Niagara Falls gets a casinoWin or lose,...

Niagara Falls gets a casino

Win or lose, you can’t beat the view at the new Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort, which overlooks the Canadian Horseshoe and American Falls.

The $730-million project, one of the largest commercial developments in Canada, is in Niagara Falls in Ontario, about 200 yards from Horseshoe Falls, said Jim Dougan, president and chief operating officer of Falls Management Co., which built and operates it.

The centerpiece is a 200,000-square-foot casino with 3,000 slot machines and 150 gaming tables. The 30-story hotel has 368 guest rooms priced from $79 per night. Each overlooks the Canadian or American side of the falls, the hotel said.

The complex, when complete, will also have a 50-shop galleria, 10 restaurants, a spa and a 1,500-seat show lounge. The hotel, casino, two restaurants, show lounge and several shops were expected to open Thursday, the rest later.

For more information, call (888) 325-5788 or visit www.discoverniagara.com and click on the resort’s name.

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New way

to get to

Catalina

There’s a new way to get to Santa Catalina Island for Los Angeles-area residents who don’t want to fight traffic to San Pedro, Long Beach, Newport Beach or Dana Point.

The 149-passenger Catalina-Marina del Rey Flyer is a high-speed ferry that runs between Fisherman’s Village in Marina del Rey and Avalon. It takes about one hour, 35 minutes each way. Round-trip fares, including $3 in wharf fees, are $55 for adults, $51 for seniors 55 and older, $43 for children 2 to 11, and free for infants younger than 2. Parking is $8 a day.

Through June 15, the year-round ferry runs once a day Mondays through Thursdays and twice a day Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; from June 16 to Sept. 2, it adds an extra run on all days except Sundays. For more information, call (310) 305-7250 or visit www.catalinaferries.com.

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A personal

look at two

world wars

Fighter planes and personal stories from two world wars are the focus of the Personal Courage Wing, an 88,000-square-foot addition to the Museum of Flight near Seattle. It was scheduled to open today, the 60th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy.

Nearly 30 warplanes are on exhibit, most from businessman Doug Champlin’s collection, said museum spokesman Craig O’Neill.

Highlights include the 1914 Caproni Ca.20, touted as the “world’s first fighter plane,” O’Neill said. It was ahead of its time and never saw action, he added. Another is a Soviet Yak-9U, one of a handful that remain from World War II.

Costumed volunteer actors will portray fighter pilots, plane designers and other historic figures from world wars I and II.

The museum, in Tukwila just south of Seattle, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except major holidays. Admission is $12 adults, $7.50 ages 5 to 17 and free for those younger than 5. Information: (206) 764-5720 or visit www.museumofflight.org.

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Get a grip on

bag’s weight

at Heathrow

Planning to fly out of London’s Heathrow airport? Verify the weight of your heaviest bag beforehand because if it’s more than 70 pounds, you won’t be allowed to check it.

Heathrow imposed the weight limit last week in an effort to reduce injuries to baggage handlers, it said. British Airways, among several carriers that earlier imposed the limit, said bags would be provided for passengers who needed to repack their belongings into smaller units. For more information, visit www.baa.com and click on “London Heathrow.”

-- Compiled by

Jane Engle