Are jet boats like Seadoos? Just rode those in the Bahamas and loved it!!

 

No the jet boats in the Niagara are aluminum hulled with triple turbo cats. Seat probably 30 people and scoot up through the rapids. I forget what class of rapids they are but the guide says not many vessels can do it. Jumps through the rapids and soaks everyone in the boat. Their is a covered one as well for those who do not want to get wet but its not as much fun. Ice wine festival just happened end of January. Their is always something going on wine related in the niagara region. Lots to see and do from quaint country to tacky tourist city. Niagara casino just down the road above the falls, good concerts lots of hotels. Toronto about an hour away. I live on the worlds longest freshwater beach about 2-3 hours north.

 

Wow...that must be a wild ride! I'll have to make a note for next year's ice wine fest. I've been to Keuka Lake wine country in NY and it was great!
Thanks for all the info!

 

If you cross onto the Canadian side, head across the Rainbow Bridge, and turn left, I guess, to get to the Falls. If you keep going (towards Marineland), follow the route around, along the Falls, and past Marineland. Eventually, the road will come to a t-intersection. There's a biker-friendly bar on the right, and a Tim Horton's through the lights. Turn left, and go over the bridge. At the first set of lights (kind of a screwy intersection - buildings on your right, bandstand on your left). Turn left, and take that short street to the end. Turn right at the stop sign. This is the Niagara Parkway. Very nice, winding road that's around 30km's long. Follows the Falls all the way to Fort Erie along the Niagara River. Beautiful, gently winding, and good pavement. River on the left, wineries on the right. No restaurants or anything, but if you need to, about halfway along, there's a marina on your left with public restrooms. Tons of small parking areas along the route to stop and relax, or take pics.

Here's a couple of pcis along that route:





Cannon

 

Alternatively, if you want to do the touristy thing, I'd say cross the Rainbow Bridge and turn right. That is to say, heading away from the Falls. You will first come to the gorge ride, and then the generating station, and then after that, the floral clock. all have places you can pull over. At these points, you are way above the Niagara River by, I'd say, a couple of hundred feet. There are actually parks along the route on your right, with large scaffold-like staircases that will let you walk down the gorge. As you go along, there are more historical monuments, and I think a botanical museum/college. Lots of restaurants and touristy-stores. As well, several wineries and stores on your left.

Once you cross the only real intersection (leading you to the USA), keep heading along the road. You will go down a steep hill with a slight s-bend, and be back along your tour. The first thing on your right as you enter the outskirts of the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake will be the Laura Secord homestead (my great-great (great?) grandmother).

No, I don't get free chocolates.

You will be on another winding section of roadway. This has a path where most of the hot babes go rollerblading. Try to keep your eyes on the road. Eventually, on your right, you will find Fort George (and there's tours there), and then you will enter the little town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Lots of tiny little shops & tea houses. Good luck finding a parking spot during tourist season, and watch for horses & buggies (and all the good things that go with that).

After that, there's not much else. You come to the end of the road with a golf course on your right, and a left turn. I only know this road as the one that leads me through town. Take it straight, towards the QEW Niagara flyover (way off in the distance). There will be a Donut Diner & gas station on your right. Keep going straight, and you come out under the flyover to Private Eyes strip joint, and the canal. I only know this road as Hwy 8, which will take me through Grimsby, Hamilton, Dundas, and eventually, home. If you cross the canal and turn left, there's a small historic military cemetary full of my ancestors.

Cannon

 

AND...depending on how far you want to keep going - once you hit Fort Erie, pass the Mather Memorial (looks like the Parthenon, but a scaled-down version), turn right up the hill towards the lights. Keep going straight, and you can cross into the USA. Turn right, and there's a main drag with lots of fast-food joints and gas stations. If you're patient, and can ride for another half hour or so, keep going straight. This is Hwy 3. Keep riding (you'll see signs to Sherkston Beach), and the road spreads out into a long straight stretch of four lanes of country highway and a centre lane. You could land a 747, or do 300 on your Hayabusa. At the end of this straightaway is a small town and a stock car track. Slow down & do the speed limit - the cops sit around the corner to nab you. Of interest along the route are some stores, and a Great Dane breeder - you can usually see a ton of the Daneson his property loping around.

Whatever the case, after the race track (which is in the process of being torn down), you come into Port Colborne. There's a gas station on your left at a set of lights, and a Tim Horton's as well. On the right is a hacienda-style sports bar called "Moe's". Definately stop there. I do every time. You can park right beside the patio and eat in the company of your bike, or go inside. Good food, and good prices. I'd recommend the chicken caesar wrap (the wraps are their specialty). If you don't want alcohol - have the lemonade; it's home-made. The waitresses & bartender are also not hard to look at.

I could go on from here - anyone want to know a really nice, meandering & scenic route to Port Dover from here, let me know.

I also know some nice routes back to Cambridge from Dover, or Grimsby.

Cannon

 

BIG BIKE GATHERING EVERY FRI THE 13TH IN PORT DOVER ONTARIO CANADA, THIS YEAR IT IS IN JUNE, ABOUT 50,000 PEOPLE.NICE RIDE UP THERE COMIMG FROM CLEVELAND AREA.
PLENTY TO DO AND ALOT OF BACK ROAD RIDING.

 

How much time do you have? We have travelled all over the place in penn., New York State and we live in Toronto....45 minutes from the Falls. If you have a bit of time i can give some nice back roads to get you there and back home using back roads with great scenery....

Life is Great.....We all Ride!!!!

 

US 62 out of Ohio to the falls is a good ride.