Niagara Falls help please

[mrsboz]

I was thinking about going to Myrtle Beach this summer but now I am thinking of going to Niagara Falls. There is a great price on Groupon for the Marriott Falls Getaway. Has anyone stayed here before? Does anyone have any ideas of things to do and places to eat? Can you walk everywhere? Is there shopping and fun things to do? I will be traveling with dh, dd19 and dd14. Thank you.

We are driving from Massachusetts. Any other places to see on our travels before or after the Falls?

Thank you.

 

[Heidi K]

We used a Groupon for the Marriott Fallsview (on the Canadian side) last year. It was a lot of fun. Our room overlooked the Falls.

In terms of other activities, I would definitely recommend the Maid of the Mist, the boat you can ride that takes you up close to the Falls. There are also tons of gimmicky, touristy things to do on the Canadian side. Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum, Guinness Book of World Records Museum, Hard Rock Cafe, Rainforest Cafe, etc. They're fun (but expensive) if you like that sort of thing. There's touristy type of shopping as well (like the Hershey store). Our Groupon also included a coupon for a meal at the Skylon Tower which was neat (revolving dining room with a spectacular view) but food was sub-par.

Yes, you can basically walk everywhere. Check to see if the Groupon includes parking--if not, you'll probably have to pay for parking at the hotel.

If you've never been to Toronto, you could also go up there for a couple days. Lots of museums, theaters, etc.

There's also a casino on the American side!

 

[mrsboz]

Yes, we are planning on going to Toronto now also We would like to go to the ball game as our home team will be there when we are planning on going. Does anyone have any ideas on hotels or area restaurants or things to do there also?

 

[teller80]

I'm not a beach person so my choice is Niagara Falls. We bought some pass on the American side that allowed us to do Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds & some other attractions for a discounted price. Yes, we could easily spend 3 days there, there is a lot to do. Are you hikers? You can hike down to the river on the American side. As for restaurants - we found them all to be overpriced and not very good, except Tim Hortons. That could just be our luck though. And I think your DD19 is able to go to the casino in Canada. As for side trips, what about Frank Lloyd Wrights Martin House in Buffalo?

As for Toronto, our kids were your kids ages when we went and by far their favorite thing was Blue Man Group. If funds had allowed, I think we would of loved to have done the CN Tower Edge Walk. Since you're coming from MA, could you travel along the northern part of Lake Ontario to get to Toronto? It may take a little longer, but I'll bet it's a whole lot more scenic. If you want to see Moose and other wildlife, what about Algonquin Park?

Silly question, but do you have passports?

 

[sk8jdgca]

That is a nice hotel. You can ask for an upgrade (used to be 25 a night) and get falls view, top floor, fireplace room. It is cheaper to park at the casino. If you gamble a bit ($10 ish ) with a player card, you can park for free. It is a short walk away.
I do like the U.S. side better for maid of kist, cave of winds. You can walk over to the U.S. side. I think it cost $0.50.

Lots of tacky tourist stuff on Clifton hill. You can get a pass for 29 that covers a wax museum, 2 rides on the wheel, mini golf some 4 d rides. http://www.cliftonhill.com/packages...7&utm_campaign=Experience the Thrill Visit NF

We got a bus pass which was cheap and was a leg saver from walking those hills.


For toronto, I often just Priceline a 4 star downtown hotel and have gotten great deals even through the express deals

 

[sk8jdgca]

Most restaurants are over priced especially on Clifton Hill. There is a good pizza place close to your hotel...you could walk... zappi 's pizza


Here is an amazing burrito place but you have to drive
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/frijoles-fresh-mex-burritos-niagara-falls

For a nice meal http://www.yelp.ca/biz/the-syndicate-restaurant-and-brewery-niagara-falls

 

[THEDISNEYTHREE]

We always have to do Clifton Hill because my son loves it. Especially the sky wheel. We also love to eat in the revolving dining room in the Skylon Tower and go to Marine Land.

 

[VGL]

Maid of the Mist on the Canadian side is now called Hornblower Niagara Cruises
http://www.niagaraparks.com/niagara-falls-attractions/maid-of-the-mist.html

Not sure when you are planning on visiting Niagara Falls and Toronto but the Pan Am Games are taking place in the Toronto area from July 10-26, followed by the Parapan Am Games August 7-15. This involves more than 7000 athletes.
http://www.toronto2015.org/

Niagara on the Lake is a short drive away and is one of the prettiest towns in Canada. Nice shopping and restaurants on the main street.
https://www.niagaraonthelake.com/

 

[Chaoster]

Went to Toronto last spring break stayed at an embassy suites. Walkable to the tower and rogers center. I believe it was only two blocks away. They had valet parking.

 

[KathyM2]

Toronto local here ) There are tons of great hotels. Depends how much you want to spend and where you want to stay. There are some great hotels that are a bit off the beaten path if you are willing to take our transit system around too...another thought it you want to save money. But otherwise all the big chains have hotels downtown and the downtown area is very walkable and safe. I'd be happy to answer any Toronto questions you have.

 

[KathyM2]

Oh and while Algonquin park is indeed really nice....unless you want to drive about 4 hours each way...I wouldn't recommend it Depends what you are into.

In Niagara Falls there is also the butterfly conservatory if you are into that...or yes, lots of tacky touristy stuff as well...but it is kinda fun in a cheesy sort of way . There are also two indoor waterparks which are fun.

In Toronto....well the list is almost of restaurants and hotels and things to do. Science centre, art gallery, museum, aquarium, CN Tower is a must....I could go on and on...

 

[clori]

We did the Cifton fun pass and the Niagara Falls Adventure pass. We used the 2 day trolley that was part of the adventure pass to get around. We also used coupons from the adventure pass for Spanish
Aerocars and power plant tour and saw the floral clock. On the way home we did the American side Cave of the Winds and trolley tour.
I would also try and watch fireworks at the falls. We had 2.5 days and could have stayed longer.