Niagara Falls tips, please

[KelNottAt]

DH just decided on the spur of the moment to book us for a long weekend in Niagara Falls later this month. We'll be arriving on a Thursday night (very late) and departing on Sunday evening. We're staying on the NY side.

Does anyong have any tips for us? I'm pretty sure we'll do the Maid of the Mist and the Cave-something. I also hope we make it over the Canadian side for the better view.

What else is there to do? We are myself, DH, DS13 and DD11.
TIA
Kelley

 

[MsLeFever]

On the American side go to the 3 Sisters Islands - slightly upriver from the Falls. You can walk all around them and get right next to the powerful river! It is kinda scary because the water doesn't look dangerous but really is.

If you have more time check out Marineland on the Canadian side - my kids loved it last month!

 

[DoeWDW]

On the Canadian side, north of the falls, check out the Butterfly House! My kids LOVED it! The butterflies are everywhere and they are beautiful. You can get close to them and watch them. That was my kids' favorite part of our trip.

 

[Daxx]

For a delicious buffet, try the Seneca Niagara Casino. They do let children into the buffet. I think breakfast is under $12 and dinner is something like $16.99. We enjoy going to the casino to eat, as we're not gamblers by any stretch of the imagination!

Cave of the Winds is what you are thinking of. There is also another "tour" that takes you behind the falls ... which is very, very cool to do!

When you're on the Canadian side, be sure to walk up and down Clifton Hill. It's extremely touristy, very Las Vegas-ish and just a sight to see. Very tacky, but for some reason, fun. Loads of wierd "museums" ie: Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, Madame Tussards, Frankenstein's Museum, Dracula's Castle, etc. Again, very, very cheesy ... but you have to go and see it and just laugh! There's also a Planet Hollywood and a Rainforest Cafe there.

If you're going to the Canadian side, be sure to take proof of US citizenship (passport or birth certificate b/c drivers license doesn't prove citizenship).

 

[Papa Deuce]

Don't fall out of the barrel.

 

[ktglads]

You can walk over the Rainbow Bridge instead of crossing in a car. Don't know where you are staying, but when I go to the Canadian side this is what I do to avoid sitting in a car in traffic to get over the bridge (and wasting gas). Everything is pretty close to the water so you aren't walking THAT much. Plus, you can get those great pictures of you standing in 2 countries at once.

 

[disneysteve]

I agree with everything already said. Just curious - why are you staying in NY? So much more to do and better view from the Canadian side. Clifton Hill is tacky, honky-tonk fun for all ages. Be prepared to walk, though. It isn't called Clifton HILL for nothing. Canada side also has casinos now. There is a nice reasonably priced hotel right on Clifton Hill. We stayed there a couple of years ago. I'll double check but think it is a Comfort Inn. It was great because everything was in walking distance (except Marineland). I love that area. I was telling telling DW recently that I'd love to get back up there sometime soon. It's a shame it is so far for us.

 

[Micheme]

You should post this over on the Canadian board as well. YOu'll get a ton on information and assistance.

A few things

When are you coming date wise. The Niagara Wine Festival is on from Sept 16 to 25. Here is their website http://www.grapeandwine.com/ . This is a great event showcasing the wonderful Niagara wine industry. There are parades, wine tastings and big celebrations in the city of St Catharines (which is next to Niagara Falls)

Check out the new Niagara Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls. It is brand new and very nice. http://fallsviewcasinoresort.com/

I highly recommend you visit Niagara-on-the-Lake. It is a quaint small village right next to Niagara Falls. There are many shops, restaurants and lots of things to do. Here is their website http://www.niagaraonthelake.com/

I wouldn't worry to much about the border being busy if you come in Sept. The tourists season winds down and the waits are not too buy. You can listen on your radio for border bridge wait times. Or call from both sides of the border 1-800-715-6722 to find out bridge wait times.

Check out these tourism sites for more information on events and things to do. There is a travel and tourism centre right in the middle of Niagara Falls. They will have a lot of information. Ask your hotel staff or follow the signs for tourist information.

Have a great time. Fall in Niagara is wonderful

http://www.niagarafallstourism.com/
http://discoverniagara.com/main/index.php
http://www.ontariotravel.net
http://www.tourismniagara.com/

 

[KelNottAt]

Just curious - why are you staying in NY? So much more to do and better view from the Canadian side.

I agree wholeheartedly. In fact I even suggested to DH that we stay at a Doubletree on the Canadian side.

Alas, since he is in charge of this trip (first one he's planned in 10 years) all the decisions are up to him. In the end, he picked a Hampton Inn on the US side to save some money. (This trip will be our 5th long weekend this year[3rd with airfare] and 7th vacation overall...so I can't blame him.)

Thanks for all the great info, too!
Kelley

 

[disneyfanatic60]

A quick tip to save some $$$$'s.

If you go into the Seneca Niagara Casino (on Amer. Side), sign up for a "Player's Club Card." Parking is free here in the ramp. Go up to the third or fourth level and park near the elevators. The elevators will take you directly down to the Casino area. There is a desk right there to sign up. There is no cost. They just need your driver's license.

When you go over to the Canadian side, if you then park in the Fallsview Casino parking ramp and show them your "players club card from the America Casino" parking is "FREE!" This will save you at least $10 in parking anywhere along the Canadian Falls. As well, they offer "FREE" shuttles to the Niagara Casino down near Clifton Hill. Then you don't have to move your car and pay for parking again or walk all that way. The shuttle runs until 3:00 am daily between the two casino's.

There is so much to do on the Canadian side and, honestly, I would stay in Canada over the U.S. We were just up there last month (we live outside of Buffalo) for the first time in at least 10 years. We had a really nice time.

Also, depending on how much time you have, I would highly recommend checking out Niagara-on-the-Lake. It's a quaint, almost Victorian town just outside of Niagara Falls. There are all sorts of little shops, places to eat, etc. and it's very nice there.

 

[pyrxtc]

All the tips here are great! We did most of them while we were there. I saved a lot of money staying on the canadian side. You could fly into a US city and use a rental car to drive acoss the border to your hotel. Definately do Marineland, Butterfly place and casinos. I climbed up and down Clifton Hill 6 1/2 months preggo too!

 

[aprilgail2]

Biggest tip would be don't stay on the NY side LOL....it is so much beter on the Canadian side! The butterfly house is really nice and the gardens are awesome around it. The Maid of the mist is nice and we took this swesom Jet Boat ride..it was about 20 minutes away on the Canadian side but it was awesome!

 

[LadyyRedd]

Don't fall out of the barrel.

Aw, man, he took mine.


Kimya