping

Leave No Trace ethics direct campers to choose durable surfaces for campsites and camping activities. In heavily used and popular areas like Yosemite Valley, this guideline means that campers should set up camps in designated or developed sites only and keep vehicles, tents, and equipment in these areas as well. Campsites shouldn’t be altered by cutting down trees or digging up plants or earth, and campers should restrict activities like picnicking and playing to graveled areas and spaces without vegetation. Yosemite Valley campers should keep their campsites tidy and avoid littering, spilling food, or allowing trash or plastic bags to blow away.

Yosemite Valley campers who build campfires should minimize their impact by making small fires and restricting them to fire rings or pits that are already present at their campsites. Leave No Trace ethics to discourage – and Yosemite Valley regulations prohibit – cutting firewood, including pine cones and pine needles, from living or dead trees. Campers can purchase firewood in Yosemite Valley or in small towns on the way to the park. An important part of Leave No Trace ethics is avoiding the spread of non-native species and forest pests. For a Yosemite trip, this guideline means that firewood should be procured within 50 miles of the park.

All wood should be burned to ash, trash should not be burned in campfires, and fires should be extinguished completely when unattended.

Leave No Trace and Yosemite Wildlife

A Yosemite vacation is enhanced by the presence of a wide variety of wildlife that calls Yosemite Valley home. Leave No Trace ethics to highlight the importance of respecting wildlife by keeping distant and not disturbing local animals, especially during sensitive times when they are mating, nesting, or raising young. Visitors should obey posted speed limits in Yosemite and watch carefully for wildlife, especially juveniles who are still learning the dangers of vehicles.

Visitors should never feed Yosemite wildlife, even inadvertently, by spilling or discarding food or trash on the ground. They should also leave pets at home or make sure that they are leashed and supervised at all times to protect wildlife. Pets are permitted only on paved trails in Yosemite Valley.

Visitors to Yosemite Valley must be particularly mindful of black bears. Once habituated to human food, Yosemite bears will break into cars, coolers, and campsites to get it. Yosemite Valley visitors must store food and scented items properly in provided food lockers and discard trash and recyclables in bear-proof receptacles; these items must never be left in vehicles or unattended at a campsite or in a backpack. Although negative encounters with Yosemite bears are decreasing in Yosemite Valley, human carelessness continues to endanger the lives of bears and set the stage for bear–human conflict.

Practicing Leave No Trace in Yosemite Valley

Just as collective carelessness in Yosemite Valley can lead to habitat destruction and damage to wildlife, thoughtful practice of Leave No Trace ethics can make a noticeable difference in the valley’s appearance and wildness. If every individual visiting Yosemite Valley uses the area responsibly and carefully, it will remain a natural and beautiful place for generations of plants, animals, and humans alike.