This book takes readers beyond the lights and the sounds of the City of the Falls to venture to lesser-known but equally fascinating sites that abound across the region. The first-known European to gaze upon Niagara Falls was a Jesuit priest and explorer named Louis Hennepin in 1688. He took his somewhat exaggerated description of its size and power back to amazed Europeans. From then on, the Falls became a must-see destination for people from around the world and one of Canada's leading tourist attractions. But there is more to the Niagara region than a mighty cataract. There are the world-class hotels and casinos, the Shaw Festival, the wineries, the hydroelectric generators, the natural wonders, the historic sites, and the Welland Canal -- an engineering marvel and vital transportation link. This book is the story of the falls and beyond, covering: . The geological evolution of the Falls . Pioneering development of Ontario's hydroelectric power . Niagara's wine region . Niagara's Indigenous legacy . The War of 1812 . Niagara's Black history and heritage . Modern hotels and historic hostelries . The Niagara Parkway . Bridges across the Niagara River . The gardens of Niagara . Hiking trails and conservation areas . Casinos, hotels and midway rides . The Shaw Festival . Historic downtown streetscapes . Niagara's historic mansions . Lost villages and ghost towns . Niagara's railway legacy, and more! AUTHOR: Ron Brown is an award-winning author and travel writer. An authority on Ontario's geography, Brown has written more than two dozen books on ghost towns and unusual roadside attractions of Ontario, as well as on Canada's lesser-known heritage features. He has shared his stories on radio and TV, and his travel articles have been featured in numerous North American newspapers and magazines. He lives in Toronto, Ontario. 130 historical photographs, maps