Tag Archives: Toronto to Niagara Falls

News, Transportation, Travel

Niagara Falls Go Train Schedule for the Season

23 Comments
Reading Time:  5 minutes -

In an effort to entice more tourists to one of the busiest tourist destinations in the province, the Ontario government is extending weekend GO Train service between Toronto and Niagara Falls to run throughout the year.

Trains now operate three round trips each day throughout the week including Saturday, Sunday, and holiday Mondays.

Niagara Falls GO train weekly and weekend service is currently running year round. Ticket packages also include WEGO, a local bus service to help your move around Niagara Falls.

Taking the GO train to Niagara Falls from the GTA and abroad is a no-brainer. Save yourself the hassle and avoid driving this season and take the train or bus instead. We welcome Go Transit commuters to visit our family friendly destination of Clifton Hill: Falls, Fun, Fantastic!

Round Trip Weekly Train Service!

GO train service to Niagara Falls has continued this season, so people all over the GTA and beyond have a convenient and affordable option for traveling within Ontario to some great destinations. Tickets options include both GO train fare and the convenient WEGO hop-on, hop-off bus, which reaches the Table Rock Centre as well as accommodations and other Niagara attractions. Many of Niagara’s top attractions are now open, so if you are itching to get out of the city, this is a great time to travel.

Discount Weekend GO Transit Pass from Toronto to Niagara Falls!

There is one type of pass available:

$10 Weekend Day Pass

This pass will allow you to travel all day long on a Saturday OR a Sunday OR a Holiday.

With this pass, you pay just one low fare for unlimited travel between your origin point and your final destination!

The Weekend Pass is exclusively available as GO e-ticket options. Buy yours today!

Expanded Payment Options

The Ontario government recently expanded payment options for transit riders to make taking transit easier. Starting today, riders can tap their debit card on a PRESTO device, including debit cards on a smartphone or smartwatch, to pay fares on several transit systems. This payment option is also available on paratransit services in some areas.

GO Train Service Schedule:

Multiple trains will leave Toronto’s Union Station for Niagara each Saturday, Sunday and holiday Mondays this season. Counting the return trips, that leaves many options throughout the day.

SATURDAY, SUNDAY and HOLIDAY MONDAYS!

GO Train & Bus To Niagara Falls

Return GO Train/Bus To Toronto

MONDAY TO FRIDAY

GO Train & Bus To Niagara Falls

Return GO Train/Bus To Toronto

Taking the GO Train to Niagara Falls is the most efficient way to travel through the big cities. Avoid traffic, gas fees, and save valuable time!

The GO Train stops at 4267 Bridge Street in Niagara Falls (at River Road), and the GO Bus at 4555 Erie Avenue (at Bridge Street) near downtown, or at its stop at Stanley Avenue & Highway 420. The Bridge Street and Erie Avenue routes are approximately 4 km from the Falls and only 2 blocks from the downtown district. Getting to Clifton Hill is easy from there with these options:

WEGO BUS SERVICE

Your round-trip ticket includes the GO Train to Niagara Falls as well as two-day access to WEGO, the hop-on, hop-off bus service that travels throughout the city of Niagara Falls and Niagara Parks. Just order online, present your Go ticket (printed or on your mobile device) and you’ll have access to WeGo.

Routes & Schedules

“The inclusion of WEGO bus service in this ticket package connects our guests to our iconic Table Rock Centre, providing access to Niagara Parks sites and attractions as soon as they arrive in Niagara Falls, making for a smooth and enjoyable visitor experience.” said Niagara Parks CEO David Adames

WEGO features bus lines that all meet in Niagara Parks at Table Rock next to the Horseshoe Falls. This is the main transfer hub serving the city tourist areas.

While you’re visiting the destination, use your mobile device to locate the closest WEGO bus and get estimated bus arrival times.

The WEGO bus service will take you to Clifton Hill’s World Famous Street of Fun with stops in other key areas throughout the city. Clifton Hill offers the best in family-fun attractions and features Canada’s Largest Mini Golf: Dinosaur Adventure Golf!

The WEGO pass is hop on, hop off so that you can worry less and enjoy more! Use your WEGO pass to explore the Niagara Parks featuring: Journey Behind the Falls, 

Taxi

There are taxi stands located at the Niagara Falls GO Train stop for your convenience. There is no aggravation of hailing a cab with this convenient option.

Walking 

If you came to Niagara Falls for the scenery, then this is your best option. To walk from Bridge Street to Clifton Hill and/or the Falls will take approximately a half hour. Take the Legacy Trail for a safe and quiet path. The trail connects downtown near City Hall to Bender Street by running along the old Canadian Pacific Railway corridor parallel to Ontario Avenue. It is a trail made from asphalt, which makes it easy for cyclists, the mobility impaired, and parents pushing strollers to use.

You can also take the world famous Niagara Parkway (River Road) with its unmistakable stone walls protecting pedestrians from the twelve foot drop into the scenic Niagara river gorge area.

Bicycles are welcome on the Niagara GO Train, and bike route maps are made available at the GO Train Niagara Falls station.

Since the Niagara Falls GO Trains are equipped to hold between 36-54 bikes, you can bring a set of wheels with you and enjoy some of top bike trails when you arrive!  This is a great opportunity to try the Niagara Scenic Parkway bike path and cruise your way through wine country.

Safety Never Stops

And no story of GO Transit would be complete without a pause to write about safety. As more customers return to transit, the transit agency wants to reassure riders their health and safety remains a top priority. Since the pandemic began, Metrolinx has implemented more than 40 permanent safety actions to keep transit safe. That includes mandatory masks, clear plastic barriers between seats on trains and buses, and hand sanitizer dispensers on vehicles and in stations.

Attractions, Packages, Restaurants, Things To Do, Travel

Plan a Getaway with your BFF to Niagara Falls this Spring

Leave a comment
Reading Time:  5 minutes -

When most people think of a trip to the Niagara Falls, they think of a family vacation or a romantic trip with their partner. However, it’s also an exciting getaway option for a girls weekend — and if you are coming from Toronto it’s easily accessible via GO Transit (see schedule). Forget about the hassle of traffic and gas expenses; here are some ways to plan a getaway with your BFF to Niagara Falls this Spring.

First Day of Spring is March 20th, 2024

FIRST STOP, CLIFTON HILL

Girls just wanna have fun! And Clifton Hill is the touristy spot in Niagara Falls that offers just that. There is everything from arcades, haunted houses, Canada’s largest observation wheel (the Niagara SkyWheel), casual laid-back dining from Kelsey’s Original Roadhouse featuring one of Niagara’s largest outdoor patio bars, to a unique Boston Pizza which also offers bowling, as well as an abundance of arcade games inside. Did we mention that you don’t need to use your data? Clifton Hill has FREE WiFi, so be sure to take advantage of that on your visit and snap away with your bestie!

You can rest assured that no matter what kind of weather that Mother Nature conjures up, Clifton Hill will be a guaranteed stop to get in some games in the Great Canadian Midway for your competitive streak, miniature golfing, and one-of-a-kind views inside the climate-controlled gondolas that the SkyWheel offers. We recommend the Clifton Hill Fun Pass, which for a low cost of $39.95+HST, you will each gain access to six thrilling attractions!

SECOND STOP, ADVENTURE!

After checking out all that Clifton Hill has to offer, it’s time to be one of the first to get wet this season! At the bottom of the “Street of Fun” is the Niagara City Cruises which is normally open for the Spring-time launching boats at the End of the month on March 28th, 2024 (Weather Dependent). Get up close and personal (and a little wet too) aboard this scenic ride which allows their guests day-time trips for a “full mist experience” and evening trips for a “light mist experience”.

Next to the Niagara City Cruises is another must-stop for adventure — WildPlay’s MistRider Zipline to the Falls. If you and your BFF are all about a sense of adventure and you don’t mind heights, than this one is for you! Side-by-side, you will take off like a bird in the sky with views of the Horseshoe and American Falls. Take off from the 220 feet high vantage point for 2200 feet to the gorge below. Don’t worry, you are fully harnessed and completely safe!

Niagara Falls Eclipse: Get ready for an incredible celestial show! The total solar eclipse is a mesmerizing event that will capture the imaginations of you and your best friend. It’s a rare chance to see the moon entirely cover the sun, creating a breathtaking moment of darkness and revealing a peek of the sun’s corona.

THIRD STOP, RELAX AND REJUVENATE

Now it’s time for some pampering! So many options to check out, like drying yourself off by trying out an infrared sauna at the Healing Salt Cave (located on Thorold Stone Rd.). This treatment makes you sweat in order to regulate your body temperature, ensuring detoxification within your body.

If a spa treatment is an absolute MUST on your getaway with your BFF to Niagara Falls and you plan on staying the night, than you may want to choose a hotel for an overnight stay that features accommodations that will enhance the relaxation and rejuvenation (see: 8 hotels in Niagara Falls with a spa)

Be on the lookout for hotels that offer packages catering to a girl’s getaway, such as the “Girls Just Wanna…” Package by White Oaks Resort, the “Taste of Niagara Wine Country” by the Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa, or overnight accommodations in the classy little town of Niagara-on-the-Lake at the Pillar and Post.

FOURTH STOP, GIRL’S NIGHT!

Now it’s time to paint the town red with your sister from another mister! This will require a trip to one of Niagara’s casinos: the Fallsview Casino or Casino Niagara. It doesn’t matter which one you choose because either will give you hours of entertainment. Thousands of slot machines and gaming tables, restaurants and bars are offered by both of these wildly popular stops in Niagara.

Depending on when you book your trip, you can catch a concert at the all new OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino. This Spring for instance, new theatre offers guests a fresh venue for top performances by internationally known names like Breaking Benjamin + Daughtry, Terry Fator, George Thorogood, Lonestar in March and April, to Billy Ray Cyrus, TLC, Diana Ross, Abba Revisited and 54-40 in May. Every month has exciting performances to check out.

A night out with the BFF will probably find you finalizing the evening where you started — on Clifton Hill! At night, the street draws the crowds in with the dazzling neon and flashing lights. The Boston Pizza in particular is a magnet to singles and couples as the music gets louder and the bowling is lit up in black lights until the wee hours.

Whether you choose to spend the night, or head back home Toronto-bound later that day via GO Transit, there is no doubt that you and your BFF will have had an exciting girl’s getaway in Niagara Falls!

Attractions, Facts, History, News, Things To Do, Travel

That Abandoned Ship into Niagara: “La Grande Hermine”

9 Comments
Reading Time:  3 minutes -

Header Image by: Christine Hess

While journeying along the QEW from Toronto to Niagara Falls, travelers often spot an intriguing yet mysterious sight – the “abandoned ship,” affectionately called the “Pirate Ship” or “Ghost Ship.” It’s a captivating landmark that sparks questions. Why does it rest there? What tales lie hidden within its rusted frame?

This vessel, known as “La Grand Hermine” or humorously as “The Big Weasel,” finds its home along the Jordan Harbour’s shoreline. Nestled between Hamilton and St. Catharines on Lake Ontario’s western coast, it’s become one of Niagara’s most recognizable features.

Though the ship stands still, it weaves an air of wonder and anticipation. The Grand Hermine isn’t just a static artifact; it’s a gateway to stories of adventure and the passage of time. Once a replica of explorer Jacques Cartier’s ship, it sailed the high seas and found its way to Lake Ontario.

Today, it might be stationary, but the ship continues to leave a lasting impression, prompting passersby to ponder the mysteries concealed within its aged timbers. It’s a testament to the power of history and the way even the quietest relics can evoke curiosity and fascination on the journey to Niagara Falls.

La Grande Hermine, a reproduction of one of Jacques Cartier’s ships from his 1535 exploration, tells a remarkable tale if only it could speak. This majestic vessel, measuring 140 feet in length, is the largest of the trio that ventured the waters of the St. Lawrence River.

Originally built in 1914 in Quebec, it began its journey as a ferry on the St. Lawrence before transforming into a cargo ship and later a floating restaurant. The ship’s life took a fascinating twist in 1991 when it was converted into a replica of its former self.

In 1997, it reached Jordan Harbour, destined for an exciting new role as either a restaurant or a casino, the details varying in different accounts. Tragically, the businessman behind this vision passed away before seeing it come to life, waiting for permission and struggling with the funds to bring it to Niagara Falls. The ship remained docked at Jordan Harbour.

In January 2003, a devastating arson fire scarred La Grande Hermine, though it miraculously survived, its slightly damaged and ‘rustic’ appearance adding character to photographs and deepening the intrigue surrounding this enigmatic shipwreck. The ship’s past is etched in its timeworn planks, and its presence continues to captivate travelers on the journey through Niagara.

La Grande Hermine stands proudly as a unique Niagara landmark, a cherished gem on the roadside that has captivated the hearts of countless visitors. Over time, several kind souls expressed interest in purchasing and restoring this intriguing ship for various purposes. Yet, like an old mariner yearning for the echoing cry of an SOS, La Grande Hermine patiently awaits the call that will breathe new life into its timeworn form.

Though this ship’s destiny remains uncertain, it continues to cast its enchanting spell on those who pass by. La Grande Hermine serves as a testament to the enduring mysteries of history and the compelling allure of the unknown, forever a part of the captivating landscape along Jordan Harbour’s shores.

La Grande Hermine Masts Removed

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, working through the Coast Guard, recently undertook a significant operation to remove the masts of the historic vessel, La Grande Hermine. This was a precautionary measure due to concerns over safety and the potential environmental impact posed by the decaying structure. In March 2021, a technical assessment of the ship’s condition raised alarming issues, highlighting the looming threat of a partial or complete collapse. While the Coast Guard is actively contemplating the future of the entire wreck, the removal of the masts was deemed an immediate necessity.

Mayor Sandra Easton of the vibrant community of Lincoln highlighted the importance of La Grande Hermine as a prominent tourist attraction. Visitors to this iconic landmark contribute significantly to the local tourism economy, often extending their stay to explore the other captivating attractions that Lincoln has to offer.

Click here for the Town of Lincoln’s full statement.

This intriguing landmark, partially grounded and slightly tilted, stands just a few meters from the shore, creating a unique spectacle. Travelers headed to Niagara Falls can catch a glimpse of this piece of local history at Jordan Harbour.

A quick stop is all it takes to witness La Grande Hermine’s curious position. Admission to the site is free, providing an excellent opportunity for capturing memorable photographs.

Address: 
2793 Beacon Boulevard, Jordan Station, ON.

From Toronto:
Take the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) to exit 55, Jordan Road
Turn left at the stop sign, and left again on Jordan Road
Turn left on North Service Road
Destination on the right

From Niagara:
Take the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) to exit 55, Jordan Road
Turn left on North Service Road
Destination on the right

Here’s some more story and closer footage of the vessel that CHCH News covered: