This is a transcript of the video “Niagara Falls on Wheels” on the Homepage
AccesibleNiagara.com presents
Niagara Falls on Wheels:
Seeing is Believing
Copyright 2015 Linda Crabtree
Welcome to Niagara Falls, Ontario. I’m Linda Crabtree and I’ll be your guide today.
Chances are you’ll be staying in one of the thousands of hotel rooms above the falls
There are two steep hills leading down to the falls but the easiest and safest way down is on the Falls Incline Railway. That’s me, and my husband, Ron, getting on. I was born with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a progressive neuromuscular disorder.
Just look at that view!
The base of the incline railway lead to out to a long ramp that takes you to the Table Rock Welcome Centre and the falls.
The view from the Grande Hall at Table Rock gives you just a taste of what’s to come. And, there’s a seated photographer’s dream view from the Horseshoe Landing Patio and Grill just off the Grande Hall near the elevator.
The elevator takes you down to ground level and the service and information desk where wheelchairs are rented on a first come, first serve basis.
And then, just outside, is Niagara Falls – You can get so close it will take your breath away.
Here you can also take the Journey Behind the Falls. An elevator takes Ian and Faye Greaves down to a platform tucked in behind the Horseshoe Falls. Ian has multiple sclerosis and uses an electric wheelchair.
Our next stop is Bird Kingdom, within walking distance of the Falls, where I spent some time amongst colorful tropical birds including Lorikeets eager for a handout.
Now we’re going on a Hornblower Niagara Cruise to the base of the Canadian Falls and we could get very wet. Joining Ian and Faye are Jim and Loretta Davis. Jim was born with cerebral palsy and Loretta, spina bifida.
Ian and Faye stay back undercover so his motor and controls don’t get wet. The trip takes 20 minutes and is pretty fantastic.
Jim and Loretta don’t mind getting wet. Hi down there!
If you’re still not exhausted there are colored lights on the falls every night and fireworks over the falls several nights a week. And, there’s Clifton Hill, the zany, loud flashy part of Niagara Falls offering a huge arcade, bowling, billiards, miniature golf and even a gorgeous ferris wheel.
In fact, the next morning finds Ann and Bruno Villalta boarding the Niagara Skywheel at the top of Clifton Hill. Anne has had a stroke and Bruno is her loving caregiver. Skywheel capsules are totally enclosed and climate controlled. The view from 175 feet up is a sight to behold.
Aww!
Anne and Bruno’s next stop is the Skylon Tower. You’ll travel 775 feet to the top in 52 seconds where the view of the falls and surrounding area is magnificent.
Back on the ground, Bruno and Anne head over to the Niagara Parks Floral Showhouse. Seasonal flowers as well as a tropical area make this a beautiful place to take a breather. During the summer it’s surrounded by a huge rose garden and there’s a scent garden out back.
And now more nature at the White Water Walk on the rapids just north of the Falls with Jim and Loretta. Here there’s a quarter mile of boardwalk and 420 million years of rock layering in the Niagara gorge.
Accessible WEGO Green Line buses take you everywhere you need to go. Jim and Loretta are now off to the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens. One thing we learned from this active couple was that depending on your upper body strength you may need help with various ramps.
The 99-acre Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens also features the butterfly conservatory. More than 2000 butterflies land on tropical flowers, feeding stations and, if you’re lucky, you.
A bit further down the Niagara Parkway, Ron and I take in the huge floral clock featuring some 16,000 bedding plants. We’re told it’s photographed almost as much as the falls.
To give you an example of the accommodations available we visited two hotels: the Marriott Niagara Falls Fallsview Hotel and Spa which has a great view of the falls and a four piece accessible bathroom with total roll-in shower.
And, the Hilton Hotel and Suites directly across the road from the Fallsview Casino.
For more accessible place to stay, parks to wander, wineries to visit, restaurants to tempt your palate, great shopping and much more, please see AccessibleNiagara.com. We’re here to help you have a memorable, barrier-free visit to Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Credits:
Writer, Producer – Linda Crabtree
Director, Editor – Jordan Brock Fowler
D.O.P – Jeff Garriock
Music – Whitney Pea
Additional Video Provided by:
The Niagara Parks Commission
Thanks to our participants:
Ian and Faye Greaves
Jim and Loretta Davis
Ann and Bruno Villalta
Linda Crabtree and Ron Book
Thanks to our sponsors:
The Niagara Parks Commission
Niagara Falls Tourism and
HOCO Entertainment and Resorts
And for access to their properties
The Niagara Parks Commission,
WEGO Niagara Falls Visitor Transportation,
Bird Kingdom, The Skylon Tower, Hornblower Scenic Cruises,
HOCO Entertainment and Resorts, Hilton Hotel and Suites
and the Marriott Niagara Falls Fallsview Hotel and Spa
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