Americana, Lundy's Lane, Niagara Falls

I love spending time with my family. My parents, my mother-in-law, my brother and his two children, and of course, my wife, Helen, and my son, Alec.

We don't have a large family, and we live further away than we would like. Because of these two factors, we tend to love the time when we can all get together.

My brother is always looking for "deals" ... ways to make your dollar travel further. He purchased gift certificates on an internet auction website to Americana Resort and Spa (located on Lundy's Lane) in Niagara Falls. Not satisfied with the savings realized, he further checked with the Americana Resort and Spa and booked three rooms during a promotion period.

That was great news for my parents, my son, Alec, my wife and I, who received a "last minute" mini-holiday earlier this week courtesy of my brother.

My parents and my brother arrived a couple of hours before us and spent some time playing in the wave pool. We arrived about 5:30 pm, and spent about three hours in the waterpark that evening.

What Helen and I really love about these family outings is the way Alec's cousins can really tire him out. Alec seems almost angelic when he is sleeping ;-)

My mother had asked Helen to find a "cheap" breakfast, and Helen obliged... their was a Subway restaurant just a few blocks down the road, and they were having a Customer appreciation event. "Free" was good as we enjoyed fresh fruit in our rooms and then a ham, egg and cheese muffin topped the way we wanted.

The water park opens at 10 am and our kids were ready and waiting. The first time here, the bucket surprised him ... now he looks out for it.

This was our second trip down to Americana, and I can see us coming back a few times over the next few years (especially in those cold dark days of winter). Alec has passed his level one and two Red Cross swimming lessons this summer, and he is so much more confident than on our previous trip in early June. There are two slides, one about two stories high, the second about three and a half stories high (plenty high enough for Helen and myself ;-)

I am sure we will graduate to the Fallsview, but for now, Americana is the perfect fit for us. I know my brother's children love Fallsview but know the slides are a little too much for Alec right now. The Americana has an area for toddlers and a hot tub for adults as well as an outdoor play area.

Other options for those seeking waterparks within a reasonable drive from the GTA are:

Americana

Fallsview

Wolf Lodge

Bingemans