Niagara Falls Advice Please

[defendthehill]

I am looking at taking my family of 5 (kids 8,6,4) to Niagara Falls for a couple of days this summer. I plan on staying in Canada. I would like to be in the heart of the action since our trip will be short and I would like to be able to walk with my kids to the attractions. Maid of the Mist etc.. Anyone have experience in Niagara? There are tons of options on hotels, B and B's just looking for some practical advice from fellow Disboards Patrons

 

[brytorlyn]

I live about 45 minutes from the Falls and as a matter of fact, hubby and I had a nice getaway night there last night...we go frequently during the year for a night or even for a few days.

I don't know what your budget is like but we really enjoy staying at the Sheraton on the Falls (not to be confused with Sheraton Fallsview which is also lovely but a little further from where the action for the kids is). This hotel is located walking distance to the falls and also the Clifton Hill tourist area which is loaded with things for kids to do. Clifton Hill has several wax museum and haunted house type attraction including Ripley's all of which the kids seem to love. In that area are also lots of shops and restaurants such as Planet Hollywood, Rainforest Cafe and Hard Rock Cafe.

The Sheraton On the Falls as well as The Crowne Plaza (nice but rooms are smaller and hotel older...but has charm), Skyline Inn and Hampton Inn
(easier on the budget and more motelish) are all linked to a water slide park.
Try www.fallsviewwaterpark.com.

Must sees include the Maid of the Mist ride and that can be purchased in attraction packages that include transportation on the people mover bus that will take you to many local attractions. Our family enjoys the Butterfly Conservatory and the Behind the Falls tour. There are lots of packages that can combine the attractions that suit your family best.

check out www.niagaraparks.com/packages

 

[DisneyDebbie]

I've stayed at the Holiday Inn at the Falls. There was a Dinosaur mini-golf right next door, and walking distance to Clifton Hill and the Falls. Cave of the Winds tour (I think on the American side) was my kids all time fav. I think last summer they had fireworks on Wed. and Sat. I love the Canadian side of the Falls, but I don't have a passport to get back in the U.S.

HTH!

 

[Serling126]

IDK if you are in Canada or the US (I am assuming from the wording in your post you are from the US), but make sure you check the requirements for re-entry into the US. I believe they are now requiring passports or enhanced driver's licences (and maybe birth certificates for the kids?). Maybe somebody else can verify this info for us??

As far as the touristy stuff, it is a fun place, been there many times including on my honeymoon. Just a word of advice about the hotel- if they say it is "fallsview" double check on that... the hotels near the falls are kinda stacked one infront of the other, and we ended up with half a view of the falls, and half a view of the hotel right in front of us!!

There are lots of pathways to walk and see the falls and river from different areas. The Maid of the Mist is great, as is Cave of the Winds (which I think is on the American side, though.. also not sure if that is really appropriate for the smaller members of your family). There is also an aquarium on the American side, although it is not very big or impressive.

Have a great trip

 

[antmaril]

I stayed at the Embassy Suites Fallsview in August. Very nice hotel in a good location. Beautiful views of the Falls from the rooms. I think this is a perfect hotel for families with young children, as a big breakfast buffet is included and they offer snacks and drinks in the afternoon/evening. Lots of families there during our visit.

Have fun!

 

[toystorymom]

We stayed at the Embassy Suites last summer and it was great. It was not cheap but we were only there for a couple of nights. The room had a beautiful view of the falls, the full complementary breakfast was fantastic, and there was a nice reception each night w/ free snacks and drinks. Plus, with a family of 5, it's nice to have the extra room to spread out in.

From here you can walk down to the falls. We did use a shuttle to go to Clifton Hill and the Butterfly Conservatory. Maid of the Mist was so great and I would recommend stopping at the US side to visit Cave of the Winds. The kids loved that!! Much better than the Behind the Falls on the Canada side.

Like another poster said, check the passport requirements. I know last year the adults needed passports (or the enhanced licenses that are only offered by some US states), children under 16 needed birth certificates, not to enter Canada but to reenter the US.

Have fun!

 

[Caitsmama]

We stayed at the Marriott fallsview, right in front of the falls - unbelievable!!! Top notch hotel, but they do have a good family deal package right now!!

 

[a1tinkfans]

We stayed at the Marriott fallsview, right in front of the falls - unbelievable!!! Top notch hotel, but they do have a good family deal package right now!!

We stayed here too. We loved "hearing" the falls thru that vent thingy

Beautiful place to visit! Maid of Mist is A Must DO! Have fun! We also went to a Fort, Henry??? that was not far away and rather inexpensive if I recall, can try on uniforms and run/climb, etc, see drills, educational AND fun too!

 

[ccgirl]

I can tell you where not to stay. Do not stay at the Best Western. That place was an absolute pit. You couldn't pay me to stay there again. We absolutely LOVED Niagara Falls though. There is a great restaurant inside the Embassy Suites with floor to ceiling views of the falls. Great food. We also went to a Cirque show there that was wonderful. I believe it was Avaya. The tix for children were only $10. We were surprised with just how much there was to do there and can't wait to go back.

 

[Minnie*bell]

I am looking at taking my family of 5 (kids 8,6,4) to Niagara Falls for a couple of days this summer. I plan on staying in Canada. I would like to be in the heart of the action since our trip will be short and I would like to be able to walk with my kids to the attractions. Maid of the Mist etc.. Anyone have experience in Niagara? There are tons of options on hotels, B and B's just looking for some practical advice from fellow Disboards Patrons

I think whatever u pick in Niagara u'll be fine. It's all very close. Just make sure u hit up the rainforest cafe in Niagara, it reminds me of the ones in WDW! = )

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Another vote for the Embassy Suites at the Falls. Great room with a great view. Maid of the Mist is a must-do.

 

[clearyds]

I agree with the Embassy suites fallsview as well, really super hotel, great pool, great breakfast, and snacks in the afternoon too!
But a less expensive option we also stayed at the Hampton Inn North of the Falls, right across the street from the whitewater attraction that is part of the Adventure Pass(with Maid of the Mist and 2 others, plus coupons for nearly every other possible thing around!!). It had free parking, a pool , decent breakfast and a bus stop right across the street to take you to all the different attractions. A good choice on a budget.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

I was just thinking that I would love to take my DS to the falls for a small, long weekend type trip this summer. Thank you, OP, for throwing this out there and thank you to all the posters for some great tips!

 

[defendthehill]

Thanks for all the posts.... I think I will book Embassy Suites.

 

[dimimi]

Another vote for the Embassy Suites at the Falls. Great room with a great view. Maid of the Mist is a must-do.

Agreed! The breakfast at Embassy was great and the rooms were huge. Our view was amazing.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I forget the price, but when we went last year- AAA had the Canadian parks pass (Maid of the Mist, Behind the Falls, boardwalk along the rapids, some movie that was kind of dumb + the shuttle bus) for less than it cost in Canada.

We also liked the Aerocar (reachable by the shuttle as well, and you get 1/2 off with the parks pass. I think it was like $5, very reasonable!) over the whirlpool.

We stayed at the Courtyard at the top of the hill. It wasn't remotely fallsview, but it was walkable distance to everything, right off Cliffton Hill.

Time saving trip- get to MotM when it opens. Then go to the info booth for the parks pass (it's just up the hill from MotM). They will make you reservations for the other things. MotM doesn't take res though.

 

[cndij]

It's been several years since we went, but we really did like the courtyard marriott, seem like there was a Ruby Tuesday or TGIF right next door, and we went Memorial Day Weekend and not crowded at all since it wasn't a Canadian holiday. The lilac bushes were in full bloom at that time and were SPECTACULAR. From a girl raised in the south and had never seen anything like that, I will plan to go back that same time of year next time. Loved the Maid of the Mist and the Sky Tower, and just the general viewing platform at the falls.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Just a thought - you may want to post this on the Canadian board. Some locals may hang out there.

 

[beansmom]

DH keeps telling me that we can do the falls in one day. Is that true? It's hard to imagine.

 

[disneymarie]

I am looking at taking my family of 5 (kids 8,6,4) to Niagara Falls for a couple of days this summer. I plan on staying in Canada. I would like to be in the heart of the action since our trip will be short and I would like to be able to walk with my kids to the attractions. Maid of the Mist etc.. Anyone have experience in Niagara? There are tons of options on hotels, B and B's just looking for some practical advice from fellow Disboards Patrons

I did the NY side in one day and it was nice, But not the real deal. BUT if one day is all you have it is cost effective and from NY side you see the both falls, just not the same perspective. If you want to do the maid of the mist and cave of the winds one day on NY side, then go to CA side to walk the falls, the night scene has a carnival effect going on, plus the fireworks are great.
You can ride the lady bugs up the tower to get birds eye view literally,

I checked for our June stay and Michaels or the Lincoln are aroung $65-75,
I have stayed at the Lincoln in the past, but we are going back 2o years....
I have stayed at the Anchor Inn on the North Tonawanda area, and it was $55. But it is highly dated. what is nice is fridge microwave, and pool for nominal cost. That is with Orbitz, travelocity and hotels.com etc.

If you are doing the CA side you need the passport card, that takes at minimal 3 weeks to get done. The package with the maid of the mist, Falls and attractions, use AAA discount at the AAA was a good buy when we did that sometime ago. On line there is a passport package with the attractions and you can pick up your pass. I generally park at the floral gardens and Butterfly area, then take the bus transportation getting on and off along the route.

My fav breakfast place on Main St, Opa's is now a sweeper place, but on Lund's ln is the space ship great buy!!!!
There is a Great Wolf lodge too, use to be a fav campground when we took the motor home up....the older man must have sold it though $$$$$$$
It is near the rapids and helipad.