Tourist Attractions: Niagara trip report
I know some of you have kids, thought the non-poker stuff might be helpful.
Went to Niagara with ReefAquarium- presumably for a long day of poker at FV, but it was so beautiful yesterday our trip quickly devolved into summer-slacking.
We started our lazy day at CN playing 1/2 100max...and I luckbox and get one of the weakest tables I've ever played at! Loose preflop calls, super-nit-on-crack post flop needs...I'm completely card dead (no big pairs, big aces, big flops) and taking down like 4/10 hands on flop air bet/raises, it was sexy.
I barely control my urge to make out with about 80% of my table for being so bad at poker.
The highlight for me was making a 'pot sweetener' raise to $8 on the button preflop with 8-3s knowing that they just weren't ever going to stand up to me.
Fish: "Good for you honey, isn't great when the cards just fall in the right place"
Kristy [discretely mucking junk] "It is amazing, I've never been so lucky!! I've had aces three times since I got here and no one sucked out!"
...and they bought it!
The players are slowly busting and being replaced by marginally better ones and then my spidey sense starts tingling..actually it was more obv then that I'm pretty sure they just started playing the theme song from 'Jaws' as they moved ReefAquarium over and immediately to my left...
boooooo time to play something more closely resembling actual poker.
and we do for an hour or so before deciding to go outside and enjoy the weather.
First destination: Walkway along the falls
We decide to get out in the sun for a bit and walk down the length of the path by the falls, I realized that I rarely appreciate just how gorgeous it is there..you may be less of a degen than I, but if you too find yourself rotting in the poker room..take the time to appreciate it!
Second destination: Edge Water's Tap and Grill
On the Fallsview side of the path close to the horseshoe falls, look for the red and yellow canopy. Unfortunately the Patio was closed, but they have the most amazing view of the falls, and the food/service was great!
Third destination: Gardens along the path
<admission: I'm a complete geek, I love gardening and nerded out here. Reef was kind enough to indulge me>
Early blooms: Daffodils and a beautiful Magnolia tree
Coming soon: Tulips, a few cherry trees
While walking Reef tells me he's never done the Clifton hill stuff, and since I haven't since I was kid..we decide the Tourist world tour is on!
Fourth Stop: Ferris Wheel
adm: $9.95 for adults, $5.95 for kids.
Brag: Enjoyed the awesome view, narration is interesting and spliced into some very 1980's sexy-time music featuring the sax. Worth the money once.
Beat: realized that the hotel nextdoor has a giant dragon statue/slide in the pool and a play place in the private courtyard...I've been staying at the wrong hotel!
Variance: They forgot to let us off, so we got a 2 for 1!
Fifth Stop: Ripley's Moving theatre
(we bought 3 for 1 packages for the Moving theatre, Louis Tussaud's waxworks, and the Ripley's museum $34.49 for adults)
Sitting front row (my choice) was a mistake, it made me slightly naseous..but the ride itself was about 20 mins and very fun!
beat: got in trouble from a staff member for yawning in intermission, I think I'm supposed to mail her lines "I will NOT forget to finish my coffee before entering, I will NOT forget to finish my coffee...."
Sixth Stop: Louis Tussaud's Waxworks
I hate this place, it struck the fear of god in me. Seriously though, there are some reasonable replicas...and some spectacularly bad ones: Michael J. Fox.. is it a contradiction to have a motionless figure of him?
I wouldn't shell out for this again...and that's not because the 'Hall of Horror" made me jump two feat and squeak like a girl in public...fucking Sigourney Weaver.
Seventh Stop: Ripleys Believe it or notMuseum
Best value for money if you're traveling with kids, lots of interactive exhibits.
Sickest beat of the night:
One of the first displays is when you're presented with facts on the human tongue, like 1:3 can curl it back on itself, 1:1000 can turn it sideways etc and a mirror to attempt these tricks...in front of which I dutifully spent two full minutes attempting these feats...only to find out that I was doing so to the delight of the people ending their tour at the other side of the two-way mirror
Stuff no one should waste their time reading: My Fortune from the $1 fortune teller machine was GOLD!
"You have been thrown into the spotlight and must show your true grit. The diamond can not be polished without friction, nor the man perfected without trials. This is more than a learning experience it is a true test. The ultimate measure of a person is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. When you make that difficult decision for all or nothing you might feel you need some help. Man becomes the master of difficult situations by refusing the assistance of weak persons. He relies on his own strength of character. This will win the day for you."
SICK READ!
Went to Niagara with ReefAquarium- presumably for a long day of poker at FV, but it was so beautiful yesterday our trip quickly devolved into summer-slacking.
We started our lazy day at CN playing 1/2 100max...and I luckbox and get one of the weakest tables I've ever played at! Loose preflop calls, super-nit-on-crack post flop needs...I'm completely card dead (no big pairs, big aces, big flops) and taking down like 4/10 hands on flop air bet/raises, it was sexy.
I barely control my urge to make out with about 80% of my table for being so bad at poker.
The highlight for me was making a 'pot sweetener' raise to $8 on the button preflop with 8-3s knowing that they just weren't ever going to stand up to me.
Fish: "Good for you honey, isn't great when the cards just fall in the right place"
Kristy [discretely mucking junk] "It is amazing, I've never been so lucky!! I've had aces three times since I got here and no one sucked out!"
...and they bought it!
The players are slowly busting and being replaced by marginally better ones and then my spidey sense starts tingling..actually it was more obv then that I'm pretty sure they just started playing the theme song from 'Jaws' as they moved ReefAquarium over and immediately to my left...
boooooo time to play something more closely resembling actual poker.
and we do for an hour or so before deciding to go outside and enjoy the weather.
First destination: Walkway along the falls
We decide to get out in the sun for a bit and walk down the length of the path by the falls, I realized that I rarely appreciate just how gorgeous it is there..you may be less of a degen than I, but if you too find yourself rotting in the poker room..take the time to appreciate it!
Second destination: Edge Water's Tap and Grill
On the Fallsview side of the path close to the horseshoe falls, look for the red and yellow canopy. Unfortunately the Patio was closed, but they have the most amazing view of the falls, and the food/service was great!
Third destination: Gardens along the path
<admission: I'm a complete geek, I love gardening and nerded out here. Reef was kind enough to indulge me>
Early blooms: Daffodils and a beautiful Magnolia tree
Coming soon: Tulips, a few cherry trees
While walking Reef tells me he's never done the Clifton hill stuff, and since I haven't since I was kid..we decide the Tourist world tour is on!
Fourth Stop: Ferris Wheel
adm: $9.95 for adults, $5.95 for kids.
Brag: Enjoyed the awesome view, narration is interesting and spliced into some very 1980's sexy-time music featuring the sax. Worth the money once.
Beat: realized that the hotel nextdoor has a giant dragon statue/slide in the pool and a play place in the private courtyard...I've been staying at the wrong hotel!
Variance: They forgot to let us off, so we got a 2 for 1!
Fifth Stop: Ripley's Moving theatre
(we bought 3 for 1 packages for the Moving theatre, Louis Tussaud's waxworks, and the Ripley's museum $34.49 for adults)
Sitting front row (my choice) was a mistake, it made me slightly naseous..but the ride itself was about 20 mins and very fun!
beat: got in trouble from a staff member for yawning in intermission, I think I'm supposed to mail her lines "I will NOT forget to finish my coffee before entering, I will NOT forget to finish my coffee...."
Sixth Stop: Louis Tussaud's Waxworks
I hate this place, it struck the fear of god in me. Seriously though, there are some reasonable replicas...and some spectacularly bad ones: Michael J. Fox.. is it a contradiction to have a motionless figure of him?
I wouldn't shell out for this again...and that's not because the 'Hall of Horror" made me jump two feat and squeak like a girl in public...fucking Sigourney Weaver.
Seventh Stop: Ripleys Believe it or notMuseum
Best value for money if you're traveling with kids, lots of interactive exhibits.
Sickest beat of the night:
One of the first displays is when you're presented with facts on the human tongue, like 1:3 can curl it back on itself, 1:1000 can turn it sideways etc and a mirror to attempt these tricks...in front of which I dutifully spent two full minutes attempting these feats...only to find out that I was doing so to the delight of the people ending their tour at the other side of the two-way mirror
Stuff no one should waste their time reading: My Fortune from the $1 fortune teller machine was GOLD!
"You have been thrown into the spotlight and must show your true grit. The diamond can not be polished without friction, nor the man perfected without trials. This is more than a learning experience it is a true test. The ultimate measure of a person is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. When you make that difficult decision for all or nothing you might feel you need some help. Man becomes the master of difficult situations by refusing the assistance of weak persons. He relies on his own strength of character. This will win the day for you."
SICK READ!
Comments
I almost always stay a Sheraton on the Falls and that hotel is right at the base of Clifton Hill. That area is such a spectacle and I find it fun to go out and hoof around the area.
You like the classy stuff or are you a bargain hunter?
The little guy was hilarious.
I apologize for the glaring omission from my first post
Eighth stop: Niagara Falls Independent escorts - Niagara Falls Nightlife Guide
ty
This is useless without Trip Report and pics
pending...Kristy what are you doing for the weekend?
My Niagara falls TR didn't include these 2 locations.
The wax museum was funny though pictures taken later helped to conclude that they didn't look nearly enough like the people they were supposed to especially since I can't tell who most of them are now. My wife also jumped at the 'moment' you mentioned which resulted in my manly "here honey, just hold onto me."
Ripley's was cool. The mirror I suspected as I heard giggling while I was just standing there reading the thing. But the content is really interesting. My favourite exhibit were those shark jaws. Talk about something to ensure I never swim in an ocean..
LOL... how long did it take you to notice this?
I love this:
"My name is Vivion & I am a beautiful, young, classy & upscale"...
And she has a pic of her, nude and tattoo'd bent over a stool. Vision Sweets Niagara Falls Escort
Yes, classy and upscale.
Roughly when they started tapping on the window. Confirmed on my exit, when I saw another poor sucker trying it.
LOL - Is this true? I always thought he was a little perv
Try Seductions night club. It's more of a brothel than a SC but was pretty tame there when I hit it up on Friday.
Damn...how did I miss this? Where is the trip report for this? Any pics?
labeach
There was a friendly but bad player there who said he had taken his girlfriend to an expensive day at Marineland and snuck out to play poker while she was sleeping in the hotel room. He got an angry call when she woke up and we both left around the same time, with me up enough money to cover the Marineland outing. My homegame buddies had wanted to see the trophy that I won in Las Vegas, so when I saw another poker buddy at Fallsview, I showed it to him. A bunch of the floor supervisors and dealers asked to see the Casino Employees Event trophy.
I drove to Marineland with my family and one relative. I followed the Marineland signs, and my poker instincts told me to drive the wrong way to follow the Fallsview Casino signs instead, but I somehow managed to drive into the Marineland free parking lot. Even though I used a coupon I found by the attractions rack at Fallsview, it still cost over $150 admission for four people, including one child. My wife tried to get me in for the discounted children's admission since I'm more of a kid than my seven-year old, but Marineland didn't go for it.
A lot of things have changed if you haven't visited Marineland for years. The killer whales have walked out of King Waldorf Stadium and now have their own digs at Friendship Cove. While watching feeding time of the sea lions and walruses at Aquarium Dome, I got hungry myself and ate during the show.
My daughter wanted to go on the rides so I went with her on the Bumble Bee ride, and after getting twisted and spindled, I dizzily realized that my love for thrill rides may be on the decline. I didn't want to go on the Orca Screamer ride, so I let my daughter go by herself. My wife was terrified as usual, thinking that my daughter will be mortally wounded after a million other kids had walked out smiling on the same ride. The Viking Adventure ride was next, but I knew something was wrong when my daughter's gleeful smile stopped and she put her head down during the spinning ride. She had become dizzy like me. We were on the way out of the rides area, but she wanted to go on the Lady Bug mini coaster with me. She again became dizzy so that was the end of the rides for now.
Friendship Cove featured the killer whales jump and splash sessions. The whales would soak people with their fins in the Splash Zone, so while I watched in the dry zone, my daughter and her cousin came back thoroughly soaked and smelling like killer whale! After a change of clothes, we went to see the cutie-petutie beluga whales at Arctic Cove. Marineland tries to "rake" sucker parents like me by charging money to feed their own animals, along with expensive photos and souvenirs. I gullibly lined up to pay so my daughter can touch and feed a beluga whaile, but I was told that the whales were on tilt and were not being cooperative, so they stopped selling tickets with the long line-up.
Instead, my daughter did Marineland's job by paying for food to feed their fish in the lake. We skipped the thrill rides, including the brand new Topple Tower and the world's highest triple tower ride called Sky Screamer. Marineland also has the world's largest steel and non-stop roller coaster, Dragon Mountain, which is one of my favourite roller coasters along with The Bat at Canada's Wonderland. Nobody else was willing to go with me and I was falling asleep in the lineup, but after a couple of loops and getting my head banged, I was wide awake after the ride.
After looking at the red deer, elk and hiding bison, my daughter wanted to visit "Bambi" at the Deer Park. I remember as a kid being swarmed by the hungry deer, but today, all the other gullible parents had already paid for Marineland's food and overfed the deer. The deer were too full and lazy to even get up to chase her, so my daughter had to walk right up to each one and almost had to force-feed them.
After watching the stadium show again with the dolphins, walruses and sea lions, my resilient daughter was ready to take on the rides again. We went together on the Space Avenger ride, but she doesn't seem to like spinning rides, so she just kept going by herself on the mini ferris wheel and tower rides.
For only $5 more each, you can get a season pass good until October. We get photographed and even have our fingerprints scanned. Buying a season pass is highly +EV, since anytime my daughter wants to go to Marineland, my frugal wife won't mind going since it's free, so I will drop them off to spend a day watching the :fish: at Marineland, while I get to play with the :fish: at Fallsview Casino!
A couple of nights later, I go back to Niagara Falls at Seneca Casino. After the Summer Slam promotions ended and what had been a full room was starting to empty out, I cash out with my winnings but the cashier shorts me by $200! This also happened at The Venetian in Las Vegas, when the chip lady shorts me by $100. They had to go to the video and do a cash audit at the cage, before they finally agreed a couple of hours later that I hadn't lost my mind and gave me $100 more chips.
I phoned Fallsview Casino to reserve a seat, and was told that there were 29 players ahead of me. I went to the washroom, when a cowboy started talking to me. I looked at him and first thought it was Chiau Giang from Poker After Dark's Cowboy Week. I did a triple take and realized it was actually ReefAquarium! But that is another trip report ...
I may have found it... Orleans?