OT: How many days in Niagara Falls,Canada?

[RN01]

I know this has nothing to do with Disney but I always get such a good response from this site. How many days is enough time to spend in Niagara Falls and beable to see everything? We are planning on a early summer trip next year.

 

[sk!mom]

I know this has nothing to do with Disney but I always get such a good response from this site. How many days is enough time to spend in Niagara Falls and beable to see everything? We are planning on a early summer trip next year.

I want to know this as well. Anybody???

 

[jenrein]

What kinds of things do you want to see? I have been there many many many times. We usually go up for a weekend. But that is just for myself and my husband. You could spend a day at the falls, doing the maid of the mist. You can hit the butterfly conservatory. You can spend a day exploring Clifton Hill- it is covered with stores and Ripleys, Wax museums, a ferris wheel, lego museum...etc. Other than that, most attractions don't take too long- plan some time for the falls, as that is the most packed. If you have more specific questions let me know I might be able to answer. Make sure you eat at the Rainforest Cafe, its my favorite one!

 

[ChrisAlli]

Are most of the activities on the US side or Canadian side? We were thinking a long weekend but not sure where to stay and on which side?

Is it kid friendly? Sorry OP not trying to hijack the thread. I thought 3 full days with kids would be enough?

 

[carrie1626]

Hi, I spent one glorious morning/afternoon at Niagra Falls last year, it wasn't enough but we were only passing thru. I would say three nights/three days would be ideal so you could do all the exploring/ the Falls boat tour/ walking over the International Bridge and going to all the various lookout points. That would give you a leisurely pace IMHO

 

[SmileWoman]

My mother and I went last year for the first time. We flew into Buffalo and rented a car and drove into Niagara Falls. We stayed 48 hours and saw everything we wanted to. If you were going with kids that would want swim or other things you would probably want 3 days. Most of what you want to see and do are on the Canadian side. You definately want to stay on the Canadian side. You should spend a few hours enjoying Niagara Falls from the American side as well. It is a national park and is more natural and relaxed. Everyone should see both sides. We enjoyed the trip very much and would recommend it.

Make sure you check out the passport requirements as they are changing.

 

[anabelle]

Hubby and I went before we needed passports. We enjoyed the butterfly house, the walk behind the falls, the boat ride to the falls and we walked over to the US side and took walked in the park. It was nice walking along the river front at night. We were there three days and I thought that was enough for just two people. If we had to bring the kids, we would have taken longer to see the sights. I prefer the Canadian side, for the view.

 

[wdw_girl_18]

Me and my friend went on july 3rd/4th

we were there for less than 24 hours. We went out to see everything at 6pm, stayed out till 2am, and left at 9 am on the 4th to go to toronto. We went to build a bear at 1 am! haha. The Canadian side was so lively so early in the morning.

We felt like we saw everything within that time frame. We walked to new york, went shopping there, went on maid of the mist (on the Canadian side), and then spent the rest of the time getting sucked into tourist traps.

 

[buffalogirl]

I think 3 days would be plenty. I agree with PP's, the Canadian side is where you want to stay. When pricing hotels, ask the charge for parking.

We love the Maid of the Mist Boat tour. It is available on both the American and Canadian sides (it is less expensive if you go on the U.S. side). http://www.maidofthemist.com/en/

I also agree with PP's about walking over the Rainbow Bridge (bring I.D.). You get a great view of the falls and it's fun to walk from one country to another.

It is kid friendly. There are lots of "touristy" things to do on the Canadian side's Clifton Hill. If you have any wrestling fans in your group, there's a WWE store. It's the only WWE store in North America.

There are Casinos on both sides, too.

 

[Whipperwhirl]

Canadian side- embassy suites - 3 days tops! Make sure and do the river rapids boat ride and the maid of the mist. Whip

 

[ADisneyQueen]

We stayed 2 days, it was enough for us. DO NOT go to the aquarium on the US side. It is such a waste of money. It was really small, dirty and had nothing going on. Really dark in there, too. You will be lucky to spend one hour in there if you go to the one show-magic show.Now I know why there was a sign saying no refunds at the ticket desk.

 

[Katieinwonderland]

I'm sorry to hijack the thread, but DH and I want to go next year and I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for where to stay on the Canadian side? It doesn't need to be anywhere really high end, but somewhere close would be nice? TIA for any suggestions!

 

[Miss LD]

I live about an hour away, and used to tour guide there.
Three days is a great time frame to do stuff, and take it easy. It can get really busy.
I highly recommend going to Niagara on the Lake (Canadian side). It's not too far away, and it's really beautiful. It's just got really nice shops and it's the complete opposite of Niagara Falls.
I agree with the person who said to skip the aquarium on the US side. We just went this past summer. It was stinky, small and I felt it was VERY dangerous for little kids.

 

[jenrein]

I'm sorry to hijack the thread, but DH and I want to go next year and I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for where to stay on the Canadian side? It doesn't need to be anywhere really high end, but somewhere close would be nice? TIA for any suggestions!

My favorite places to stay on that side are the Sheraton by the Falls (pricey but worth it) and the Courtyard by Marriott- you can get some great packages for good prices there. The Sheraton is closer to the falls and is right in the middle of everything walking wise. The Courtyard is on a side street but still accessible walking.

 

[irky416]

I'm sorry to hijack the thread, but DH and I want to go next year and I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for where to stay on the Canadian side? It doesn't need to be anywhere really high end, but somewhere close would be nice? TIA for any suggestions!

We stayed at the Crown Plaza when we went. It wasn't very expensive (less than $100/night), but it was very nice and is right in the middle of everything. We had a view of the Falls from our room (all we had to do was cross the street to get to the Falls), it has an indoor connection to Casino Niagara and the waterpark. We parked our car in their garage and left it for the weekend because everything was within walking distance.

 

[colinsdad]

We went to Niagra Falls for the 4th of July this past year. We spent 3 nights (which I thought were plenty) at the Sheraton on the Falls.

We had requested 2 queens since we were going with the DS4 and DDinfant (who was in a crib anyway) and were upgraded to a Fallsview King. The view was so good, it was one of those times we didn't mind having the DS in the bed with us! Spectacluar views!!

Must do's include the Maid of the Mist and the Behind the Falls tours. With these tours you actually can feel the power of the falls. Truely inspiring. We also had dinner up on the Skylon Tower (buffett) and watched the Fourth of July fireworks over the falls from the observatory up there.

The Sheraton on the Falls is in the same building complex as the Rainforest Cafe, Hard Rock Cafe, Hershey Store (free fudge coupon every day), Coke store (free fountain vanilla coke sample every day), and an indoor waterpark. This place has an excellent location right at the bottom of Clifton Hill. You can walk everywhere from here, restaurants are here, and all the kitch is there too (Dracula's Lair, Ripley's, etc.).

We did intend on doing a winery tour one day, but it didn't happen. Next time we'll do that and head up to Toronto for a few days as well.

 

[DawnM]

We just went 2 weeks ago.

We were at the hotel for 3 nights, 2 full days at Niagara Falls. I believe the weekend we were there was the last weekend for Maid of the Mist. It was great because the crowds were pretty low.

2 full days was plenty for us.

Dawn

 

[roscoepc1]

Ontarian here....it REALLY depends on what you're "into"....

For example, Niagara Region is chock-full of wineries, vineyards etc, with all the tastings and tours that can involve.

If you're into history, several pivotal battles of the War of 1812 (the one where we kicked American butt, lol) are in this area. Plains of Abraham, forts etc.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a very charming village/town just down the road, that has tons of antique shops and that sort of thing.

Those are in excess of all the "Falls stuff" mentioned by others.

There is also a Great Wolf Lodge at Niagara that could easily keep you busy for 2 days alone.

 

[OntFamily]

Hubby and I went before we needed passports. We enjoyed the butterfly house, the walk behind the falls, the boat ride to the falls and we walked over to the US side and took walked in the park. It was nice walking along the river front at night. We were there three days and I thought that was enough for just two people. If we had to bring the kids, we would have taken longer to see the sights. I prefer the Canadian side, for the view.

Just to ensure there are no misconceptions, Canada Customs (entering Canada) does not require passports for Americans or Canadians (only proof of ID - picture ID, and proof of citizenship).

USA customs (entering USA) only require passports for air travellers. Most travellers (Canadians or Armericans) entering via a land border (ie Buffalo, Detroit) only require picture ID and proof of citizenship.

 

[OntFamily]

I know this has nothing to do with Disney but I always get such a good response from this site. How many days is enough time to spend in Niagara Falls and beable to see everything? We are planning on a early summer trip next year.

We've been to Niagara Falls several times (it's about 60 minutes from our home). I think two nights will suffice. Three nights are better, but you'll be able to experience most things in two nights.

I'd stay on the Canadian side (more attractions). There are many hotels in Niagara Falls, but in summer they are premium priced (ie > $100-125 per night at budget hotels). However, for most attractions you can park your car, and either walk, or use Niagara Falls transit to some great attractions.

I agree with the poster who recommended "Sheraton By The Falls" (which is a different hotel than "Sheraton Fallsview"). I've always had a good stay, and it is walkign distance from most attractions.

Here's a link to the attractions associated with the Niagara Falls Park Commission http://www.niagaraparks.com/

Here's another link, to some of the other attractions http://www.cliftonhill.com/