From Kansas to Niagra Falls

[jstbcuz]

Thinking of driving to Niagra Falls and visiting the American side next summer. Our route goes thru St Louis (which we have been to several times), Indianapolis, up to Columbus, OH and to Niagra Falls from there.

Was wondering if anyone can give me any neat things to see and do along the way or while we are in the Niagra/Buffalo area. Not really looking at going in to NYC as it is too far away and we will have that as another trip.

Thanks for your input!

 

[msmama]

I stopped at the Indianapolis motor speedway during a cross country trip. They have a visitors center and they do tours (it was many years ago and we didn't do the tour but I don't remember why).

Just FYI - the Canadian side of the falls is WAY nicer. Again, it's been years since I've been there, but the American side is pretty run down and there's really not that much to do. If you can go to the Canadian side, it's way better (better view of the falls, too).

The Rock n Roll Hall of fame is in Cleveland (which you'll get close to). There are activities on Lake Erie (both in OH and PA).

 

[ParkHopperFan]

I too will agree that the American side of the falls is not worth visiting. Sadly, the City of Niagara Falls is in bad shape. The Canadian side is far nicer and takes tourism seriously. Take a few extra minutes and cross into Canada and see the falls from there.

 

[mrsklamc]

OP, note that you would need passports to go to the Canadian side.

The Speedway tour is nice but pricey- like $25. With kids, if you are stopping in Indy, I'd call that money better spent at the Children's Museum. Also pricey but one of the best anywhere.

 

[wiigirl]

OP, note that you would need passports to go to the Canadian side.

The Speedway tour is nice but pricey- like $25. With kids, if you are stopping in Indy, I'd call that money better spent at the Children's Museum. Also pricey but one of the best anywhere.

 

[msp2mco]

I always think the American side gets a bad wrap; granted the Canadian side has a lot more to do and the natural falls are more spectacular from there, but there is still good stuff on the American side. You can pick up the Maid of the Mist boat tour from the American side, and it is the same trip as the Canadian side. One of the best attractions we have done is the "Cave of the Winds Tour" on the American side It was far more interesting than "Journey Behind the Falls." There is also a nice park in the falls area and a trolley tour that is nice.

 

[MHSweb79]

Cave of the Winds is our favorite, and I love the park there. The rest of the American side, though is casinos, run down hotels and cheesy souvenir stands. Also, be aware that everything is seriously overpriced - you may want to stock up before you reach that area.

And finally, you can see all that the American side has to offer in one day. It's a pretty long ride for that.

 

[DisneyScrapper924]

Hi! Im excited to see that someone wants to come visit our city! It is sad that many people feel the way previous posted do, with the Canadian side being nicer with more stuff to do. There are things to do in our city. We have an aquarium that is not too far from the Falls. We also have many hiking trails that go down along the Gorge with you are into hiking. You will need a passport or enhanced drivers license to travel into Canada. Be sure to check out the Maid of The Mist boat ride and Cave of The Winds is a neat thing to do also. I was downtown at the falls last week and they are re-doing the sidewalk/railings at Prospect Point (the brink of the American Falls) it looks like it will be awesome when completed! There is a really nice State Park on Grand Island (about 10 minutes from the Falls) called Beaver Island with a beach and recreation.
If you wanted to go to Buffalo, there is lots to do there too. The Science Museum is neat and there are lots of historic building and tours. Delaware Park was build for the 1901 World Fair, and includes our historic Buffalo Zoo. There are tons of mansions to see there. We have a re-emerging waterfront and a Navel Museum... We here in Niagara Falls/Buffalo like to eat so there are many many places to eat and lots of "local faire" to try: chicken wings, pizza. beef on weck....
If you like wine, just north of Niagara Falls is Lewiston (about 10 minutes from the Falls) there are many wineries and wine tours and tasting. If your going to be staying in the summertime check out ArtPark they have concerts every Tuesday and Wednesday with good bands...
There is actually lots to do around here but we get a bad rap because of the poor conditions downtown...
Hope you have a great time here!

 

[jlovesee]

I know my dad and family did a trip to Niagara several years ago and stopped at Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH (on lake erie) if you like that type of thing its an amazing park. Don't know where you are in Kansas but if you get a platinum pass to Worlds of Fun in Kansas City it gets you into Cedar Point free.

If you are stopping anywhere in OH I would also recommend finding a Skyline Chili, You will never look at Spagetti and Chili the same way again...

I also have to agree to Canadian side is better, (sorry) we were there about 3years ago and Canada was much nicer, more things to do, etc. Its worth getting the passport.

Jennifer

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

IIRC, for land border crossings, you can get a passport card which is much cheaper than a regular passport. It just wouldn't be valid for international flights.
I have to agree with others that we loved the Can side. We stayed at the Embassy Suites Fallsview on something like the 34th with a great view of the falls & fireworks. It's expensive on a weekend so we took a few days off and stayed Sun-Tues. That felt like plenty of time for us. The hotel offered various packages: Maid of the Mist, Journey Behind the Falls, Butterfly Conservatory, the tall tall observation tower (I forget what it's called).
That was kind of expensive but a bus picked us up and took us to everything so we didn't have to navigate or figure anything out.

 

[kydisneyfans]

You could look at the Wright Patterson Airforce museum in Dayton, COSI and the Columbus Zoo, you are about an hour from the football hall of fame.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

As you can see in my siggy, we did a road trip from Denver. LOVED IT! We went up through Chicago, into Port Huron MI - crossed into Canada - kids LOVED that and saw the Falls. We actually went on to Cooperstown NY from there because we just can't get enough baseball , and then came home through Buffalo and Ohio.

I really think the kids loved that trip more than the cruises we have been on. There is a lot to do on the Canadian side for kids on Clifton Hill - kind of a tourist trap place, but great for mini golf, ice cream, the great wheel. Google pics of Clifton Hill. We also loved the IMAX presentation of the Falls - great history and pics.

Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds were awesome.

Have a blast - oh, and check out Tripadvisor for great tips.

 

[jstbcuz]

I looked into passports so that we could go to the Canadian side, but for 5 people and probably never going out of country............so I didnt think it would be worth paying that much money just to see the falls from the other side.

Going to Niagra Falls has always been on my bucket list. Keep the ideas flowing. I appreciate all responses.

 

[mrsklamc]

I was in the same position and we did end up getting passports because it's just DH and I. It seems there are some views that are better from the Canadian side, but most of what I heard about when I asked that question was the other attractions- that there is more to 'do' on the Canadian side. Since I was more interested in the falls themselves, I thought the American side would be ok- especially if we took the Maid of the Mist. (We didn't end up going yet which is a whole other story.)

 

[MHSweb79]

I appreciate that the PP is so loyal to her hometown, but I just have to pipe up about the aquarium. It's TINY. My DD and I took our time looking at every display, and we were done in about 20 minutes.

But if you expand your visiting area as the PP suggests, I'm sure there's plenty to do. And please don't miss the Cave of the Winds!

 

[mrsklamc]

I appreciate that the PP is so loyal to her hometown, but I just have to pipe up about the aquarium. It's TINY. My DD and I took our time looking at every display, and we were done in about 20 minutes.

!

This was the same conclusion I got from reviews, to skip the aquarium. But OP, this post did remind me that I was going to purchase this multi-attraction pass: http://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/buy-niagara-discovery-pass-tickets.aspx

 

[Nettle]

Hi. I am from the area. I would also skip the aquarium. It's quite a sad state of affairs that Niagara Falls has going for it, especially for hosting a wonder of the world.

Besides the Falls touristy things, I would branch out. Lewiston is a super cute town, and also has a jet boat rapid ride that is Awesome. Tuesdays in Lewiston you can go to a Super cheap concert in ArtPark with some great names.

Further down the Robert Moses is another cute town. Youngstown. It's right on the water and home to Old Fort Niagara. They often have reinactments going on as well as a nice park and old battlements to visit.

Honestly, this side of the Falls is sad. We put all our eggs into an Indian owned casino. Nothing to build up quality tourism section.

 

[buffalogirl]

Another local here, I agree with skipping the Aquarium.

I recommend you check out Canalside Buffalo: http://www.canalsidebuffalo.com/

Buffalo's waterfront has come a long way these past few years- it's beautiful!