Guest Blogger Post - Wondermoms.ca
Our family outings are often broken up into different sizes. Either my husband is working or one of my girls is either at dance, soccer, choir or something else equally fun and important. So you can imagine my excitement when we do actually get the opportunities to spend time away as a family. I know it won’t be long before the kids are going to be too old to spend time with mom and dad. We simply won’t be cool enough, but until that moment arrives this mother will take what she can get.
One of our favourite places to visit for the day is Niagara Falls. The girls love heading down there in the morning and spending the day seeing the sights, having a picnic lunch in the park, and if we are lucky enough to get decent weather, perhaps even dinner out too.
For those of us who live within an hours drive, Niagara Falls is one of those places we tend to take for granted. But to me, it is so much more than just a lot of rushing water. I have wonderful memories from my own childhood trekking up and down Clifton Hill on our way to the falls. I think that over the years I have done every attraction at least once, and yes I do have my favourites. Over the past 20 years Niagara Falls has transformed itself from just the falls to so much more. Whether your preference is to spend a few bucks gambling, people watching on the street or some world class shopping at an outlet mall, Niagara Falls has it all.
We were down in Niagara just a couple of weeks ago as a family and decided to stay overnight at a hotel that has become our go to destination, the Courtyard By Marriott, located on Victoria Avenue. We not only love it’s location, central to everywhere we want to go, but we especially love it’s people, amenities, indoor and outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna, exercise room and the fact that our favourite restaurant, The Keg is located in the lobby is an added bonus.
The family arrived around 2 pm, dropped off the car, and decided to head out for a walk to see what the day had to offer. Ice cream on Clifton Hill, followed by our usual walk down by the falls. No matter how many times we go there, it always seems to put a smile on my face. After a long walk, on a hot day, we decided to settle in at T.G.I Friday’s for dinner, located right next to the Courtyard. The atmosphere there is great, relaxed and affordable. The kids got what they wanted to eat, and my husband got the bill that he thought was acceptable. The dinner conversation amounted to, “what time is the pool open til?” Considering that what we do in life usually revolves around our children, it was very easy to say, “hurry up and eat, and we will go swimming after dinner.”
After an amazing night in one of the family suites, complete with separate sitting area (kids TV room), we ended the getaway with a gourmet breakfast at The Keg and headed on home.
Thanks to our host’s, the Courtyard Marriott, we really appreciate your attention to detail. The fact that you even remember our names is quite something. Until next time…
