Affordable Family Fun
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Touring Niagara for families on a budget is easy. The Niagara Region has a variety of attractions with little or no admission charge. The following tour will take you and your family on a fun-filled journey to some of Niagara's most captivating points of interest. Both educational and entertaining in scope, this tour is sure to please every age group.
By exiting the QEW at Ontario Street (#47) in St. Catharines, and turning left onto Ontario Street, drive until you reach Lakeport Road. On Lakeport Road you make a left hand turn to enter into the picturesque harbourfront village known as Port Dalhousie.
Follow the harbour to arrive at beautiful Lakeside Park, home to the Antique Carousel* where past meets present and you can still ride for 5 cents. Lighthouses, piers and marinas surround the unique shops, galleries and eating establishments.
By accessing the QEW/Niagara Falls, exit at Glendale Avenue (#38) and follow the signs to the Welland Canals Centre and St. Catharines Museum* at Lock 3. See the ships "climb the mountain" from the viewing platform overlooking the canal, visit the St. Catharines Museum or picnic on the grounds equipped with a playground area.
The Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory can be located by following the butterfly signs after exiting Highway 405/Queenston off the QEW. Set in an 80 acre botanical gardens, the Butterfly Conservatory is on of North America's largest collections of free-flying butterflies.
Head south along the Niagara Parkway until you reach the Niagara Parks Floral Showhouse.
Not far from there, you'll find the Imax Theatre, showing the spectacular movie - Niagara: Legends & Daredevils. Thrill to Niagara's larger-than-life vistas and raging waters on a screen over six stories tall.
From Niagara Falls, head south for ten minutes on the QEW to Sodom Road for Zooz. Zooz is a 44-hectare wildlife park offering hundreds of animals as well as interactive educational displays, playgrounds and picnic areas.
Other Options
Centre for the Arts - Brock University, Port Dalhousie Princess Boat Cruise*, Happy Rolph Bird Sanctuary & Children's Petting Farm, the Pen Centre, the Pumpkin Farm, St. Catharines Farmer's Market, Rodman Hall Arts Centre.
