Niagara Falls, Canada (Mecca of Modern Arcades)

herbertsmart

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Visited Niagara Falls and Toronto over the Thanksgiving Holiday. I was shocked to find so many functioning arcades on the Canadian side of the Falls. Without any effort I found 6 arcades within a 2 mile radius. Granted there are few classics in any of them, and only a handful of the brand spanking newly released games, but to have enough traffic to support at least 6 different arcades in that small of an area is impressive. Tons of other related stuff too. 2 seperate mini golf establishments (Glow in the Dark, and Dino Golf), at least 5 haunted houses, bowling alley, about 4 wax museums, a big Ferris Wheel, and several locations with the big simulator motion rides like Star Tours at Disney Land. The wife and I didn't stop into most of the attractions to spend most of the time at the Falls themselves, but here are a few pics I did snap.



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That is one thing I miss about living in Cleveland was how easy it was to get to the falls. Used to go up there once or twice a month when I was younger. Nice to see some games.
 
Its been a few years, but when I was in Montreal they had a bunch of arcades and most of them had an upstairs that led to the "adult" arcade.
 
Wow those pictures were like looking out my window. Niagara falls is only like 25 minutes from me, so I go up often. The pictures from skylon tower are sad though. When I was young that basement had so much more. Did you go up to the top of the tower and eat in the revolving restaurant?
 
Wow those pictures were like looking out my window. Niagara falls is only like 25 minutes from me, so I go up often. The pictures from skylon tower are sad though. When I was young that basement had so much more. Did you go up to the top of the tower and eat in the revolving restaurant?

Lucky you! Beautiful area, my wife and I had our honeymoon there two years ago, stayed at the Fallsview Hilton. Already returned again last year to revisit some of our favorite wineries. Inniskillin and Jackson-Triggs rule! Icewine FTW!! We also walked the Clifton Hill area, although she wouldn't have been too happy if I was spending our honeymoon playing games.
 
Lucky you! Beautiful area, my wife and I had our honeymoon there two years ago, stayed at the Fallsview Hilton. Already returned again last year to revisit some of our favorite wineries. Inniskillin and Jackson-Triggs rule! Icewine FTW!! We also walked the Clifton Hill area, although she wouldn't have been too happy if I was spending our honeymoon playing games.


The place has changed so much over the years, but clifton hill is still the same old tourist trap. Did you go up to Niagara on the lake? I'm assuming so seeing as how you mentioned the wine. If you haven't been there make sure the next time you go you stop there. More bed and breakfast small town feel kind of place.

http://www.niagaraonthelake.com/
 
We were suppose to go to Niagara Falls as a kid but my brother broke his arm at camp and they told him it was only sprained. We got to NYC and it started hurting so we came home.
 
Wow! That is nice to see. Not much traffic in them, though. They need to learn to spell "center". ;)

Traffic might have been low due to the time we visited (November, mid week, around noon) I'm betting that the traffics is way up during spring & summer months.

The pictures from skylon tower are sad though. When I was young that basement had so much more. Did you go up to the top of the tower and eat in the revolving restaurant?

Yep we went to the top and ate at the restaurant. Great view of both falls!

Did you go up to Niagara on the lake?
Yep we stopped there for an afternoon to go through the shops on the main street in town, and check out the sights down by the lake. Cool little place.
 
I went to dental school in Buffalo, so we used to go up there all the time. It's definitely the mecca of tourist traps, but still fun. As I recall, the basement of the Skylon used to be more like Circus Circus in Vegas...more rides, etc. The winter months can be very desolate, so an empty arcade isn't unusual...but they obviously have enough traffic to warrant enough games. I'm sure the US side was even more desolate :/
 
They must be giving away electricity in Canada. How can they pay to operate the machines with no one playing?
Were you there before they opened?
 
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