OT-Niagara Falls? Hotels??

[luckyfin]

One of the casinos right in the heart of Clifton Hill (I think its Casino Niagara) waives its parking fee for their garage if you sign up for their players club card in the casino. It only takes five minutes to sign up and you don't actually need to stick around in the casino. We signed up a few years ago and go about once a year and park there for free. Sometimes we stop in the casino and throw a few quarters in the slots, but not always.

 

[Caitsmama]

subbing for later!

 

[Tiana]

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[mrsklamc]

If we are not into touristy stuff, can we see the falls well from the US? I have heard the view is much better from CA? Can you do the maid of the mist from the US side without a passport or passport card?

 

[merrily]

Yes, you can see the falls from the US side. There are Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds tours available from the US side, no passport needed. The US side of the falls is a nice park setting. The Canadian side has, to me, a carnival setting. We much preferred the US side. I also noticed the lines on the US side for the Maid of the Mist were much shorter. Because of this the boat was not jam packed so there was freedom to move around. The ones leaving from the Canadian side looked much more crowded. Boats from both sides go to the same place, see the same falls and get the same effect.

 

[mrsklamc]

Yes, you can see the falls from the US side. There are Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds tours available from the US side, no passport needed. The US side of the falls is a nice park setting. The Canadian side has, to me, a carnival setting. We much preferred the US side. I also noticed the lines on the US side for the Maid of the Mist were much shorter. Because of this the boat was not jam packed so there was freedom to move around. The ones leaving from the Canadian side looked much more crowded. Boats from both sides go to the same place, see the same falls and get the same effect.

Wow, you're the first person I've seen say that. I always read that the CA side is SO much better!

 

[Belle2667]

We just spent Easter weekend at NF, Canada side!

The weather was incredible. 86 degrees on Saturday.

We stayed at the Embassy Suites. We had a Fallsview Room and it was very nice. No complaints. Excellent view of the falls and convenient walkway along off the backside avoids a hill and street. The included breakfast and manager's reception were nice as well. Paying for parking kinda stinks, but it was convenient enough.

Everything was within walking distance (those some of those hills were tough). We expected to pay a bit more for food, but as some others have already said, it was pricey. Then the taxes on top of it were incredible. A lunch at Planet Hollywood for 3 of us (1 burger, 1 turkey club, 1 chicken penne pasta, 3 beers and 1 souvenir glass was $82 before tip.)

Sadly, the incline and Maid of the Mist weren't operating for the season yet so we didn't get to experience that this time. On Sunday, as we were leaving, we stopped to explore the US side as well. Equally as nice. Seeing the rapids at Goat Island were cool, and the view of the falls from Goat Island were equally amazing as the Horseshoe Falls were.

If you explore on Goat Island, please please stay on the paths. There was one family that nearly gave me a heart attack as they were off the path along the edge of the water taking pictures and I was sure one of them was going to slip into the water and go over the falls. Scary.

Every family is different so what appeals to one may not appeal to others, but in my opinion, NF is a definite must do for everyone.

 

[momoflizandains]

Great info. We have thought about doing this trip as well.

 

[Tiana]

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[dis-happy]

Last May we stayed at the Hampton Inn, Candian side...I found a package that included a suite room plus 4 LOS tickets to the water park that's located across the street (plus the hotel also gives you a free breakfast buffet). Both the kids and the parents had a blast in that water park! We did the Maid of the Mist tour, did a lot of walking along the falls, enjoyed the water park.

On the way out we drove through Buffalo and had lunch at The Anchor Bar, the original place for buffalo wings. YUMMY!!!! Worth a side trip.

 

[jgperkin]

Hi!

I live about 40 minutes from the Falls. The Canadian side is BEAUTIFUL and they have a lot of options over there. Clifton Hill has many activities for the kids and there is a rainforest cafe to eat. Etc. The Skylon Tower is a bit pricey but is a revolving restaurant that overlooks the falls. Very cool! My hubby LOVES the jet boat ride! Of course you have to sign a waiver to give up your life! HA! I have been on it too. It is a WILD experience. Maybe not for the kids! If you have any questions, please feel free to write!

 

[merrily]

Also, did any of you do the whirlpool jetboat tours??? Did you get seasick at all?

We loved the whirlpool jet boat. No one I was with had any issues with sea/motion sickness.

 

[loveysbydesign]

We had hoped to go to NF this past fall but never made it so I'm hoping to go in May. We need to stay on the US side as I do not have passports for my 3 kids. What is the best place to stay on the US side...they seem to have horrible reviews for the affordable places on the US side. We are not interested in doing the CA as all we want to do is see the falls, go on Maid of the Mist and hike the natural park...and relax!

 

[loveysbydesign]

Yes, you can see the falls from the US side. There are Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds tours available from the US side, no passport needed. The US side of the falls is a nice park setting. The Canadian side has, to me, a carnival setting. We much preferred the US side. I also noticed the lines on the US side for the Maid of the Mist were much shorter. Because of this the boat was not jam packed so there was freedom to move around. The ones leaving from the Canadian side looked much more crowded. Boats from both sides go to the same place, see the same falls and get the same effect.

That is exactly what we are looking for...the nature-y part of NF. May I ask where you stayed?