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

[jenrein]

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.

Be prepared though- depending on the officer you get and they day theyve had....we have had some give us a hard time asking why we thought it would be ok to go in without a passport....and some who werent happy with just our license and one who made us empty the entire car and take apart speakers. We've never been turned away but theres always this fear that they are about to and probably would have any second.

 

[GreatLakes5]

We go once a year! We end up driving through on our way out East from Michigan. The American falls are nicer meaning you want to stay in Canada to get the better view....in our opinion. It is not "very", but EXTREMELY tacky tourist! Wax museums, lots of hotels, lots of souvenirs....the beauty of the falls can sometimes be lost on visitors because of sensory overload.

As for passports - January 1, 2008 there is the distinct possibility that a U.S. passport will be needed for land sea travel in addition to the air travel requirement.

Our last experience had tougher border crossing getting into Canada rather than getting into the U.S.....remember your child's birth certificate

 

[a1tinkfans]

Stayed on the Canadian Side summer 06. Marriott Fallsview, Spectacular views, I think we were 6th floor (?)!
An awesome experience and would DEFINITELY stay on Canadian side not only for views but for activities/cleanliness/ambiance of the area.
Maid of the Mist was amazing. I also agree with other post'er about the single pass for multiple attractions.
Have a Wonderful time! It really is lovely!

 

[44disney]

I went to college in Niagara Falls, NY (Niagara Univ), and I totally agree--go Canadian!!! Also, Niagara on the Lake, as another poster said, is beautiful and would be a great place to stay/visit for the day.

I don't know how long you have, but you are actually very close to Toronto (about 1 1/2 hours away) and there are an amazing number of things to do there!

 

[dbmarie]

Be prepared though- depending on the officer you get and they day theyve had....we have had some give us a hard time asking why we thought it would be ok to go in without a passport....and some who werent happy with just our license and one who made us empty the entire car and take apart speakers.

We have season passes to Marineland and go practically everyday during the summer and have never experienced any difficulty crossing without passports. The only problem we have had is the long wait to get through customs.

 

[jenrein]

We have season passes to Marineland and go practically everyday during the summer and have never experienced any difficulty crossing without passports. The only problem we have had is the long wait to get through customs.

Well you are very lucky Maybe because my husband drives a nice little sportscar they like to give us a hard time

 

[skoba-nelson]

Another cool thing IMO is to go see a freighter go through a set of locks at the Weiland (sp?) Canal. Pretty neat visitor center. Couldn't wait for the next boat ship through the locks at the visitor center but looked on the monitor and saw one was about 2 locks down and it was an easy drive. Amazing. It's like standing next to a hole then having a skyscraper on its side float up to you only about 10-15 feet away. Watch little ones-no fence where we were, though at the visitor center the locks and canal is fenced and has a nice observation deck.

 

[agentpleakley]

currently still weighing options for hotel -- but we definitely want to be w/n walking distance of everywhere... we plan on being there 3 1/2 days- which seems to be plenty of time. I found an itinerary on familyfun's website and have modified it a little . . . So far -- here is a list of things that we are planning on doing.


Maid of the Mist
Journey behind the falls
Whitewater Walk
Butterfly Conservatory
Incline ----- these are on the Gorge Package

Skylon
Imax Theater (package deal with Skylon)
Ripley's Museum & moving theater (package deal)
Skywheel
Aerocar
Ft. Erie
Beck Generating Station

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Bird Kingdom or Zooz

Niagara Falls State Park (USA side)


It seems from some sites that this may not be enough to do - but we don't want to be rushed and we want to save some time for swimming and lounging around.

Also -- we are leaning toward a hotel w/free breakfast (I'm a cheapskate at heart and this was an unplanned trip). The Hampton Inn looks nice online -- any other recommendations. (I have to admit that I really want to stay at Brock Plaza and was willing to splurge -- but I don't know if the kids would be happy there)

 

[jenrein]

currently still weighing options for hotel -- but we definitely want to be w/n walking distance of everywhere... we plan on being there 3 1/2 days- which seems to be plenty of time. I found an itinerary on familyfun's website and have modified it a little . . . So far -- here is a list of things that we are planning on doing.


Maid of the Mist
Journey behind the falls
Whitewater Walk
Butterfly Conservatory
Incline ----- these are on the Gorge Package

Skylon
Imax Theater (package deal with Skylon)
Ripley's Museum & moving theater (package deal)
Skywheel
Aerocar
Ft. Erie
Beck Generating Station

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Bird Kingdom or Zooz

Niagara Falls State Park (USA side)


It seems from some sites that this may not be enough to do - but we don't want to be rushed and we want to save some time for swimming and lounging around.

Also -- we are leaning toward a hotel w/free breakfast (I'm a cheapskate at heart and this was an unplanned trip). The Hampton Inn looks nice online -- any other recommendations. (I have to admit that I really want to stay at Brock Plaza and was willing to splurge -- but I don't know if the kids would be happy there)

1st- what you have listed is plenty. Although it seems like its all close together is really isnt and you will be walking alot. The Brock Plaza is a dump- stay away from that. We stayed at the Hampton and its ok. My recommendation is the Courtyard by Marriott. That place is my new favorite. Like I said we go there often and have stayed in many places.

The Imperial Suites are decently priced- and in a great location. They just redid all of the rooms but I have not been there since. They werent bad to begin with and were nice sized.

Another idea- do a google satellite of Lundy Lane. That is the main hill where a lot of the shops and museums are. Then do a business search for hotels. I recommend something not on Lundy as they party alllll night long. Victoria Ave is great- off to the side but within walking distance.

 

[jenrein]

Also if you have never been to the Rainforest Cafe- there is one there and its great! We always eat dinner there at least once and have even made the 1 and a half hour trip a couple times just to go for dinner!

 

[GreatLakes5]

We like the Marriott Fallsview - they usually have some packages as well...perhaps the same packages available at the Courtyard as well - nice hotel the times we've stayed.

 

[agentpleakley]

1st- what you have listed is plenty. Although it seems like its all close together is really isnt and you will be walking alot. The Brock Plaza is a dump- stay away from that. We stayed at the Hampton and its ok. My recommendation is the Courtyard by Marriott. That place is my new favorite. Like I said we go there often and have stayed in many places.

The Imperial Suites are decently priced- and in a great location. They just redid all of the rooms but I have not been there since. They werent bad to begin with and were nice sized.

Another idea- do a google satellite of Lundy Lane. That is the main hill where a lot of the shops and museums are. Then do a business search for hotels. I recommend something not on Lundy as they party alllll night long. Victoria Ave is great- off to the side but within walking distance.

THanks -- thank goodness for the disboards -- much better opinion the Frommers I think we may do Courtyard by Marriott -- they do have packages that are a good bargain. Thanks so much everyone

 

[Blondiex46]

The Canadian side, I did drive over to the other side when we left and the Canadian side was much better. I even got a hotel on priceline for 66.00 a night right at the falls. The Brock Hotel during spring break 2005.

 

[jenrein]

THanks -- thank goodness for the disboards -- much better opinion the Frommers I think we may do Courtyard by Marriott -- they do have packages that are a good bargain. Thanks so much everyone

Its amazing the things I've learned from this board and if you have any other questions let me know!

 

[daandcb]

My husband just returned from a conference there. He was on the American side. He said that the Canadian side was much more built up....more touristy. He said that right now, all he needed to cross over was a license but they did state that (I think he said Jan 1) you will need a passport to cross. They asked him where he was born and if this was a round trip.