The Region of Niagara

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Within the Region of Niagara, there are so many interesting destinations to visit throughout the year & festivals to endure in. The Niagara Region is one of the most romantic places to visit throughout the seasons. And is home to some of the best wines, ice wines & fruit within Canada alone!!!

The Falls of Niagara was created at the time of the Last Ice Age, from two glaciers and from the newly formed body of water that formed the Great Lakes, in which also paved a path to the Niagara Escarpment in route to the Atlantic Ocean. Over 4 million cubic feet of water flow over the falls on an average setting per a minute, and the falls itself is relatively not high in height, but rather wider in width. Niagara Falls is one of the most powerful falls within the North American continent alone!!!!

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is the distinct point of where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario. When one is visiting along the shores of the River, one can see the shorelines of the Unite States, in which is directly across from Niagara-on-the-Lake. The arrival of the particular indigenous people of the First Nations Tribe called "the Neutrals" and the New English Settlements had taken over the Region of Niagara-on-the-Lake and called themselves' Newarks. Then after the American Revolution such Counties of the Lincoln & Welland area had many migrated British settlers settling in, within many formed roots of heightened degrees in loyalty traits to King & Country. These traits helped in the formation of the area within the portraying of such key roles in the agricultural, economic, industrial & educational development sectors of the market, within the period of the 1860s!!!

Within the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake Region, the War of 1812 battlement had taken place amongst the grounds. Many critical battles took place here in the defense of Upper Canada and Laura Secord, a great heroine had gained her fame on the grounds of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Town gave many Black Americans a taste of freedom through the means of the underground railroad, and was a stopping place in the means of venturing North into Upper Canada. The final destination of the Underground Railroad took place in the City of St.Catherine. Where William Hamilton Meritt, constructed a few tunnels from his home to the Welland Canal on the Niagara River. Thus, the City of St. Catherine's' had played a very important role within the Black Canadian History and the Underground Railroad for those African slaves whom were fleeing America from the Slavery Act!!!! To find further readings on William Hamilton Meritt the informative information can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hamilton_Merritt And for those whom want to read up on a very eerie tale on the Merritt building in St.Catherine's, one can find the information here: http://www.hauntedhamilton.com/investigations_merritthouse.html

The Niagara Peninsula was one of the first places to be found, developed & settled in as Upper Canada by the British Loyalists within the late 18th century. After the Agricultural period was established within the Peninsula, shortly afterwards, the Industrial period began. The Niagara Region played a very important roll within the Industrial Trade Period due to the development of the generation of hydro-electric power. Many water-powered mills were developed and helped within the forming of electricity to the Region. Both Niagara Falls & St.Catherine Regions are both significant landmarks within the shaping of Electricity in which many of us depend on in todays society of age!!!!

As of today, there still stands a high degree of agriculture within the region alone. Many fruit farmers settled along the shores of Lake Ontario & the Niagara Escarpment. Many Canals had been developed within the Region, to help connect international markets to many mineral resources through the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway.

The Niagara Region has a very exceptional climate for holding many vineyards & fruit production farms, due to the surrounding Lakes that contribute to the mild climate & excellent soil conditions for the region. The Niagara Region plays a very important part within the International Markets and the Canadian Industry of Wines & Fruit. This region is home to some of the Best World renowned Ice Wines of the World!!!

For those whom are interested in partaking in a Wine Venture, there is a very entrapping wine tour route within the Niagara Region, and holds many interesting stops to take note on. Along the Wine Route Hwy, one can note that it has many curves, turns & loops that spur off into the vast region of the Niagara vineyards, and connect all the wineries together & all the communities within the Niagara Region also. If one is starting off in Grimsby on Hwy 8 this road then turns into the Niagara Regional Road 81, and branches off into two separate routes in St.Catherines. One Route travels towards the banks of Lake Ontario and passes through the county of Port Dalhousie. Then the Second Route travels along the edges of the Niagara Escarpment and through the county of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The two routes join together within the Olde Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake & are not far from the Mouth of the Niagara River. One can find all the useful information & maps in regards to the Niagara Region Wine Tour at the nearest LCBO, or one can find out more information here & get a full listing of wineries & a map on the Wine Routes here: http://www.wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com/pdfs/WNOTL_Map2011_web.pdf

When visiting around the Niagara Falls, one can take note of a few local tourist spots that surround the area. The Queen Victoria Park resides near the Falls & has many manicured grounds & gardens, and then there are two towers that can offer visitors a viewing eye of the falls and the skyline of Toronto & the Niagara Region. The name of these two towers are Skylon & the Minolta. Further along the River, one can find a Nature Trail that passes along side the River. This Trail is 35 miles long and runs from Fort Erie right up to Fort George, and one can stop for a rest at many historical sites that are in relation to the War of 1812!!!! If one is interested in learning more on the War of 1812 and how significant it was to Canada & the Region of Niagara, one can find a very informative information here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_1812

There are also so many activities & scenes to visit within the Niagara Falls area alone, and of it being a highly known World Landmark for a tourist destination to the World. The Clifton Hills Promenade is in relative proximity of the Niagara Falls & the Niagara River, and has so many spots to take in. The Street contains many gift shops & a wax museum, restaurants & hotels, haunted houses & themed attractions. For many young visitors of a certain age, its a major area for the nightlife scene, and its also a major amusement area for many families & teenagers. Thus the Clifton Hills is suited for almost every person within todays society!!!! One can find out all about the Clifton Hills & all the informative information in regards to all the attractions within the promenade here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifton_Hill_(Niagara_Falls)

There are numerous festivities within the Region of Niagara, within the Winter season. One can find that the Streets of the Niagara Falls area are all filled with many vibrant colored lights situated along the Niagara River Parkway, and are all laced up with many beautiful displays of sparkling & shimmering lights. As well, there are around 125 animated light displays, three million trees & ground lights within the Niagara Parks & Winter Wonderland grounds. Within this past Winters season, the Park had put together a very enchanting display of the world's famous Enchantment of Disney & the world's largest illuminated Canadian-American Flag. In which, this festival runs from November right up to February. To find out more information in regards to this Winter Festival, just go to this website for all the details: http://www.wfol.com/about.html and take note on the photo section too!!!

For those people whom are into the wining & dining festivities, or are more into savoring a great tasting wine within a connoisseur state of mind. Starting in January, there is the Niagara Ice Wine Festival, where one can find the best of the best tasting Ice Wines of the Niagara Region & the world alone. For those whom are interested in finding out more about this elegant event, just go to this website for more information: http://www.wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com/featweek.html As well, there is also a Festival called the Days of Wine & Chocolate. If anyone is interested in finding out all about this event, just go to this website for all the details: http://www.wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com/dowac.html

For those whom love the great outdoors & strolling into the scenes of nature & visiting parks, than one can find that the Niagara Parks regions of Niagara have just some of the most dashing places filled with many different scenes of nature. There is a vast majority of options to do within the Parks scenes', such as taking a very mystical ferry ride into the falls & simply feeling the mist of the water as it cascades over the falls. For those whom are into taking a more spontaneous adventure, one can partake in a viewing of the falls from an aerial point of view, by a method of an antique cable car. This kind of adventure transports you across the Niagara River & the Niagara Falls and almost makes you feel like your one with the river, or better yet makes you feel as if your actually gliding along the tumbling currents of the river. There are many more adventures one can partake in within the Niagara Parks region, and one can find out more about the Niagara Parks Attractions by viewing the website: http://www.niagaraparks.com/attractions/

For those whom are wanting to make a weekend or an over night stay within the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, there are many quaint 4 starred accommodations within a Hotel setting and Bed & Breakfast Inns. There is such a unique old style of architecture used within the buildings in Niagara-on-the-Lake. One can find a very relaxing spa located within the town, in which, one can take an afternoon & get all pampered from head to toe & simply feel rejuvenated once the evening roles in. Then within the evening attire, one can find many different restaurants in which can cater to many different mouth watering tastes within the cuisine couture world of dining. When strolling along the street of Queen Street, many will find many small quaint boutiques & stores that sell an assortment of things that range from antiques & collectibles, souvenirs & apparel, art & Home decor and much much more can be found here: http://www.niagaraonthelake.com/page/jpage/1/p/attraction/content.do?orgDitchnetTabPaneId=shop# and
http://www.facebook.com/NiagarasFinestInns?v=info

Niagara has to be one of the most fascinating, but yet very diverse regions within the Southern Ontario district alone. Where one can just go for a mere vacation or a road trip down to the region of Niagara and explore all the small, but yet uniquely charming characteristic towns & counties of the region. In which, some are spread out along the Wine Route, Niagara Escarpment & along the shores of Lake Ontario. All the information on Niagara can also be found here: http://www.tourismniagara.com/ As well, one can find out all the necessary information to make the trip down to the Niagara Region all the more merrier, and simply put, "worth the drive down to Niagara a memorable one for years on end!!!"

"The Niagara Region is simply a very charming & magical kind of place for all, and is filled with many enlightening characteristics of that old world charm!!!"

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