Hi guys. My wife and I are planning a vacation to the falls in Sept. We already booked our hotel (Ramada Fallsview tower) and have our birth certificates. Any suggestions as to good, reasonably priced food? Also, best place to park cheap when at the NY side state park. Planned activities are Maid of the Mist, the Aquarium and a casino. Any other things we should not miss on a 2 night stay?
Niagara vacation....opinions needed.
- Thread starter mikemc
- Start date
- Status
Any chance you could shoot up to Toronto and do the CN tower?
I thought passports are now req'rd for going to Canada? Anyone?
I thought passports are now req'rd for going to Canada? Anyone?
Passports currently not required for U.S. citizens, that changes in 2007/2008. I doubt we'll have time to venture far from the falls area.
We're booked there for Sept 9th at the Ho-Jo in Niagara Falls, Ont.
Mikemc, you will want to come to the Canadian side to see the falls, much nicer on "our" side if the river.
No passport required but have your birth certificate and picture i.d. handy. Expect to spend a few minutes answering some questions at Customs, especially going back to the U.S.
The "Maid of the Mist" was built here in Wheatley, ON at Hike Metal (www.hikemetal.com)
See ya at the Falls !!
P.B.
Mikemc, you will want to come to the Canadian side to see the falls, much nicer on "our" side if the river.
No passport required but have your birth certificate and picture i.d. handy. Expect to spend a few minutes answering some questions at Customs, especially going back to the U.S.
The "Maid of the Mist" was built here in Wheatley, ON at Hike Metal (www.hikemetal.com)
See ya at the Falls !!
P.B.
I live in Ontario, barely 20 mintues from Niagara Falls.
The Canadian side is loaded with casinos and hotels. The US side is still in pretty poor shape but there is a brand new casino there now. Visit both sides to get a good view of the falls.
I would suggest a drive up and down the Niagara Parkway from end to end. Beautiful drive along side the Niagara River that starts in Fort Erie, Ont(across the river from Buffalo, NY) and ends in Niagara-On-The-Lake (NOTL). I strongly suggest you spend some time in NOTL. It's an early 1800's town that has been preserved; it's noted for Theater and restaurants. Old Fort George is there if your are into early 1800 American History. This whole area is where the War of 1812 was fought so there's all sorts of monuments and history. There's a pile of wineries in the Niagara Region to visit and tour. Toronto is 1.5 to 2 hours away (depending on traffic).
At Niagara Falls itself, they light up the falls at night with colored lights. Take the Maid Of The Mist boat ride; it's down in the gorge at the bottom of the falls and they take you up to within a couple hundred feet of the base of the falls. There's a pretty good jet boat ride downstream of the falls that goes through the Whirlpool rapids. There's a cable car ride that goes across the Niagara Gorge downstream of the falls. There's also some tunnels that go under the falls or near the base of the falls. There's a bunch of Hydro Electric generation all along the Niagara River on both sides of the border - I believe you can tour the power plants on both sides. There's the Butterfly Conservatory, on the Niagara Parkway between Niagara Falls and Niagara on The Lake. There's plenty of expensive golf around.
That's what I can remember off the top of my head. If I didn't live here but instead visited the area as a tourist, I could probably double that list.
Have fun...Phil
The Canadian side is loaded with casinos and hotels. The US side is still in pretty poor shape but there is a brand new casino there now. Visit both sides to get a good view of the falls.
I would suggest a drive up and down the Niagara Parkway from end to end. Beautiful drive along side the Niagara River that starts in Fort Erie, Ont(across the river from Buffalo, NY) and ends in Niagara-On-The-Lake (NOTL). I strongly suggest you spend some time in NOTL. It's an early 1800's town that has been preserved; it's noted for Theater and restaurants. Old Fort George is there if your are into early 1800 American History. This whole area is where the War of 1812 was fought so there's all sorts of monuments and history. There's a pile of wineries in the Niagara Region to visit and tour. Toronto is 1.5 to 2 hours away (depending on traffic).
At Niagara Falls itself, they light up the falls at night with colored lights. Take the Maid Of The Mist boat ride; it's down in the gorge at the bottom of the falls and they take you up to within a couple hundred feet of the base of the falls. There's a pretty good jet boat ride downstream of the falls that goes through the Whirlpool rapids. There's a cable car ride that goes across the Niagara Gorge downstream of the falls. There's also some tunnels that go under the falls or near the base of the falls. There's a bunch of Hydro Electric generation all along the Niagara River on both sides of the border - I believe you can tour the power plants on both sides. There's the Butterfly Conservatory, on the Niagara Parkway between Niagara Falls and Niagara on The Lake. There's plenty of expensive golf around.
That's what I can remember off the top of my head. If I didn't live here but instead visited the area as a tourist, I could probably double that list.
Have fun...Phil
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2003
- Messages
- 23,591
Take a barrel and a video camera along.
Sorry - I missed the part about the 2 night stay. You won't have time for everything. I would take the drive down the Parkway to NOTL; takes perhaps 40 minutes.
Thanks for the replies, keep 'em coming. We are staying in Canada and our hotel (Ramada at Minolta Tower) is very close to the Canadian Falls so we can walk there. Mosly need ideas for good places to eat and best cheap place to park in the area near the Niagara State Park on the NY side. Aquarium and Maid of the Mist are a must. We are also stopping at the Buffalo main lighthouse on the trip home.
Hahahahaha, yea, beat me to it. I was gonna' say "Buy a barrel and go for it"quote:
Originally posted by moribundman:
Take a barrel and a video camera along.
Hello,
I live in buffalo, about 15 or so miles from niagara falls.
The hotel you are staying in is not bad, but its right in the middle of the clifton hill tourist trap.
Tons of things to do in that area, bars, haunted houses, etc. It has a carnival type atmosphere. Everything is very expensive in that tourist trap.
That hotel is right over the bridge.
Parking is going to be very expensive as well, if you are planning a day trip on the US side, then be sure to park on the road, maybe rainbow avenue near the robert moses expressway. Otherwise they will nail you for 10 and 15 dollars to park in the state park, when you can just walk in for free, and its a nice scenic walk.
The new york side was terrible in years past, but they put alot of effort into it, its not as bad anymore. The new indian casino is here, they offer free parking in the lot also.
Deffinitely do the maid of the mist and the cave of the winds. Plan on wearing swimming shorts, flip flops, and a change of clothes, you will get wet. There is a combo deal, you can do both the maid of the mist boat ride, and the cave of the winds tour for about 25 us dollars per person.
After that, take a drive north on the robert moses expressway to see the niagara discovery center, and the niagara gorge (nice view).
You can go even further north into lewiston, ny, which has plenty of classy eateries, and nice views.
When you go out to eat, do it on the new york side. If you eat in ontario (especially niagara falls, ontario), the food is not that good, and it is very pricey.
Just an example, i was up at the dennys near clifton hill with some friends, we spent 58 dollars for four breakfast type meals. Came to about 52 dollars american due to the weak dollar.
The niagara falls, ny aquarium is pretty much a dump. Not very impressive, and dated.
If you have the time to roll to toronto, deffinitely do so.
Any other questions, post em here. I frequent the area.
I live in buffalo, about 15 or so miles from niagara falls.
The hotel you are staying in is not bad, but its right in the middle of the clifton hill tourist trap.
Tons of things to do in that area, bars, haunted houses, etc. It has a carnival type atmosphere. Everything is very expensive in that tourist trap.
That hotel is right over the bridge.
Parking is going to be very expensive as well, if you are planning a day trip on the US side, then be sure to park on the road, maybe rainbow avenue near the robert moses expressway. Otherwise they will nail you for 10 and 15 dollars to park in the state park, when you can just walk in for free, and its a nice scenic walk.
The new york side was terrible in years past, but they put alot of effort into it, its not as bad anymore. The new indian casino is here, they offer free parking in the lot also.
Deffinitely do the maid of the mist and the cave of the winds. Plan on wearing swimming shorts, flip flops, and a change of clothes, you will get wet. There is a combo deal, you can do both the maid of the mist boat ride, and the cave of the winds tour for about 25 us dollars per person.
After that, take a drive north on the robert moses expressway to see the niagara discovery center, and the niagara gorge (nice view).
You can go even further north into lewiston, ny, which has plenty of classy eateries, and nice views.
When you go out to eat, do it on the new york side. If you eat in ontario (especially niagara falls, ontario), the food is not that good, and it is very pricey.
Just an example, i was up at the dennys near clifton hill with some friends, we spent 58 dollars for four breakfast type meals. Came to about 52 dollars american due to the weak dollar.
The niagara falls, ny aquarium is pretty much a dump. Not very impressive, and dated.
If you have the time to roll to toronto, deffinitely do so.
Any other questions, post em here. I frequent the area.
no kidding.. I made the mistake of stopping for lunch on my way back from MI a coupleof weeks ago. we parked in the garage behind the hershey store. It cost me like $15 for the 90 mins we were there. we ended up eating at the Rainforest Cafe.. bought the cheapest things on the menu (that weren't very good, either) and lunch still ended up costing us nearly $70 US (2 adult entrees, 1 kids meal split between a 5,3,and 1 year old, 2 adult soft drinks and 3 kids milks) and we were STILL hungry when we left. !
needless to say, my wife was NOT impressed and mentions AFTER that she saw a taco bell sign. ugh.
Being a 27 year native of Niagara Falls, I agree with everything that Justin H says. I would try the maid of the mist on the US side. I was at the falls during the week of July 4th (visiting parents) and the US maid of the mist had very few people while the Canadian maid of the mist was packed. You see the same thing no matter which one you are on but the US is less crowded. Just watch the elevator, I was stuck in there for 2 hours back in 2003.
For parking, look for a building that looks like a big turtle. There are several free parking spots near there that will put you within a very short walk to the falls. Also look for the Red Coach Resturant, they have some parking spots in the back. They are for resturant patrons but that is my preferred parking spot and I have never had any issues.
Enjoy the trip. You will be glad that you are staying on the Canadian side after you see the US side. Also for changing currency, you will get the best exchange rate at the Canadian casino.
Bill
For parking, look for a building that looks like a big turtle. There are several free parking spots near there that will put you within a very short walk to the falls. Also look for the Red Coach Resturant, they have some parking spots in the back. They are for resturant patrons but that is my preferred parking spot and I have never had any issues.
Enjoy the trip. You will be glad that you are staying on the Canadian side after you see the US side. Also for changing currency, you will get the best exchange rate at the Canadian casino.
Bill
Make sure you exchange currency or use a credit card. If you use USA dollars on the Canadian side, you often get charged as if the US dollar and Canadian dollar were equal in value. A credit card will give you the appropriate exchange rate. I agree that you get a better exchange rate on the Canadian side of the border.
There is nothing like going to the Canadian side at the lip of Horseshoe Falls, and staring at the water going over. It has a mesmerizing effect.
There is nothing like going to the Canadian side at the lip of Horseshoe Falls, and staring at the water going over. It has a mesmerizing effect.
When I drove to Toronto last weekend, I had trouble getting into Canada. Last fall, I had trouble coming back into the US. It all depends on the day your customs inspector is having. So far I have gotten through with just my photo ID MA license.
If you haven't been yet, rent the movie
"Niagara" with Marylin Monroe and Joseph Cotten. All the stuff in the movie (1953) is still there. I've been twice and it was a fun place. A true Bitoger will produce a good excuse to tour the massive power plant several miles down river. Enjoy!
"Niagara" with Marylin Monroe and Joseph Cotten. All the stuff in the movie (1953) is still there. I've been twice and it was a fun place. A true Bitoger will produce a good excuse to tour the massive power plant several miles down river. Enjoy!
I had the same problem at the beginning of this month, the trip out to MI was not a problem. but when we tried to enter Canada @Sarnia, the customs agent was giving us a **** of a time over us not having our birth certificates (we had them for the kids though). when we crossed the rainbow to get back into the US, the conversation lasted all of about 12 seconds before we were allowed entry after waiting for about 15 minutes for the vehicle in front of us.
We did the Canadian side of Niagara Falls for vacation 2001 to 2004. I liked the Skylon Tower for lunch or dinner (you need reservations). The eating area rotates about once in the hour you're there. They seat you so you're looking at the American falls, take your order as the Canadian falls comes into view, then you eat overlooking the city. The view's spectacular, food good, service great, but a bit pricy as I remember (once in a while it's OK to splurge).
Yeah, has to be better than when we were there in 1969 and the American side of the falls was turned off . . came to appreciate that later.
We spent time on both shores, and also had a look at the Frederick Law Olmsted parks in Buffalo (designer of NY Central Park, among others).
http://buffaloolmstedparks.org/
The more I think about it, the more Buffalo appears as a 'natural" attraction to BITOGER's:
http://www.niagarafrontier.com/power.html
http://www.canals.state.ny.us/maps/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo,_New_York
[ July 31, 2006, 02:18 PM: Message edited by: TheTanSedan ]
We spent time on both shores, and also had a look at the Frederick Law Olmsted parks in Buffalo (designer of NY Central Park, among others).
http://buffaloolmstedparks.org/
The more I think about it, the more Buffalo appears as a 'natural" attraction to BITOGER's:
http://www.niagarafrontier.com/power.html
http://www.canals.state.ny.us/maps/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo,_New_York
[ July 31, 2006, 02:18 PM: Message edited by: TheTanSedan ]
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked