Up and Away with Niagara Helicopters
There’s no going back now. I am afraid of heights. Add speed to that fear and you will understand why I haven’t been on an amusement park ride since I was a young child. In mere seconds though I will be experiencing anything beyond the fastest ride I could ever imagine. I will be flying high on a Bell 407 helicopter. The pilot, Rene Huessy, introduces himself and with a whoosh, I find myself up in the air.
Check out this video on the trip:
In 1985, a young Swiss pilot named Ruedi Hafen found himself the new president of Niagara Helicopters Limited, a business that had been around for more than twenty years under a variety of owners. The company’s main purpose was training, but Hafen decided to focus more on sightseeing and charter flights. To do this, he began adding more helicopters to his fleet of two and expanding his base of operation. Over the years, Niagara Helicopters has grown to five Bell 407 helicopters, paved helipads, and several hangars all housed in a beautiful, park-like setting that includes an indoor-outdoor snack bar and gift shop. Last year, more than 100,000 passengers from all over the globe flew in the comfortable helicopters and enjoyed discovering the Falls in a completely new way.
The beautiful Niagara landscape stretches out before me as the helicopter soars upwards. My fear of heights evaporates as I listen to the taped commentary through the headset. Below me, a variety of Niagara Falls landmarks, such as the Whirlpool Rapids and the Rainbow Bridge, are recognizable and look extraordinary from this point of view. The nine-minute aerial tour ends too quickly as the helicopter lands expertly where it all began. The attendant opens the cabin door with a smile and I hope he sees how the fear in my eyes, from a few minutes earlier, has been replaced by exhilaration.
Hot Tips:
-Call for tour group rates and reservations. Parking is free.
-The tours run year-round (except for Christmas Day) from 9:00 a.m. until sunset, weather permitting.
-A certificate of flight is provided to all passengers.
-For less mobile passengers, a wheelchair ramp provides access to the helicopters.
For more information: niagarahelicopters.com
Story and video: Anna Rodrigues
Image: Phil Raby
© 2007-2010 Trips with Kids - Unauthorized reproduction of this article, video and images is prohibited.
Have a Howlin’ Good Time at Wolf Lodge
From water park fun to great food to Disney-esque entertainment, this resort has all the ingredients for family fun. Trips with Kids has listed the top five reasons, in no particular order, why you should visit Great Wolf Lodge:
The Water Park: We’ve been to a lot of water parks but this one is definitely the best we’ve experienced so far. There were lots of slides for younger kids and still enough water rides to keep the teenagers and adults happy. It does get incredibly busy so pack your patience. If you find waiting in the lineups is getting to be too much just take a break at one of the two snack shacks inside the water park. Bonus: there were tons of lockers, special dryers for swimsuits and all the free towels you could want.
The Staff: You may not think that this is a reason to visit a resort but we think that the staff can make or break your weekend. We found all of the employees to be more than friendly and very helpful. All of my questions were answered quickly, efficiently and with a smile.
The Animatronics: I must confess that I was skeptical about the animatronics show. I’ve seen a lot of these shows and most leave a lot to desire. Not at Wolf Lodge! The show runs three times a day and it’s really good. The kids absolutely love it, especially the evening show when they get a bedtime story.
The Antler Shanty Grub just had to make this list. It’s one of the restaurants inside the resort and we loved its morning buffet. It was hardy, varied and tasty but best of all, it felt like breakfast at home – except you’re having it with about a hundred other people.
A Spa for girls under 12? You betcha! The Scoooops Kid Spa is the place where your little princesses can get the pampering they deserve. With ice-cream themed manicures, pedicures and facials, you may find it just a tad difficult getting your kids to leave.
For more info: Great Wolf Lodge
Check out this video on the Animatronics:
Story: Anna Rodrigues
Images: Phil Raby
© 2007-2010 Trips with Kids - Unauthorized reproduction of this article, video and images is prohibited.