Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Skylon Tower
Themosticonicman-madelandmarkinNiagaraFallsisthe
Skylon Tower
(5200Robinson
St., 905/356-2651,
www.skylon.com
, 8am-midnight daily May-mid-Oct., 11am-9pm mid-
Oct.-Apr., main level free). Since 1965, the concrete structure has towered 52 stories above
thecity,allowingfora360-degreeviewoftheregion.Oncleardays,theskylinesofToronto
and Buffalo are visible beyond the falls.
The main level of Skylon Tower features several gift shops, a Starbucks, and a ticket
counter. The top of the tower provides fine dining in the Revolving Dining Room as well
as family-style fare at the Summit Style Buffet. Above it all is the observation deck, where
you'll experience some of the best panoramas of Niagara.
The elevator ride ($14 adults, $8 children 2-12, free with purchase of meal at upper res-
taurants)tothetopofthetowerisabreathtaking52-secondtripinaglass-enclosedcapsule.
The brief trip is a prelude to the panorama that greets you on the observation deck. The in-
door observation area is enclosed in glass and climate-controlled. Decals on the windows
identify points of interest that appear in the distance.
Intheoutdoorobservationarea,awireenclosurekeepsyousafe,whileallowingenough
space for your camera lens to poke through and capture unobstructed images of the land-
scape.
Depending on weather conditions, plan on spending 20-30 minutes on the outdoor ob-
servation platform. Most people will spend a majority of their time looking east at the falls,
and the Lower Niagara River 775 feet below. Looking north, you may be able to glimpse
Toronto (40 miles away) and its CN tower, which is roughly twice as tall as the Skylon
Tower.
Looking for a unique camera shot? Face the windows of the enclosed observation area
with your back to the landscape. Use the camera to capture your reflection in the windows
with the beautiful panorama in the background.
Theobservationdeckisagreatplacetoexperiencethenighttimebeautyofthefalls.The
viewofthenightlyilluminationfromthisperchiswithoutparallel.Duringsummer'stwice-
weekly fireworks shows, viewers in the tower watch the display from above as the fire-
works explode beneath the level of the observation deck. You'll need to arrive by 9:30pm
and stake out a place along the eastern edge of the platform for the best view of the fire-
works.
KidsaredrawntotheFamilyFunCentre,anarcadelocatedinthelowerconcourselevel
of the tower. Here you'll find dozens of interactive amusements and small coin-operated
