Clifton Hill – Niagara Falls Resort

Many first-time visitors to Niagara Falls have a pretty good idea of ​​what they expect to see when they arrive: roaring water and a cavalcade of tourists clamoring for that perfect view. They look forward to seeing the Maid of The Mist, that legendary ship that takes visitors on a soggy ride to the mouth of Horseshoe Falls. Perhaps they hope to stay in a stately resort hotel overlooking the majesty of it all.

What they usually don’t expect, though, is Niagara Falls’ second most popular attraction: the Clifton Hill Tourist District.

Crossing the Rainbow Bridge into Canada, the first thing visitors encounter is Clifton Hill; a short, winding street filled with attractions unrelated to the falls. It is a larger than life flickering wonderland of tourist town beauty. Visitors will no doubt recognize the names of most attractions.

There are no less than four (yes, 4!) haunted house attractions, several Ripley’s museums, wax museums, a large Ferris wheel, several arcades, chain restaurants, an indoor water park, a casino… and the list goes on. During the day, screaming children run around the rides, at night the older crowds emerge to enjoy the many themed bars and restaurants. At all hours, the area is packed with lights, sound and people, like a mini Times Square and Las Vegas, all crammed into one little corner.

Clifton Hill is a mile away from the Fallsview section of the city (where the main tourist centers are located). There are several budget hotels in the Clifton Hill area, but the Sheraton on the Falls towers over them. It is certainly the most exclusive; mirroring the best Fallsview resorts, but with less of a view of Horseshoe Falls.

If you’re hiking to Niagara Falls, you pretty much won’t be able to avoid Clifton Hill – all the roads seem to lead right up to it.