visiting Niagara Falls - tips ????

[AlreadyexcitedGrammy]

DH and I plan to visit May 23-25th. We are thinking we will beat the crowds before school is out. DH running in Cleveland OH marathon and we will go on to the falls. Anyway -

Looking for hotel tips - should we stay someplace that we can view the falls from our room? or is that just not worth the extra $$

DH has just done a bit of research and his choices are between Sheraton and the Oakes - what do you think?

Main attraction will be doing all the "usual visitor" stuff - maid of the mist etc. Is there a central place for tickets ?

Thanks for ANY assistance - we haven't been to this area for many many years !

 

[OntFamily]

There are two Sheraton's in Niagara Falls, but there is one close to the Oakes Hotel so I'm betting this is the one to which you are referring. Both of these hotels are located farther away from the "touristy" area of the city. However, they are close to the new casino, and close walking distance to the Falls.

For hotels, check out Priceline (and www.biddingfortravel.com ) and as well check out good rates @ http://discoverniagara.com/fallsviewcasino/. Many Priceline bidders have gotten stays at the Renaissance Hotel across the street from the casino I stayed at the Renaissance in January and found it to be a nice hotel http://www.renaissancefallsview.com/default.html

Be aware that May 23rd is Victoria Day -- a major holiday in Canada - -and traditionally the start of the summer season. Hotel rates in Niagara Falls tend to increase signifantly in the summer.

 

[StuartMI]

Try the travellodge on clifton hill. Youll be right in the middle of things there and close walking distance to pretty much anything. The Sheratons are nice, too, however stay at the Sheraton FALLSVIEW - that one is closer to the action. Don't forget to visit the downer!

 

[NancyK]

Nice to see you on the Canadian Board Bev!
The Maid of the Mist is a must-do. The attractions run by the Niagara Parks Commission are pretty nice. Here's the website.
http://www.niagaraparks.com/

A friend of mine goes on a romantic weekend to Niagara Falls twice a year (go figure, we only live 20 minutes away LOL!) Anyway, they always stay at Sheraton Fallsview and really like it. They usually have package deals where you can get accommodation, breakfast two days and dinner one night. Even so, I have to warn you that the prices of accommodation in the Falls is ridiculous.

Like the previous poster mentioned, Monday May 23rd is Victoria Day and the Falls will be unbelievably busy that day. The following couple of days will be fine and not busy at all.

Clifton Hill is all tourist attractions - most of them are of the overpriced, cheesy variety IMHO. It's fun to walk down Clifton Hill, though.

If you get time, you might want to head to Niagara-on-the-Lake (I think it's about 20 miles away). Lots of boutiques and very pleasant.


Be sure to PM me if you need any more info. Last year I did all of my "long distance training" walking along the Niagara Parkway. It's really pretty in May.

Nancy

 

[SnowWhite]

Niagara Falls is like a "home away from home" for my husband and I! We go several times a year and have done almost everything "touristy". Both hotels you mentioned are nice and have excellent views of the Falls but as the last post said are not in the heart of the touristy district. However they are close to the new casino and the inclinator to the falls. It totally depends where you want to be located. Clifton Hill is the "heart" of Niagara Falls and where all the wax museums and other attractions are. Other streets close to Clifton are Victoria St and Centre St., they are just a short walk away and the hotels tend to be cheaper. If distance doesn't matter hotels out Lundys Lane are about a 5-10 min drive and are even cheaper. The maid of the mist ticket centre is right at the bottom of Clfton Hill. There are packages that include other "water" attractions such as the Spanish Aerocar and Journey Behind the Falls and include unlimited transportation between them If those dates do indeed fall on Victoria Day expect crowds. Any other questions feel free to ask!!!

 

[Limmer]

Last time we were there we stayed at the Brock Plaza. It is right beside the Sheraton Fallsview but was a little cheaper. We found it charming and beautiful but it is an older hotel so the rooms were small but we it was our anniversary and we were willing to be cozy.

We did have a hard time finding a nice, non-chain restaurant (Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood, Kelsey's). We wanted a romantic anniversary dinner and these chains were loud, over-priced and the food was horrible. We ended up at a place called Monticello's which was outstanding. The service was fantastic, the food to die for and the atmosphere was perfect for a romantic dinner. It was a little pricey (my veal entree was approx $20) but I didn't feel that bad after realizing I would have paid the same for fajitas at PH. My DH had the muscles and he still raved about tham. To find it you would go up Victoria hill to the 1st main intersection and then turn right. It was approx half a block up on the left hand side of the street. I can't recommend this place enough.

 

[jersey shark]

....I'd think twice about the Sheraton Fallsview when the Marriott Fallsview is
in my opinion a much better option...it's right across the street from the Sheraton (& closer to the falls) and it is a very luxurious hotel yet still offers interesting packages.

Furthermore, the Marriott's restaurant and pool are top notch!

I'd go with Marriott!!

 

[keishashadow]

We've stayed at the Choice Hotels on Clifton Hill. We booked a family get- away package last June, very reasonable. Received 2 nights in a standard room with an obstructed view of falls (you had to peek between the trees). We moreso heard the falls as opposed to seeing them. Received attraction tickets for Clifton Hill, breakfast & a dinner voucher. You can't be any closer to the falls, a short stroll downhill, less than 5 minutes. Even though you're in the thick of things, the rooms are set back and you don't hear the noise from Clifton Hill. You're also 2 blocks from the "old" casino.

The Travelodge was directly across the street, but is more open to foot traffic. They have rooms that face an outside Karoke bar, which blared music to the early hours of the morning. I was so glad we didn't book there.

At the falls you can purchase whatever tickets you desire. We bought the one that gave you most of the attractions and spread it out over 2 days. You do only get the transportation for 1 day though.

Have a great time.

 

[Grumbo]

Try the travellodge on clifton hill. Youll be right in the middle of things there and close walking distance to pretty much anything. The Sheratons are nice, too, however stay at the Sheraton FALLSVIEW - that one is closer to the action. Don't forget to visit the downer!

The Sheraton Fallsview is NOT the one close to the Clifton Hill area/action.
At one time it was called the Sheraton Fallsview but they have changed the name of the old Brock which is now the Brock Plaza, and the Old Sheraton which is now the Sheraton on the Falls. The Sheraton Fallsview is in the Fallsview area, which is by Loretta Academy on Stanley Avenue. To even further confuse things there was another Sheraton Four Points further up Stanley Avenue by Ferry Street, which has changed names so many times you need a programme to keep track of it but is now known as the Clarion Presidents Hotel.
Having worked and lived in Niagara for over 40 years The new hotels by the New casino (Marriott Hilton and Embassy Suites) The Oakes Inn (In the NEW section of the hotel) as well as the Casino Hotel itself are great.
The ones on Clifton Hill are getting pretty poor. The Brock Plaza and the Sheraton on the Falls, which are on Falls Avenue, opposite the Rainbow Bridge have been renovated and good.
One other option is IF you have ever gambled at Casino Niagara and have one of their free cards you get, call the casino as they have great deals for hotels, that are often much cheaper than anywhere else.
Other option is the Toronto Sun special that are advertised, but May 24th weekend will be more expensive unfortunately.
Enjoy your visit

And as for Stuart's reminder to visit the "downer" it is a seedy strip joint at the far end of Lundy's Lane. Why he would want you to visit there is beyond me, but probably not what you were looking for for a family visit.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[AlreadyexcitedGrammy]

Wow - I am so glad that I posted here - you have given us a great deal of hotel info and I am sure we will check out Monticello's restaurant, too.

My Dh will have just run 26.2 miles on Sunday and he will be wanting to re-fuel for sure! I can eat anytime - especially when I am not cooking

And, thanks for the tip on the your holiday - I would have never given that a thought!

We do have a ressie at Sheraton Fallsview (24th floor) - DH arranged - I think he got a good deal but it is one that we can cancel with no penalty - so we will still be checking things out.

I do hope we have time to get to Niagara on the Lake too - a good friend said that is a "must" - thanks Nancy - appreciate your thoughts that it is a place to try to get to also.

Thanks again - WISH friends

 

[Disneybabe]

Grumbo & others,
Glad to hear the Embassy Suites is nice, we're going there in two weeks. Am I right in assuming that the hotel is within walking distance to the falls and the new casino or am I overly optimistic? Also, I read that there is an attractions shuttle that we could take from the hotel to Clifton Hill. Is this a quick, convenient way to get around or would you suggest taking our own car? Thanks for any help!

 

[aphasia83]

I assume you're going to the Canadian side?

I just went a few weeks ago, I found a great site: https://discoverniagara.com/accommodations/main/

This deal allowed me to stay at the Hilton for $99 CAD. Included: a free buffet breakfast for two, and $10 of casino credit per person (up to two people, so that's $20). Considering that the breakfast itself is normally about $24 per person I believe, and that you get $20 to use in the new casino across the street (you don't have to gamble. Walk in, show your card, they give you cash)... I guess that means our upgraded king bed jacuzzi fallsview room cost us about $30. Pretty good for the Hilton.

 

[Joann]

I have stayed at the sheraton on the falls by the brock hotel and it is beautiful but pricey our room faced the falls and was 500 a night nice but not worth that much !!! My mom and dad always stay at the sheraton that you booked and love it there have never had a complaint once!! Have fun its great there I was there last sunday had a ball!

 

[MommaBear]

As many have said this is our Victoria Day weekend and it will be extremely busy but you must, must, must do Niagara on the Lake.

It is a lovely scenic drive along the Niagara Parkway and the 20 minutes just flies by. The roadway is immaculate and the greenery is all tended to by the Niagara Parks people. Brocks Monument - Queenston Heights park is a must see with a beautiful panoramic view of the Niagara river and this is along the way to Niagara on the Lake.

Be warned if you want to enjoy this charming, historical little village you need to get their early. Most shops open at 9:30 or 10 a.m. and you really should get to the village by then. Tour buses usually start rolling in around 11 a.m. and you can barely find room on the sidewalks after lunch so try and do this one in the morning.

For years we have taken a day to do the Falls, stop for a bbq along the parkway and then head into Niagara-on-the-Lake for the afternoon. We hit nothing but crowds and my boys (2 teenagers and my DH) always hate the crowds. Last year we reversed it, spent morning in Niagara-on-the-Lake, stop in a lovely little roadside pull off for BBQ lunch and then headed into the Falls for the afternoon. This worked much better for all of us.

 

[Tuffcookie]

It's the Sheraton on the Falls that's closest to the Falls! (and the casino!!!)
Do plan a jaunt up to Niagara on the Lake. It is so beautiful. They also have live plays there. If you go to:
www.shawfest.com, you can see what's available.
I've been there a couple of times and always have a good time!

TC

 

[aphasia83]

Actually, Tuffcookie may have given you false advice. I'm not sure, maybe the Sheraton is closest to the OLD casino, but the Hilton is the closest to the falls and the NEW casino that just opened up last year (it's just across the street), which seems to be what you were asking.

 

[Zip-a-dee-dude-da]

DELEATED

 

[Zip-a-dee-dude-da]

"And as for Stuart's reminder to visit the "downer" it is a seedy strip joint at the far end of Lundy's Lane. Why he would want you to visit there is beyond me, but probably not what you were looking for for a family visit."

Excuse me but calling the SUNDOWNER ("Downer") a seedy strip joint is akin to calling DisneyWorld "Six Flags". The Downer may be the finest strip club all around in the WORLD. Is it for families NO but just show the downer some respect it is fantastic for what it is!!!!!!!!

 

[StuartMI]

 

[Grumbo]

Excuse me but calling the SUNDOWNER ("Downer") a seedy strip joint is akin to calling DisneyWorld "Six Flags". The Downer may be the finest strip club all around in the WORLD. Is it for families NO but just show the downer some respect it is fantastic for what it is!!!!!!!!

You think so? I probably am more aware of what a seedy dive it is than you can imagine.
You like it? Keep going

Cheers,
Grumbo