Niagara Attractions, Historic Treasures, and Wineries, By Melody Schubert

What few travelers know is the New York side Niagara Falls, USA has the perfect climate for growing grapes, which has inspired the “Niagara Wine Trail,” and there are plenty of attractions to enjoy nearby like the Niagara Aerospace Museum.

The Warm Lake Estate Vineyard and Wineries located in Lockport is known for its world-class Pinot Noir, a wine so desired it is being sold as “futures”. Niagara Landing Wine Cellars is also located in Lockport, and produces 13 distinctive and delightful wines. E njoy libations in an historic 1857 mansion at The Winery at Marjim Manor or visit the Eveningside Vineyards, in Cambria. The Eveningside Vineyards is a family-owned vineyard set in a beautiful setting perched along the bench of the Escarpment. Nearby, Vizcarra Vineyards at Becker Farms is a wonderful destination for families. Children especially enjoy the playground, petting zoo and other attractions while adults savor a sampling of wines in the tasting room.

In addition to being one of the world's greatest natural wonders, Niagara Falls is also offers many adventurous opportunities for families to share. The Niagara region is home to one of the country's finest Aerospace Museums, the Niagara Aerospace Museum features nation's largest and most-extensive displays of aircraft. View actual vehicles from over a century of American flight and explore interactive exhibits like Flight-simulators; all located within walking distance to the Falls.

Families can take a living-tour through history at Old Fort Niagara that played a crucial role in the battle for North America. Experience 300 years of history by visiting with the park's ‘historical re-enactors' dressed in period costumes, who re-tell what life was life was like “Back in the day” at the Fort. Located on Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Niagara River, Niagara was originally occupied by the British and French, later it became an active American base, and served as a Prisoner of War camp in World War II. Old Fort Niagara, a Registered National Landmark, features p reserved Fort's structures as they stood in the 1700's. The structures are the oldest building in the Great Lakes, and include several barracks, powder rooms, a ‘bakehouse', an officers club with murals painted by an early African-American artist and a German POW's.

Like the exhausted slaves who sought refuge in Newport, Indiana at the home of Levi and Catharine Coffin; Niagara Falls was also known as a Road To Freedom. Between 1850 and 1861, the Niagara USA region was a safe haven for African Americans escaping from slavery. The area was often one of the last stops before fugitives crossed the river to freedom in Canada. Murphy Orchards, in Burt, NY, Listed on the National Park Service National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, just north of Lewiston, played an important role in this perilous journey. In addition to its historic tribute to freedom, the Orchard is also a working fruit farm open to visitors for free. Among the Historic artifacts visitors will find is the small hole in which escaped slaves hid, in which there was barely big enough for them to lie down.