Follow Hayley, native to Niagara Falls, to get the scoop on the best shopping, the best value, tourist attractions, family fun and event happenings!
Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at the McFarland House
Everyone knows that mothers deserve a special day for all the hard work that they do for their children and finding some just as special to do with them on Mother’s Day can be difficult. This year the McFarland House is hosting a special Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea on Sunday May 13th, however after reading the menu it sounds more like a feast. Serving everything from prime rib to parmesan crusted salmon and finishing the meal off with various kinds of cheese cake. Not to mention there will be complimentary mimosas at 1:00 (my kind of tea party). This sounds like a wonderful event to take in the traditional beauty of the McFarland House, enjoy a delicious meal and most of all enjoy the company of your mom. Tickets for the event are $28.50 and can be purchased over the phone (304-263-1890) or online.
(304) 263-1890
Wine & Herb Tour of Niagara
Want to know what the perfect wine pairing is for the next delicious dinner you make? Impress your friends with wine pairings based on the dominant herb flavour in your dish! Sample some delicious food and amazing Niagara wine from a variety of Niagara wineries on the Wine & Herb Tour. You can buy your tickets online and use the pass for any weekend that fits into your schedule in May. Enjoy a dill and Gamay Noir pairing from Cattail Creek Estate Winery or a coriander and 2012 Artist Series Limited Edition Gewurztraminer from Hillebrand Winery. Although the pass is a little on the expensive side at $43/person, there is such a wide selection of wineries to choose with their own take on the pairing duo that you are sure to find a favourite (or two) from. I think that this tour is meant for the more serious wine drinkers with more developed pallets in order to fully appreciate the hard work that the chefs put into preparing these combinations. It sure sounds delicious and something fun to do on a weekend!
Clarkson Cup 2012
The Clarkson Cup is the final competition of the top women’s hockey clubs from across North America… the Stanley Cup of women’s hockey. This year, the tournament is going to be held right here in Niagara Falls, at the Gale Center from March 21st-25th.
Alberta, Boston, Brampton, Burlington, Toronto and the 2011 champs Montreal, will duke it out to find out who is the best of the best this year! If you are a hockey fan, this is a great way to see some exciting games. The passion for the game is high but the tickets are reasonably priced. It’s your chance to see some Olympic athletes in action! Check out the team rosters and game schedules.
Niagara Falls Art Gallery
What else is better than doing arts and crafts? The Niagara Falls Art Gallery has so many different options for you to take advantage of. You can take a stroll through the gallery for only $5- check their website to see what collections are available for viewing before you go. There are also numerous classes that you can take, whether you want to enrol your children or you want to give it a try! Although I have never done an adult class, I remember going to the gallery with school groups and bringing home my clay creations for my parents and grandparents.
You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy creating something… and if it comes out abstract and not exactly what you were aiming for…fake it! You meant to have the eyes lopsided and the trees purple.
Niagara Falls Packages
Sometimes when you take a vacation, you don’t want to have to plan out exactly what it is your going to do. You have to sit online and research different activities going on and buy tickets ahead of time, who wants that? Well we have the answer! Besides keeping updated on Niagara Falls through this blog, the Best Western Plus Cairn Croft facebook page and @PostcardNiagar on twitter… The hotel also offers some really great packages for the entire family whether winter, spring, summer or fall! From a King Henry VIII Feast in our very own Oak Room to some Dinner Theatre, make sure you check us out on your next trip to Niagara Falls!
Days of Wine & Chocolate
At the Best Western Plus Cairn Croft Hotel, we appreciate the wonderful wineries that we have so close at hand. Another interesting twist in celebrating the wineries in the winter, like the Winterland Cocktail Hour, is the Days of Wine & Chocolate experience. Every weekend in February, you can enjoy a delicious pairing of wine and chocolate, my two favourite things. I’ve been told that some of these pairings are rather surprising!
The touring pass is only $30/person and can be used on any of the weekends. There are 28 different wineries involved, each pairing something different. From a Cab Franc paired with dark chocolate, red currant and chilli at Chateau des Charmes to a Vidal Special Late Harvest paired with milk chocolate orange at Konzelmann Estates Winery… these combinations are going to rock your world. I think that this is the perfect romantic date or even a fun girl’s adventure! My mouth is watering just thinking about it… don’t miss out!
Progressive Dinner in Niagara-on-the-Lake
This is definitely a unique experience! This Progressive Dinner ticket gives you something to do every day of the weekend, with the main event being Saturday night. Friday begins with a Wine & Cheese get together where you can meet with other diners and hosts. On Saturday you will experience a delicious five-course gourmet dining and wine adventure in a progressive manner around 5 of the top gourmet restaurants in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Saturday night dinner starts at the Pillar & Post Inn and then Niagara Classic Cabs will transport you (included in the ticket price) to every other location. On Sunday, you have the opportunity to visit the five participating wineries to taste complimentary samples.
There are 3 dates available: January 28th, March 10th and April 14th.
Tickets are $145/person (including taxes and gratuities). For more information or to order call 1-877-342-4374
Winterland Cocktail Hour at Jackson-Triggs
The wineries in Niagara Falls can often be forgotten about during the cold winter months, however there is still lots to see… and drink during the winter. Jackson-Triggs, an 11.5 acre winery in the Niagara Peninsula, has decided to make the most of the winter by putting on a “Winterland Cocktail Hour” every weekend in January at 2:00pm. For only $5 you get to sample 4 new winter inspired cocktails and hear tips for entertaining!
I think that this is a wonderful way to celebrate the winter season and continue to appreciate the beautiful wineries that we have in Niagara, throughout the year! Good call Jackson-Triggs!
Robert Burns Supper
For all of you who are looking at this and saying “Who is Robbie Burns?” Here is a little background information! Robert Burns was born two miles from Ayrshire, Scotland on January 25, 1759 and died on July 21, 1796. Robert or “Robbie” is known as the national poet of Scotland and has become a cultural icon for the Scots. The first Robert Burns Supper was held in Ayrshire at the end of the 18th century by his friends in memoriam of his death.
For the first time, The Best Western Plus Cairn Croft has decided to throw our very own Robbie Burns Supper on January 21st. There is a special package available at the hotel for those coming from out of town! The Robbie Burns Supper will be complete with the traditional Haggis and Scotch for toasting. Brian McLaughlin will be the entertainment for the night, hosted by John Graham. This is going to be a night to remember! Whether you’re Scottish or not, come out and enjoy this Scottish tradition.
Special guest chef and fellow Scot, J. Mark Hand, will be preparing the Supper:
- pan seared Scottish salmon on wee tatties and smoked bacon salad
- creamed leek and potato soup with highland chief cheddar crumble
- slow roasted beef strip loin on green onion champ, served with haggis fritters and honey roasted root vegetables
- sticky toffee pudding with single malt butter sauce and candied pecans
The Icewine Festival
The Best Western Plus Cairn Croft Hotel is excited for the Icewine Festival this year! Start off the Icewine Festival in Niagara with ‘Icewine Unveiled: a Masquerade Gala’ which will be showcasing wine from over 30 wineries across Ontario, as well as the largest tasting of internationally acclaimed ice wines. Complete with a silent auction and a delicious meal created by Niagara chefs, this Gala is for those serious about their wine for $175/ticket.
There are so many different events to experience during this festival. Each winery has their own spin on how to celebrate the ice wine festival and each will be wonderful. For me to speak about all of them would be nuts, so I’ll let you decide which ones sound appealing to you. There is a great Discovery Pass that you can purchase for $30, which will allow you to choose 6 events at different wineries. You can also pay for each event separately.
We look forward to hearing from you about what events you have tried! Post them on our facebook!
Recent Comments