It's hard to believe that UB is only a half hour away from a gorgeous, breath taking and romantic natural wonder of the world. Just a border crossing away, Niagara Falls, Ont. is home to tourist hotspots, Maid of the Mist boat tours and a nightlife rivaling some of the biggest cities.
One thing that may intrigue potential visitors to Canada is the lower drinking age of 19. However, students planning a trip to the U.S.'s northern neighbor should bring along their passports or enhanced drivers license, otherwise the trip will be cut short at the border.
Students can explore Clifton Hill, which offers a variety of attractions, restaurants and bars. Two of the most popular bars include Boston Pizza and Rumors Nightclub.
Rumors boasts an elaborate sound and laser light system to complement their big screen projection monitor, which plays constant music videos. The club features several theme nights, including all hip-hop nights and nights playing top 40 and club/dance music. There are varying cover charges depending on the night of the week. Thursdays are free, Fridays cost $5 and Saturdays are $10, according to the club's Web site. Don't forget to dress to impress, the club has a dress code.
Boston Pizza has more of a sports bar theme to it, with arcade games, pool tables and a lot of TV's showing a variety of sporting events. The bar area is shaped like a huge square with multiple flat screen TVs on all sides. It serves food for when the munchies kick in. Bar goers can choose to eat at the bar or sit in the restaurant section.
Dave and Buster's new location on Clifton Hill is the latest bar to hit the Clifton Hill bar scene, offering an over-priced Chuck E. Cheese atmosphere packed with arcade games, a bar and mediocre food.
For those looking to try their luck on gambling, Casino Niagara and the Fallsview Casino and Resort have a combined 4,700 slots along with hundreds of table games and poker rooms. The Fallsview Casino is much larger than its competitor, featuring an assortment of shops, restaurants and entertainment options, along with a stunning view of the Horseshoe Falls.
One of the Fallsview's most popular entertainment options is Dragonfly Nightclub. Dragonfly is a high-end dance club, including a 12,000 square foot dance floor, bottle service, VIP sections and a very strict dress code, according to the club's Web site. A state of the art sound system plays music from world famous and local DJ's, including DJ Anthony and DJ Nick Stylez of Kiss 98.5.
Admission costs and themes vary by night. Friday night costs $10 and is open to those over 19. Saturday nights are geared towards a mature crowd, featuring rock, R&B and house music. Only clubbers 21-plus are allowed in after paying the $20 cover charge, according to the club's Web site.
Clifton Hill offers several outings that don't involve gambling or drinking, although heading to them with a bit of a buzz may not be a bad idea. A mini-golf course located near the Comfort Inn offers players a course completely lit by black lights and painted with all neon colors. Each hole has a different theme ranging from astronauts, mermaids and Elvis, each a bit more trippy than the last.
For students looking to reach new heights, Clifton Hill has a towering 175-foot Ferris wheel called the SkyWheel, which is open year round, according to the company's Web site. Riders pay $9.99 (Canadian) for a memorable trip that takes them well above the tree line for a bird's eye view of the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls and river below.
When planning your next weekend adventure, be sure to think outside the Buffalo area. Niagara Falls, Ont. is a sure bet on unforgettable excitement, scenery and bar hoping.
For more information on attractions, hotels and things to do visit: www.cliftonhill.com.
E-mail: spectrum-features@buffalo.edu
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
