Field Trips To Canada

Alien Encounters
Billing itself as Canada’s only interactive Alien museum/haunted house, those who dare enter come face to face with full scale alien figures from classic Sci-Fi movies, including Alien, Predator, Independence Day, Species, Star Wars, Star Trek, Roswell and more. Film footage from the 1947 Roswell Alien Autopsy is on view. Haunted house visitors must choose between the Yellow Tour (scary, but hands off) and the Red Tour (not for the weak-hearted, given that aliens will reach out for a touching experience when least expected).

Butterfly Conservatory
Grounds of the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens are home to one of North America’s largest collections of free flying butterflies, with the Butterfly Conservatory featuring a 600-foot network of pathways providing access for the physically challenged.

Criminals Hall of Fame Wax Museum
The Old West, Roaring 20’s, and modern day crime scenes come to life in a self-guided tour with about 40 wax figures and snippets of history to inform and entertain. Gift shop stock includes t-shirts, posters and handcuffs.

Dufferin Islands
One of Niagara’s hidden treasures is on a 10-acre plot alongside the upper Niagara River. Dufferin Islands, originally formed by glacial drift, were further extended by the Ontario Power Company in the 1900s with rock fill excavated from the river. Winding trails invite leisurely strolls through the eleven small islands, over small bridges leading to areas for viewing waterfowl and other inhabitants. Anglers of all ages can enjoy the “catch and release” fish program. From mid-November to mid-January, during the annual Winter Festival of Lights, Dufferin Islands are aglow with numerous animated lighting displays.

Falls Incline Railway
The historic Falls Incline Railway operates twin cable-rail cars between the Minolta Tower Centre and Table Rock. Rail cars run daily from late March through late October, weather permitting.

Fighter Combat International
Offering extreme aerial adventure, Fighter Combat International provides a varied menu including opportunity to be a top gun with aerial combat missions and one-on-one dog fights. Ultimate aerobatics, from mild to wild, including seeing Niagara “upside down” with or above “the Falls” in an open cockpit vintage biplane.

Fine Line Sportfishing Services
Experienced guides are fully licensed for fishing the awesome waters of Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, or the Niagara River.

Floral Clock
One of the world’s largest, this 40-foot diameter floral clock built by Ontario Hydro in 1950 has some 20,000 small plants closely placed to create elaborate designs that are changed twice a year. Gardeners use long ladders over the clock for trimming every two weeks. In autumn, four cultivars of Alternanthera are used along with the green and grey forms of Santolina Sage. California Golden Privet provides contrast along with Blue Festuca Grass. In spring, designs feature violas, pansies and other violets. Nearby, the Westminister chimes strike every 15 minutes.

Guinness World Of Records Museum
An open invitation for visitors to take a family photograph in the World’s Largest Chair or to try to stop rotation of a six-ton Floating Granite Ball in the lobby stands along with access to record-breaking facts through computer data banks in Sports World, Animals and Structures. Videos chronicle adventures in space, the marathon toppling of dominoes, and the crazy food eaters consuming record quantities of hard-cooked eggs, hamburgers and such.

Haunted House & House of Frankenstein
Providing new meaning to the word nightmare, Haunted House has the requisite ghost in every corner, and a skeleton in every closet, with virtually every kind of ghoul imaginable. By contrast, House of Frankenstein, a door or so away, shelters monsters back from the deceased, creatures lurking in shadows, not living – and yet – not dead. There’s no turning back after climbing the 13 entry steps, and visitors must find the hidden passageway to finish the journey of terror, or be lost forever in clutching darkness.

Historic Fort Erie
A strategic military site during the War of 1812, Fort Erie was occupied by American troops using this location as an operations base for invasion of upper Canada. Authentically dressed guards and interpreters bring to life this re-created 1812 British Garrison. Open mid-May to mid-September, the site includes a playground and picnic area.

Journey Behind The Falls
This year-around attraction affords thrilling views of the Falls from below and behind. Visitors descend 150 feet by elevator, where a short (150 feet) tunnel accesses two outdoor observation decks and two portals located directly behind the falls. To experience the thunder of the “Horseshoe,” visitors also can walk through 650 feet of man-made tunnels leading to an observation plaza at the brink of the Falls, just above river level. Disposable, biodegradable raincoats are provided when necessary.

Laura Secord Homestead
During the War of 1812, Laura Secord set out on a 20-mile trek through American lines and over while, unsettled terrain to warn British forces of an impending attack at Beaverdams. The homestead features authentic circa 1812 furnishings. Ice cream and Laura Secord chocolates are offered in the annex building, on the spot believed to be the location of the original summer kitchen.

Mackenzie Heritage Printery Museum
The clank of presses and the smell of printer’s ink permeates history in the home of political reformer William Lyon Mackenzie. A working Linotype and eight operating heritage presses encourage interactive experiences while exploring the 500-year history of letterpress printing. Rarest in the museum’s collection is the Louis Roy Press, the oldest printing press in Canada and one of the few original wooden presses left in the world.

Magical Fantasies Illusion Show
Illusions, choreographies and acrobatic stunts unfold with a cast of 30 starring Frederic Clement as the Ultimate Master in a two hour, multi-million dollar production. Eye-blinkers include appearance and disappearance of a full size helicopter on stage, an incredible decapitation, the aerial vanishing of a cage containing 13 people and Houdini’s famed “Metamorphosis” at world record speed, with a see-through bag and trunk.

McFarland House
Built in 1800 from bricks made in a kiln on the property, this Georgian home was used as a hospital during the War of 1812. The original John McFarland, a widower with four children, emigrated from Paisley, Scotland around 1782. He married a neighbor, and before her death in 1809, five children were born, leading to addition of a back wing. Guided tours can be accompanied by relaxing in the herb garden. Tea and home-baked goods along with Niagara wine are served at the McFarland Tea Garden.

Mildred M. Mahoney Dolls’ House Gallery
One of the world’s largest collections of doll houses covers 200 years from 1780-1980. The 140 miniature homes are decorated and furnished to the period – circa 1780 to 1985. The gallery is open May 1 through Dec. 31 “by chance or appointment.”