Niagra Falls-Anyone ever been to Niagra Falls?

[nezy]

I am trying to plan a trip-where to stay?
what are the must sees? things to avoid?

 

[AprilShowers]

I don't know where to stay cause we camped, but you NEED to take the Maid of the Mist Boat Ride. AWESOME!!!

 

[Kimberly]

I don't know where to stay cause we camped, but you NEED to take the Maid of the Mist Boat Ride. AWESOME!!!

Just be ready for it though. You get misted more than one would think... I have never seen anyone come out dry off that boat. Literally it's like jumping in the niagara river...

Depends on what you want to do though, there are a ton of things to do. There is a great nightlife on the strip and over on Queen Street if you are into that sort of thing, and there is also Toronto nearby. Victoria Park (Niagara Falls, Ontario) is absolutely breathtaking, just make sure you bring your camera with either a huge memory card or a lot of film.

Just be careful of some of the tourist traps though, they really are a rip off, and get your money exchanged at a canadian casino. They have the best exchange rates, even better than the banks.

Most of all, have fun!

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

I live about 20 minutes from Niagara Falls.

The maid of the mist is awesome, and the cave of the winds is pretty cool, as well. I think they have some sort of special where you can go through/go on several things with a pass.

The casino is very nice. There are several really nice hotels on the Canadian side. And the new Seneca Casino has a brand new hotel now, on the NY side.

Niagara Falls, Canada info

Niagara Falls, NY info

If you have any questions about a specific place/hotel/restaurant, feel free to PM me. My best friend grew up in the Falls and at least 1 person I know has been to most things up there.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

"Niagara Falls" Slowly I turned...step by step, inch by inch...."

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Fort Niagra is a short car ride away and makes a nice diversion. There are also several small state parks along the way, overlooking whirlpools and such.
Oh, and my kids really enjoyed the powerplant. It overlooks the river as well and I think it was free, or maybe just really cheap.

We camped both times we went, but cannot remember the name of the campground!

Maid of the Mist, try to get on the top tier if you can and near the railing. They squeeze people on like sardines but it is still worth it.

DH and I walked across to the Canadian side and putzed around in a casino and a couple of touristy places..........

I think during the summer they shoot fireworks over the falls. We laid out a blanket on the island to watch. Really pretty......

 

[RAMWDWFAN]

Hubby and I went over the Memorial Day weekend and had a ball. You have to do the Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour. It's about a 10-15 mile ride from the Falls but worth it. Make sure you bring lots of money for food though. I was really surprised by the prices. We had a Denny's right across the street from our hotel and breakfast cost us $40.00 US without the tip! At home the same meal would cost less than $20.00. Ribs at a famous chain cost $29.00 versus $15.00 at home. Yikes!!

 

[jekajekalynn]

I just got four words for you in lodging... Sheraton On the Falls

A little on the pricy side but WELL worth the view!!! (get a falls view room). We stay there everytime we go. It is VERY convienient to both the falls and Clifton Hill.

My dh and I LOVE clifton Hill! Yes it's touristy , but we can only stand and stare at natural wonders before going...."Yup...thats neat... it's a waterfall...........yup.........water."

It is within walking distance of the falls so you don't have to pay those OVER PRICED parking charges they throw at you just for the privilage of parking halfway across town in a field...

 

[Christine]

My parents and my son went about two weeks ago. They stayed at the Embassy Suites Fallsview. They were happy to have the typical Embassy Suites breakfast buffet as food is a problem in that area. Very touristy, very mediocre, very expensive.

They also stayed one night at The Great Wolf Lodge and the REALLY enjoyed that (plus the hotel food was apparently good).

Do a search on this site--you will see several threads about Niagara Falls and what people have done. You should also look on the tripadvisor.com website.

 

[CdnDisneyNut]

Hubby and I went over the Memorial Day weekend and had a ball. You have to do the Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour. It's about a 10-15 mile ride from the Falls but worth it. Make sure you bring lots of money for food though. I was really surprised by the prices. We had a Denny's right across the street from our hotel and breakfast cost us $40.00 US without the tip! At home the same meal would cost less than $20.00. Ribs at a famous chain cost $29.00 versus $15.00 at home. Yikes!!

I second taking the the Jetboat tour.

 

[travelbug]

Things to do:

Maid of the Mist
Journey Behind the Falls
Cave of the Winds
Aero Car (scary, but worth it )
Gorge Walk (featured in the Superman II movie)
Drive out to the Floral Clock
Go to the top of Skylon Tower for awesome views

I haven't done the Whirlpool Jet Boats yet, but that's on my list for next time.

There's also plenty of touristy stuff like Ripley's Believe It or Not museum, Houdini Museum, haunted house places, wax museums, etc. etc. etc. if you're into those kinds of places.

One point of interest is ABOVE the falls a short distance. There is the remainder of an old rusted barge caught up against a rock. That barge was being swept to the brink when it miraculously ran aground in the middle of the river. It's been there for almost 100 years, I think.

Have a wonderful time at Niagara Falls!

 

[Scutapipig]

"Niagara Falls" Slowly I turned...step by step, inch by inch...."

I thought we were the only ones who did that when we heard the words Niagara Falls! LOL

We camped so I can't recommend hotels. We loved the park around the Falls. We also loved one of the pizzas that Pizza Hut had with Canadian bacon on it.

 

[RadioFanatic]

I highly recommend Michael's Inn - that's where we stay everytime we go and we love it - and it's fun - they have regular rooms and "themed" rooms. I've stayed in the Scarlett O'Hara room and regular rooms and like them all. And it's right next to the Casino Niagara, Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood and easy walking to everything else.

http://www.michaelsinn.com/

 

[nezy]

Thanks for all of that info. I never realized how much there is to do. I have seen the people in the ponchos-so I will plan to get wet! TRhanks for the exchange rate advice-i never thought of that.
After hearing about food options, I am thinking Embassy Suites may be worth the extra-they have breakfast and an afternoon mgrs. reception. Some pkgs include dinner vouchers.
I guess I should have mentioned that we are a family of 5-children 11, 9 and 8. I was wondering about MarineLand-is it worth it or are there just too many other things to do?

We also are planning to go to Toronto for a Yankees/BlueJays game. I am not sure if we should drive back to Niagra area after the game or just try to stay in Toronto.

 

[janey99]

No one else has posted this yet, so . . .

I can't remember the name of it, but in the area there is a botanical garden that has a living buterfly museum. You go into a huge "terrerium" and thousands of butterflies are in there, live and flying around. If you wear bright yellow, red or orange, they will land on you.

We went when DS was about 5 and he still talks about when butterflies landed on him.

I saw several locals posted - maybe they can confirm the name of the place.

There are also many orchards and vinyards in that area, if you're into farms and wine.

Have fun!

Jane

 

[Christine]

The Butterfly Conservatory.

My parents did this with my son. They liked it.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

All together now folks -- spell it with me -- n-i-a-g-A-r-a. It is not "niagra". Yes, it does make a difference.

As for the expensive Denny's -- be advised that there are two Denny's restaurants in Niagara Falls, Ont. One is right near the Fallsview hotels on Stanley Avenue and has tourist pricing. Avoid it like the plague. Drive a few minutes along Lundy's Lane and one will find another Denny's Restaurant with pricing that seems a little closer to home.

 

[Nancy]

As for Marineland, my kids hated it! It was not worth the price of admission and the food sold there is horrendous. The shows were ok, but not Seaworld quality. There are some rides, but not enough to last a whole day.

The Butterfly Conservatory is really nice.

Remember if you stay in Canada there is an exchange rate so when checking rates see if they say Canadian or US dollars and if Canadian plan on it costing a bit less. Also make sure you have picture ID's and birth certificates for crossing the border. We go over all the time and I take kids birth certificates and the youngest ones school ID (the older 2 have driving permits now) I had to show the BC's a few times, but lately it's been just the picture ID's.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

here's a link to a multi-site pass we bought last summer

http://www.niagaraparks.com/nfgg/discountpass.php

it includes a Maid of the Mist ride, Behind the Falls, Gorge Walk and Butterfly Conservatory, and free access to the bus that runs between all the attractions. There are also discount coupons on the Whirpool Jet and Aero Car attractions. This is on the Canadian side, so the prices shown are $CDN. DDs both loved the Butterfly Garden, and their favorite was the Maid of the Mist. We ate lunch at the HArd Rock Cafe on Clifton Hill. It was OK not great.

We had birth certificates for everyone and had to show those and driver's licenses for DH and I. My friends who live near Buffalo use their passports even for day trips.

I second the recommendation for Fort Niagara - it's a nice 30 minute drive north of Niagara Falls, and very interesting. We lucked out and arrived just as a guided tour was starting. That really helped understand the importance of the Fort through the years. The girls' favorite part was when they shot off a cannon.

We stayed with our friends so I know nothing about area hotels.

 

[tinkerbellmom31]

I second the recommendation for Fort Niagara - it's a nice 30 minute drive north of Niagara Falls, and very interesting. We lucked out and arrived just as a guided tour was starting. That really helped understand the importance of the Fort through the years. The girls' favorite part was when they shot off a cannon.

We stayed with our friends so I know nothing about area hotels.

I'm from Niagara Falls (USA). I just want to say alot of the info you are being given can get confusing Fort Niagara for example is on the American side as is Cave of the winds. Both the American and Canadian sides offer Maid of the Mist. You can easily walk across the bridge, though you still go through customs and pay 50 cents per person ( if driving traffic can make for a long wait at times). Definately do the Jet boats your kids will love it.