Why can't Niagara Falls, New York feed off tourism more?

[xzmattzx]

Originally Posted by sharkfood

I think Niagara Falls (the falls, not the town) suffer from an image problem in America. I think it's viewed, to some extent, as a dorky, blue-collar destination. A destination that hit its peak in the 1920's and has been in decline ever since. Many Americans have never been there and have no reason to go. Why should they, when there's so much else to see in the Northeast (the Adirondacks, Cape Cod, New York, many parts of New England, etc.)?

For Canadians living in Ontario, however, I think the Falls are probably one of the top attractions. They're within 2 hours of Toronto (versus what 7 hours from New York City). And, frankly, Ontario being a Great Lakes province doesn't have the same natural scenery and coastline that the Northeast U.S. has.

I don't know. I have family in that area, so I'm up near Niagara Falls anyway, but most people around here in Delaware have no connection to Niagara Falls or Buffalo or anything. Still, most people that I know have been there before. Niagara Falls is like Gettysburg, or Washington DC, or the Grand Canyon; you have to go there once in your life because it's an important place and it's in your own country.

[Dr Nevergold]

Very simple answer, has nothing to do with unions or government.

Upstate New York sucks, Ontario is attractive.

That's why everyone goes to the Ontario side.

Oh, then there is the entire fact that the horseshoe falls are on the Canadian side and the American falls aren't really viewable from the American side anyway.

[J. Will]

Originally Posted by sharkfood

For Canadians living in Ontario, however, I think the Falls are probably one of the top attractions. They're within 2 hours of Toronto (versus what 7 hours from New York City). And, frankly, Ontario being a Great Lakes province doesn't have the same natural scenery and coastline that the Northeast U.S. has.

You think wrong. For Ontarians, NF is a place to bring out-of-town visitors once every few years, or maybe hold a stag at one of the strip clubs well outside the "main part of town" (in which case you're not going anywhere near the falls). It is not an attraction they regularly visit. It's for tourists.

And Ontario has lots of beautiful natural scenery. And this may shock you, but Ontarians are allowed to visit places OUTSIDE Ontario as well!

[sharkfood]

Originally Posted by J. Will

You think wrong. For Ontarians, NF is a place to bring out-of-town visitors once every few years, or maybe hold a stag at one of the strip clubs well outside the "main part of town" (in which case you're not going anywhere near the falls). It is not an attraction they regularly visit. It's for tourists.

And Ontario has lots of beautiful natural scenery. And this may shock you, but Ontarians are allowed to visit places OUTSIDE Ontario as well!

I knew I would get beat up for saying that!

[vid]

Originally Posted by sharkfood

And, frankly, Ontario being a Great Lakes province doesn't have the same natural scenery and coastline that the Northeast U.S. has.

Um, the North Superior shore line is pretty fucking fantastic, thank you. Just 30 minutes west of Thunder Bay is the second highest waterfall in Ontario, and we have canyons with sub-arctic climates at the bottom. They're nowhere near Toronto, though.