Heading to Niagara Falls tomorrow! Any advice?

[PrettyFlower2]

I don't know about the zoo but when I went we visited an awesome bird sanctuary. The Canada side is a million times better..

 

[aprilgail2]

I totally agree! Especially at night - It looks like a giant carnival or something - very "vegas".
~C

That's what's great about the Canadian side! The American side is boring and dirty in my opinion, I have stayed on both sides but will never stay on the American side again.

 

[thumperjr9]

If you are into history, Old Fort Niagara is interesting. It's in Youngstown, just a short drive from Niagara Falls. Also (educational) is the Niagara Power Project Power Vista....not for everyone but fascinating for anyone interested in hydroelectricity. I attended Niagara University right next door and my dad enjoyed visiting the power plant!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Heading to Niagara Falls tomorrow! Any advice?

Don't try to go over the Falls in a barrel.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I don't know about the zoo but when I went we visited an awesome bird sanctuary. The Canada side is a million times better..

Hawk Creek?

 

[Sweetly]

Any suggestions on we're to stay? Plan on going this fall.

 

[clori]

We stayed at Country inn and Suites on the Canadian side in a 1 bedroom suite with free breakfast and indoor pool. It was ranked #2 at the time on trip advisor. It does not have a falls view thus cheaper. It was less than a 10 minute walk to Maid of the Mist walking down Clifton Hill. We enjoy the cheesy Clifton Hill and thought it made the trip more fun.

 

[BeerMe]

We don't go to the falls often - we live about 15 minutes away - but I must say the Canadian side is much nicer. We are taking our three grandchildren who are visiting from NC up there today and we will take them on the Maid of the Mist (it's on BOTH sides by the way) and the tram and probably eat at the Hard Rock.

We have memberships at the Buffalo Zoo and the Aquarium primarily to take grandchildren. The aquarium is small and somewhat shabby and the zoo is undergoing major renovations so don't expect much other than the two baby polar bears.

 

[OhMari]

That's what's great about the Canadian side! The American side is boring and dirty in my opinion, I have stayed on both sides but will never stay on the American side again.

I agree with staying on the Canadian side, but I think the state of New York kept the state grounds as natural as they could. Don't get me wrong, Canada has built beautiful gardens and different levels to stand on, so you can see the Falls better. There really is no hotel to stay on, on the New York side, with great views of the Falls. Canada has many hotels with great views.

We stayed at the Sheraton on the 12th Floor and had a great view. I got the room on Hotwire for $86 a nite. This was the week after Labor Day. We had a car and had to pay $12 a day to park. They gave us a coupon for the buffet, buy one get one free. I think the buffet price for one person was $50. If you want a window seat, you have to tip the hostess. We didn't and got a seat very far in back of the room. We didn't mind, because you could stand and walk around. The restaurant was very empty when we ate there. Oh, and we had a 2:00 a.m. Fire Alarm. We had to walk down. We walked out to the gardens across the street. When we got outside, the Fireman, were actually leaving. The hotel, never gave anyone an all clear to come back into the hotel. Very, very bad communication. I read on Trip Advisory that this happens very frequently.

After Labor Day, they stop doing nightly fireworks.

 

[buzz2400]

Don't try to go over the Falls in a barrel.

This is exactly what I was going to say.

Anyway, I feel for you about not being able to leave the country because you are divorced. My ex wouldn't sign a letter for us to go on a cruise even when his sister begged him to. My son doesn't want anything to do with his father. As soon as he was 16 we got his passport and we have gone on many cruises since then.

I can't really help you because it was so so so long ago that I went but I do remember a ripley's beleive it or not and I still remember some of the things that were there. My parents also got us a picture of us in a barrel. I don't know if they still do it and I don't remember what country we were in but we love this photo.

 

[KodakFigment]

If your daughters like fast and loud, then try Whirlpool jetboats. Really thrilling. When our kids were teens it was their favorite thing. A little pricey, they do have coupons, though. Look at their website whilrpooljet.

 

[aprilgail2]

If your daughters like fast and loud, then try Whirlpool jetboats. Really thrilling. When our kids were teens it was their favorite thing. A little pricey, they do have coupons, though. Look at their website whilrpooljet.

That was awesome- did it when the kids were 5 and 7. 5 year old didn't care to much for it but the 7 year old loved it! I still have the video of it!!

 

[spima3]

Thank you!!! I know it's silly, but I am originally from Niagara Falls, NY and it drives me crazy when people say how the Canadian side is so much better. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and mine is probably biased , but I much prefer walking around Goat Island (the state park area where the falls are and where you access Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds) and standing right above the waterfalls to the cheap (only in appearance, actually quite pricey) circus that is going on in Ontario. The park is just so beautiful. If you have time, I recommend walking around Goat Island and checking out the Three Sisters Island area. It's my favorite part of the park. Cave of the Winds is my favorite tourist thing to do, and the Mist boats are a great time as well.

So agree with this. There was NO way I was going to take my kids to see a natural wonder and then have them experience the "cheesy and ridiculous" of the Canadian side.

We stayed at a hotel in Buffalo and then drove to Niagara Falls for the day. Short ride, see all the beauty and Cave of the Winds is so cool, our kids loved that and the Maid of the MIst. Also, the gift shops!

So if you stay in Buffalo, you could get the best of both areas.

 

[BeerMe]

So agree with this. There was NO way I was going to take my kids to see a natural wonder and then have them experience the "cheesy and ridiculous" of the Canadian side.

We stayed at a hotel in Buffalo and then drove to Niagara Falls for the day. Short ride, see all the beauty and Cave of the Winds is so cool, our kids loved that and the Maid of the MIst. Also, the gift shops!

So if you stay in Buffalo, you could get the best of both areas.

Buffalo and Niagara Falls have a host of problems with urban blight and declining population. They have the worst poverty rates in NYS and you came through some of the worst chemical waste sites in the United States. The infrastructure in both cities are falling apart and, and, and it makes me wonder why we still choose to live here. Ontario has none of these problems and after going to the Falls today and seeing the State Park, it is falling apart too.....