Going to Niagra Falls - would appreciate advice

[escape]

For those in the know, can you get by fairly easily without having a car at Niagra Falls? We want to do a lot of the touristy stuff. We'll be staying at the Sheraton on the Falls hotel. I think they have a shuttle of some type to take us to some places but I'll have to double check.

A friend who lives in the Albany, NY area and I are thinking about taking a train from Albany to Niagra Falls area. At the moment, we're thinking it might be easier to do this than taking a car.

Does anyone here have experience taking the train to this area? Any advice you can give will be greatly appreciated.

Also, if you know of some "must see/do" options in the area, please let me know.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Are you going to be staying on the US side? If not, you need either an enhanced license or a passport, regardless of whether you drive or take the train...

 

[escape]

Are you going to be staying on the US side? If not, you need either an enhanced license or a passport, regardless of whether you drive or take the train...

We'll be staying on the Canada side. I do have a passport so no problem there.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

We're going too, so interested in the responses. We're staying in Canada also. I'm thinking to take Maid of the Mist from the US because we want to to do Cave of the Winds vs Journey Behind the Falls. I think that makes more sense? I don't think we want to be going over the bridge more than we need to. Do all the US stuff in one day- reasonable? I'm not sure what the waits for MotM and CotW are like on a summer weekday? I figure we'll get to one at opening (MotM?), but obviously will have to do some waiting for the other... Figured we could do the aquarium, discovery center and movie around the others.

 

[aprilgail2]

The highlight of all our trips to Niagra Falls was a Jet Boat Ride we took though the whirlpools of the falls! It was awesome! The other thing we liked was the cable car thing that went across from the canadian side to the us side (you can't get off- its a round trip thing) and back-
We liked the journey behind the falls and also this movie type thing- I can't recall what it was called but its all on the Canadian Side. We went over to the US side to go to the Aquarium but it really wasn 't even worth going away from the Canadian side- to much to do there. There was also Marineland (I think that is what it was called) on the canadian side that was good.
There is a bus that makes a constant loop that many people use- I prefer my own car though. If I am leaving the immediate falls area. We stayed at a hotel right on top of the railway incline so it was easy getting up and down from there (though it cost money each time!).
Be sure to stop at the duty free store on the way home- its right before the bridge and get your tax back from your hotel! Many people didn't know this!!

 

[pparm]

We just went and stayed on the Canadian side. Get the Great Gorge Adventure pass. You get admission to the Maid of The Mist, Journey Behind The Falls, Niagara's Fury, and Whitewater Walk. You also get 1/2 price admission coupons to other attractions and shuttle bus passes to take you to these attractions for 2 days (which is sufficient to do all of these attractions) I'm not sure where your hotel is. Ours was about a 10 minute walk from the falls. Yes, you can get along without a car.
Have a great time. Hope this helps!

Paula

 

[escape]

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions! Sounds like there is plenty to do in the area. I'm sure we'll have a great time.

 

[MsLeFever]

There are also a billion cheezy Ripleys type of museums on the Canadian side - fun stuff! Also a casino of course!

 

[escape]

There are also a billion cheezy Ripleys type of museums on the Canadian side - fun stuff! Also a casino of course!

Oh, no! A Casino! Must stay away...must stay away!

 

[Nancy]

We're going too, so interested in the responses. We're staying in Canada also. I'm thinking to take Maid of the Mist from the US because we want to to do Cave of the Winds vs Journey Behind the Falls. I think that makes more sense? I don't think we want to be going over the bridge more than we need to. Do all the US stuff in one day- reasonable? I'm not sure what the waits for MotM and CotW are like on a summer weekday? I figure we'll get to one at opening (MotM?), but obviously will have to do some waiting for the other... Figured we could do the aquarium, discovery center and movie around the others.

My recommendation...Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds on the US side..I was totally disappointed in the Journey Behind the Falls. Lines will be long but they move quick. We did the Canadian Side last summer and did the MOM, Journey, and Butterfly Conservatory and we weren't rushed at all. If you do all the Canadian side stuff and not the US side get the pass..we got ours at AAA and there was a shuttle pass in there...takes you all over the place, you can get on and off and was really easy.



Aprilgail2, I want to go on the Jet boat so bad..but no one in my family will go with me...the cable car makes me a wreck thinking about it.

 

[treehugnmama]

we actually have 2 casinos here on the Canadian side. I just spent the last 3 days in Niagara falls with the kids. we live 10 minutes away but they still love it. You can get away with out a car if you are planning on staying on clifton hill....however food is VERY expensive on the hill and a short 5-10 minute drive can save you a bundle. Also depending on how long you are staying if you are going to marineland that is not within walking distance. Another thing to think about with a car is parking. Not all but many of the hotels charge for parking. There is an indoor waterpark on top of the old casino (i think it is the old one) that is a lot of fun. The fireworks over the falls are great!! I belive it is at 10 pm on Wed and Friday...not to be missed Have fun!!