Drive to Niagara Falls vs. flying? to keep it budget...

[Scuttle]

When you put it that way it really makes sense- 'use the airfare saving to get the passports'- had not thought of it that way, plus we know we will be doing some overseas traveling when kids are teens...so we will have to get those passports in the next 4-5 years anyhow...

Of course, if we get passports then I will be wanting to stay at that Marriott on the Canadian side with the great views...

We just made a trip to Niagara Falls in September and had an AMAZING time! I couldn't believe how much it has changed since I was there over 20 years ago!! It's gone from a small park to a commercial realm.

That being said, here's my opinion on your trip ideas....

DEFINITELY stay on the Canadian side. I HIGHLY recommend The Embassy Suites Niagara Falls Hotel, Canada - Fallsview. We choose the FALLS VIEW room and my parents choose the "street view" room for $20 less, and it was TOTALLY worth the extra expense to look ONTO the falls. The pictures that I have are absolutely breathtaking. (If I can figure out how to post them later, I will.) We didn't even feel the need to walk down TO the actual falls, because of our FANTASTIC view. But on our last night there, we did go down to the falls and I am glad that I did, because being that close is amazing too.

Every morning, I found my kids plastered to our window wall watching the falls. We kept the window open a little at night to have our very own "sound machine" to sleep to! I still get flutters in my chest thinking about that amazing view!

With the Embassy suites, they have an amazing FREE breakfast buffet each and every morning. LOTS of choices, hot and cold, fresh fruit, omelets made to order, etc. We even took fruit out of the breakfast as snacks for the day.

They offer a nightly cocktail hour where you can order from a bar, or sit and enjoy some snacks. (They usually offer each adult 2 free cocktails with your stay also.)

The hotel offers discounts on things like wine tours which took us east into the neat little towns, saw lots of historic areas AND three amazing wineries (I highly recommend trying the "Ice Wine" even if you do/don't go), they also offer FREE shuttles to all the entertainment areas and touristy areas.

We did have a car, as we drove there, and I parked the car in the hotel (for a small fee) but with the valet service, it was totally worth it. We only took out the car once and that was to drive down to the falls on our last night.

All the places that we ate outside the hotel were within walking distance. The steakhouse within the hotel was very good, and the view overlooks the falls also. (Our room view was just as amazing as the steakhouse view.)

I couldn't imagine going to Niagara Falls and not staying in this hotel. I was totally skeptical about this whole trip, but I am STILL amazing four months later!!!

We did ride the Maid of the Mist even though I was convinced that we were all going to die before we went on the boat, and I am SO glad that I put my hang up aside, because that close to the falls and actually feeling them is an AMAZING experience!!!!! We didn't have time to go in the walkways under the falls, but this is DEFINITELY on our list for next time.

IF you are going, get your passports NOW. ONLY the adults must have passports, as you will just have to present official birth certificates for your children. Adult passports last 10 years now. Make sure you have all of your documentation too, because sometimes getting that all together can take some time too! (Learned that one the hard way too!)

Can you tell that we had an amazing experience?!?!?!?!

(I promise to come back tonight and post pictures of our hotel and the view!)

 

[Shleedogg]

We are driving- flying at all from our area is just too cost prohibitive...I think I might look into just going ahead and getting our passports...so many people are saying what you have about not missing the CDN views, so I may just bite the bullet and do it...passports are good for 5 years before renewal, right?

That would mean kids would be 16 and 19 before they had to be renewed and I am pretty sure we will be taking them overseas before they hit college anyhow so they would need them eventually by that time frame...

Thx for the info!

Over 18 passports will be good for 10 yrs, I think the kids are 5.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Going to Niagara falls and not crossing to the Canadian side would be like going to WDW and not visiting Epcot. Or even like not visiting the Magic Kingdom.

It's a fun place, have a great trip!

I have to agree. We haven't been in a few years, but there was just about nothing on the NY side last time we went except some section 8 housing. The Canada side is beautiful and touristy.

I really can't imagine making such a long drive there just to see the NY side.

 

[rigs32]

Another Buffalonian here. If you flew into BUF, a cab or shuttle would be really pricey - at least $50/75. It's about 20 min without traffic. The only commercial flights into Niagara Falls are from Myrtle Beach and FL.

A hidden gem in the Buffalo area? The Carousel Museum in North Tonawanda.

If your driving route takes you past Rochester, definitely stop at the Strong Museum of Play. I went as an adult with an adult friend and we had a blast.

Fun fact - I've been on the runway of the Niagara Falls airport - it's bigger than the BUF runways and can handle any aircraft out there. Why? It's shared with the Air Force base on the other side of the property. They were trying to awhile to get charteres flights from China to land there. So many tourists from China fly into Toronto or NYC and bus it to the falls. I wish they would so I could get a direct flight to China, too!

 

[mafibisha]

Have you looked into the passport ID cards? My mom and I want to go to Canada this spring and they are half the price of a regular passport and can be used to travel to Canada and Mexico by land.

I just heard about those! But don't know any details. Can you fill us in?

Our passports will expire soon and I don't see any major trips in our near future, except maybe CA or Mexico.

TIA !

 

[momxx5]

You can easily fill in a week's worth of adventures between the American side and the Canadian side.

I sugget getting passports....once there, without passports you will be looking at all the stuff you cannot participate in....some at cost, most free. It really is like driving to WDW but only being able to see the Castle from the gates.

The Niagara Falls Blvd has maps that lead you to may wonderful natural exibits. There is Niagara on the Lake....quaint town full of shops & bed/breakfasts. Welland Cannal....free.....the "lock" system that allows ship to cross from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie, bypassing the falls.
You can stick your feet into 2 of the great lakes with 20-30 minutes of each other.

The are indoor water parks, Great Wolf Lodge, Floral Clock, Fort George, Old Fort Erie, doll house museum, etc. I could go on and on. MarineLand is a smaller SeaWorld w/amusement park. Of course Maid of the Mist, and Behind the Fall tours.

If inclined to....at the top of the Falls, off Stanley Ave there is a Mount Carmel Catholic retreat which you can visit during certain hours of the day, walk the grounds, visit the chapel etc.

Twenty minutes down the road, a beautiful ride along the Niagara River will bring you to Fort Erie....with Old Fort including tours, Horse Race Track (fun & interesting) and depending on time of year.....beaches. Their beaches consist of a completely different type of sand...almost rock based. Shell collecting is fun and is walking out onto the sand bars.

We drive from central NC to Buffalo, crossing into Canada there. Its a good 12 straight hour drive. We somtimes split it up, driving 8 hours one day and then 4 hours the next day. When we do this we pack an overnight bag. We take only the overnight stuff in, as not to haul all our luggage in. The overnight bags are packed with next clothes and then are packed with jammies and yesterday clothes when its time to leave.

Good luck and happy planning.

 

[Scuttle]

OK, as promised this is the view looking out our hotel room window...

....to me, it doesn't get any better than that!!!!! Nothing like waking up and seeing this from your bed!!! (I took this with my cell phone, but I still think it's amazing!!)

Also, I have to add I didn't see anything on the US side that I would want to stop at, especially with kids in my car!!!

Also, the new "Enhanced Driver's License" are only available in certain states. As of April 2010, they were only available in Michigan, New York, Washington, Vermont.

These states were considering implementing an EDL: Arizona, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota and Texas, so you can check with your DMV to see if they offer them now or not.

Keep in mind that an EDL only works for ground travel by car, train, or boat. Air travelers flying into Mexico, Canada, or participating Caribbean countries must still provide passports.

I believe, if you are traveling on some of the Disney Cruise Lines an EDL will NOT work, you would still need to have a Passport.

 

[charming23]

I just heard about those! But don't know any details. Can you fill us in?

Our passports will expire soon and I don't see any major trips in our near future, except maybe CA or Mexico.

TIA !

Here is a link to the website. I am still trying to learn about them myself but a friend said they would be our best option as we do not travel overseas.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html

 

[mafibisha]

OK, as promised this is the view looking out our hotel room window...

....to me, it doesn't get any better than that!!!!! Nothing like waking up and seeing this from your bed!!! (I took this with my cell phone, but I still think it's amazing!!)

Also, I have to add I didn't see anything on the US side that I would want to stop at, especially with kids in my car!!!

Also, the new "Enhanced Driver's License" are only available in certain states. As of April 2010, they were only available in Michigan, New York, Washington, Vermont.

These states were considering implementing an EDL: Arizona, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota and Texas, so you can check with your DMV to see if they offer them now or not.

Keep in mind that an EDL only works for ground travel by car, train, or boat. Air travelers flying into Mexico, Canada, or participating Caribbean countries must still provide passports..

Nice view!
This is one of the hotels where you take an outdoor escalator type thing to get down the steep cliff to the falls, right? (Or you walk down the block and then down the hill?)
Those hotels have such great views but there's no easy (quick) way to actually get to the falls. A trade off I guess.

Also! Here's a GREAT RESTAURANT IDEA!!

The building between this hotel has a GREAT restaurant in it! NOT cheap but if you sit by the window, its DIZZY-ING because it looks like you're about to go over the falls! You can't tell from the picture as it looks like its a distance but it isn't when you're sitting there. In fact, many people ask to be moved AWAY from it because they get dizzy!

Here is a link to the website. I am still trying to learn about them myself but a friend said they would be our best option as we do not travel overseas.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html

Thanks! Explains it all and very helpful!

 

[mrspaha]

Does Amtrak have any connections near you? We went several years ago with our kids from Chicago -- took an Amtrak train to Buffalo, then rented a car. There was an Enterprise Rental near the train station, and they picked us up there; then we had the rental to go to Canada and then took another side trip around upstate NY. We had a great rate at the time; I might have used a coupon for the Entertainment book. I remember we used a coupon and got a half price room at a Days Inn that was really close when we came back to Buffalo.

I think I recently heard an advertisement for Amtrak for kids riding free w/parents; and also I believe they said there was a 20% discount for adults. If you're a AAA member they always have discounts for Amtrak if I'm wrong about this discount. (wasn't really paying attention since it wasn't of interest to me).

If you rent a car, be sure to check about anything special to be noted if you do cross the border. Also check with your insurance agent if there's any special coverage you need for driving to Canada.

 

[Tanzanite]

OK, as promised this is the view looking out our hotel room window...

....to me, it doesn't get any better than that!!!!! Nothing like waking up and seeing this from your bed!!! (I took this with my cell phone, but I still think it's amazing!!)

Also, I have to add I didn't see anything on the US side that I would want to stop at, especially with kids in my car!!!

Also, the new "Enhanced Driver's License" are only available in certain states. As of April 2010, they were only available in Michigan, New York, Washington, Vermont.

These states were considering implementing an EDL: Arizona, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota and Texas, so you can check with your DMV to see if they offer them now or not.

Keep in mind that an EDL only works for ground travel by car, train, or boat. Air travelers flying into Mexico, Canada, or participating Caribbean countries must still provide passports.

I believe, if you are traveling on some of the Disney Cruise Lines an EDL will NOT work, you would still need to have a Passport.

Thank you for sharing iwent to Niagara many years ago love to go back i looked at rooms says Falls and Horse shoe falls is that a room you stayed in they look amazing rooms well worth cost hope to go in July .Also like to go back to Toronto my first husband was from there love to take kids up CN tower used to have dinner there amazing view at night.

 

[Local_Girl]

Thank you so much for the info about the Embassy Suites and the pics you posted. Gorgeous view! We are planning to stop in Niagara Falls as part of a longer trip this summer, and I'd been thinking we'd just stay on the U.S. side to to avoid having to get passcards for me and the kids. But coming from MI, it's actually shorter for us to drive through Canada anyway. I checked the rate of a fallsview room on a particular Friday night and it was well over $300 for one night. No way DH would go for that. But if we stop on a Sunday night (on our way home) instead...the rate drops down to about $175. I'm more than willing to pay $40 more for a room with a view vs. $140 per night for an Econolodge room on the U.S. side.

 

[palavra]

Yes, we have driven to Niagara Falls from Central Georgia. My husband is from Niagara Falls, NY, and his mom and brothers and sisters still live there. We drove because of flight costs, the need for a car, and because my husband wanted to bring some boxes back to Georgia from his mom's home. We will be driving back this summer for all the same reasons.

We took 2 days to make the drive. The first night, we stopped in Virginia. When we return this summer, we will stop in Pennsylvania, so that the second day is shorter.

We really enjoyed the drive. Yes, it is long and tiring, but there are some neat things to see along the way.

I concur with those who say to get a passport. The Canadian side has lots to do. There is also a lovely little town called Niagara on the Lakes that is worth the 20 minute drive from the Falls.

 

[MELSMICE]

Another Buffalo person here. Yes, you'll be glad you have a car, as it looks like you've decided to drive.

Definitely see the Canadian side of the falls. You don't want to miss it. I, personally, don't think there's nearly as much to do on the American side as there is on the Canadian side.

 

[disneybound31]

Any other hotel recommendations on the Candaian side besides the Marriott?

 

[momxx5]

Awesome picture Scuttle.

That is the sight out the window of my high school. I went to HS in Niagara Falls....a Catholic school right at the top of the hill.

At lunch we would go down to the falls and eat by the railing. How wonderful my memories.

There is a lot of walking to do in Niagara Falls, but any seasoned WDWer would have no problem. You cannot really park at the Falls and some of the pay parking lots are quite costly.

A tip we learned years ago.....Valet Park at the Niagara Casino. A short walk away is Clifton Hill and down to the Falls. It was free parking with a tip to the Valet of course.....we tipped a "toonie" $2.00 coming and going.....way better that paying $20 to be at one end of the parkway.

 

[Scuttle]

Since you asked, here's a picture of the view looking towards the American Falls - it's also from our hotel room at the Embassy Suites. (Again with my cell phone, so I apologize for the clarity.)

In the distance, you can see the bridge that you cross over to get from the USA to Canada. You can also see the American Falls, and The Maid of the Mist (little boat in the water, that you get on from the Canadian side).

If you look onto the American side, you can see that large building. It's a casino of sorts. Lights up a lot like Vegas at night - ooo pretty lights. BUT (if I could make that word bigger I would) that "casino" is completely surrounded by like an 8 foot "prison" looking fence. To get into Canada, you drive right past this area, and surrounding this casino is a lot of run down buildings. Maybe someone that lives closer can share what's going on in that area. All I am saying is that I had kids in the car, I wasn't stopping ANYWHERE near where that casino lies.

The "smoke" looking white stuff coming from the right is the mist/fog coming off of the horseshoe falls that you can see more clearly in that other picture that I posted.

As for the Embassy Suites and the costs, we were there during the week in September and got some great deals on the FALLS view room. Ever since our stay, I have gotten several emails about "bounce back" visits and they have all been under $200 per night. Maybe you could call them directly and see what kind of deals that they have. I know that they have package deals where you can get extra perks - Gift card for their steakhouse, free transportation to the sites, wine tours, shows, etc.

I couldn't imagine going to Niagara and not having this view - we are totally spoiled now!!

 

[Scuttle]

Awesome picture Scuttle.

That is the sight out the window of my high school. I went to HS in Niagara Falls....a Catholic school right at the top of the hill.

At lunch we would go down to the falls and eat by the railing. How wonderful my memories.

Thanks momxx5!!

I couldn't imagine having this view every lunch break!! Would make going to school a LOT more exciting!!!!

 

[sduck]

Awesome picture Scuttle.

That is the sight out the window of my high school. I went to HS in Niagara Falls....a Catholic school right at the top of the hill.

At lunch we would go down to the falls and eat by the railing. How wonderful my memories.

There is a lot of walking to do in Niagara Falls, but any seasoned WDWer would have no problem. You cannot really park at the Falls and some of the pay parking lots are quite costly.

A tip we learned years ago.....Valet Park at the Niagara Casino. A short walk away is Clifton Hill and down to the Falls. It was free parking with a tip to the Valet of course.....we tipped a "toonie" $2.00 coming and going.....way better that paying $20 to be at one end of the parkway.

Is that on the US side or the Canadian side? Thanks for the information.

 

[Pembo]

Any other hotel recommendations on the Candaian side besides the Marriott?

We stayed at a Country Innhttp://www.countryinns.com/webExtra.do?hotelCode=ONNIAFAL&key=webextra.services.

It doesn't have a view of the falls but it is just off the main road and a short walk to everything. We stayed there bc we were budget. Things at NF are EXPENSIVE!