Niagara Falls?

[threeboysmom]

Hi! We are thinking of doing a quick trip to see Niagara Falls this spring/early summer. I know there is a "Canada side" and an "American side". Any idea what the difference is? (besides the obvious) Is one better to see than the other? I have no absolutely no information about Niagara, so anything you want to tell me would be SO appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[MELSMICE]

I live about 1/2 hour away from the Falls (in the US). As much as I hate to admit it - the Canadian side is much prettier with much more to do.

 

[taximomfor4]

We prefer the Canadian side, for the best views, especially hotel-wise. BUT.....we hung out on the American side at the places we always skipped before, and you HAVE to stop at the American side. There is a park set up right along the edge of the falls. The paths take you to where the water rushes by. Here is a pic....

 

[WDWfan uk]

I've been to the Canadian side and it is on that side you can take the "Maid of The Mist" which takes you close to the Horseshoe Falls. You can also get right beside the falls as they tip over the rock - and that was a great experience! (A very wet one too!!)

The Horseshoe Falls are more spectacular due to their shape and greater width, and from Canada you get a great view of the American Falls, Bridal Falls and the Horseshoe Falls.

I don't know how much of the Horseshoe Falls can be seen on the US side, but you can see people walking down beside the American Falls with their yellow ponchos and hoods and there are also vantage areas.

 

[disneysteve]

As MELSMICE said, the Canadian side is much nicer view and far more to do. Lots of fun shops and attractions as well as casinos if you are into that. Clifton Hill is the main drag and is a lot of fun.

I'm jealous. I was saying to DW just last week that I'd love to go back sometime soon but its not around the corner for us. Of all the places I've traveled, Niagara Falls is definitely one of my favorites.

 

[budbeerlady]

Ride the Maid of the Mist if you have time! We all did it with our youth group. 20 smurfs on a boat!!!!! But it was cool, I have it on my list of things to with DD someday!

 

[laurajetter]

In my opinion (and in the opinion of every person I've ever talked to who has visited Niagara), the Canadian side is much better. There seems to be so many more things to do and I like the view better. We stayed at Embassy Suites Falls View and we loved it!

Make sure to see the Imax film of Niagara, it's very interesting.

There are casinos there if you like that sort of thing, one is huge and fairly new. We don't care for casinos that much, but stopped in to get our money changed over and it was impressive.

The Clifton Hill area is a street where a lot of tourist attractions and shops are concentrated, such as Ripley's Believe it or Not. It is very bright and glitzy, so if that doesn't interest you, steer clear of that area. We only visited it one evening toward the end of our vacation.

Maid of the Mist is a must-see, it is an open top boat which takes you right to the base of the falls. You will almost certainly get wet, so be careful! They give you ponchos, but depending where you stand, the mist can really get to you!

A very short ride by shuttle bus from the heart of Niagara Falls is the Butterfly Conservatory, a giant tropical room filled with lush vegetation and literally thousands of butterflies fluttering around. They are everywhere, and many times land right on you! There is a pathway to follow around at your leisure. There are so many different kinds of butterflies. This was such a cool experience, next to the falls, it was the highlight of our trip; a very family-friendly activity.

There is a cable car ride that goes high overtop a giant whirlpool. We didn't get a chance to do this, though.

There is a boardwalk that goes along the rapids downstream from the falls. It is an easy walk, and a very different perspective than the typical view of the falls. It is neat to be right next to the rapids, they are SO powerful.

I was 5 months pregnant when we took our trip so I couldn't go on it, but the Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours sounded like SO much fun! It is definitely adventurous, the boats goes about 60 mph (I think) right into the rapids. I included a link for you to check it out.

We had dinner at the very top of Skylon Tower in a revolving restaurant. It overlooked the falls and was really cool. It is a little pricey, so go for lunch to get the same view at a cheaper price!

There is more stuff I could share, but this is already so long. Just pm me with any questions!!

http://www.niagarafallstourism.com/
http://www.infoniagara.com/
http://www.city.niagarafalls.on.ca/
http://www.whirlpooljet.com/

Laura

 

[jenrose66]

I'm from Buffalo so I've been to Niagara Falls many times.

I like the Canadian side of the falls better. You are near Clifton Hill which has a lot of fun things to do (haunted houses, clubs, restaurants). There is also a casino. I think it looks cleaner too.

 

[sammi]

Another vote here for the Canadian side as being the best.

Also make sure and take a short drive along the Niagara river parkway to a little town called Niagara-on-the-lake. It's sooooo bautiful there with all kinds of interesting shops and a beautiful art gallery (Trisha Romance). It really is a gorgeous place to stop and visit.You should also make a stop at some of the great wineries and vineyards along the way.

 

[Lisa L from MI]

I haven't been to Niagara falls in years...like 30 to be almost exact!! I remember my little sister and I took a helicopter ride over the falls...just me and her...and we were only like 8 and 10 at the time. My mom said she was a nervous wreck...it was fun though.

DH has always said he wants to take our kids there some day.

Oh...we did stop through for about an hour on our way to Albany back in 1984...forgot about that.

 

[Tinijocaro]

Be sure to bring birth certificates to cross over the border- since 9/11, they are much more strict with that. I live about 20 minutes away and agree, Canadian side is much better. Even if you don't like casinos, go into the new big one (can't remember the name)it's very impressive and fun!

Jackie

 

[Dan Murphy]

Been there several times as a kid, once as an adult, and agree as above, Canadian side. However, as said also, you need to do the American side also, along with Goat Island. Enjoy, it is a wonder of the world.

 

[hiwaygal]

I love Niagara Falls!! And I think the Canadian side is better too!

I haven't been there in many years...we used to love to go to the gardens nearby, and take the tour in the caves down under the falls.

There used to be "day tours" on the double decker buses...they were great because they would hit all the "hot" spots and you didn't have to worry about trying to find your way around!

 

[aprilgail2]

Be sure to bring birth certificates to cross over the border- since 9/11, they are much more strict with that. I live about 20 minutes away and agree, Canadian side is much better. Even if you don't like casinos, go into the new big one (can't remember the name)it's very impressive and fun!

Jackie

I read that they were going to start to require passports even to just go to Canada from the US soon...not sure when theat goes into effect though, I thin kit was a couple years.
The canadian side is much better though...we went on jetboat ride though the whirlpools...it was an AWESOME time!

 

[rockin_rep]

Hi! We are thinking of doing a quick trip to see Niagara Falls this spring/early summer. I know there is a "Canada side" and an "American side". Any idea what the difference is? (besides the obvious) Is one better to see than the other? I have no absolutely no information about Niagara, so anything you want to tell me would be SO appreciated!

Thank you!

Agree with the others, the canadian side rocks!

There are tons of places to stay and we've stayed at many over the years (its a fairly quick getaway weekend for us).

While there are nicer places, with kids i recommend Comfort Inn Clifton Hill --- very touristy but the kids love it. Three families went with kids ranging from 6 -21. Clean, indoor / outdoor pools, lifeguard, arcades etc. And its *right there* a block from the falls and by all the touristy stuff so the older ones roamed around together, while we the parents and the youngins' roamed around, also.

Also, a great place to eat is *Table Rock* - with fabulous views of the falls and you cannot dine any closer! Its operated by the Canadian Parks Dept so its very nice, moderately priced and kid friendly.

Have fun!

 

[jekajekalynn]

I agree with staying on the Canadian side. Basically since most of the good hotels with the GREAT views on are that side.

May I make two suggestions for hotels? lol

In our numerous trips to Niagara Falls, we usually stay at one of the two Sheraton hotels. My fave of the two is called Sheraton on the Falls. It has a better view of the falls of the two, AND it is in Clifton Hill. (LOVE the Great Canadian Midway!!! ) We always have great views in that one, and this past October we got to look out our window onto the garden below and see and here a BEAUTIFUL Chinese Music festival.

Here is a pick from our room we had.

 

[S. C.]

I agree with staying on the Canadian side. Basically since most of the good hotels with the GREAT views on are that side.

May I make two suggestions for hotels? lol

In our numerous trips to Niagara Falls, we usually stay at one of the two Sheraton hotels. My fave of the two is called Sheraton on the Falls. It has a better view of the falls of the two, AND it is in Clifton Hill. (LOVE the Great Canadian Midway!!! ) We always have great views in that one, and this past October we got to look out our window onto the garden below and see and here a BEAUTIFUL Chinese Music festival.

Here is a pick from our room we had.

Very nice view. Was this a regular room or a suite? Did you make any request to get this view?

 

[rigs32]

Priceline has hotel deals on both sides. Sometimes one of the canadian casinos will have a hotel deal - a special price plus free breakfast and shuttle service.

The US side is trying to work on improving the natural part of the falls and not competing with the "shlock" of the canadian side, which is VERY touristy. As you could see in that picture, the US side gets you right up close to the water. In the summer, the park next to the Rainbow Bridge has lots of pretty gardens.

For families, be prepared for lots of intoxicated young people on weekend nights out and about in the Clifton Hill area, as the drinking age is only 19 there.

As a side note, in the movie Last Kiss Goodnight, they blow up the Rainbow Bridge. And the matches that the little girl has are 80s-era Tops matches. (locals might recognize them)

You may also want to look into spending a few days in Toronto. It's 90 min or so from the Falls, cheap hotels via priceline, and they have a city pass that includes lots of fun stuff. (citypass.com, I think)

 

[threeboysmom]

Wow! Thanks for much for all the helpful information! Canadian side it is!

How would I find out about the current passport situation?

Where is the best place to go to look over hotels in the area?

Wish there was a Niagara Falls forum like there is here for Disney!!

 

[pigletof4]

I don't believe the passports are necessary until 2007 or 2008. There is a phase in process for the passports. Right now you just need a birth certificate for each person and a Photo ID for any adults.

We always stay on the Canadian side when we go. With only living two hours away we go quite often with the kids. Have fun.