NIAGRA FALLS Vacation - Help Wanted!

[lisaross]

Hi everyone,

We will be heading to Niagra Falls the last week of August! We are staying at the Comfort Inn, Clifton Hill! We will be staying for 3 nights --

Our last day we will hit the American side and do the caves!

I know to buy the clifton hill passes and the Niagra Adventure pass - can i buy the passes there?

Also what about the Oh canada show - what do u guys think? it will be me, hubby and two boys 10 and 12 travelling.

Can u recommend any places to eat - lunch/dinner?

We are also thinking of going on the speed boat ride - forgot the name of it.

Any suggestions welcome.

After our stay in Niagra we will be visiting friends in Dunkirk - any recommendations their or around for the kids? we will be doing the amuesment park - forgot the name - with the new water park added

 

[MedicGoofy]

Hi there

For the passes you are talking about, you can buy them right in Niagara Falls. You can buy the pass online OR you can buy it from Niagara Parks OR I believe you can buy it from any of the participating attractions ie, journey behind the falls. I would confirm that though.

Don't forget, depending on your dates of travel, that Niagara Falls does fireworks at the Falls every Fri and Sunday at 1000pm. Definitely worth it to see.

I believe you are talking about the Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours. Definitely an awesome trip. And your boys will love it. I've done it several times and its awesome each time I do it. Get ready to get soaked!! There are 2 different locations for that, Niagara Falls parkway and in Niagara on the Lake; either would be great.

As for eating; you have 2 boys, Rainforest Cafe is the first place that comes to mind, Clifton Hill. There is also Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Cafe, which might be cool for the kids. At the Hilton Hotel, a restaurant called Brasa. A little expensive BUT amazing. Think O'Hana's at the Polynesian. Then think 10x better. It's all meat. They bring tons of different meats on skewers. Then they also have a buffet station with so many different salads. It's amazing. There is a Keg, that overlooks the falls as well. Very nice. TGIFridays.

For simple lunches or a dinner, walking along any of the streets, you will find a restaurant. There are TONS of them. Most of them are pretty good. If you google restaurants in Niagara Falls, you will get a HUGE list. It's kind of going to be what your tastes may be.

Have an awesome trip
Any other questions, ask away!!

 

[lisaross]

We'll be arriving on Sunday- i'll be sure to catch the fireworks - where is the best place to view them from?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

The Oh Canada Eh! dinner show is a great time. We went last summer and thought the food was very good and the entertaiment a ton of fun. Our son was 15 at the time and enjoyed it as much as we did.

For other dining, I would highly recommend Mick & Angelo's on Lundy's Lane for some awesome Italian food. The Mandarin has a fantastic Chinese and Canadian buffet, but it is not located in the Falls tourist area. If you are looking for something right down by Clifton Hill, Zappi's Pizza was good (try their signature "pizza burger".....oh, it was good).

The Fudge Factory on Clifton Hill is good for that late night sweet craving (maybe after the fireworks?). They sell homebaked cookies on a stick that they dip in milk chocolate then drizzle in white chocolate. At something like $2 each, they are a reasonable (and delectable) indulgence.

For NF attractions, our favourites are Cave of the Wind (on the US side), Maid of the Mist, the jetboats (be prepared to get super wet!!), the Skywheel (great views) and the Niagara Aviary/Bird Kingdom.

 

[lisaross]

Can we walk to Oh Canada Eh from the Clifton Hill Area?

The Oh Canada Eh! dinner show is a great time. We went last summer and thought the food was very good and the entertaiment a ton of fun. Our son was 15 at the time and enjoyed it as much as we did.

For other dining, I would highly recommend Mick & Angelo's on Lundy's Lane for some awesome Italian food. The Mandarin has a fantastic Chinese and Canadian buffet, but it is not located in the Falls tourist area. If you are looking for something right down by Clifton Hill, Zappi's Pizza was good (try their signature "pizza burger".....oh, it was good).

The Fudge Factory on Clifton Hill is good for that late night sweet craving (maybe after the fireworks?). They sell homebaked cookies on a stick that they dip in milk chocolate then drizzle in white chocolate. At something like $2 each, they are a reasonable (and delectable) indulgence.

For NF attractions, our favourites are Cave of the Wind (on the US side), Maid of the Mist, the jetboats (be prepared to get super wet!!), the Skywheel (great views) and the Niagara Aviary/Bird Kingdom.

 

[lisaross]

The attractions that u get on the pass,

how would u break them down over the 3 days?

what is near each other? will probably do the butterfly conservatory too!

Will arrive by noon on Sunday and leaving Wednesday (wed will hit the NY side after bkfast)

thinking Oh Canada either Monday or tuesday evening

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Can we walk to Oh Canada Eh from the Clifton Hill Area?

Nope, you will need a car. Oh Canada Eh is at the far end of Lundy's Lane....a 5-10 minute drive from Clifton Hill.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

The attractions that u get on the pass,

how would u break them down over the 3 days?

For the Niagara attractions pass, I would do the White Water Walk first, then Journey Behind the Falls, then Maid of the Mist (fitting Niagara's Fury in wherever it works best). WWW and JBTF will be a disappointment if done after Maid of the Mist, so I would definitely leave the highlight to the end.

Try to do Cave of the Winds on the US side when you cross back into the states. It is my favourite among all Niagara attrations....even beats the Maid of the Mist in my books .

 

[lisaross]

Yes, my husband and i have done Cave of the Winds - will definitely stop and do it the day we leave!!

I will have 3 full days in Niagra - is the Butterfly conservatory also a drive or walk? and how far of a drive is the Jetboats?

i assume Clifton Hill would be most fun in the evenings?

will there be enough to do the 3 days?

Maybe

Sunday - White water walk, Journey and Niagra Fury - then dinner in clifton hill and some games etc.

Monday - Maid of the Mist -- Oh Canada for dinner

Tuesday - Jet boats - butterfly and Clifton hill in the evening

 

[lisaross]

just read about the Whirlpool Aero Car - that looks neat also

i read an itinerary somewhere is

White Water Walk, Aero Car and the Butterfly all near each other? maybe do that all the first day?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Your Niagara attractions pass will give you complimentary transportation on the People Mover for two full days. All the attractions on the Niagara Parks pass are on the People Mover route, including the Butterfly Conservatory (which isnt on the pass but is a Niagara Parks attraction, but discounted admission is offered at a discount to those purchasing the pass).

I would move your Butterfly Conservatory visit to between the Maid of the Mist and Oh Canada Eh. Do MOTM in the morning, Butterfly Conservatory in the afternoon, then the dinner show in the evening.

For the jet boats, you have a couple of options. We parked at the Spanish Aerocar (which is also on the People Mover if you didn't want to drive) and were shuttled to the boat dock. You could also drive to Niagara-on-the-lake and board there if you wanted to check out that quaint little area as well (which you would have time to do if you moved your Butterfly visit).

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

just read about the Whirlpool Aero Car - that looks neat also

If you decided to select the Aerocar location for your jet boat pick up, then it would be easy to add this to your itinerary either immediately before or after (though me personally, I would say BEFORE....just because after you could be pretty wet!!).

 

[lisaross]

OK this is what i'm thinking now:

Sunday - arriving about 1p

White water walk, Whirlpool Aero car the Butterfly conservatory - then Clifton Hill for fireworks

Monday -- journey behind the falls, niagra fury, maid of mist _Oh Canada show

Tuesday - Jetboats (get at Niagra on the lake) then walk around or do that opposite - do i need to make reservations for the jet boat or can i just show up?
Clifton Hill in the evening

Wed - Cave of Winds

 

[ferris198]

For meals, I would stay away from the chains, I found them more expensive then in Toronto, such as the Keg.
we also go to I think it is Mamas for pasta, and the steak house which is near clifton Hill, north of the falls great prime rib.

 

[disney11fan]

niagara falls usa is a dump. i can't say anything nice about it. cave of the winds is on goat island (usa) and one of the few nice things. as far as eating in canada bring a boat load of money. if you think disney is expensive just wait.

clifton hill is a collection of gaudy tourist traps but alot of fun. lots of activity in the summer and a great view of niagara falls and the horseshoe falls. the walk behind the falls is great (in canada) and you go behind the horseshoe falls. maid of the mist is a must and worth the money. there is a butterfly conservatory in the area as well.

bring your passports or you won't be going anywhere. they are required. before going to dunkirk ny stop in amherst ny at a place called duffs on millersport and sheridan drive. they have the best chicken wings. i live in the area and you need any help just ask.

 

[rjan67]

If your kids haven't been to one before, they will enjoy the Rainforest Cafe.