Please tell me about Niagara Falls

[beansmom]

The Embassy Suites was also running a deal for this weekend. I want to say it was $129 for a Fallsview room and it included the breakfast buffet and also a dining voucher.

http://www.embassysuitesniagara.com/

Stay on the Canadian side if you can!

we stayed at the Embassy Suites a couple years ago and loved the location right across the street from the Horseshoe falls....we could look out our window and watch the falls all night/first thing in the morning...it was awesome.

 

[Sabrefan]

Stay close to the tourist section and you'll be fine. I would have recommended the Seneca Niagara casino/hotel. They have nice rooms there and great buffet! The city of Niagara Falls is high crime, so you dont want to be walking around at night but if you stay close to the falls and the attractions there you will be fine. You have to check out the Maid of the Mist. Its one of our favorite things to do in the summer.

 

[cyndik1111]

A quote from someone who works all around the Buffalo/Niagara area, "The US side is ghetto." I would recommend going across to the Canadian side.

Oh My Gosh! That is overly harsh. I admit that if you DRIVE into the city of Niagara Falls at night, it can be a little dicey, but it isn't ghetto. Sure there are poor areas, but those are neighborhoods that most tourists need not venture into.

If you stay within walking distance of the falls, you will be perfectly fine. If you want to drive around Niagara Falls (the city) just do it during daylight, and stay on the main drags.

There is an outlet mall not too far away that is great.

Stuff for a 2 year old? Maid of the mist, aquarium (cheap & small), just walking around chasing the birds and ducks, trolley ride, ferris wheel on Canadian side, pool at the hotel, vending machine at the hotel

The cave of the winds might be too slippery for her. The iMax movies might be too loud and overwhelming. But you know your child best.
The weather is going to be amazing. Just come people watch, and check out what mother nature has designed.

One of the great things about niagara falls, you don't have to get up early for the rope drop. Sleep in, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, then head out for a relaxing day. No need to rush to get a FP!

 

[marmalade]

Yikes! I hope the American side is really not that bad, because I already booked the Comfort Inn - The Point on the American side. Someone on the first page of this thread recommended it, and the reviews on Trip Advisor are great. It's not refundable at this point, so I hope it is okay.

I'm in the midst of getting stuff packed up right now, and doing a little research online to find some good ideas of things to do with our 2 year old DD. I'm excited to go! It's been almost 1 1/2 years since I had a vacation, so even a mini-vacation is great at this point.

The American side is just hasn't been updated as much as the Canadian side. Don't worry, you are not going to be murdered if leave the direct vicinity of the hotel. Niagara Falls, NY, unfortunately is surround by a pretty poor neighborhood with some run down houses, but crime is not running rampant.

I don't know if you are history buffs or are willing to drive approx 30 min but Fort Niagara is a pretty cool place. http://oldfortniagara.org/

 

[Alexander]

Oh My Gosh! That is overly harsh. I admit that if you DRIVE into the city of Niagara Falls at night, it can be a little dicey, but it isn't ghetto. Sure there are poor areas, but those are neighborhoods that most tourists need not venture into.

If you stay within walking distance of the falls, you will be perfectly fine. If you want to drive around Niagara Falls (the city) just do it during daylight, and stay on the main drags.

There is an outlet mall not too far away that is great.

Stuff for a 2 year old? Maid of the mist, aquarium (cheap & small), just walking around chasing the birds and ducks, trolley ride, ferris wheel on Canadian side, pool at the hotel, vending machine at the hotel

The cave of the winds might be too slippery for her. The iMax movies might be too loud and overwhelming. But you know your child best.
The weather is going to be amazing. Just come people watch, and check out what mother nature has designed.

One of the great things about niagara falls, you don't have to get up early for the rope drop. Sleep in, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, then head out for a relaxing day. No need to rush to get a FP!

Hey, I'm just repeating what someone told me. I haven't been to Niagara in years, but the American side has always been nasty in comparison to the Canadian side. I was considering taking my class for a field trip, but we'd have to stay on the US side and the person I consulted with said, 'No way, the American side is ghetto."

Sorry, but if you are saying, don't go off the main roads, and don't drive at night....there is a real problem with being there.

 

[rigs32]

Sorry, but if you are saying, don't go off the main roads, and don't drive at night....there is a real problem with being there.

There are bad neighborhoods in Manhattan, but tourists still flock to Times Square. Same idea. Stay near the Falls and you're fine.

The US side was a bit nicer when the Rainbow Mall was still popular and they had an atrium/greenhouse attached. The US side is still the only way to get close to the running water. It just doesn't seem as powerful when viewed across the gorge on the Canadian side.

Fantasy Island - a theme park on Grand Island is open weekends and kids 2 and under are free and adults are only $15 in May. They have a lot of kiddie rides. With the projected weather, go to the beach at Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island.

 

[4orm]

We were just there last weekend - funny! We went into Buffalo and found it quite lovely - the Canadian side is filled with areas of boarded up houses. Clifton Hills I find kinds of, how do I say this nicely? Kitschy? We have a 2 year old and some of the things I see there I think are too scary an image that I'd want planted in her head. It's a lot of kitsch. Low quality (for us Disney folks). Cheap thrills (with not so cheap price tags).
We go to get some beer for my beer snob husband since Ontario doesn't import the selection the US does - let our DD see the falls - and that's pretty much it. Our favorite thing to do there is a picnic at the park across the road from the falls - but we stay away from the attractions/shops. Just not our thing. I'd stay where ever you like. The Canadian side does seem to have a better view but you can always cross the boarder for the day instead of staying over night.

 

[elaine amj]

I went a few years ago but only for one night, so can only offer a little bit of advice:

I stayed at the Marriot a few years ago and had an excellent view of the falls and I got a great deal by calling the hotel directly. If you use priceline, you risk not getting a falls-view room which is ok but still...

Try the revolving restaurant just before sunset. It is so neat watching the sunset on the city.

If you like carriage rides, it is really nice at night when the falls are lit up and the music is playing.

Some activities might not work with a 2 year old. For example, the Maid of the Mist might be too dangerous on a windy day, the waves can get really rough. I never did the cave thing. The Ripleys Believe it or not might be too scary.

Enjoy!

I did the Maid of the Mist when my DS was 2 - he loved it. Pretty exciting stuff for a 2 yr old with water everywhere. They have toddler sized ponchos - adorable! The Falls was fun with toddlers - so many lights and excitement.

 

[DisLis]

Take a walk to the bottom of the falls at night.

 

[luckyfin]

We are going to Niagara Falls in June. I've been told by tons of people plus my research has agreed that the Canadian side is nicer over all. For hotels there are several. We are going with Country Inn and Suites which wasn't the cheapest but on the low side compared to the Falls View hotels. I think tripadvisor rated it #2 for Niagara Falls Canada or maybe #2 in family hotels.

I do want to see some sites on the American side such as the discovery center and cave of the winds but overall there is more that we plan to try and see on the Canadian side. I have kids who will be 8 and 12 when we go so I'm sure we will spend one night at Clifton Hill.

Currently I believe kids under 16 only need a birth certificate though otherwise passports are required.

We stayed at the Country Inn Suites a few weeks ago. If you are looking for a view of the falls, this is not the place. However, we were very pleased. Reasonable price for a two room suite, very clean, and the location was nice because everything was within walking distance but you weren't in the chaos of Clifton Hill. This is a no frills hotel but it was perfect for us. Decent continental breakfast with hot foods included each morning, free wifi, nice pool, friendly staff. I was able to book the best prices directly through their website. We will definitely stay here again and recommend to others.

 

[luckyfin]

I obviously posted the above post before I saw you booked your hotel. That being said, we love the American side of the falls. The canadian side has better views of both falls but the American side cannot be beat as far as feeling the real magnitude of mother nature. The park on the US side allows you to go right up to the falls where the spills over, within a few feet, and it is just amazing.

We stopped at the aquarium on the US side and thought it was just okay. It was very small. We are zoo people and visit zoos and aquariums most cities we visit and it did not hold up to others. Not even close. However, we have a membership at our local zoo and it was a reciprocal "zoo" so we paid nothing. It was a fun way to kill an hour with our 2 year old but I would have been very disappointed if we had paid more than a few dollars.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[cyndik1111]

Hey, I'm just repeating what someone told me. I haven't been to Niagara in years, but the American side has always been nasty in comparison to the Canadian side. I was considering taking my class for a field trip, but we'd have to stay on the US side and the person I consulted with said, 'No way, the American side is ghetto."

Sorry, but if you are saying, don't go off the main roads, and don't drive at night....there is a real problem with being there.

Alexander- please visit Niagara falls (American side, soon) I think you will be pleasantly surprised by their lack of "ghetto". Then come back to the DISboards and report (1st hand) what you experienced.

There isn't THAT much major crime. I'll bet the run down areas of Orlando have more crime. You aren't going to get shot if you drive off the main roads. But there are some run down areas. It is really very sad. I wish NY Stste would get their act together and fix the place up.

Please don't add to all the bad press the area gets. It really isn't deserving. I have lived here all my life and find it amazing. And yes, I have driven off the main roads and lived to talk about it. My husband use to live off the main roads before we were married. Just petty crime here and there, like all cities! Some boarded up houses, run down rental properties, etc...but those are a distance from the brink of the Falls. No one really needs to be driving there, unless they live there or are visiting friends.

The bad guys aren't hiding in bushes around the falls waiting to shoot unsuspecting tourist. I can't even remember the last time there was any kind of violent crime near the falls. And I watch the news/read the paper every day.

 

[WVMomof3]

I think we are going in a couple weeks. It looks like Fathers day. I am wondering will we feel too rushed for 2 days/ 1 night, thinking about extending thru tuesday. I know we want to do Maid of the Mist and Journey behind Falls, looking at the multipack that also includes the White water Walk and Niagras Fury. Are the last 2 worth it? I have no idea how long each thing will take.

We are looking at Embassy suites with the possibilty of a Family Fun pack that includes tickets to Lazer Maze, Lazer Tag and Captain Jacks glow in the dark mini-putt. Is that worth anything? We would probably not do it without the tickets included, so wondering if it is worth extra $40. It also includes $100 token value to Dave and Busters. I think the kids will like that, we have talked about going to one, but have never been.

Looking forward to it. My husband and I have only been to Niagra Falls once, 15 years ago and only for a day, while I was pregnant with my first.

 

[arihillfarm]

I obviously posted the above post before I saw you booked your hotel. That being said, we love the American side of the falls. The canadian side has better views of both falls but the American side cannot be beat as far as feeling the real magnitude of mother nature. The park on the US side allows you to go right up to the falls where the spills over, within a few feet, and it is just amazing.

We stopped at the aquarium on the US side and thought it was just okay. It was very small. We are zoo people and visit zoos and aquariums most cities we visit and it did not hold up to others. Not even close. However, we have a membership at our local zoo and it was a reciprocal "zoo" so we paid nothing. It was a fun way to kill an hour with our 2 year old but I would have been very disappointed if we had paid more than a few dollars.

Enjoy your trip!

I haven't been to Niagara Falls in 11 years and at that time (and many visits before) you could get right up to where the falls went over on the Canadian side. I think it was near the old electrical station? Is that not possible anymore?

-Astrid

 

[elaine amj]

I did Niagara's Fury last year (when I was travelling solo bcoz I got free access). It was really fun. I think I would guesstimate it takes 20-30 mins total. Long lineups so make sure you plan to be early for showtime. You go in then sit in this small theatre to watch an animated movie about the history of the Falls - I want to say it takes 10 mins? Then you move into a Circle Vision theatre (think the Canada movie at Epcot). You wear the ponchos you are issued. The circle vision movie is cool and at various points, you are sprayed with water and I believe I recall snow as well.

Veery fun. It is a little $$, but I would like to take my kids to this one day. I would recommend it.

 

[WVMomof3]

Thanks for telling me about Niagra's Fury. It does sound neat, but Circle Vision movies get me very sick. I wonder if dramamine would help for those? I will need it for the Maid of the Mist also, maybe I should plan on doing those around same time.

 

[SenecaWolf]

Stay close to the tourist section and you'll be fine. I would have recommended the Seneca Niagara casino/hotel. They have nice rooms there and great buffet! The city of Niagara Falls is high crime, so you dont want to be walking around at night but if you stay close to the falls and the attractions there you will be fine. You have to check out the Maid of the Mist. Its one of our favorite things to do in the summer.

I love staying there! As a tribal member we get decent prices (think $100 per night for the 1 BR center suite and 35% off all merch and meals) But the food is amazing. The Western Door steakhouse has some of the best steaks I have ever had and the buffet is HUGE.

*sigh* I remember years ago when the American side had so much more to do. I miss the Rainbow Center mall

 

[pigletto]

I love staying there! As a tribal member we get decent prices (think $100 per night for the 1 BR center suite and 35% off all merch and meals) But the food is amazing. The Western Door steakhouse has some of the best steaks I have ever had and the buffet is HUGE.

*sigh* I remember years ago when the American side had so much more to do. I miss the Rainbow Center mall

Me too!! I grew up on the Canadian side and it was always so much fun to go over the Peace Bridge for the day. Something seemed to happen in those 20 years that really didn't push the U.S. side in a positive direction. We loved the Rainbow Center! It was THE place to get your parents to take you to for the day for clothes shopping! There's actually pictures of it on this website I found where people send in photos of the inside of abandoned malls. It was creepy!

I also miss Maple Leaf Village where the older casino is now on the Canadian side. Very good childhood memories there.

 

[spima3]

We are going to Niagara Falls in June. I've been told by tons of people plus my research has agreed that the Canadian side is nicer over all. For hotels there are several.

When I researched this last year, I also read this, glad I didn't listen. We were only going for a weekend, oldest DD didn't have a passport, so we decided to only stick to the US side. We LOVED it, fabulous time, we only did the Falls area, and it was fine, didn't find it run down at all, no ghetto at the park. It was very pretty, very natural. Don't know why so many put down the US side.

I'm sure we will spend one night at Clifton Hill.

This is exactly why I didn't want to do the Canadian side. We were going for the natural wonder, not all the commercialism that seems to be the main attraction on the Canadian side.

We did the observation tower, the Maid of the Mist, the Cave of the Winds. You can stand right in the falls there. So cool. I read you can no longer do that on the Canadian side. Don't know if that is true, didn't look like there was anything comparable going on. Seems to be the "view" from the Canadian side might be more impressive, but the experience of the falls was better on the US side. I will go for experience over view anytime. Although the view from the Maid was pretty darn good! We all enjoyed it, and that included a very moody 16yr old DD. Other kids were DD11 and DS13.

We actually stayed in a hotel near Buffalo. Much cheaper than the Niagara area, yet still very close.

lori

 

[pigletto]

When I researched this last year, I also read this, glad I didn't listen. We were only going for a weekend, oldest DD didn't have a passport, so we decided to only stick to the US side. We LOVED it, fabulous time, we only did the Falls area, and it was fine, didn't find it run down at all, no ghetto at the park. It was very pretty, very natural. Don't know why so many put down the US side.



This is exactly why I didn't want to do the Canadian side. We were going for the natural wonder, not all the commercialism that seems to be the main attraction on the Canadian side.

We did the observation tower, the Maid of the Mist, the Cave of the Winds. You can stand right in the falls there. So cool. I read you can no longer do that on the Canadian side. Don't know if that is true, didn't look like there was anything comparable going on. Seems to be the "view" from the Canadian side might be more impressive, but the experience of the falls was better on the US side. I will go for experience over view anytime. Although the view from the Maid was pretty darn good! We all enjoyed it, and that included a very moody 16yr old DD. Other kids were DD11 and DS13.

We actually stayed in a hotel near Buffalo. Much cheaper than the Niagara area, yet still very close.

lori

While I won't argue that Clifton Hill is tacky and overly commercialized, if you actually go to the bottom the Niagara Parks do a beautiful job that is simply not comparable in my opinion. The landscaping and gardens and flowers and miles of green space along the parkway are beautiful.
And the Canadian side does have a walk down to the bottom of the falls and 1/3 of the way behind them that is equally impressive. It's been exactly the same for at least the 30 years I've been going.
http://www.niagaraparks.com/attractions/behind-the-falls.html