Niagara Falls

[bethbuchall]

Get a Passport Card or an Enhanced Driver's License. Your children will need the same, so make sure everyone has one.

Children under 16 need only birth certificates. Children 16 and older will need a passport, passport card, enhanced permit/license/non-driver id.

 

[kjgy]

Children under 16 need only birth certificates. Children 16 and older will need a passport, passport card, enhanced permit/license/non-driver id.

Do you need photo ID for a child under 16 or just birth certificate?

Kim

 

[Donnask8pro]

I'm sorry, I just cant help myself.. First thing I thought of when I saw the post.



Niagara Falls, slowly I turn... step by step. inch by inch....

 

[bethbuchall]

Do you need photo ID for a child under 16 or just birth certificate?

Kim

As of now, you need only a certified birth certificate for children 15 and under.

 

[JoyG]

I agree about the State Park on the US side...it's beautiful, natural and not touristy or gimmicky at all.

Stepping off the state park, the city of Niagara Falls, NY isn't so nice, whereas the city surrounding Niagara Falls, Canada is better built up with more tourist attractions.

I would definitely still come see the Falls even if you can't go to the Canadian side. If you take the Maid of the Mist boat ride, you'll still see the Falls from the Canadian view, you'll just be much closer, LOL.

I wrote about the Falls and include pictures in my travel blog (link below).

 

[georgina]

Not to hijack the thread, but my DH & I were talking about doing a Niagara Falls trip when school gets out. (6/24-6/28) Any budget friendly hotel options (for a family of 5) on the Canadian side? I priced the Marriot Fallsview, but it was over $1000.00 for 4 nights (I'd rather go to Disney for that price!)

We were there about 13 years ago, and we stayed on the NY side & walked over the bridge. We saw everything we wanted to see via walking or bus. If we stay on the NY side is this still an option?

Also it seems the Canadian hotels have a daily parking fee.

Any specific recomendations for a trip that won't break the bank???

We stayed at the Country Inn & Suites (family of 5) last August. It was $396 Canadian for 2 nights, so it's not cheap. Check out tripadvisor.com for reviews.

 

[Niagara2]

Niagara Falls is nice on the US side too. It is where you can get upclose and personal with the falls. They thunder down right next to you. While at the parks try to Maid of the Mist and the Cave of the Winds. These attractons are not to be missed. Walk over three sister Island and to the banks of the river where the rapids and its force are a foot away from you. We have a large power plant that offers free tours, Whirlpool state park with hiking trails into the natural gorge. Drive three miles to Lewiston NY with its quaint shops, streetside patio restaurants and try a ride on the Whirlpool Jetboats. My kids were more excited about that ride than any at Disney!
Old Fort Niagara is also there, an aquarium, wine country, you can take a luncheon tour on the erie Canal and actually go through real working locks, there is also an underground cave ride.
I suggest you take a tour so you do not become one of the people who say - I saw the Falls and leave Niagara Falls NY. There is much to see and do,
We have a Factory Outlet mall that is full of Canadians as it is so much lowered priced than any mall in Canada. We do not go to eat in Canada much anymore as the prices are worst than Disney! The US hotels are much lowered priced that the Canadian hotels too.
Do a bit of homework, and you and the kids will really enjoy Niagara Falls NY!

 

[dogluva]

I agree about the State Park on the US side...it's beautiful, natural and not touristy or gimmicky at all.

Stepping off the state park, the city of Niagara Falls, NY isn't so nice, whereas the city surrounding Niagara Falls, Canada is better built up with more tourist attractions.

I would definitely still come see the Falls even if you can't go to the Canadian side. If you take the Maid of the Mist boat ride, you'll still see the Falls from the Canadian view, you'll just be much closer, LOL.

I wrote about the Falls and include pictures in my travel blog (link below).

I agree. I wished we didn't stay on the Canadian side. It was hard to get over to the US side to do the Discovery pass. We should have stayed on that side instead and just gone over when the traffic wasn't so bad. We loved the American side and you are right, you can see the Canadian side from the Maid of the Mist. I wasn't into all that honky tonk stuff on the canadian side at all.

 

[carwesty]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I think we will go and just stay on the US side, we will be there for only 2 days and it seems there is plenty to do without going over to Canada. My next question would be that some mentioned the area of NY isn't that nice, what hotels would be good to stay at since we aren't going over to Canada.

 

[briarbear]

The Seneca Niagara Casino is nice. There are alot of nice dinning choices and the rooms are great. You really have to research the other hotels some are "hole-in-the-wall" types.

 

[mskayjay]

I just came back from there last night on the Canadian side and all I can tell you is that it is amazing. We stayed at the Sheraton on the Falls for a great rate ($119)that included breakfast and a $50 voucher for dinner. Tried to stay an extra night and of course that rate wasn't available anymore! I personally would NOT go if I couldn't cross over as you truly see a different world on the Canadian side and the trip down along the river to Niagara on the Lake is spectacular (the flower clock, the butterfuly house, the conservatory). You can go down alongside the American Falls and also ride the Maid of the Mist from the American side and if you do go, really truly go on the boat ride. The power of the water when you get up close like that is unreal. You can feel it. And the water there is so neat. There is something about the release of the ions into the atmosphere that is just so hard to describe.

Cooperstown to me was soooooo boring!!!!! lol The area is beautiful but even being married to sports people and liking it myself, seeing a bunch of old baseballs and plaques was a yawner. Howe Caverns isn't too far from there and is very nice. Have you considered going to Lake Placid instead of Niagara Falls??

 

[palavra]

Two years ago, we stayed at the Howard Johnsons closest to the Falls on the American side for about $55.00 a night. It wasn't fancy, just a standard hotel, but it was clean and very close to the Falls.

 

[buzz5985]

Another vote for the American side of the Falls. The Cave of the Winds is amazing. You actually vibrate standing next to the falls, the roar from the falls is deafening. You don't get that close on the Canadian side. We traveled there several years ago, American and Canadian side - and the Cave of the Winds is what sticks out in our minds as unforgettable. The Horseshoe falls are prettier, but you can't get as close to them, as with the Cave of the Winds. Plus we did the Maid of the Mist from American side - didn't really notice they didn't go as close as the Canadian side.

When I was 16 we went to the Canadian side with my parents. I remember getting into the slicker and rubber boots, and walking out under the falls, so you could actually put your hand out and touch the water. 30 years later, you couldn't touch the falls with a 10 foot pole, they keep you so far back, I couldn't figure out why they even give you rain coats??

My DS 12 just returned home from a trip to Cooperstown with his Scout troop. He is an avid baseball fan, plays for the Dodgers in the Major League in town, and told me - it was full of a bunch of pictures of dead guys. No trophies, no nothing - and an entire floor was dedicated to - sit down for this - woman!!!! LOL

Now Howe's Caverns - all the boys really enjoyed this - but get ready for - the food prices are higher than Disney - I think he paid $5 for a hot dog and $3 for a water. But he had a great time and wants to return to show us - his parents - the caves.

Enjoy Boston.

Janis

 

[kjgy]

I just came back from there last night on the Canadian side and all I can tell you is that it is amazing. We stayed at the Sheraton on the Falls for a great rate ($119)that included breakfast and a ??

Do you know how much it is for the Water park at Sheraton? Is there a discount for staying at Hotel. We are hoping on going in July.

Kim

 

[Kristi1357]

Any campground recommedations?

 

[Niagara2]

There is a KOA in Grand Island NY just before the bridge to Niagara Falls. It sits right next to a small amusement park called Fantasy Island with a water park in it if you have kids.
The State Parks have camping more North also in Lewiston/Youngstown NY.
Small campgrouds can be found along Niagara Falls Blvd. that are family owned.

 

[mskayjay]

Do you know how much it is for the Water park at Sheraton? Is there a discount for staying at Hotel. We are hoping on going in July.

Kim

Hi Kim! There are two Sheratons in NiFalls Canada. We stayed at the Sheraton on the Falls and that one does not have the water park. Sorry I can't help you out on that one!
K

 

[OntFamily]

Do you know how much it is for the Water park at Sheraton? Is there a discount for staying at Hotel. We are hoping on going in July.

Kim

All costs quoted are in Canadian $, and are per person.

If you buy a one day pass direct from the water park, the cost is $44.95.

If you are staying at a hotel connected to the water park (ie Sheraton on the Falls), you can buy day passes for $29.95 (we've done this a few times).

Our local Costco's (here in Toronto) sell day passes for the water park for $28.95.

Or, you can convert your hotel stay to a water park package, in which your passes are included (and you can visit the water park on multiple days). This rate will vary (but check to make sure the package rate, is less expensive than the day passes).

Niagara Falls is great in July. But there will be lots of people. It's their busiest time of the year (I've been there in July, and we've had a great time).

 

[englishrose47]

As you can see live on the American side !! Prices in Canada ae VERY high!! You can get an advanced type drivers license , a passport . a nexus card or Passport card I have none as I seldom if ever cross over into Canada !! You can ride the Madof te Mt but wuld need a pasportsit is Interational water. The Cave of the inds on th US side is grat as is Goat Island with the 3 sisters Island Caution thoug RESPECT the Niagare River it is treacherous stay well way from slippery rocksThe Seneca Niagar Casino has a awesome buffet !! Frankly I think the resaurant food in Canada is way overpriced and not that good !! lso the observation tower on the US side is great !!

 

[Niagara2]

You do not need a passport to ride the Maid of the Mist! You start the boat trip on the USA dock and finish at the USA dock. Never heard of anyone jumping into the water off the Maid of the Mist boat to get to Canada.
Spent the morning in the middle of the Rainbow Bridge for a private ceremony celebrating our cross border treaties. Hillary Clinton and her Canadian counterpart were there together for the first time in history. In all these years, this is the first time the bridge was closed.
All the speeches were at the middle of the bridge on that line that marks the two countries. We then enjoyed a great reception at Oaks Gardens with an international orchestra. Was a nice day here in Niagara Falls.