Niagara falls/NY side. Vacation?

[tracyz]

I live in Vermont, and it's a great place to visit in the summer! Lots of great outdoor activities. I would recommend the Stowe area for a couple of days. From there you can easily hike, there are several options for canoe/kayak opportunities, Stowe has a great bike path, Ben & Jerry's is close by, and it's not too far to Shelburne (Shelburne Museum, Vermont Teddy Bear Factory) and Burlington, where there is a great pedestrian street (Church Street) filled with shops and restaurants.

From here to Niagara Falls is a pretty boring, uneventful 8 hour drive, but Niagara Falls is a lot of fun when you get there (I also agree about the Canadian side.)
Someone mentioned Acadia National Park up in Maine. It's the other direction, but I second that recommendation! It's beautiful up there, and the drive through New Hampshire and Maine is really pretty.

 

[Northernlites]

I live in Canada, we go to Niagara Falls every summer and winter for a weekend visit. Lots to do, cheap, clean and very safe at all hours. I have been to Boston and Newport also. I still like Niagara falls the best. Plus you are only 1 hour drive from downtown Toronto. You could stay in Niagara Falls for a few days and a few days in Toronto. The best hotels for views and service is the Marriott chain. The best for value would be any of the Days Inn chains. Since you have a car you can really stay anywhere. Also one of the most beautiful drives in Canada is the drive from Fort Erie north to Niagara on the Lake along the Niagara river. We ride our bikes along this trail every year ....Nothing compares .....Plus your dollar buys 30% more right now.....If you have any specific questions about specific attractions just pm me.

 

[usd2bmd]

We live about 20 minutes from the Falls and I believe (like many have said) the Canadian side is much better. There is more to do. if you are going to go look into getting a Clifton Hill Fun pass. it's a discount card for 3-5 attractions on Clifton Hill. The falls are lit up at night from the Canadian side so to see that you really have to be across the bridge. the Gardens on the Canadian side are beautiful. We are actually planning on going over there on Easter Sunday.

have fun

 

[Puffy2]

If you fly, and wanted to stay on the Canadian side, what airport do you fly into?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

If you fly, and wanted to stay on the Canadian side, what airport do you fly into?

There is a small airport in Niagara Falls, NY, but probably Buffalo will offer you the most options. The closest major Canadian airport is Toronto, but that's more than an hour from the Falls.

 

[Puffy2]

Ok this might be a dumb question, but can you fly into Buffalo NY and still get to the Canada side of the falls? Do you take a town car?

 

[clori]

Honestly either Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada or Boston, MA would be great with kids. There is plenty for the kids in either location but I doubt Niagara Falls would be more than a 1 day trip if you only stay on the American side. My favorite attraction in Niagara Falls though was Cave of the Winds on the US side. Actually Niagara Falls Canada also has a Great Wolf Lodge - we didn't stay there but did stop and play magic quest (must be hotel guest for water park).

For kid friendly places in Boston - Old State House, Old South Meeting House, Fenway Park tour, USS Constitution and Museum, swanboats, duckboats, Museum of Science, Prudential Skywalk observatory (maybe not so much for the youngest), Museum of Fine Art, Boston Tea Party Museum, Old Town Trolley etc. Then there are nearby places up to an hour or so from Boton like Plimouth Plantation, Salem, MA, Strawberry Banks in Portsmouth, NH, Old Sturbridge Village etc. Basically if you choose to do Boston there is plenty to choose from.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Ok this might be a dumb question, but can you fly into Buffalo NY and still get to the Canada side of the falls? Do you take a town car?

We rented a car from Alamo and made sure we were allowed to drive it into CA. No problems.



I agree with the pp who said if you only plan to visit the American side, it's not worth going. Personally, I would save NF for a long weekend trip or part of a bigger trip. 10 days is way too much there. 2 nights was plenty for us.
OP, I know you said you're looking for a driving vacation but we have taken a few trips out west and believe that's the place to go for incredible scenery. Maybe just because it's so different than the East. I would highly recommend any of these: Sedona or Page, AZ; Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park & Zion Nat. Parks in UT, & San Fran & Yosemite Nat. Park in Cali.

Unless you have fear of flying or budget constraints, these are all gorgeous.

 

[mrsboz]

subscribing. thank you.

 

[lustergirl]

OP: Don't know if you are a gambler but the Seneca Niagara Casino in the Falls has a beautiful resort and casino. The rooms are awesome as well as the food.