The land on which this hotel stands, was originally owned by Philip George Bender, one of the first settlers in what is now the City of Niagara Falls, Ontario. While a young man, he emigrated from Germany to New Jersey, and later moved to the Philadelphia area. While there the American Revolution broke out. As Tories, or Loyalists, he and his wife were driven from their home and persecuted to the point where they decided to relocate into Canada. As a result, in the winter of 1776, they became part of a group of 53 Loyalists who followed the wilderness trail to Niagara.

The journey was a very difficult one. Some, unable to continue, dropped out and were cared for by sympathizers. Others succumbed to disease, exhaustion, cold and hunger. The following April, only seven out of the 53 Loyalists, including the Benders, reached Fort Niagara. Standing on the east side of the Niagara River, where it empties into Lake Ontario, the fort was still controlled by the British. Here Phillip joined Butler’s Rangers, a force that raided American frontier settlements. In 1782, because of his loyalty and service, the British government awarded Bender a large tract of land on the Canadian side of the Niagara River facing the Falls.

This Crown Grant eventually totalled some 390 acres. The Bender house stood immediately to the southwest of the site now occupied by the Crowne Plaza. Bender Street (or Hill) just north of the hotel commemorates this pioneer family. The hotel’s planning stages began in 1927, with work beginning in early January 1929. Establishing a record for this particular type of construction in Canada, the Pigott Company of Hamilton, Ontario, completed the large project in just six months.

Originally named the Hotel General Brock, it opened for business July 1, 1929. Built at a cost of $1.5 million, the hotel boasted 260 rooms and such features as a roof garden, fireproof construction and a large ballroom, along with the last word in comfort and beauty. The local press described it as a “mammoth edifice, gleaming white in the sunlight, classic in appearance, looming over the Niagara River.” The Crowne Plaza has played host to many famous personalities. Some of these include Marilyn Monroe, Walt Disney, Gene Autry, Jack Paar, Jimmy Stewart, Shirley Temple, former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Princess Margaret (sister of Queen Elizabeth II).

In more recent years, the hotel has played host to actresses Angelica Houston, Jessica Tandy and Bridget Fonda. Actors Matt Dillon, Matthew Perry, Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, and Jackie Chan have also been guests. Recent Canadian Prime Ministers Paul Martin, Joe Clark and Stephen Harper also paid the Brock a visit. On June 7, 1939, King George VI of England and his wife, Queen Elizabeth, visited Niagara Falls as part of their cross-Canada tour. After viewing the famous Cataracts, the royal couple was driven to the Brock Plaza where some 12,000 school children were gathered around the hotel to greet their majesties. The King and Queen later had dinner in the Rainbow Room.

Niagara Falls is a picturesque destination of Ontario, Canada for travelers, tourists and nature lovers. It is a sprawling 212 sq. km. area with spectacular sports facilities like cycling, biking, 40 top class golf courses, to name a few. With a population base of 80,000 (approx), it is a gorgeous destination for varied attractions. Niagara is an awesome manifestation of Niagara Falls in the city’s delights. There is man-carved lure in the Niagara that includes the Maid of the Mist; Reply’s believe it or not, Louis Tussads wax museum, Spanish Aero car, Casino Niagara, etc.

The Niagara falls have been existent from over 12,000 years and are the most sought after tourist place of visit. The Niagara falls were formed by the melting of glaciers that resulted in the formation of several unsullied water lakes that moved across a sharp rock face called the Niagara escarpment. The Canadian Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls are the two waterfalls that were formed by the rushing waters and the melting of the ancient glaciers. The rushing water of the Niagara River has a velocity of 35 miles an hour.

Moreover Niagara is a hydropower house that generates electricity to the rest of New York as well as southern Ontario. Niagara has its famous wineries and 70 of them have been listed in the award winning category. Many people come to Niagara to smell the rich aroma from the grape fruits and consume them. Several people come over to Niagara to participate in breathtaking stunts and get their names registered in the books of records. At night the Niagara Falls are illuminated by brilliant lights and the sight makes people gay. Another beautiful picture is of the bridges made of ice that accumulate below the chilling falls. No wonder the spectacular spectacles gifted with lure and bliss makes Ontario’s Niagara Falls as the Honeymoon capitals of the world.

Thus Niagara has become the biggest trade centre for its wines and wineries, fruits, tourist haven, military headquarters and hydropower. The Niagara Falls magnetizes writers and poets of the world and brings out the dare devil in everyone.

Business Opportunity

As it is a big business and tourist hub several travel agents and websites look to capitalize on the opportunity. With the number of business houses and travel points in the rise Toronto web services has taken initiatives to catapult the functioning of websites of various travel agents at Niagara and other websites who advertise Niagara. The travel appoints and beer and wine makers can get a chance to get their websites designed, updated and optimized in the search engines. Customers can increase and web marketing strategy can get a boost with the number of people flooding to your website to book their tourist adventures and Honeymoon at Niagara.

Toronto services also specialize in special tourist catering services like hotel and tourist booking and other superior and desired services.

Niagara Falls was discovered in 1604 by a Frenchman Samuel de Champlain. He visited the area during his exploration of Canada and described the spectacular beauty of Niagara Falls in his journal. Niagara Falls is actually divided into the American Falls & the Horseshoe Falls. The Horseshoe Falls are lengthier & drop about 173 feet (53 m).

The American Falls drop about 70 feet (21 m) before they reach a group of fallen rocks, deposited by a massive rock slide in the year 1954. Horseshoe Falls, the larger of the two is about 2,600 feet (792 m) in width, while the American Falls is about 1,060 feet (323 m) wide. The volume of water that approaches the falls during the peak flow season is about 202,000 cubic feet per second (5,720 m³/s), which in itself is amazing.

The spectacular beauty of the falls is worth seeing and to make this incident extra memorable, we take the opportunity to welcome you to The Embassy Suites Niagara Falls, Canada. We offer Niagara Falls Packages & Special Niagara Falls Weddings Packages.

A sight of such breath taking falls is at your own disposal, if you are a guest of The Embassy Suites Niagara Falls, Canada. We provide a choice of Fallsview Suites & Fallsview Whirlpool Suites to suit your taste, with a chance to enjoy Fireworks from your own Suite.

Other choicest packages offered, include a 2-Night Package, a Romance Package, a Family Fun Package, a Live Theatre Package, a Waterpark Package to mention a few, with special facilities of Golf, Wineries and Casinos. The list includes a variety of other packages to make your visit to the place a memorable incidence for the rest of your life with off course an unquenchable desire to visit and revisit The Nigaras.

Best time for bicycling is Spring (everything’s in-bloom) and Autumn (leaves are changing colours). Summer can get a little too hot and is always humid.

The most popular section of the bicycle path runs north along the Niagara River from the Victoria Street / Niagara Parkway intersection (5 km/3.1mi north of “the falls”) to Niagara-on-the-Lake (at Lake Ontario). 25 kilometers (15 miles) one way. This is a paved bicycle path running parallel with the Niagara River.

Along this route you will travel through the most scenic countryside in Niagara.

The first 8 kilometers (5 miles) is moderate rolling hills. This part of the path is about 50 Meters (165 feet) above the river offering incredible views overlooking the Niagara River Gorge. Sites and points of interest include the Whirlpool, Niagara Glen, Niagara Parks Golf Course, Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Conservatory, Electric Power Generating Stations, Floral Clock, Queenston/Lewiston International Bridge and Queenston Heights Park/Brock’s Monument.

Queenston Heights is where you will encounter a nasty little hill dropping about 50 meters (165 ft) down to the village of Queenston which is at river level (as a point of interest, this is where “the falls” was 12,500 years ago. It’s been eating its way up-river ever since).

The village of Queenston is a quaint little village and a great place to stop for a break. You will find the Laura Secord Homestead here as well as the Mackenzie Printery.

From Queenston heading north, the terrain is fairly flat for the next 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) where you will enjoy Niagara’s Wine Country (Vineyards and Orchards).

You can stop at most of the Estate Wineries along this portion of the bike path for tours, wine tasting or lunch in one of their restaurants (mostly California style cuisine i.e. chicken, salads, fresh fruits etc.).  There are also a few roadside fruit stands/markets where you can pick up some bottled water, juice or a light snack.

As you near Niagara-on-the-Lake you will find McFarland House which is one of the oldest tea rooms in Upper Canada. They serve an excellent lunch! And Fort George, a remnant of the War of 1812 between the British and the USA.

This portion of the bike path ends at the old town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.  Considered the “prettiest town in Canada” Niagara-on-the-Lake is the home of the Shaw Festival, featuring plays by George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries in three beautiful theatres designed specifically for this venue. You will also find lavish homes, immaculate gardens, boutique shopping, bistros, countless expensive restaurants, 300+ B&B’s and a handful of very pricey Hotels/Spas. Well worth visiting for the day!

Total round trip is about 50 kilometers (31 miles). Allow 5 to 6 hours to really enjoy it.

This is a paved bicycle path with rolling hills. I would recommend you use either a hybrid or road bike with at least 7 speeds.

This path is probably suitable for teens or adults in fair or good physical condition. Too far and too long for young children.

This is a wonderful way to spend a day in Niagara!

Learn more at www.niagarafalls101.com

For over 80 years, hundreds of thousands of people have made this historic hotel their home while visiting the world renowned Niagara Falls. Millions of dollars have been spent to preserve and enhance the original elegance of this landmark building, securing its reputation as the grand lady of Niagara hotels.

I would like to give you some background information about the hotel and the surrounding area. You are invited to read on and find out what makes this niagara falls hotel stand out against the Niagara Falls River next to the Rainbow bridge in Niagara Falls, Ontario CANADA. This hotel was named in honour of one of Canada – great heroes, Major General Sir Isaac Brock.

It was originally named the General Brock Hotel, and the hotel first opened for business July 1, 1929. It was then acquired by the Sheraton Hotel chain, the General Brock Hotel added two additional floors and was renamed the Sheraton Brock Hotel. In 1989, the Sheraton Brock Hotel was again renamed the Skyline Brock and then again in 2001 to the Brock Plaza Hotel. The prestige of this hotel was again enhanced on April 17, 2008, when the Brock Plaza became the Crowne Plaza Fallsview Hotel. Major General Sir Isaac Brock was originally from Guernsey in the Channel Islands. Brock was the military commander of the British and Canadian forces during the beginning of the First World War.

A significant part of the battle between the United States and England took place along the Niagara Frontier as American troops attempted to conquer what was then the British colony of Upper Canada. In the early morning hours of October 13, 1812, a large American force crossed the Niagara River at Queenston Heights, a point approximately seven miles below the Falls. Their objective was to capture this high, prominent piece of land on the Canadian side of the river. General Brock was killed leading a charge against an American position part way up the side of the heights.

The British and Canadians, along with considerable help from many Native Americans, eventually won this battle but the loss of Brock, a greatly admired man, had been a high price to pay. His courage and heroic death became an inspiration to Canadians for the duration of the war. The Queenston Heights – battle site is now a large park dominated by a very large commemorative monument of General Major Sir Isaac Brock seen for miles around. This 190 feet high Brock Monument was completed in 1856, and features a statue of Brock at the top which people can walk up and climb the stairs inside.

It is here where the hero has been laid to rest a the foot of the Brock Monument in a vault within. The Queenston park also features recreational facilities, a restaurant, a bandshell and spectacular views from the edge of the heights looking north towards Lake Ontario. Queenston Heights is well worth a visit during your stay in Niagara.

1. Superb Location: The Hampton Inn by Hilton at the Falls is located in the heart of the tourist district. The Hotel is just one short block to the Falls, surrounded by first class shopping, sightseeing, attractions, and located directly across from Casino Niagara. Also near The Falls, Maid of the Mist boat ride, Hershey Store, Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood, Adventure City, Rainforest Cafe and Clifton, boosting a very centrally located fully equipped hotel.

2. Guest Accommodations: When your ready for some rest get comfortable in our most comfy amenity: “Cloud Nine” The Hampton Bed Experience. We offer rooms with 2-Queen size beds, Jacuzzi Suites with an oversized Jacuzzi and King-size bed, and 2-room suites with 2-Queen size beds. Many rooms overlook the six-storey indoor atrium and swimming pool. All guests enjoy free parking, free wireless internet in all rooms and our complimentary On The House Hot Breakfast.

3. Exciting Things To Do: Our hotel is located in the centre of the Falls Avenue entertainment district. Fun filled family attractions, exciting themed dining and the best Fallsview Dining Niagara Falls has to offer. There is also great shopping and a thrilling Casino – Centre of it All for adventure and fun during your visit.

4. Fallsview Indoor Waterpark: Located directly across the street from the Hampton is the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark. Rain or shine, you’ll thrill to 16 slides – six stories high, a huge aqua play structure with a 1000 gallon tipping bucket, hot tubs, year round activity pool and full size wave pool.

5. Themed Restaurants: Towering volcanoes, live shark exhibits, indoor thunderstorms, exclusive Rock ‘N Roll and Hollywood memorabilia – Falls Avenue’s themed restaurants offer exciting and unique dining choices. Rainforest Cafe, Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood and Perkins Family Restaurant.

6. Interactive Games Having the fun area directly across the street to restaurants and attractions makes your stay on Falls Avenue so convenient. Adventure City offers a variety of games and activities will keep your tiny tikes busy, kids and teenagers challenged and the adults will have fun too.

7. WWE Store and PileDriver Ride Climb into the ring at the world’s only wrestling-themed attraction. Unique shopping, exciting souvenirs and the 200-foot PileDriver drop ride allow you to fully experience the excitement of World Wrestling Entertainment.

8. The Hershey’s Store Mouth-watering homemade fudge, decadent dipped strawberries, thick milkshakes, truffles, candy bars and more. One-of-a-kind souvenirs and collectibles found in the world’s most unique chocolate experience.

9. Cas in0 Niagara 100,000 square feet of gaming excitement. Table games, slot machines, blackjack, craps and more.

10. MGM Studios Plaza The magic of the movies comes to life. Get chased by dinosaurs through tropical rainforests, feel the earth tremble and your theatre seat sway at MGM Extreme 4D Movie Ride. Then experience the best of Hollywood movies as you “walk through” the history of MGM studios in the MGM Great Movie Journey.

A wonderful place found near the Niagara River has been completely occupied by the waterfalls. The city has many tourist destinations around the falls to enhance the appearance of the city as a tourist place. Tourism forms the major source of economy. Many people are drawn towards this breathtaking view of the waterfalls. The alluring sites keeps you glued to this place and binds you for long stays. Niagara falls has always portrayed itself as a place meant for honeymoon goers not only that but it also considers itself as the honeymoon capital of the world.

Once you get into the city, the city not only offers attractions related to natural features but also some of the festivals and events celebration. We have Casinos, golf courses and many entertainment complexes that can be very interesting to see. The Niagara peninsula is a wine-growing area famous for its winery tours and festivals. Niagara Falls Canada has year round activities with complete entertainment package for the entire family with swimming pools, playing fields, ball diamonds, rinks and numerous golf courses. People who love golfing, the city has much more to offer them. Great golf courses have come up in the city with around 40 golf course in hand some of them are Whirlpool Public Golf Course, Legends on Niagara, rolling Meadows, Oak Hall and many more. The awesome beauty of Niagara Falls can be enjoyed during daytime as well as in the nigh when it displays colors like rainbow. Its entirely on you whether you want to enjoy the sites on foot or in a boat or by bus, the conveyance mode may be different but the experience will be the same thrilling, exciting and marvelous. When the water droplets splashes on your face and comes on you like showers makes you feel on the seventh heaven and ninth cloud.

The fireworks displayed near the falls throughout the summer are simply breathtaking. The sparkle and the colours makes the spectators stand with their mouth wide open and eyes refuse to blink with the fear of missing its spectacular effects. Known for its shape the Canadian Falls are also known as Horseshoe falls which give an opportunity for adventurous people to explore and take a trip down to falls in a wooden barrel and experience the gigantic waterfall and its panoramic view.

The city surrounding the fall has so many things to do and see. From Museums, Forts and Taverns to Historical battlefields of the war of 1812. This and the fall itself has drawn tens and thousands of tourists every year to this place. And when a city experiences a flood of tourists it is natural that hotels in such location will flourish to much extents. And the same has happened with hotels in Niagara Falls, Canada. Tourists can now find various accommodation options racing to several budgets. Hotels here provide the finest of accommodations and restaurants serve the best mouthwatering delicacies. So wherever you want to stay in the city, you will find a hotel suitable for your budget.