Niagara Falls, NY

[paper1225]

DH has a business trip this year that we are going to tag along to Niagara Falls, NY. We have been to the Canadian side before and gone to the falls, the cave behind the falls, and a bus tour.........my question is what is there on the US side for me and my three (DS6,DD12,DD13) to do? I was thinking about the maid of the mist, but not sure what else. We will have our car, so we can go to places other than the falls. It looks like we will have 3 full days to keep ourselves busy. DH will probably be with us a couple of the nights, but not all! BTW we will arrive May 29(pm) and leave June 2(am)! TIA

 

[jkelly86]

This doesn't help with the US side, but the Canadian side has three indoor waterparks, and an indoor butterfly conservatory and science museum.
There are some neat State Parks on the US side, as well as a small outdoor amusement park that I can't remember the name of....
Won't be long now until you need passports to go to Canada!

 

[Kellyscrapbooks]

Ok, I live in the western NY area, so this is something I can help with!
You can buy a package that has like 5 things to do, it's called the Passport to the falls. We did it a couple of years ago and had a lot of fun.
It includes the aquarium, the maid of the mist, the cave of the winds, unlimited trolley rides, the discovery center and the theatre. It's really cool.
Here is a link to the niagara falls attraction website.
http://www.niagarafallslive.com/Attractions_in_Niagara_Falls.htm

 

[ckoncurat]

I really liked the "Whitewater Walk", and also the butterfly conservatory. AAA has niagra combo tickets for several attractions.

 

[clownchk]

I think your 6 YO may not like it, but hte rest of your crew would!!!

Head "north" to Lewistion. It is AWESOME! http://www.whirlpooljet.com/

If you go in the "Warmer" months, you can wave to my waterski show team. We doc near them! LOL!

 

[paper1225]

thanks for all the great ideas.....

ckoncurat---we are AAA members and I did not think of tham at all-I will get to the local office soon and see what they have.......

clownchk---I checked out the whirlpool jet website and that looks awesome-which boat did you go on? The dome is the only one that would allow a 6 year old and maybe it will feel a little safer for him? (hoping)

Kellyscrapbooks---thanks for the website, that will cut some costs!

I am really trying to plan/budget before we get there so it will not seem as expensive.
BTW, we do not need a passport just yet, right? I think I had read by land we would not need one until Jan2008.

 

[paper1225]

I just have to laugh at myself. Today is DS bday and he turns 6. So when I was reading the jet boat description and it said 6 and up-I thought he could not ride it since he was only 5.......haha

So I was wrong I think he can ride both, just not sure if he would like the open boat one-will have to ask him and his sisters

 

[Experiment523]

being from WNY go to Canada until Niagara Falls USA gets its crap together and starts thinking of the tourists and the community, the only thing in the states side of the falls is the cave of the winds, the seneca niagara casino and the crappy aquarium. do yourself the favor and go to Canada they know how to sell themselves.

 

[patsal]

On weekends there is an amusemnet park on the US Side a short drive away--Fantasy Island in Grand Island it is only open on weekends this time of year but can be fun for your kids age group. THere is a small water park there also, and you can bring in food so if you prefer to bring in Subway and other picnic supplies form the nearby grocery store there wouldn't be a problem with it. www.martinsfantasyisland.com Some of hte webpages have not been fully updated, but you can go to season passes and get park hours form the bottom of that page link to see if htey are open when you are going to be there.

 

[Kellyscrapbooks]

I am really trying to plan/budget before we get there so it will not seem as expensive.
BTW, we do not need a passport just yet, right? I think I had read by land we would not need one until Jan2008.

You don't need passports yet, but you WILL need to make sure you have birth certificates for everyone. They will ask for them periodically,usually for the kids, but in fact they actually asked for them for dh and I recently despite our having other id.

 

[paper1225]

On weekends there is an amusemnet park on the US Side a short drive away--Fantasy Island in Grand Island it is only open on weekends this time of year but can be fun for your kids age group. THere is a small water park there also, and you can bring in food so if you prefer to bring in Subway and other picnic supplies form the nearby grocery store there wouldn't be a problem with it. www.martinsfantasyisland.com Some of hte webpages have not been fully updated, but you can go to season passes and get park hours form the bottom of that page link to see if htey are open when you are going to be there.

Thank you pastal, we love amusement parks-while looking at this site I came across a ride called crazy mouse-have you riden it? It looks like it could be very similar to primeave in AK, which we LOVE!!

 

[clownchk]

thanks for all the great ideas.....
clownchk---I checked out the whirlpool jet website and that looks awesome-which boat did you go on? The dome is the only one that would allow a 6 year old and maybe it will feel a little safer for him? (hoping)
.

Yes, you COULD ride the Domed one, but MANY people get VERY sick on it! LOL! The "open" boats really are more fun (Although the water will be quite "Refreshing" that time of year!)

If you want to do the Jet Boat, then you may want to look into other Lewiston Activities as well. It is a really pretty village. Check out: http://www.artpark.net/ its only about a 15 minute walk from Jet Boat's Dock (ALthough since it is up a fairly steep hill, you may want to drive it LOL!)

ANd a walk down center street would have all kinds of cute shops and restraunts for you to choose from (Although the food at Water Street Landing, where Jetboat is located is REALLY good, too).

Fort Niaraga May also be a neat place to visit. HEre is more information fromt eh area: http://www.northofthefalls.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewiston,_New_York

Enjoy your stay!

 

[rigs32]

The Carousel Museum in North Tonawanda is a hidden gem of the area.

You might want to take a day trip or two to Toronto or tack on a few days there. It's only 60-90 min from Niagara Falls. They have a city pass with lots of great stuff. http://www.citypass.com/city/toronto.html

There is a Prime Outlets outlet mall in Niagara Falls.

There is a six flags (Darien Lake) about an hour away. There is also Canada's Wonderland just north of Toronto.

 

[patsal]

Thank you pastal, we love amusement parks-while looking at this site I came across a ride called crazy mouse-have you riden it? It looks like it could be very similar to primeave in AK, which we LOVE!!

Very much like primeaval whirl just a shorter ride and not quite as spinny! On a very clear day you can see the mist of the falls from the top of the ferris wheel as well.

 

[bethbuchall]

Thank you pastal, we love amusement parks-while looking at this site I came across a ride called crazy mouse-have you riden it? It looks like it could be very similar to primeave in AK, which we LOVE!!

Don't go to Fantasy Island expecting too much, but it is fun for a day. I grew up on Grand Island and going to Fantasy Island a lot, so it holds a lot of special memories for me.

IIRC, Six Flags Darien Lake closed early last season and was sold. I'm not sure of it's current status. Maybe I'm wrong on that, though.

I think all of the other advice is great, and I can't think of too much more to offer right now.

 

[bethbuchall]

being from WNY go to Canada until Niagara Falls USA gets its crap together and starts thinking of the tourists and the community, the only thing in the states side of the falls is the cave of the winds, the seneca niagara casino and the crappy aquarium. do yourself the favor and go to Canada they know how to sell themselves.

I also am originally from WNY. I am happy that they left most of the land right at the Falls on the US side as state park land and didn't overdevelop it. I will agree that the area back from the Falls could use some work, though. I remember when the Winter Gardens and Rainbow Mall were actually somewhat popular, but that all fell apart. The Turtle museum was nice, too.

 

[goofyforlife]

thanks for all the great ideas.....

clownchk---I checked out the whirlpool jet website and that looks awesome-which boat did you go on? The dome is the only one that would allow a 6 year old and maybe it will feel a little safer for him? (hoping)

My Dh and i rode the whirlpool jetboats on our honeymoon.

There's no way in heck i would take a 6 yr old on them.

Shoot, i could barely breathe with the tons on water hitting us...

Now the older girls might like it.....

 

[PiRSquared]

Suscribing because we are going there for a few days in the summer. Great ideas! Thanks!

 

[Twende]

Cave of the winds on the American side of the falls is one of our families favorites!
http://www.niagarafallslive.com/cave_of_the_winds.htm

There is also a Power Visa that our famliy enjoys. It as a freebie and we find it very educational. The views out the back of it are beautiful.

http://www.nypa.gov/vc/niagara.htm

For a nice day trip you could drive to the Ontario Science Center.
http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

I wouldn't do Fantasy Island. As an area native. That place..is not that great. Very OLD. Six Flags was sold. But is now opening even better this year. They new have a "Wiggles" Section, instead of looney tunes. Check out their website. Go to sixflags.com and check under Darien Lake.