Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Although it is relatively secluded, the resort is conveniently located near the intersection of Niagara Parkway and Victoria Ave. It is minutes from the Butterfly Conservatory and the Niagra Whirlpool. The Falls are a short drive.
Compare rates for Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls at About.com's booking partner, Kayak.
From Buffalo via Peace Bridge: From Customs take QEW to Toronto/Niagara Falls, exit at Hgwy 420, and follow directions as above.
From Niagara Falls, NY via Rainbow Bridge: From Customs take 420 To QEW /Toronto. Exit at ramp on right to Victoria/The Falls. Go right on Victoria.
Other dining choices include a Pizza Hut Express, the Bear Claw Cafe (fresh baked treats, ice cream, and candy), Canoe Coffee, and a snack bar inside the water park.
The Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls offers the same kind of indoor water park fun as the chain's other highly themed resorts in Wisconsin Dells, Ohio, and elsewhere. It is part of a destination resort that will include the under-construction Ripley's Aquarium of Canada. (Ripley's is a partner with Great Wolf for the resort.)
At 82,000 square feet, the indoor water park is quite large and includes some signature attractions such as the Niagara Rapids uphill water coaster and the Canada Vortex bowl ride. With a large assortment of slides and attractions, it would be easy to while away the day in the water park. But the resort also offers a daily roster of dry activities such as bedtime stories and crafts (for a nominal extra charge) through its Cub Club. The Lodge also has a huge Northern Lights Arcade with redemption games, a fitness center, an outdoor pool, a themed Wacky Wilderness mini-golf, and a swanky Aveda Concept Spa that offers massages, facials, and an aromatherapy sauna.
The Great Wolf Lodge includes over 400 all-suite accommodations with different configurations and price ranges. Consider visiting midweek and during slower times (when school is in session) for better rates. To cut down on dining costs (prices at the Lodge's quick-service cafes are quite high), take advantage of the in-room refrigerators and microwaves and tote some of your own food.
A trip to the Great Wolf Lodge could be part of a great family vacation that includes touring Niagara Falls' other sites. The Lodge is on the People Mover bus line that transports guests to the many attractions that are part of Niagara Parks. One downside to leaving the property: The Lodge issues nifty high-tech bracelets to all guests that serve as admission to the water park, electronic guest room keys, and on-site charge cards; with their conspicuous bracelets, guests wandering around the city look like escapees from a hospital.
