USA to Niagara Falls trip idea's-Just got back

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Hello
We live in the states and plan to make a trip to Niagara Falls the first part of July.
Can anyone tell me what we can do while we are there? We will be there for 2 days and plan to take the Maid of the Mist tour but what are some other things that you can recommend?

 

[Ham Ham]

The Falls are magnificent. Maid of the Mist is a great idea.

I find Marineland overrated and Clifton Hill the epitome of kitsch.

 

[monic]

http://www.niagaraparks.com/nfgg/discountpass.php We did this a few years ago. It was alot of fun. The white water walk was great but we didn't make it to the butterfly conservatory. The people movers was easy and well marked. There are also hotels to stay at that have water parks inside. Clifton hill is fun the rides are over priced but fun to walk up and down. My kids like the Midway which is an arcade that uses tokens and gives tickets out to win cheap prizes. Have fun.

 

[Narnia]

I like birds of the lost kingdom. I love the outlet mall which has a body shop outlet, roots, tommy, claire's, and a few others and eating around there is way cheaper. The revolving dining room in the tower is good but really pricey they have a buffet though. of couse the cosino is a must if you don't have kids.

 

[pigletto]

http://www.niagaraparks.com/nfgg/discountpass.php We did this a few years ago. It was alot of fun. The white water walk was great but we didn't make it to the butterfly conservatory. The people movers was easy and well marked. There are also hotels to stay at that have water parks inside. Clifton hill is fun the rides are over priced but fun to walk up and down. My kids like the Midway which is an arcade that uses tokens and gives tickets out to win cheap prizes. Have fun.

We lived there most of our lives. I completely agree with getting the discount pass. It is a great deal and covers some of the best attractions. Also take the people mover to Queenston Heights park (last stop) if you have small children. It is a gorgeous spot.. great playground and picnic area.. and lots of historical markers from the war of 1812. I live in the region and it is one of our favorite places to spend an afternoon.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Fort George and Niagara-on-the-Lake are great and winery tours are excellent. We have done the jet boat ride which takes you from NOTL to the whirlpool rapids area closer to the Falls. It was unbelievable. As a lifelong resident it was also very neat to see the gorge from a perspective you can only get in the boat. Also, we have been in a helicopter over the Falls and it was spectacular! There is so much to do here and depending when you are here, there are fireworks on Fridays at the Falls, wineries have events...this is one happening place, especially from May to October.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Oh and if you want a reasonable and fantastic breakfast on a Saturday or Sunday morning and you are close to the outlet mall on Lundy's Lane, try out the Lido Market, just past Montrose Road. I highly recommend it!

 

[talicskai]

When on the US side go over to Goat Island and walk to the brink of the falls. It is not at as spectacular to look as the Canadian side but the park is great. You can go to 3 sisters island and walk on bridges over the rapids. Quite amazing really. Goat Island is the large piece of land that separates the American Falls from the Horseshoe Falls. It is a lot of fun but can be nauseating if you have small children

 

[OatsZoo]

I agree with everything being over priced, living in Niagara Falls for the past 24 years. I agree with some of the above, there are 3 hotels with water parks in them, all of them ranging in prices. You didn't say if you were travelling with kids and there ages, that makes a big difference. Marineland is pretty pricey but I get seasons passes every year and my kids love it, to get your moneys worth plan to spend most of the day there. Also Bird Kingdom and the Butterfly Conservatory is great. Maid of the Mist is a must as you really get a great view and realize how massive the falls really are. Also try Journey behind the Falls, which is an elevator that takes you down and you walk behind the falls. The new attraction at the falls is the Fury, not sure how it works or how much it is, but there is a lot of hype around it.

Also Niagara on the Lake is great. It is a quaint little historic town with lots of shops and restaurants. Tour the fort there as well. There is also the Shaw Festival for live theater too. Try eating at the Angel Inn in Niagara on the Lake as they say it is haunted by soldiers from the War of 1812.

Hope this helps, Good Luck, and have a good trip.

 

[trooper8]

The best deal in town is to stop at the Visitor's Center directly in the state park. Don't be fooled by the big glass building calling itself the visitors center. (It's not!) The VC is in the state park. Purchase a Discovery USA Pass for $30.00. It covers all of the venues and additionally has some very valuable coupons for other attractions. For your 30 bucks you get tickets for the Maid of the Mist boat ride. Cave of the Winds, Niagara Adventure Theater, Observation Deck, Discovery Center, Aquarium, and a full day's use of the trolley system which will take you all over the park. The same deal with less attractions can cost you $90.00 if you buy it from the various tour agencies.

Hope you enjoy your visit

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Thanks for all the wonderful tips I will show them to my DH!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Is there a boat that we could ride from St Catharines to Toronto?

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

No boat from St. Catharines to Toronto.

Used to be one a few years ago but no longer.

There also used to be one from Rochester to Toronto. Not sure if that is still running.

 

[crash2000]

very expensive but very awsome, whirlpool jet boats.... did it a few years ago, and will be doing it again soon..

did i mention very expensive...

also the new ferris wheel looks cool
greatwolf lodge
journey under the falls


theres enough tacky things to keep you busy for a week...

did i mention expensive $$$$

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

We just got back and had a great time. Drove to Niagara on the Lake and walked the streets and looked in the shops. Then drove to Toronto to go up in the CN tower. Then the next day went to Niagara Falls and then the next day we left and spent the night in Erie PA at the Sheraton Inn there and the hotel was great!. Then left the next day after visiting the casino.
All in all it was a great trip.

 

[monic]

Glad you had a good time, and went lots of places, made good use of your time!

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

Ditto to the above post, glad you had fun Shelly!! That was a great OP. We go to the Falls frequently but it's still fun to read what others like to do.

We usually stay at the Marriott Fallsview but are taking our little dog this weekend so are trying the Best Western.

Can't wait to see the fireworks over the falls! Thanks again for the OP.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Ditto to the above post, glad you had fun Shelly!! That was a great OP. We go to the Falls frequently but it's still fun to read what others like to do.

We usually stay at the Marriott Fallsview but are taking our little dog this weekend so are trying the Best Western.

Can't wait to see the fireworks over the falls! Thanks again for the OP.

Hey just wanted to mention that the Four Point Sheraton in St. Catharines allows pet too. $10 a day and you have to stay on the 1 floor.

 

[loretta lowerison]

My hubby and I love Niagara-on-the-Lake. It's just so romantic. We like to walk around the streets and enjoyed the houses. I am addicted to the tea from Victoria's tea house. Try the Niagara Ice Wine tea. We always eat at Queenston Height Restaurant just across the Queenston bridge than tried a couple of winery on route to Niagara-on-the-lake then spent a few hours wandering around before leaving for home in Toronto.
Love Niagara-on-the-Lake

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

Hey just wanted to mention that the Four Point Sheraton in St. Catharines allows pet too. $10 a day and you have to stay on the 1 floor.

Thanks Shelly. We won't stay at that Best Western again. Ew.

There's a really nice Residence Inn by Marriott on Maple Drive in Amherst that I want to check out. It's central to my two most loved shopping areas and it's much more like an apartment complex. We go to the falls often enough that we don't need to stay right at the falls, not w/ the dog again anyway. And when you can go to the falls in the fall, it's so much less crowded. The fireworks were nice though.

We'll check out St. Catharines too, thanks!