Totally OT: Niagara Falls -- American side or Canadian side

[agentpleakley]

A friend of ours just got back from Niagara Falls and brought our son(11) a book back -- he is totally enthralled now with Niagara Falls. I have been a gazillion of times (when I was a kid- and mostly remember the wax museums) -- the rest of our gang has never been.

We are thinking about a short trip there -- American side or Canadian side -- I've never stayed on the American side. Our friend did - she said the Canadian side was more developed and touristy -- while the American side had a nat'l park with alot of free activities.

Any body been recently (I haven't been since 1981 am I really that old) with comments?

Also -- about new regs - -do we need passports to go into Canada - some sites are saying passport others are saying birth cert. & photo id???

 

[mla1977]

I can't answer all of your questions, but I can definitely say that the view from the Canadian side is infinitely better. I was there about 2 1/2 years ago and it was beautiful.

 

[Princess Stitch]

Being from Canada I might be a little biased, but I always find the Canadian side nicer. THere's more places to walk and tons more to do than on the US side.

If you are driving to Canada, you will NOT need a passport, only the birth certificate and photo ID. If you plan to fly, you WILL need a passport in accordance with the new rules from this year.

 

[deedeetoo]

We went two years ago. There is a National Park on American Side but that is about it. Everything else is over on the Canadian Side, including all the nightlife. We stayed on the Canadian side and had a great time. It is pricey though. I'm not sure if its because of the exchange rate or because its such a touristy area but the restaurants were outrageous. Even the normal family style chains. There are tons of people out walking at night. You can do arcades, mini golf, or just walk along the river and look at the falls. There is a pass you can buy from AAA that includes entrance to several attractions on the Canadian side and includes shuttle bus service that runs up and down the Canadian side of the river.

On our last day, we crossed back over into NY and went to the National Park there before driving home.

 

[Princess Roo]

I think both sides are awesome in their own way. Canada is really the "tourist destination", so I guess I'd choose that side if I could only see one. But, they're not far apart, so you should be able to see both. We had a great time camping on the US side and then visiting the Canadian side.

 

[emma'smom]

If you are driving to Canada, you will NOT need a passport, only the birth certificate and photo ID. If you plan to fly, you WILL need a passport in accordance with the new rules from this year.[/QUOTE]

We just drove from Ohio to Toronto and back last week. We drove because of the back-up in renewing U.S. passports...mine has expired. We only needed our driver's licenses to drive over the board (and back into the U.S.).
They asked us if we were U.S. citizens and what we were bringing back from Canada?

Anyway, if you go....go to Canada and do the whole Niagra Falls thing for your children...then drive 15 miles north to a beautiful little town called Niagra on the Lake to stay. This is like walking down the street of a quaint English Village. It is beautiful and in the heart of wine country!!

 

[agentpleakley]

Anyway, if you go....go to Canada and do the whole Niagra Falls thing for your children...then drive 15 miles north to a beautiful little town called Niagra on the Lake to stay. This is like walking down the street of a quaint English Village. It is beautiful and in the heart of wine country!!

Cool -- definitely going to check this out.


Thanks everyone for responses --- how many days do you think is adequate -

 

[waltskids]

We stayed on the Canadian side and it was great (this was in 2005).

 

[goinback]

We are also planning to take our children on a short trip to Niagra. We are planning to stay at the Great Wolf Lodge in Canada.(Think Wilderness Lodge!)It is 3 miles from the falls and has an awesome indoor/outdoor water park included in the room rate! Check it out at greatwolf.com and click on Niagra Falls!

 

[WantToGoNow]

I'm glad I ran across this thread. We are planning a trip to Niagra Falls this summer (July). We have reservations on the Canadian side but dh just asked this am if I thought we should stay on the US side. If I tell him the difference (state park and cheaper) we will be on the US side. I think I'll keep quiet about that. We usually take a summer trip to Gatlinburg but this year I wanted something a little different.

 

[Merriwind]

Canadian all the way! Much better view, much more to do. We went two summers when we living in Syracuse. I think we did about 4 days each time.

Aren't they going to be requiring passports soon for all border crossings?

Niagara Falls is really awesome. Have a great time!

 

[LisaNJ25]

Canadian side make sure you get the pass where you pay one price for a bunch of the popular attractions.

 

[dana1003]

canadian side..more things to do, touristy but fun!

 

[agentpleakley]

Anyone used them -- I just was playing around and can get hotel room plus all attractions for a great price.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I'm another one that vouches for the Canadian side-there really is no contest between that and the American side.

 

[SaraMc]

While the American side is trying with putting in a Casino like the Canadian side. The Canadian is leaps and bounds nicer, cleaner and there is more to do. There are often coupon books on the canadian side to that gets you some really cool free things too, like a sample at the Hershey store

 

[jenrein]

I didnt read everyones answers but go Canadian! We live about an hour from the Falls and we visit a couple times a year. The American side is a complete DUMP. I would not want my worst enemy to sleep in a hotel on our side. Its a disgrace.

 

[OntFamily]

It is pricey though. I'm not sure if its because of the exchange rate or because its such a touristy area but the restaurants were outrageous. Even the normal family style chains.

It is the "touristy area" giving the higher than normal pricing. Niagara Falls can be expensive (supply and demand -- lots of people want to go there).

It is a great place to visit. We go three or four times per year.

Check out http://hotels.travelzoo.com/international-hotels/ -- they sometimes have good Niagara Falls hotel deals (there is currently a special being offered for N. Falls, but it is not a downtown hotel).

Also, there is a Great Wolf Lodge in N. Falls. But, again, it is not downtown (ie not within walking distance of the Falls).

 

[OntFamily]

Also -- about new regs - -do we need passports to go into Canada - some sites are saying passport others are saying birth cert. & photo id???

No passport is currently needed to drive (or walk) across the US/Canada border. There is some discussion that a passport will be required to enter the USA after 2008. However, Canada has no plans to require American citizens to have passports to enter Canada.

 

[OntFamily]

I didnt read everyones answers but go Canadian! We live about an hour from the Falls and we visit a couple times a year. The American side is a complete DUMP. I would not want my worst enemy to sleep in a hotel on our side. Its a disgrace.

I have stayed on both sides of the water. The Canadian side is much nicer.