Weekend Getaway

Niagara Falls is incredibly nostalgic for us. We've been traveling there since we first started dating because it's only about 1.5 hours from where we went to college (and, consequently, about the same distance from where we live now). It made for a really good day (or weekend) trip because of its close proximity, and it's a fun place to visit because 1. it's another country (even if you can only tell that it's another country because you need a passport to get there and road signs are in English and French), 2. it's one of the 7 wonders of the world and 3. is a notorious honeymoon spot.

View of Niagara Falls from the Canadian side.

This weekend, Sean & I are taking a much needed trip out of town. The last time we went away together was to Hilton Head Island and Charleston, South Carolina in July. JULY. So here we are, a full 6 months (!) later, ready for a little getaway to... Niagara Falls, Ontario (Canada). YAY!

I actually purchased a Groupon for a one-night hotel stay with casino credits and a gift certificate for dinner for Sean's Christmas gift. It expires at the end of March, but we figured that now would be as good a time as any to go away.

But then the freezing cold came, and this upcoming weekend is sure to be the same. We almost canceled our trip because of the cold weather until we came to the realization that we will probably spend most of our trip indoors anyways and that it might make for fewer tourists.

Clifton Hill, in all its touristy glory.

So on this Friday, I'm most looking forward to:

• Our drive there (and back). We aren't usually in the car together for extended periods of time, so this will be a nice opportunity to have some meaningful conversations and listen to good music!
• Using my "new" passport (with my married name) for the first time! 
• Going for a dip in the pool and hot tub. Winter is absolutely the best time of year to go for an indoor swim, don't you agree?
• Clifton Hill. For those of you who have never been, Clifton Hill is a tourist area that's as cheesy as they come (complete with a wax museum, an arcade and "Fun Passes"). The cheesiness, however, does not change my love for it. Of all of the things to do on Clifton Hill, our favorites are an indoor laser ride and glow-in-the-dark mini golf. 
• Souvenir World. I realize that this doesn't sound exciting, but it's a HUGE gift shop that encompasses all things Canada, including maple candies, a giant wooden moose, and unhealthy snacks.
• The Casino(s). Our Groupon included a $50 voucher to the Seneca Niagara Casino, which is on the American side, but we won't pick up the voucher until we check into the hotel. Luckily for us, though, there's a really cool Canadian casino (Fallsview) about 2 blocks from our hotel. We'll probably spend some time there on Saturday and then stop at the American casino on our way home.