Spring is a time for regrowth and regeneration, with leaves budding on trees, flowers blooming and animals returning after hibernating or heading south for the winter. For Niagara Parks, this season is not only a time to welcome visitors to some of its natural attractions, but also to unveil some of the brand-new experiences they can enjoy.
At one of Niagara Parks’ most popular new attractions, the Niagara Parks Power Station + Tunnel, new features have been added to both the daytime and nighttime experiences at the historic hydroelectric station. First built in 1905 and opened to the public in 2021, it is a century-old restored hydroelectric power generating station that is now home to unique educational exhibits and a 670-metre-long tunnel that leads to an observation deck at the Niagara River’s edge below the Falls.
Those new experiences include an all-new bilingual audio tour included with general admission that will help visitors of all ages learn more about the evolution of the power station, including previously untold information from archival material and stories from past employees. Guests will also have the ability to upgrade their ticket to tour the power station with an expert interpreter for an intimate guided experience.
A couple enjoys an exclusive viewing of the Illuminated Niagara Falls during the Power Station at Night experience.
ContributedAlso new this spring, visitors will be able to feel the electric charge of Nikola Tesla, one of the pioneers of electricity who helped harness the power of Niagara Falls. A larger-than-life, ground-breaking Tesla coil will appear to bring the power station to life with an unforgettable spectacle of crackling electricity.
Visitors can experience a unique perspective of the station at night, when this cathedral of power’s grounds and main generator hall are beautifully lit. As well, there will be flexible presentations of Currents — its immersive show that uses sounds, lights and projections to make it appear like the station has come back to life. It will run continuously from 7 p.m. through 10 p.m., allowing guests more flexibility to explore the station at night.
Once they descend in the station’s glass-paneled elevator to the more than 670-metre-long tunnel that leads to an observation deck at the Niagara River’s edge, visitors will also be greeted by new lighting activations. And, once at the observation point, they will experience one-of-a-kind nighttime views of the illuminated American and Canadian Falls. Guests can also time their visit to take in the nightly fireworks displays from this incredible vantage point.
Visitors explore the interactive exhibits and installations at the Niagara Parks Power Station.
ContributedNiagara Parks’ mandate to preserve and promote the natural and cultural heritage of the 56-kilometre Niagara River corridor extends beyond its man-made attractions and also includes its natural wonders. Niagara Parks’ White Water Walk is a self-guided boardwalk and trail that takes you into the Niagara Gorge where you can get close to the river’s Class 6 rapids and really experience its power. The gorge is part of the UNESCO Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve, a globally significant area because of its unique collection of plant and animal species.
Nature lovers will also relish the chance to connect with the more than 2,000 fluttering butterflies at Niagara Parks’ Butterfly Conservatory. Be sure to take the time to explore the surrounding Botanical Gardens, which act as a living classroom for the students of Niagara Parks’ historic School of Horticulture. In contrast to the sprawling gardens, the Floral Showhouse provides curated and meticulously designed floral displays that change with the seasons, showcasing spectacular collections of blooms such as hydrangeas and chrysanthemums. And, of course, there is the Falls, which dramatically sees one-fifth of the world’s freshwater crashing over the brink into the basin and gorge below.
The best way to experience all Niagara Parks has to offer is to purchase a Niagara Parks Adventure Pass Plus, which costs $104 plus taxes. Representing a 57 per cent savings, it gives you access to the above attractions along with Journey Behind the Falls that takes you 13 storeys below ground to come face to face with the mighty Falls, Niagara’s Fury, the Whirlpool Aero Car — it ferries you across the river high above the gorge — and four heritage sites.
Those heritage sites include Old Fort Erie, the National Historic Site that played a pivotal role in the War of 1812, and McFarland House, a Georgian-style mansion and one of Niagara Parks’ oldest properties that also served as a military hospital by both the Americans and the British during the conflict. There is also the Laura Secord Homestead, where the Canadian heroine lived, and the Mackenzie Printery, the restored home of rebel publisher William Lyon Mackenzie.
The pass also provides you with three days access to the WEGO bus transportation system, which connects Niagara Parks attractions and area hotels, the Falls Incline Railway that connects the Table Rock Welcome Centre to the Fallsview Tourist Area, and the shuttle bus to the nearby town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Learn more about the Niagara Parks Adventure Pass Plus and all its offerings at niagaraparks.com/deals.
