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

[lizabu]

I've been to NF at least a dozen times. I'm glad to see you decided to drive. Buffalo is somewhat far from Niagara Falls even if it is the closest airport. I'm glad to see you're considering coming over to the Canadian side. Last time I was in NF, NY all I remember doing was going to rainbow mall and a couple of really nice parks but they have nowhere near the number of activities as you will find on the Canadian side. I've often stayed at the Sheraton on the falls. They also have gorgous views of the falls and are located at the base of Clifton hill where all the tourist attractions are located. They also have an indoor water park which kids love. Make sure you buy your tickets from AAA/CAA as they're half the price. Once in Niagara Falls you will want to for sure do the Maid of the Mist. I like to buy an adventure Pass. They're somewhere around $40 and you can do the Maid of the Mist, the Journey behind the Falls, The Great Gorge adventure (be sure to check out the Hindu temple across the street too...gorgous!), the butterfly conservatory and the floral clock plus it includes tickets to ride the people mover for 2 days. It will take 2 days to do all these activities. Clifton hill is all wax museums, fun houses and arcades. I find them fun to look at but rarely go inside any of the museums. A good value for a meal was the Rainforest Cafe. They are charging pretty much what everyone else on Clifton Hill is charging for a meal but you get a "show". Marineland is one I usually skip. Last time I was there I just baked in the sun (they have no trees). The rides are the same kind found everywhere and the animals seem sad but that's just MHO. The ferris wheel on Clifton hill is something you will probably enjoy as I know I like it. You can also just grab an ice cream and take a seat nearby and just watch the street performers....I wonder if Gold Elvis is still there? If you will be there on the weekend in summer months be sure to check out the Fireworks over the falls. I grab a blanket and a pizza and sit on the grass with the kids. It's great.

 

[snowy76]

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).

Just FYI: there is a MotM boat launch on both sides of the border. The American launch is within the state park just over the Rainbow Bridge. There's an observation deck over the falls. It's a lovely area to walk around and get up close to the river before it goes over the falls. Here's a pic from when the kids were younger, posing right next to the river.

Right across the street from there is a Hard Rock Cafe where I went for a DISmeet.

As far as what's around the Seneca casino - this might shed some light on it - a lot of land purchased by a developer who hasn't moved on the property.

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/niagara-falls/article281416.ece?order=F&page=1

Keep in mind that NF is still in the Buffalo metro area. Buffalo has had economic struggles like many upstate cities (long before the recession) and is a heavily industrialized city. A lot of those jobs have gone overseas. Buff/NF is not an overly prosperous area despite the falls.

 

[DisneyForLife]

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!!)



Could you tell me what floor you were on? We are booked at this hotel next week and I know they ask you to upgrade upon check in. Just wondering if we should. We have a fallsview package on the 10th - 15th floors.
Thanks

 

[elgerber]

We took these from our room on the 40th floor of the Embassy Suites, and I agree, you cannot go and NOT go to the Canadian side!!!

 

[pigletto]

Lived there most of my life. In fact I worked in the buliding in that picture in my teens

Which hotel are you at? I would think the 10th to 15th floor would be fine. The hotels in that area are on the top of a hill or overlook. So if you are on the Falls side you will have a view.

 

[DisneyForLife]

Lived there most of my life. In fact I worked in the buliding in that picture in my teens

Which hotel are you at? I would think the 10th to 15th floor would be fine. The hotels in that area are on the top of a hill or overlook. So if you are on the Falls side you will have a view.

We will be at the Embassy Suites with a fallsview. Thank you, I figured we would be fine on the lower floors but wanted to check. Did not want to pay more for an upgrade if it wasn't necessary.

 

[Sugar Jones]

I guess becuase we only live 2hrs away and we visit every two years I would never imagine paying $1200.00 to fly to Niagara Falls. To me the Niagara Experience doesn't warrant that much money.


Try to make sure to be there on a Friday night so you can see the fireworks over the falls. Very pretty.

I would take a full day to drive the whole way and use the money saved on travel hotels, and flights to stay at a Fallsview hotel.

 

[KrysiaG]

We always drive. Living in Cincinnati, it's only about 10 hours for us.

 

[mrsklamc]

So what is so unique about the view from the Canadian side? The fact that you are looking over as opposed to from below? (well, you couldn't be below the horseshoe falls from the US unless you were on MoM I guess.)

I usually hear lots of comments about there being more attractions on the CA side, but I really don't care about that part, just the view.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

So what is so unique about the view from the Canadian side? The fact that you are looking over as opposed to from below? (well, you couldn't be below the horseshoe falls from the US unless you were on MoM I guess.)

I usually hear lots of comments about there being more attractions on the CA side, but I really don't care about that part, just the view.

On the American side, you are looking at the falls (either American or Horseshoe) from the side. You can't see the "whole picture". From the Canadian side, you are across the river/facing the American Falls and can downriver to see Horseshoe.

The group of falls are shaped like a J. From American side- your's standing somewhere along the straight part of the J looking at it at your side.

Canadian, you're looking across the river like:

J