Niagara Falls....

[paysensmom]

We will be headed there this summer. Talk about a NON-budget trip!
Best places to eat lunch? We will get breakfast each morning at our hotel. One night for dinner we are going to the Farwin magic show. I am looking for your budget ideas or just REALLY good food. We won't be doing the Skylon tower, way too pricey.
Also, WHICH border crossing should we use to get over to Canada?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Zappi's Pizza is in the Falls tourist district and has an amazing pizza burger.

Mick & Angelo's is 5 minutes from the tourist district (on Lundy's Lane) and has the best Italian food ever. It has been featured on Man v. Food.

Also on Lundy's Lane and kind of quirky is the Flying Saucer. Drive-in type food in a building shaped like a UFO.

The Mandarin is also away from the tourist district but has the most amazing buffet (chinese and Canadian).

If you are willing to cross over to the US side for lunch, I highly recommend The Silo in Lewiston (about 10 minutes from the Falls). This was also featured on Man v. Food. Gorgeous scenery, and their signature sandwich (the haystack) is absolutely delish.

You will love the Greg Frewin show. I haven't been for the dinner (so I can't comment on that) but the magic show portion is excellent .

Niagara doesn't have to be "non budget". You can get some really great deals on attractions if you know where to loook. We visit Niagara at least once a year in the summer and always find we get a good bang for our buck. If there's something specific that interests you, toss it out there and I will see if I can help.

As for the Skylon....I would say skip it anyway. There are better ways to see the Falls. Have you considered the Niagara Skywheel as an alternative?

 

[Eastern]

What hotel do you usually stay at? How much time should I budget for a trip?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

What hotel do you usually stay at? How much time should I budget for a trip?

We have stayed at a variety of properties, just depending on what kind of a trip we want it to be. Everything from Great Wolf Lodge (our family favourite, but definitely harder on the budget) to the Travelodge (on trips that we plant to be out "doing" more than spending time at the hotel or in the room). There are so many options for every family situation and price point. Do you want a Fallsview room? Walking distance to the Falls or the Clifton Hill area? Do you want suite accomodations? Is a pool a must? Are you bringing kids? Is price or luxury your focus?

We went for a week last summer and never ran out of new things to do, even though we generally go at least yearly. You could hit the highlights in just a few days (I'd say minimum 3 if you want to narrow your attraction choices to just the best and you don't want to be too rushed) but you could easily fill 7. Just depends on how much money you want to spend while you are there.

For this year's trip, we snagged a queen/queen room at the Skyline Inn (walking distance to the Falls and the Clifton Hill/Falls Avenue tourist area) with daily passes for 4 to the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark for $149 per night . The deals are out there if you know where to look!

 

[clori]

I'm also going to Niagara Falls in a few weeks. Hope I can just tag on to this thread. We have a 1 bedroom suite booked at Country Inn and Suites. I have two girls who will be 8&12. I'm hoping I chose a nice hotel. It has free breakfast and a pool but no falls view. I booked at $99 a night (plus tax) We will arrive sometime on Sunday and leave Thursday. I want to see a few sites on the American side such as Discovery Center and Cave of the Winds which we might do before arriva or after departure.

On the Canadian side I figure we will do the Adventure Package and the Package at Clinton Hall with the skywheel. Another family is traveling with us with a 7 year old boy and 13 year old girl. They mentioned a white water rafting that is enclosed?

What else do you recommend for the girls. I'm thinking about the Spanish aerocar, floral clock, and butterfly place. My dh wants to see the power plant (is either side better?). Any suggestions for casual food - dd7 (8 in June) doesn't eat much. DD12 does eat a bigger variety but not a big eater.

Also any advice on the best way of getting Canadian money or paying with American money.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I'm also going to Niagara Falls in a few weeks. Hope I can just tag on to this thread. We have a 1 bedroom suite booked at Country Inn and Suites. I have two girls who will be 8&12. I'm hoping I chose a nice hotel. It has free breakfast and a pool but no falls view. I booked at $99 a night (plus tax) We will arrive sometime on Sunday and leave Thursday. I want to see a few sites on the American side such as Discovery Center and Cave of the Winds which we might do before arriva or after departure.

On the Canadian side I figure we will do the Adventure Package and the Package at Clinton Hall with the skywheel. Another family is traveling with us with a 7 year old boy and 13 year old girl. They mentioned a white water rafting that is enclosed?

What else do you recommend for the girls. I'm thinking about the Spanish aerocar, floral clock, and butterfly place. My dh wants to see the power plant (is either side better?). Any suggestions for casual food - dd7 (8 in June) doesn't eat much. DD12 does eat a bigger variety but not a big eater.

Also any advice on the best way of getting Canadian money or paying with American money.

We stayed at the Country Inn & Suites last summer......here is a link to my Tripadvisor review:

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserR...ites_Niagara_Falls-Niagara_Falls_Ontario.html

Me personally, I would skip the Discovery Center on the US side. My son was bored to tears. Do the Observation Tower and Cave of the Winds, and then head back over to the Canadian side (after a side trip to the Silo for lunch, and a stop at Twist of the Mist for ice cream ).

You can check out some pics of the US side in my slideshow here:

http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-020c-fae4-3d2d?ln

For the girls, I would highly recommend Bird Kingdom at the Niagara Aviary. Excellent value and great fun for young and old alike. You can check out my Tripadvisor review here:

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserR...94590-Bird_Kingdom-Niagara_Falls_Ontario.html

And here's a slideshow of our visit:

http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-01ff-fcfe-38c4?ln

I think the white water rafting you are thinking of must be the jet boats. Awesome and FUN! http://www.whirlpooljet.com/ We did this last year for hubby's 40th and we had a blast. More details can be found in my TA review here:

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserR...ool_Jet_Boat_Tours-Niagara_Falls_Ontario.html

As for exchanging your USD funds to CDN, I would say do so at the bank before your trip. Then, if you need more while you are in town, there's tons of place along Clifton Hill and in the tourist area to convert additional amounts.

 

[loveysbydesign]

It can be a budget trip if you stick to the american side and don't do all the touristy things on the Canadian side

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

It can be a budget trip if you stick to the american side and don't do all the touristy things on the Canadian side

As someone who has visited multiple times (both the Niagara Falls State Park on the US side and the Niagara Falls Parks Commission on the Canadian side) I truly think the OP would be missing out if she didn't spend time on the Canadian side as well. The views from the Canadian side are by far superior to those on the US side, plus there are some GREAT attractions that shouldn't be missed. Off the top of my head.....

Bird Kingdom (Niagara Falls Aviary)
The Skywheel
The Butterfly Conservatory
The Oh Canada Eh! Dinner Show
Greg Frewin's illusion show
Great Wolf Lodge

are all on the Canadian side and well worth visiting.

Maid of the Mist and the Niagara Jet Boats are options from either side of the border, and again, are excellent attractions.

Cave of the Winds is a must-do on the US side, and IMHO, the best thing to do at Niagara Falls.

Both sides have their merit. If family fun is a consideration, though, the Canadian side offers far, far, FAR more.

 

[Eastern]

Thanks for the info, I will check out your reviews.

 

[Tower]

If you're around the Fallsview Casino, you'll see close by across the street a restaurant with a great price for breakfast. Do not eat there! The initial meal price might be decent, but they really get you on even things like coffee! I know it's standard practice to hike prices on OJ 1000%, but c'mon! Saw that place a couple weeks ago while DW and I were celebrating mother's day early, and still remembered my dissatisfaction.

 

[nikkistevej]

We are going in June, I was unsure of doing the whirlpool jet boats with MIL and FIL, but after looking at the reviews and pictures, it seems a must!!

 

[bdoyledimou]

If your family likes Japanese food -- Jade Sushi is amazing! (It is also on Lundys Lane just PAST the Flying Saucer rest.
The adult price for dinner is $20 -- but kids up to 12 pay $1 per year of age.
The food was fresh and fast, and my daughter loved it so much she asks me to take there there all the time (even though its a 2.5 hour drive, and our regular sushi place is -- across the street).

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

If you're around the Fallsview Casino, you'll see close by across the street a restaurant with a great price for breakfast. Do not eat there! The initial meal price might be decent, but they really get you on even things like coffee! I know it's standard practice to hike prices on OJ 1000%, but c'mon! Saw that place a couple weeks ago while DW and I were celebrating mother's day early, and still remembered my dissatisfaction.

I believe you might be thinking of Al Mac's? (forgive me if the spelling isn't exact)

If you are, I wholeheartedly agree........stay away. Food quality is substandard at best and that fabulously competitive buffet cost is wiped out by their hugely overpriced beverages.

 

[lisaross]

Wow seems like so many of us are going to Niagra Falls this summer.

I am going in August! I didn't even think about the money issue - I am staying at the Comfort Inn at Clifton Hill - i guess i can just do an exchange their?

I am thinking of going the the jetboats as well - pricey but i think my boys will LOVE it -

We will be arriving on a Sunday and checking out on Wednesday - on Wednesday when we leave we'll do the American side - any recommendations on how we should break up Sunday - Tuesday - what attractions each day etc?

Any restaurant recommendations in the Clifton HIll area?

 

[WVMomof3]

We are going in a couple weeks, and I too did not think about the money. We usually credit card everything, thinking this should not be a problem, right? It would make it easier not having to exchange any money.

 

[WVMomof3]

Now I am wondering if I need to worry about the cell phones? Does that count as international? Off to check what my plan covers.

 

[paysensmom]

I should have started with, I have made this a not so budget friendly trip! We will be staying two nights at the Embassy Suites with a falls view two room suite!
We will get the adventure pass and do all of those things on the Canada side as well as the Clifton Hill fun pass. On the American side we will do the Cave of the winds tour. Not sure what else we should do there.
We arrive June 25th and check out on the 27th and head to Toronto for two nights at the Delta Chelsea, I got a great deal on Groupon a couple of weeks ago!
We will get the Toronto City Pass and do those things. Any other must do things there?

We will be traveling with a 10 year old boy, 7 year old girl and a 1 year old girl!

 

[loveysbydesign]

We are doing a budget trip!
Gonna be there June 17-20. Staying in a suite(with mircro./fridge and has hotel pool) at the Days Inn Niagara Falls/Buffalo for only $80 a night(with AAA) and can cancel up til arrival day at 6pm in case they would be calling for severe weather or storms for the entire date we're there.
Only doing Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds and hiking the parks! We've been promising to take our kids for the last 3 years and have yet to make it there. They just cut back dh's hours so we will end up having to charge the room, but everything else we will have the money for, not gonna cancel a 3rd year in a row and disappoint them.

 

[popcenturylover]

It can be a budget trip if you stick to the american side and don't do all the touristy things on the Canadian side

As someone who has visited multiple times (both the Niagara Falls State Park on the US side and the Niagara Falls Parks Commission on the Canadian side) I truly think the OP would be missing out if she didn't spend time on the Canadian side as well. The views from the Canadian side are by far superior to those on the US side, plus there are some GREAT attractions that shouldn't be missed. Off the top of my head.....

Bird Kingdom (Niagara Falls Aviary)
The Skywheel
The Butterfly Conservatory
The Oh Canada Eh! Dinner Show
Greg Frewin's illusion show
Great Wolf Lodge

are all on the Canadian side and well worth visiting.

Maid of the Mist and the Niagara Jet Boats are options from either side of the border, and again, are excellent attractions.

Cave of the Winds is a must-do on the US side, and IMHO, the best thing to do at Niagara Falls.

Both sides have their merit. If family fun is a consideration, though, the Canadian side offers far, far, FAR more.

I've been a few times and I definitely think the Canadian side is much better with more to do! It is also alot more beautiful and cleaner on the Canadian side!

 

[elaine amj]

I like the Flying Saucer for a quirky diner. food and prices are also good.

My other fave bfast/lunch place is Falls Manor restaurant. Small little place off the strip in a motel.http://www.fallsmanor.com/restaurant-overview.php Food was YUM and worth a trip.

Mandarin Buffet is also good - pricey for a buffet, but good. We enjoy the variety. very good for picky and unadventurous eaters. I've not heard of anyone who doesn't find the food there decent.

we were just in the Falls last weekend and I posted some reviews on another thread about oh Canada Eh! and some strenous hiking in the Niagara Glen. Had a fabulous time and we didn't spend too much.

I should have started with, I have made this a not so budget friendly trip! We will be staying two nights at the Embassy Suites with a falls view two room suite!
We will get the adventure pass and do all of those things on the Canada side as well as the Clifton Hill fun pass. On the American side we will do the Cave of the winds tour. Not sure what else we should do there.
We arrive June 25th and check out on the 27th and head to Toronto for two nights at the Delta Chelsea, I got a great deal on Groupon a couple of weeks ago!
We will get the Toronto City Pass and do those things. Any other must do things there?

We will be traveling with a 10 year old boy, 7 year old girl and a 1 year old girl!

The Delta Chelsea is lots of fun - are you there on a weekend? We stayed there a couple times last summer and the activities are very fun to do. We particularly like bingos, scavenger hunts, etc. my kids loved the pool. Me...not so much. It's very small, cramped and crowded. If there happens to be LOTS of people, it can be hard to find a chair around the pool. One time I actually stood for 5 minutes before someone finally moved their towel that was happily enjoying a comfy chair. My kids adore the twisty slide though. Keep in mind - the rooms are very small - think Pop Century size.

For parking, I would personally look for a public garage within a block or so. You can park overnight on a weekend for $12. At the hotel it's like $25-$30? I HATED the Delta Chelsea's parking lot - pretty much the worst i've ever been in - cramped, ancient, and a complete maze. 2nd time I parked there was much better as I knew exactly where to go to get a space. 1st time had me almost in tears backing out of tight corners, turning the wrong way, etc etc. There is an outdoor lot right next to the Delta Chelsea - just circle the hotel a couple of times to get a sense of where the lots are (beware the city's one way streets). If it's a private lot, ask before you park. One lot said it would cost me $30, i drove to a public lot a touch closer and it was only $12 for overnight.