Niagara Falls help

[it's kelly]

We are going soon. I have a 1 bedroom suite reserved at Country Inn and Suites in Canada for $101 a night which has fee breakfast and an indoor pool. It doesn't have a fallsview. I booked it directly from its website. We plan on doing a few things on the US side such as Cave of the Winds, the hydropower plant for dh, maybe discovery center and 1 Niagara observation tower before entering Canada.

The US side has a discovery pass and the Canadian side has an adventure pass. We are going to do the Canadian pass (both include maid of the mist). Since I have two girls 8 and 12 we will also do the Clifton Hill fun pass. If we have enough time we also want to do the Spanish Aerocar, floral clock, and power plant. The adventure pass includes some coupons so we will see if that gives us any discounts.

Here are some coupons I've run across. http://www.niagarasupersaver.com/discounts/
http://www.niagarafallslive.com/discount_coupons_page_link.htm

We have a regular room booked at the same hotel for August but for a higher price. Was there a deal or code you used?

It will be our first time going to Niagara Falls and all I have on my must do list is Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds. Maybe we will stop and do those before crossing into CA.
Also, any must do restaurants?

 

[sixkristy6]

We have a regular room booked at the same hotel for August but for a higher price. Was there a deal or code you used?

It will be our first time going to Niagara Falls and all I have on my must do list is Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds. Maybe we will stop and do those before crossing into CA.
Also, any must do restaurants?

I can't think of any, unless you want a fancy, overpriced, with so-so food restaurant. (SkyLon). Maybe that is just my experience. Be prepared to pay a lot of $ for food if you eat at a chain. For lunch last year at Hard Rock Cafe for 2 adults and a kids' meal, we paid $50.

 

[v.t.]

We spent one afternoon on the US side last week while visiting the in-laws. (DH let his passport expire and did not check until we were packing. ) We did Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds. Our favorite was Cave of the Winds. Twist of the Mist was very good ice cream, big portions and too many choices. We also drove up to Lewiston to eat at The Silo. (DS loves watching man vs food) Excellent food and very affordable.

 

[sixkristy6]

We spent one afternoon on the US side last week while visiting the in-laws. (DH let his passport expire and did not check until we were packing. ) We did Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds. Our favorite was Cave of the Winds. Twist of the Mist was very good ice cream, big portions and too many choices. We also drove up to Lewiston to eat at The Silo. (DS loves watching man vs food) Excellent food and very affordable.

I love the Silo!!! Lewiston has the cutest shops too!

 

[it's kelly]

I can't think of any, unless you want a fancy, overpriced, with so-so food restaurant. (SkyLon). Maybe that is just my experience. Be prepared to pay a lot of $ for food if you eat at a chain. For lunch last year at Hard Rock Cafe for 2 adults and a kids' meal, we paid $50.

Guess we will just plan the meals as they come. Living in NYC I've grown used to paying stupid amounts of money for chain restaurants and it still drives me bonkers.

I just cancelled and rebooked at the Wyndham Garden which was renovated and reopened last month with the livingsocial deal that someone linked. Thanks!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

sixkristy6, isn't it funny how virtually no one in our area says they "Like" living in Buffalo but we're usually pretty quick to jump on the defensive?

Its like:

Buffalonian: "WNY sucks"

Outsider: "WNY sucks"
Buffalonian: "Well now, you may think that but you just don't know what's really here!"

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We have a regular room booked at the same hotel for August but for a higher price. Was there a deal or code you used?

It will be our first time going to Niagara Falls and all I have on my must do list is Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds. Maybe we will stop and do those before crossing into CA.
Also, any must do restaurants?

Some dining options on the Canadian side I can wholeheartedly recommend:

Mick & Angelo's on Lundy's Lane......best Italian I've ever eaten in a restaurant, hands down. Was featured on Man v. Food (you can find the clip on youtube).

Mandarin Buffet.....not located in the touristy areas, but has the largest and best Chinese and Canadian selection ever. Excellent food quality and something for absolutely everyone.

Zappi's Pizza (located in the Falls tourist district). Try their signature dish, the pizza burger.....sounds weird but is soooooo goooooood!

And I highly recommend the Oh Canada Eh! dinner show. Fantastic time, good food, and a lot of fun.

Also........be sure to stop at the Fudge Factory on Clifton Hill, and have one of their homebaked cookies on a stick (dipped in milk chocolate, and drizzled in white chocolate ). Best $1.99 treat you can find on the Hill.

If you still have any stomach room left, the Hershey Store on Falls Avenue (near the bottom of Clifton Hill) offers free samples to visitors.

On the US side, I will second the Silo.....yummy food, HUGE portions, and what a view .

 

[SenecaWolf]

sixkristy6, isn't it funny how virtually no one in our area says they "Like" living in Buffalo but we're usually pretty quick to jump on the defensive?

Its like:

Buffalonian: "WNY sucks"

Outsider: "WNY sucks"
Buffalonian: "Well now, you may think that but you just don't know what's really here!"

 

[crazyme5kids]

sixkristy6, isn't it funny how virtually no one in our area says they "Like" living in Buffalo but we're usually pretty quick to jump on the defensive?

Its like:

Buffalonian: "WNY sucks"

Outsider: "WNY sucks"
Buffalonian: "Well now, you may think that but you just don't know what's really here!"

My daughter has been living in Buffalo for about a year and a half now. She really likes it there. Her boyfriend is a native Buffalonian, and has traveled all over the country, but says he wouldn't want to live anywhere else but Buffalo.

You want to know what else? Seems like there are a ton of people who she knows from when she was living in Brooklyn and working in the city that are moving up to Buffalo.

I envy you guys that live there, Buffalo is a beautiful city, gorgeous architecture.

 

[hippieck12]

I love Niagara Falls State Park (in NY). I love Goat Island and walking around the park. It's free aside from parking and any food you might buy. There's all sorts of attractions, just look around online and you will find discounts. I love NF State Park in NY, but for everything else in NF, we go to Canada.

I agree that you will save money if you stay in NY. We used to stay in Ontario a couple of times a year for the night before we had DD, and NY is generally less expensive.

If you want to save money on food, stay away from the chains, they are so expensive!!! Antica Pizzeria has amazing and inexpensive food!
http://anticapizzeria.ca/?page_id=14

I agree with this, I work three blocks from the casino and I have to say it's very depressing seeing how our city has gone down hill but our parks - goat island, terrapin point, three sisters island are beautiful and free (there are a few parking spots next to three sisters island that are free, if you're able to grab one) if not you'll have to pay for parking, but other than the park itself Canada has much more to offer, I would stay on the American side for a cheaper hotel rate, see our parks then go to Canada , oh one thing I would definitely do on our side is the cave of the winds - that is really cool, you take an elevator to the floor of the American falls and there's a walkway at the base of the falls, really cool, my daughter just went the other day, she said the price is now $11 per person, don't know the price for children, they supply you with rain gear and water shoes because you get soaked, but on a hot day it is great! There's also the maid of the mist boat ride on both sides, I've only done it on our side, forgot what it cost. We also like to park on our side and walk over the bridge to Canada, check out Clifton Hill, it's a main touristy strip right over the bridge, alot of museums and shops, pretty gardens along the falls, walk back over the bridge, you can get some great pics from the bridge, it makes a nice summer day outing. Hope this helps

 

[LockShockBarrel]

There's a lot of non natives that love Buffalo. The history, the buildings, the food, the convienence. It's a unique city for sure. I think most people that say they're from Buffalo and wouldn't want to be anywhere else are just those of us that have gotten used to things here.

 

[SenecaWolf]

There's a lot of non natives that love Buffalo. The history, the buildings, the food, the convienence. It's a unique city for sure. I think most people that say they're from Buffalo and wouldn't want to be anywhere else are just those of us that have gotten used to things here.

No hurricanes, tornados, wild fires, mud slides, volcanos, major earthquakes, major flooding, consistent negative windchills, 90+ degree days.....

I will gladly keep my few months of Lake Effect Snow over any of the above listed things found in other states!! I <3 WNY but reserve the right to b***h about it at any given time

And lets not even start on "Wide Right" and "No Goal"!!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Exactly!!

 

[TIAMOMMA]

We spent one afternoon on the US side last week while visiting the in-laws. (DH let his passport expire and did not check until we were packing. ) We did Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds. Our favorite was Cave of the Winds. Twist of the Mist was very good ice cream, big portions and too many choices. We also drove up to Lewiston to eat at The Silo. (DS loves watching man vs food) Excellent food and very affordable.

We spent 4 days in Toronto then 3 in Niagara Falls Canada but went to NY for 1 day and did the exact same thing you did (minus the ice cream). The Haystack at the Silo was awesome - recommend anyone driving to head there for lunch - beautiful views from there too.

 

[DVCJones]

I agree with this, I work three blocks from the casino and I have to say it's very depressing seeing how our city has gone down hill but our parks - goat island, terrapin point, three sisters island are beautiful and free (there are a few parking spots next to three sisters island that are free, if you're able to grab one) if not you'll have to pay for parking, but other than the park itself Canada has much more to offer, I would stay on the American side for a cheaper hotel rate, see our parks then go to Canada , oh one thing I would definitely do on our side is the cave of the winds - that is really cool, you take an elevator to the floor of the American falls and there's a walkway at the base of the falls, really cool, my daughter just went the other day, she said the price is now $11 per person, don't know the price for children, they supply you with rain gear and water shoes because you get soaked, but on a hot day it is great! There's also the maid of the mist boat ride on both sides, I've only done it on our side, forgot what it cost. We also like to park on our side and walk over the bridge to Canada, check out Clifton Hill, it's a main touristy strip right over the bridge, alot of museums and shops, pretty gardens along the falls, walk back over the bridge, you can get some great pics from the bridge, it makes a nice summer day outing. Hope this helps

Hi!

Do you need a passport to walk over the bridge to the Canada side?

I was thinking of visiting NF in August with the family. We don't have passports. Can you get into Canada with a Passport Card?

We were thinking of driving from MA. I went to NF 21 years ago and things were a lot different then. My DH and kids have never been.

Thank for any and all info!

 

[TIAMOMMA]

Hi!

Do you need a passport to walk over the bridge to the Canada side?

I was thinking of visiting NF in August with the family. We don't have passports. Can you get into Canada with a Passport Card?

We were thinking of driving from MA. I went to NF 21 years ago and things were a lot different then. My DH and kids have never been.

Thank for any and all info!

Yes, you would need passports or a passport card or a nexus card. For kids 16 (or maybe 15) and under an original birth certificate would work for them.

 

[DVCJones]

Yes, you would need passports or a passport card or a nexus card. For kids 16 (or maybe 15) and under an original birth certificate would work for them.

Great!! Thanks for the info. My kids are 7 & 9, I guess I could get a Passport Card for me and DH.

 

[lisaross]

Going in August - we are staying at the Comfort Inn, Canada side - good price and includes breakfast.

We will be buying the Adventure Pass and Clifton HIll pass plus some others - here is our preliminary itinirary - i realize it won't be cheap

Sunday

White Water Walk
Butterfly Conservatory or Niagra Fury
Journey behind the Falls

Dinner then waiting for the Fireworks at 10p - any good recommendation for dinner close to the fireworks?


Monday

Maid of Mist
Niagra fury or Butterfly
Maybe mini golf at Clifton HIll

Oh Canada show

Tuesday

Whirlpool Aero Car
JetBoats

Clifton Hill Evening

Leaving Wednesday and will do Cave of Winds on American side.

Any other tips?

thanks

 

[nicki.momof3]

We went at Easter and loved staying at the Sheraton on the Falls. We spent a little more but had an amazing falls view room.

The Sheraton is connected to Falls Ave. It is an inside area with 3 hotels, a huge waterpark (my kids loved it), hard rock, rainforest cafe, hersey store, coke store, and other fun stuff.

The rooms are amazing.

 

[SenecaWolf]

All of these things sound like fun, I've lived in the area all my life and havent done half of them LOL