Floral Clock

The Floral Clock in Niagara is truly a spectacular sight. It is one of the few floral clocks in the world yet it boasts one of the largest clock faces, spanning 40 feet in diameter. A beautiful water garden curves around the base of the clock where anyone can toss in a coin and make a wish (all coins are donated to charity). More than just a show-piece, this clock does actually keep real time. At the back of the clock is a small tower that juts out which plays the Westminster Chimes every quarter of an hour (the same that play at Big Ben in England).

The face of the clock is made up of anywhere from 15,000 to 20,000 different types of plants. Depending on when you visit the clock you might see something quite different than someone coming a few months before you. The reason for this is that the face of the clock is changed out twice a year. By far not a small feat, but something that is needed to keep the Floral Clock looking its best. The changes normally happen around the Spring and late Fall months. Every year the Niagara Parks Horticulture staff choose a new design to arrange the plants in, which keeps locals and tourists alike to keep coming back to Niagara Falls and enjoy the new 'face' of the clock each time. You will find the Floral Clock situated just after the Sir Adam Beck Generating Station II (if coming from Niagara Falls).

It was originally built in 1950 by the Ontario Hydro company. To date Ontario Hydro still maintain the wonderful structure, but since 1977 the Niagara Parks Horticulture staff are the ones that maintain the clock face. These amazing people are the ones that change the face of the clock and keep it well groomed. If you were to ever visit the Floral Clock you will notice that the area around the clock and the clock itself is kept immaculate. The clock hands are made of stainless steel and are kept in good repair. An amazing sight to see whether as a local or a tourist.

References
Niagara Parks Site: http://www.niagaraparks.com/garden-trail/floral-clock.html
InfoNiagara: http://www.infoniagara.com/attractions/floral_clock/index.aspx

Happy Reading,
-- See Sight Tours Team

The Mighty Niagara Falls

The first few things that come to mind when we think about the falls is majesty, power and one of the last remaining beautiful sites of nature. We at See Sight Tours are genuinely lucky to live so near a wonderful natural creation. Unfortunately the Niagara Falls are not listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World (though we feel that they should be), regardless, they are awe-inspiring and a great place for some beautiful photographs. This is obviously the main attraction when people come to visit Niagara Falls, but there are many other attractions that either give you a great view of the falls (Skylon Tower) or get you up close and personal with them (Maid of the Mist & Journey Behind the Falls).

The amazing thing about the falls is not their height (they are average when compared to other waterfalls), but the amount of water that flows over them. Every minute, 1 million bathtubs can be filled with water from Niagara Falls (oh and that is after they have diverted half for hydroelectricity power plants). This diversion of water does slow down the eroding process of the falls (normally around 3-4 feet is eroded per year) but is now down to 1 foot every 10 years.

The Niagara Falls are comprised of 3 different waterfalls with two flowing on the American side and one on the Canadian side. They each are individually named as the American Falls (U.S. (obviously)), the Bridal Veil Falls (U.S.) and the Horseshoe Falls (Canadian). Niagara Falls is part of the Niagara River, which is a strait that connects Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. The Niagara River is roughly about 36 miles long (58 km) and about halfway is the Falls themselves. This river is home to some of the most dangerous rapids in existence where certain areas of the river rapids reach Grade 6 (the highest and most dangerous) types of rapids.

American Falls (larger falls on the left):
Crest: 850 ft. (260m)
Drop: 70 - 110 ft. (21 - 34m) *due to the rocks


Bridal Veil Falls (smaller falls on the right):
Crest: 50 ft. (15m)
Drop: 78 ft. (24m)

Horseshoe Falls:
Crest: 2,200 ft. (670m)
Drop: 188 ft. (57m)

Truly a sight to see for anyone that enjoys some fresh air and get to see a great part of mother nature. There is plenty of space to walk and enjoy the falls with railings for everyone's safety and great photographic areas. Many observation decks exist around the Niagara Parkway giving you a better view of Niagara Falls itself and the Niagara River. Come and see the majesty and the power that is Niagara Falls. 

References:
NYFalls.com: http://www.nyfalls.com/niagara/niagara-falls-faq3.html#How_much_of_the_water_is_being_diverted_for_power_generation
Niagara Falls Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_Falls


Happy Reading,
-- See Sight Tours Team

Journey Behind the Falls, A Roaring Adventure!

A wonderful thundering wet adventure where you get to see the falls closer than you had ever dared. This attraction takes you where it claims to, BEHIND the falls. You get to feel the spray of mist across your face and take fascinating pictures from behind the falls that will be the envy of your friends. This journey takes only 30-45 minutes and you get to see the falls rushing before you at 65 km/h (40 mph).

Entering through the Table Rock House you get a bio-degradable raincoat for everyone that is going. There are two caves that run behind the Horseshoe Falls that guests get to walk around in and the waterfall is visible through the cave entrances.

Tickets for Journey Behind the Falls (April – December):

Adults (13+): $14.95

Children (6-12): $9.95

Children under 5 are Free!

Check out their website for more info and winter ticket prices:

http://www.niagaraparks.com/attractions/behind-the-falls.html

Fun facts about Journey Behind the Falls:

For 400 years people have tried to get a close look at Niagara Falls, travelling down fake stairs (broken tree trunks) to get close to the falls.

1818 – First set of enclosed stairway built

1887 – Niagara Parks Commission (who took over in 1885) installed a hydraulic elevator.

1889 – First tunnel was built.

1902 – The Ontario Power Company created a new “Scenic Tunnel” and elevator whilst taking over the old elevator.

1925 – New Table Rock House was built with dressing rooms and the elevator to the “Scenic Tunnels”

1944 – A new tunnel was built and lined with concrete; powered by electricity

1990 – Raincoats and boots were changed to a new biodegradable poncho, most are kept as a souvenir.

1994 – The name of Scenic Tours was changed to Journey Behind the Falls

An adventure great for the entire family, especially those afraid of a boat. This attraction is unguided and you can spend the allotted amount of time as you wish. An observation platform at the bottom gives you a breathtaking view of the Horseshoe Falls (perfect for pictures).

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey_Behind_the_Falls

http://www.niagaraparks.com/attractions/behind-the-falls.html

Thanks for Reading,

-- See Sight Tours Team

Founding of See Sight Tours

Earlier today in a conversation with Whirlpool Jet Boats, we were asked how See Sight Tours started up.


Its a bit of a funny story. Picture, if you will, a high school student with a small booth set up out in front of a motel on Ferry Street, holding up a sign offering tours of Niagara Falls. That was the beginning.


After working in the Imax theatre, Daud saw a number of tour companies passing through, and the thought occurred to him "That looks like fun". Soon after, Daud invested in a van, sawed a work bench, and set up a little booth. He plastered the booth with signs saying "See Sight Tours". He'd go for three weeks without a sale -  people would often comment on Daud's sign suggesting he meant to write Sightseeing Tours. To those still asking that question, it wasn't a typo!!


Daud stood at that booth from 9 am until 9 pm everyday. Finally, he received his first sale on July 1st, 2006. 


To all you young business owners out there, persistance really does pay off!


Years later, See Sight Tours now operates differently. There is no more booth hewn from an old work bench. Complete with full-time staff and tour guides, See Sight Tours is proud to be known as small family owned tour company in Niagara Falls, Ontario.


Thanks for reading,


-- See Sight Tours Team.

Skylon Tower

Quick Fun Facts:

• 775 ft above the Falls (520 ft about the ground)
• Supports a classy revolving dining room just below the observation deck
• 360 degree indoor AND outdoor observation deck

Tickets for Ride to the Top (~52 seconds) in the "yellow bug" elevators to the observation deck (see if you can spot them from outside on the ground) are:
(already includes taxes)

Adults (13+): $13.91*

Children (2-12): $8.11*

*All prices in Canadian Dollars


If driving to Skylon Tower their parking lot, which is just $5.00 Canadian for all day parking, offers a great place to park your car and visit all the attractions that Niagara Falls has to offer. Skylon Tower is located in the heart of the Falls area and is walking distance to Clifton Hill and the Hotel area.

The Skylon Tower is famous in Niagara Falls because of its amazing view. It holds many souvenir shops, a couple Starbucks as well as an arcade on the bottom floor. Skylon Tower also boasts its own Revolving Dining Room and Summit Suite Buffet Dining Room. The Revolving Dining Room actually revolves once every hour to give you an amazing view while enjoying your lunch or dinner (we recommend getting window seats). With all these amenities it is an important attraction as it gives you a very unique perspective of the Falls.

If you are interested in dining room reservations: http://www.skylon.com/diningreservations.html

History of Skylon Tower:
The Skylon Tower opened October 6, 1965, just after a full year of construction. It was constructed using the slipform method, which is the method that pours concrete into the desired form and is slowly poured on top as you move up the tower. It was the second tower, at the time, built using that method.

It was owned by a private partnership called the Niagara International Centre. The Canadian Pacific Hotels company was hired on to operate Skylon Tower. After ten years (1975), the Canadian Pacific Hotels purchased Skylon tower from the Niagara International Centre.

In 1986, Skylon Tower was purchased by local hotel owners John Gruyich and George Yerich, but after two years George has purchased John's share of Sklyon Tower, yet Milicent Gruyich owns the land under the Skylon Tower until this day.

The Skylon Tower still looks much of the same as it did back in the 70s and 80s. In 2008, some work was done to the roof to bring out its bright copper colour.

References:

http://www.skylon.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skylon_Tower
http://accessniagara.com/blog/2005/08/19/skylon_tower_facts/

Thanks for Reading,
See Sight Tours Team

Maid of the Mist Boat Tour

The Maid of the Mist is probably the most popular attraction that exists in Niagara Falls. It began operating as a ferry just over 165 years ago for the Niagara River. Unfortunately, in 1848 that business depleted due to a new bridge that was built. The owners then saw fruit to change the business to a tourist attraction and so began the amazing adventures of the Maid of the Mist.

The Maid of the Mist is a boat-tour that takes you right up to the Horseshoe Falls. You can feel the spray of the Falls right on your face (don't worry raincoats are provided) and get to see the Falls closer than most people. It is an enjoyable ride that is fun for the entire family and tickets are only:

Adults (13 or older): $19.75*

Child (5 - 12): $12.65*

Children under 5 are FREE!*


*Prices were found on Maid of the Mist official site. Please note that the prices could change without being updated here.

The last day that Maid of the Mist will run for 2012 will be October 24, 2012.

Some notable events for the Maid of the Mist:

• The American Civil War and impending financial pressure made the company sell its last boat in 1860 just after King Edward the VII took a ride.
• The creation of a partnership called the Maid of the Mist Steamboat Company in 1895 which restored service of the attraction.
• On April 22, 1955 the original Maid of the Mist I and Maid of the Mist II boats burned in a pre-season accident. New and improved boats were built powered by diesel engines and now made of steel.
• July 9, 1960 The Maid of the Mist helped rescue Roger Woodward, the first ever survivor who plunged over the Horseshoe Falls with nothing but a life jacket. He was seven-years-old at the time of the incident.
• Hornblower Canada has won the contract from the Niagara Parks Commission for the boat tour and will service in 2014.

Some notable people that visited Maid of the Mist were:

King Edward VII, King of England (at the time Prince of Wales) (1860)

Jawaharlal Nehru, 1st Prime Minister of India (1949)

Marilyn Monroe filming "Niagara" (1952)

Alexei N. Kosygin, Soviet Premier (1967)

Pierre Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister (1983)

Li Xiannian, President of the People's Republic of China (1985)

Prince Charles and Princess Diana of Wales with Princes Willam and Harry (1991)

You can visit the Maid of the Mist at: http://www.maidofthemist.com/en/

We at See Sight Tours would also like to thank Maid of the Mist for the role that they played in rescuing Roger Woodward as well as the other brave ones that helped rescue his sister Deanna. Our hats are off to those courageous men and women.

To read the full Roger and Deanna Woodward Story see here: 

http://www.reservationsystems.com/niagara_daredevils/roger_woodward.html

If you come to Niagara Falls this is an attraction that you can't miss! So get those raincoats on 'cause it's about to get wet!

References:

Maid of the Mist Official Site: http://www.maidofthemist.com/en/

Wiki Maid of the Mist: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maid_of_the_Mist

CBC News Article Concerning Maid of the Mist Transfer of Ownership (May 7, 2012): 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/03/07/toronto-maid-mist-niagara-falls.html

Thanks for Reading,

See Sight Tours Team

Welcome!

This Tours of Niagara Falls blog was created to give everyone a glimpse into how we at See Sight Tours conduct our business and the goings-on in Niagara Falls. You were probably wondering why the url is iloveniagarafalls.blogspot.com, this is what we felt truly captured how we feel and what we want our guests to experience. We sincerely hope after you have visited us (either virtually or physically) you will feel this way.

Our goals for this blog:

We want to reach out to as many people that are interested in Niagara Falls and we will be doing our best to deliver the content our readers will be looking for. This blog hopes to bring light to the many different attractions, current news and what is new, up and coming in Niagara Falls. We hope to become your one-stop shop for news and information concerning Niagara Falls.

A little bit about See Sight Tours:

We are a sightseeing tour company that takes our guests all around Niagara Falls and entertain them with some history about the falls, different historic moments (barrel bobbing over the falls) and the amazing and varied attractions that are available during your visit. Our goal is to give you the best experience we possibly can so it doesn’t feel like you are with just another tour company, but THE tour company. We endeavour to make your vacation as memorable as it can be with us and as non-complicated as possible (we pick you up ANYWHERE in Niagara Falls, Ontario).

You can visit us at: http://www.seesight-tours.com

With every post we want you to enjoy and see Niagara Falls the way we do (beauty and splendor included)!


EDIT: Changed title to 'Welcome!'. Removed heading

Happy Readings,

See Sight Tours Team