Fallsview Casino Resort. (Nicole Feenstra/Canoe.ca)

Niagara's Fury attraction All about the Great Lakes

There's a tourist attraction that has eclipsed even a natural wonder of the world in drawing visitors to Niagara Falls, Ont.

The glittering Fallsview Casino Resort, built at a cost of $1 billion, and its sister Casino Niagara, attract about 30,000 visitors a day or some 10 million throughout the year.

From a vantage point on a cliff overlooking both the Horseshoe and American falls, this Las Vegas-style casino-resort opened in 2004 and continues to add to a long list of amenities.

Tourism surveys show the top draws for day-trips and short getaways are to casinos and to shop.

A visit to Fallsview isn't just for gamblers -- or gamers as they like to call themselves. It has public pathways with great views of the falls, casual and fine dining, a luxury hotel, and a 2,500-vehicle parking garage.

As anyone who has visited a major casino knows, this is where you find only the best of everything -- food and wine, hotel rooms, amenities, shopping, spas, views and even the best -- and cleanest -- washrooms.

As the largest and most elegant gaming resort facility in Canada, there are more than 3,000 slot machines and 142 gaming tables, a 30-storey, 374-room luxury hotel, full-service spa and fitness centre, dozens of dining and shopping options and meeting and convention space.

The 1,547-seat Avalon Ballroom Theatre attracts some of the biggest names in entertainment, including recently Tony Bennett, Brian Wilson and Ashanti, with the farthest seats less than 30 metres from the stage.

It was built on the site of the former Ontario Power Co. transformer station at the foot of Horseshoe Falls, a project of Falls Management Co., a North American consortium of five partners and operated by the Ontario government.

The company also manages the nearby Casino Niagara, a temporary facility opened in 1996 that has remained open with a recent $12-million renovation.

Fallsview has a belle epoque design in accordance with the ancient Chinese philosophy of Feng Shui and its east facade has the original walls of the 1904 transformer station.

At the main entrance is a water feature called the Teslatron, a transformer-like fixture with a light, water and sound show.

Fallsview last year opened the Golden Lotus restaurant, said to be one of the best 10 Asian restaurants in North America.

With more than 180 dishes, it has authentic Chinese delicacies including shark's fin and swallow nest soups and North American favourites such as spring rolls and wonton soup.

"I consider this restaurant my magnum opus," said Paul So, Fallsview Asian restaurants director, whose menu includes Cantonese, Peking, Shanghai and Szechuan culinary styles.

Not just for high rollers, even though you'll pay $148.33 for the Japanese walmar abalone, there's a $15 buffet lunch and $20 dinner with food from the same kitchen.

Fallsview's signature restaurant is 17 Noir, while its Grand Buffet ($12 breakfast; $20 lunch and dinner) has 750 seats overlooking the falls. Or head to Johnny Rocket's, a '50s-style diner, or Canyon Creek Chophouse, among some 15 dining options. The resort is putting the finishing touches on its newest restaurant, Ponte Vecchio.

"Named after a medieval bridge over the Arno River in Florence, Ponte Vecchio, opening by the end of the year, will feature world-class Italian cuisine and hundreds of wine selections from Fallsview Casino's award-winning cellar," said publicist Kevin Harding.

Now open is R5, a "very hip martini and cocktail bar with live piano music, a modern fire-and-water decor and an outdoor terrace with some of the best views of the Horseshoe Falls," he added.

As a result of the popularity of spas as a component of the vacation and resort experience, Fallsview has more than doubled the size of its spa to include 12 treatment rooms, fitness facilities and swimming pool.

The shopping galleria winding through the main floor features many luxury boutiques in the Vegas style. In the mood? The resort set in the "honeymoon capital of the world" has Canada's first casino wedding chapel.

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IF YOU GO

Fallsview Casino Resort is at 6380 Fallsview Blvd. Take the Queen Elizabeth Way south to Niagara Falls, exit left at Highway 420 (Exit 30), turn right on Stanley Avenue and follow the signs. Many bus companies offer daily return trips at little or no charge (see the casino website for details).

The shops, hotel and most restaurants are open to the public including families with children, while the casino area is for people 19 and older.

Parking costs $5 to $10 (up to $30 on holiday weekends) but is free for gamblers with a Players Advantage Card issued at no charge. There's also valet parking available.

Hotel room rates this month range from $169 a night (lower or free for cardholders/players).

Info: www.fallsviewcasinoresort.com; or call 1-888-325-5788.