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Planning your vacation
  There are so many things to do during your vacation at Hillcrest Inn! Here are just a few ideas:

Day 1: Walk 3 minutes to Goat Island, see the rapids and Niagara Falls! Walk onto the sister Islands (or take the adorable trolley bus). While on Goat Island, get soaked on The Cave of the Winds (there is a hurricane deck!!). Have lunch outside at the Top of the Falls Restaurant or just buy sandwiches and ice cream and eat at one of the picnic tables. After lunch, walk over to the Niagara Adventure Theater to watch a film about the history of the falls and then take a ride on the Maid of the Mist. If you are not planning on going over to Canada during your trip you should definitely go on the Observation Tower to get a great view of the falls (you can actually get the same view from Rainbow Bridge if you are walking or driving into Canada). If you have time, take the trolley bus up to the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center to learn about the science of the falls and hike along the trails there (you can use your cell phone to find out what you are looking at along the trails). The Trolley bus will also take you to the Niagara Falls Aquarium. For dinner try The Red Coach Inn, Hard Rock Café or one of the many restaurants at the Seneca Niagara Casino. After dinner there may be fireworks (up to 3 times a week during the summer) or just check out the beautiful illumination of the falls (365 days a year). There are many free concerts in Niagara Falls and at Artpark in Lewiston so check with your hosts for what's happening. If you have time during the day you can take a helicopter ride as well.*
* It may not be possible to do all of these things in one day in the high season due to longer wait times.

Day 2: After a full gourmet breakfast at Hillcrest Inn stop by the Castellani Art Gallery at Niagara University (a free modern art collection) on your way to the Jet Boats in Lewiston. The Jet Boats give you a 45 minute ride up the Niagara River through the rapids! You will get soaked so bring a bathing suit or a change of clothes. Stay in Lewiston for lunch- The Water Street Landing and The Silo (both next to the jet boats) give you a great view of the water. If you are not up to taking a trip on the jet boats you can take a fishing boat out or just check out the quaint shops of Lewiston. After lunch head over to Fort Niagara to walk through this historical fort, get your picture taken with some soldiers dressed in full historical costume (they often do reenactments) and get a fantastic view of Lake Ontario. Have dinner in Youngstown, Lewiston or Niagara Falls!

Day 3: A trip into Buffalo: Hillcrest Inn is just 20 minutes from Buffalo! Albright Knox is a world famous modern art museum with everyone from Picasso to Warhol. After Albright Knox check out the Burchfield-Penney Art center just across the street with artists from Western New York including Burchfield and Cindy Sherman. For lunch head over to Elmwood Village and spend the afternoon shopping and grab lunch in one of the many cute cafes and restaurants that line the street. After lunch and shopping take a tour of one of Frank Lloyd Wright's houses or take a tour of the underground railroad or tour the beautiful Botanical Gardens of Buffalo and Erie County. Pick up some chicken wings or beef on wick at one of Buffalos many pubs and then end the evening with a fabulous sunset harbor cruise. There are always live performing arts (jazz clubs, Shea Performing Art Center, etc.). Families- check out the Buffalo Zoo and Buffalo Science Museum.

Day 4: A trip to Canada: Start your trip off with a fantastic view of Niagara Falls on the Rainbow Bridge (please bring proper identification to cross into Canada). Canada's side of the falls has lots of wax museums, haunted houses etc. Our guests favorite picks are: The Skywheel gives you a fantastic view of the falls ( a huge ferris wheel with heated and air conditioned compartments). The Bird Aviary has a fantastic collection of live birds and a real Thai cottage where you can have a snack or enjoy a beer. If you have time, check out Journey Behind the Falls. There are lots of restaurants in Niagara Falls, Canada. Our guests like the Skylon Tower because of the great view. There is a buffet on one floor and a rotating restaurant on the other.
If you have driven into Canada you can take the Niagara Parkway North towards Niagara-on-the-Lake. This is a beautiful scenic drive along the water. Stop at the butterfly conservatory and take a horse and carriage ride through the beautiful botanical gardens. You can stop at any of the wineries along the way (we like Inniskillin) and take a tour of the winery. Tour and tasting usually costs about $5.00. Be sure to try the ice wine! In Niagara-on-the-Lake you can spend time shopping, take a horse and carriage ride through the historical city or watch a play at The Shaw Festival (you should reserve your tickets in advance). There are lots of great restaurants and cafes. I recommend The Epicurean (cafeteria lunch, mid-priced dinner), The Irish Harp (informal day long) and the Stone Road Grill (REFT) higher priced gourmet local favorites.
(Many guests actually split a trip to Canada into 2 days.)
If you have not driven into Canada and you want to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake there are tour companies that will take you. Another great option is to rent bicycles (about $25.00 a bike) in Niagara Falls and ride up to Niagara-on-the-Lake on a beautiful bike trail along the river.

Day 5: The Canal Region: Head over to Lockport (about 30 minutes from Hillcrest Inn) to take a 2 hour cruise through 5 locks on the Erie Canal. Then take a 70 minute tour through Lockport's underground caves. After the tours, have lunch at The Shamus or The Village Eatery. On your way back to Niagara Falls check out the Niagara Wine Trail which is made up of 11 award-winning wineries. Explore the wineries nestled in the countryside on your own, take a tour or hire a private car. If you only have time for one, we recommend Becker Farms   Vizcarra Vineyards. You can pick your own fruit and visit the animals on the farm, while sipping their wine.

Day 6: Shopping!!! Guests at Hillcrest Inn receive a voucher for the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA worth $800.00 in savings. Calvin Klein, Saks 5th Avenue, Burberry, Kate Spade, the Gap, just to name a few. There is a trolley bus that can take you there and back or it is just a 15 minute drive from Hillcrest Inn.
Other Activities Include:
3 Casinos
Golf
Fishing
Concerts
Theater
Sports Events
Spa
Festivals
Antiquing
Boating
And many more!

Many of our guests go on to Toronto, the Finger Lakes or New York City.