kristin0713 Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 We are looking to go to Niagara Falls in September. Has anyone gone recently? I'm having a hard time navigating the specials with "Family Fun" packages, etc. There are many third party sites offering lower prices than the regular hotel site. I'd rather book directly with a hotel because I know there are a lot of scams out there, but if there is a reputable one that can save us money, that would be great. We do have AAA so we can get a little discount that way. Any other reputable ways to book a trip for less? Any hotel recommendations? What about the excursion packages--are they worth it? We would like a hotel with a nice falls view. Any advice would be appreciated. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristin0713 Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 We tend to use Hotels.com to make our reservations. They tend to be not only the least expensive (when I compare sites), but they also let you add up your stays and get one free night for each 10 you stay (can all be different trips and different times). Hotel "frequent guest" programs can do the same thing, but you have to stay in their chain all the time. With hotels.com, I can stay with any motel pretty much and have it count. I'll admit to sometimes cross checking with the actual hotel to see more room info and details - esp if I want a nice view. Then I'll go back and book with hotels.com. Visiting Niagara in Sept. should give you nice deals since it's a shoulder season! Unfortunately, it's been a long time since we've been there, so I can't recommend specific hotels. I do know we prefer staying on the Canadian side as it's much nicer and has more to eat/do, but enjoy looking at the falls the most from Goat Island on the US side as you get incredibly close to the water - even walking over the top of the falls for part of it. We are used to a bit of walking, so walk across the border. Do you have passports? We might be going there in mid Aug when we drop middle son off at his U Rochester, so I might search hotels, but it won't be until the day or day before we leave as we won't know (for sure) if we're going until then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Plan to get wet on the excursions, especially your feet. Wear waterproof! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 :bigear: We're also going in September, staying on the Canadian side. We have our hotel, but no plans beyond that. I'd love to hear any excursions or particular experiences that are great. None of us have ever been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 We did Niagara Falls in 2008, so it has been a while. The kids were a lot smaller. We stayed on the Canadian side in a hotel not on the water but it had a water park indoors. I think it was called Americana Hotel or something like that, I will have to look it up. http://www.americananiagara.com/niagara-falls-indoor-waterpark/ This was when the kids were younger. It looks like there are better watermark hotels around there now, particularly if your kids are older. We were just worried there wouldn't be enough to do during the day. We did the tours and Maid of the Mist. We really enjoyed it. We wanted to do the dinner up in the revolving tower, but the only night we had available they had a private party and we couldn't get in. Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Kristin, Do you have documents to travel in Canada? Adults need a passport or passport card or NEXUS or enhanced driver's license. This will determine your itinerary and hotel. I'd definitely use AAA travel services. Go into an office and tell them where you want to stay and ask for hotel recommendations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*lifeoftheparty* Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Definitely stay on the Canadian side. We drove through the US side- nowhere near as nice, not even close. Canada wins- hands down. We stayed at the Embassy Suites fallsview- our room looked out over the falls, had a giant tub- it was just awesome. The indoor pool at the hotel was pretty big. The breakfast had a LOT of offerings- but the best thing about it was that the room was huge and the whole back wall was floor to ceiling windows looking out over the falls- it ws mesmerizing to watch while you sipped your morning coffee :) Our favorite thing was Maid of the Mist- you really don't get how cool this is until you do it, you just don't. Second fave was the Whirlpool Jetboats!! We chose the Niagara-on-the-lake location because it was farther away and got you the most time on the boat. The boat ride was just the coolest ever- my BIL said it was the coolest thing he's ever done. Afterwards, we walked around the town which was so quaint and adorable- I bet you it would be beautiful in September!! We had lunch in this cute bistro, shopped... then we drove aorund and stopped for tastings at different wineries- we actually took a tour (kids too!) of the Jackson-Triggs Winery and it was very cool and informative. Highly reccommend. Then we ate dinner somewhere around there. It was a fabulous day! Third favorite was Cave of the Winds on the US side- only thing we did on the US side. It really was spectacular. We also really enjoyed going to the Niagara botanical gardens and the butterfly conservatory- we stopped at the White Water Walk on the way back from the gardens, and that was neat.We also did that "Hill" place- Clifton Hill? It was cute, touristy- somewhere to go when you are done for the day, but don't want to stay at the hotel, imo- just to say you've been, but nothing special. Our trip to Niagara Falls is one of our top 5 vacations, for sure. We had a great time. It was beautiful up there with lots of activities that we enjoy. The food was good. The people were nice- it was clean and not too crowded... just make sure you stay on the Canadian side though ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Personally I much prefer the US side (what someone said about walking to and through Goat Island). It is much less commercialized, appears more natural, and to me that is much nicer. Of course it depends on what your family likes. If you're a US citizen, getting to the Canadian side might take a long time due to border checks, from what I've been told. Don't miss the Maid of the Mist, and try to do Cave of the Winds. To me, everything else is optional. Due to the mist that rises from the falls, there isn't much point in getting a hotel room with a falls view IMO. Ask about what time they shine the colored lights on the falls in the evening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*lifeoftheparty* Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 HUH? I have to disagree with you SKL :) Our room was on the 33rd floor and the view of the falls was amazing! I would post a pic if I could... we often woke up to see a rainbow over the falls- it was just stunning. It's the first and only time my DH was excited about a hotel we stayed at. I think we're just seeing things differently- the US side, imo, was very dirty and outdated. I was extremely glad that we stayed in Canada when we drove from the Embassy Suites to Cave of the Winds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 HUH? I have to disagree with you SKL :) Our room was on the 33rd floor and the view of the falls was amazing! I would post a pic if I could... we often woke up to see a rainbow over the falls- it was just stunning. It's the first and only time my DH was excited about a hotel we stayed at. I think we're just seeing things differently- the US side, imo, was very dirty and outdated. I was extremely glad that we stayed in Canada when we drove from the Embassy Suites to Cave of the Winds. Thanks for the hotel recommendation. It'll be one we consider if we go (and if they still have vacancy). I definitely agree that I like staying on the Canadian side as there's so much more around and it is kept up better, but I also still feel that I like actually seeing the falls better from the US side as you can get closer to the water - even the Maid of the Mist from the US side goes closer to the American Falls due to where they take off. Both are similar with Horseshoe Falls. If people are even in a little bit of shape, walking between the two isn't an issue (but then again, we hike decent distances, so maybe I'm being overly optimistic for the "average" person?). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Okay, these posts have convinced me to plan a family trip to Niagar Falls next summer. Canadian side! :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 We went last summer. We actually didn't stay there. So, as a different option: We did the US side one day and did Maid of the Mist (an absolute MUST do). Then we drove over to Canada and drove on to Toronto, which I believe was only about another 90 minutes. We spent the weekend in Toronto which we really loved, it's a great city. Then on the way back we spent an afternoon on the Canadian side, seeing the falls from that view. We also went to the Niagara Bird Kingdom on the Canadian side which someone here recommended. My middle son loves birds and it was a fantastic aviary. Then we drove on and stayed further out in NY, I can't remember where now. It was cheaper staying away from Niagara Falls itself, even staying in Toronto. And we're more of city people so we enjoyed that part of the visit as much as all the commercial stuff in the Falls. If we hadn't had a 3 year old with us we probably would have done one of the walks down the cliff as well but the Maid of the Mist was enough for her and we felt like we got a great taste of the experience. ETA: You do need passports if you are over 16 to go to the Canadian side. The kids needed copies of their birth certificates, I believe. The border crossing going into Canada was a little slow but you are on the bridge that has an overview of the falls and my kids were so excited about the moment when our car spanned two countries (Mom and Dad in Canada, kids in US) that it became a fun part of the trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 A tip that used to work well for the Maid of the Mist trips... If you resist the urge to go in the middle of the day when everyone else is going, you'll have a much less crowded boat and that enhances an already #1 in the area experience. Go either right when they open or within about half an hour to an hour from closing... Maid of the Mist is a must for everyone in our family. The walk down next to the falls on the US side (from Goat Island) is #2, the walk on the bridge over the falls between Bridal Veil and Niagara (also on Goat Island) is #3, and the tunnels under the falls on the Canadian side is #4. If we hit other stuff, we do, but those are "musts" for us. We haven't done the jet boats. They have always been a little pricey for us. Going up in the tower on the Canadian side is fun, and eating there is delicious, but we only did that latter part twice due to the cost. Some museums are interesting too. Otherwise, being nature lovers, we actually like to just stand or sit and take in the ambiance (and ions!) of the falls themselves, daytime or nighttime. I'm looking forward to getting to go to Iguazu Falls someday (it's on my bucket list) and regret that we could never afford to go there as a family, but I digress. For those of us in most of the US (or Canada), Niagara is much closer and more easily "do-able." ps I'll also agree that as cities go, Toronto is a gem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Over the years, I've made no secret of my love for the American side. It is a beautiful state park and you are right next to the rapids and the Falls, depending upon where you are in the park. The view is beautiful from Canada and you can get a hotel that overlooks the Falls. It is not cheap, and as I've written above in another post, you need proper documents to go the Canada and come back. Long gone are the days when a bored guy waved you across the bridge. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 HUH? I have to disagree with you SKL :) Our room was on the 33rd floor and the view of the falls was amazing! I would post a pic if I could... we often woke up to see a rainbow over the falls- it was just stunning. It's the first and only time my DH was excited about a hotel we stayed at. I think we're just seeing things differently- the US side, imo, was very dirty and outdated. I was extremely glad that we stayed in Canada when we drove from the Embassy Suites to Cave of the Winds. The state park is beautiful and not dirty at all. Trees and gardens aren't outdated, IMO. The city of NF, USA has its downfalls, but the state park isn't one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Long gone are the days when a bored guy waved you across the bridge. :lol: True, but with passports, it's not that much different - just a few more questions. However, I don't know how "personalized" they get once they scan the passports. The first year they switched over to needing them we got questioned once as to why we, from southern PA, made trips to Canada about 3 times per year, sometimes more when we cross more than once or twice while visiting. Once we explained that my mom still lives on the border (along the St Lawrence River) and I consider Canada to be my "2nd home country" all questions except the basic pretty much stopped and we get to pass quite quickly - literally less than 2 minutes of just asking the "official" questions. Coincidence or notes attached to our files? I'm not sure. It's just what happened. Others might get a different experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SproutMamaK Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Background: I live an hour or so away from the Falls and it's our go-to destination when we just want a special weekend away. Depending on what exactly you're planning to do on your vacation, the Fallsview Waterpark hotel complex can be an excellent stay... but I admit that we stay there mostly for the waterpark, not for the falls. It's not as fancy as Great Wolf Lodge, but it's lots of fun, MUCH cheaper, and some of the online "fun" packages you can get with tickets to other activites are a steal. The deals you see online are (surprisingly) pretty much all legit. We've gotten some CRAZY deals through various online sites, and they've all gone extremely smoothly; these hotels & destinations are all about tourist-y marketing, so they work with online deal sites and internet customers quite frequently. There are foodie packages, adventure packages, wine packages, typical touristy packages (Maid of the Mist, Journey Behind the Falls, etc), entertainment packages for Clifton Hill, casino packages... TONS of options. They've literally all worked out great for us. If you'll be staying for a while, try to get a room with a fridge and go grocery shopping for some snacks & simple breakfasts (cereal, milk, sandwiches, etc). Eating out there is EXPENSIVE if you're doing it for a few days in a row.If you have any specific questions about hotels or "fun" stuff to do, feel free to ask! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 True, but with passports, it's not that much different - just a few more questions. However, I don't know how "personalized" they get once they scan the passports. The first year they switched over to needing them we got questioned once as to why we, from southern PA, made trips to Canada about 3 times per year, sometimes more when we cross more than once or twice while visiting. Once we explained that my mom still lives on the border (along the St Lawrence River) and I consider Canada to be my "2nd home country" all questions except the basic pretty much stopped and we get to pass quite quickly - literally less than 2 minutes of just asking the "official" questions. Coincidence or notes attached to our files? I'm not sure. It's just what happened. Others might get a different experience. No, it isn't difficult with the right documentation. And we always were serious at the border. But there is a different vibe now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 We were are little harassed and he almost asked us to get out of our car. Our youngest had a passport but is not the same race as the rest of us. He kept asking our son, "Who are you with?" My son was about 4 at the time and scared to death and wouldn't answer him. My friend just went in to Canada and WAS asked to get out of her car. She had her 3 kids with her. One very blonde bio child and two little Ethiopian girls, adopted. Her husband wasn't with her. She spent over 2 hours waiting for them to call her husband to make sure she had permission and make sure those were actually HER kids. I get it to some degree, but it can be a hassle. True, but with passports, it's not that much different - just a few more questions. However, I don't know how "personalized" they get once they scan the passports. The first year they switched over to needing them we got questioned once as to why we, from southern PA, made trips to Canada about 3 times per year, sometimes more when we cross more than once or twice while visiting. Once we explained that my mom still lives on the border (along the St Lawrence River) and I consider Canada to be my "2nd home country" all questions except the basic pretty much stopped and we get to pass quite quickly - literally less than 2 minutes of just asking the "official" questions. Coincidence or notes attached to our files? I'm not sure. It's just what happened. Others might get a different experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfgivas Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 my mum lives in niagara-on-the-lake (canadian side). things we love on the canadian side: the butterfly pavilion http://www.niagarafallslive.com/butterfly_conservatory_in_niagara_falls.htm the bird exhibit http://www.birdkingdom.ca/ lunch at the restaurant at the falls (reserve a window seat) http://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/top-of-the-falls-restaurant.aspx theatre in niagara-on-the-lake (shaw festival, but also one musical each year - this year it is cabaret) http://www.shawfest.com/playbill/ wine tasting in niagara-on-the-lake. we visit a different winery each day @ 4pm and pay ~ 3 dollars for a glass of something lovely. https://www.niagaraonthelake.com/Wineries visiting laura secord's home and the brock monument (war of 1812). there is a good tour available, and when we were last there you could sign out toys that laura would have played and play them on the lawn (like the 3 graces). laura secord is also a chocolate shop (like see's candies) and ice cream and chocolate are available on site. http://www.niagaraparks.com/niagara-falls-attractions/laura-secord-homestead.html http://www.niagaraparks.com/niagara-falls-attractions/brocks-monument.html on the way to niagara on the lake, you drive by the floral clock. http://www.niagaraparks.com/niagara-falls-attractions/floral-clock.html you can also rent bicycles and ride along the river, although the path is about fifty feet above the river itself. it is fun and beautiful. hth - have a glorious time! ann eta: there are tons of legitimate coupons on line, and also a book available for free in niagara falls itself that has coupons. we also like the maid of the mist ride, and the behind the falls walk, but other folks had already mentioned them, and they are a bit pricier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 We were are little harassed and he almost asked us to get out of our car. Our youngest had a passport but is not the same race as the rest of us. He kept asking our son, "Who are you with?" My son was about 4 at the time and scared to death and wouldn't answer him. My friend just went in to Canada and WAS asked to get out of her car. She had her 3 kids with her. One very blonde bio child and two little Ethiopian girls, adopted. Her husband wasn't with her. She spent over 2 hours waiting for them to call her husband to make sure she had permission and make sure those were actually HER kids. I get it to some degree, but it can be a hassle. That would frustrate me considerably. However, with the latter situation we've always known if we were taking kids across the border without both parents that we needed a signed note giving permission - even before 9/11. We also have taken kids who weren't ours across and needed the same notes (and a copy of the death certificate for the one lad with a deceased mother). When I was young and we went across for school trips (often due to our location) we all had signed permission slips that both parents needed to sign. Otherwise, as mentioned by Unsinkable, the vibe can be different now. It sort of depends upon who you get. In my hometown the vibe is rarely different, esp since most know my mom. Away from the "known" it can really vary. In our experience, males tend to be nicer than females though. We're not sure why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 My kids are from Central America, and the last time we went to Niagara Falls they didn't have passports yet, so they have not been to Canada yet. It's funny that we live within driving distance to Canada, and my kids have traveled widely on three continents but have not yet set foot in Canada. ;) It used to be a given that you did the US and Canadian side every trip to NF, but those days are gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 if you want a view of the falls - stay on the Canadian side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*lifeoftheparty* Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 my mum lives in niagara-on-the-lake (canadian side). things we love on the canadian side: the butterfly pavilion http://www.niagarafallslive.com/butterfly_conservatory_in_niagara_falls.htm the bird exhibit http://www.birdkingdom.ca/ lunch at the restaurant at the falls (reserve a window seat) http://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/top-of-the-falls-restaurant.aspx theatre in niagara-on-the-lake (shaw festival, but also one musical each year - this year it is cabaret) http://www.shawfest.com/playbill/ wine tasting in niagara-on-the-lake. we visit a different winery each day @ 4pm and pay ~ 3 dollars for a glass of something lovely. https://www.niagaraonthelake.com/Wineries visiting laura secord's home and the brock monument (war of 1812). there is a good tour available, and when we were last there you could sign out toys that laura would have played and play them on the lawn (like the 3 graces). laura secord is also a chocolate shop (like see's candies) and ice cream and chocolate are available on site. http://www.niagaraparks.com/niagara-falls-attractions/laura-secord-homestead.html http://www.niagaraparks.com/niagara-falls-attractions/brocks-monument.html on the way to niagara on the lake, you drive by the floral clock. http://www.niagaraparks.com/niagara-falls-attractions/floral-clock.html you can also rent bicycles and ride along the river, although the path is about fifty feet above the river itself. it is fun and beautiful. hth - have a glorious time! ann eta: there are tons of legitimate coupons on line, and also a book available for free in niagara falls itself that has coupons. we also like the maid of the mist ride, and the behind the falls walk, but other folks had already mentioned them, and they are a bit pricier. Agree with all if this :) As I said before, we loved Niagara-on-the-lake and the surrounding wine region and (here's a secret) I don't even like wine, lol!! But I did like those ice wines- they were pretty good :) Two things I want to do when we go back are.... Take a tour of the hydroelectric plant, and, (I saw this on the Travel Channel) take the educational tour that has a person acting like Harriet Tubman and they take you on a tour of the last leg of the Underground Railroad! She even carries a gun in case anyone chickened out while going across the rickety bridge into Canada. I really want to do that- it looks neat. But seriously, I know it's expensive- but do the Jetboats! I get motion/sea sick really bad, but I really wanted to do it, so I just took hinge capsules everyday for a week- and I was fine. I think I remember getting $10 a person off by choosing the very first trip of the day, or something like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madteaparty Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Is the consensus that summer is the best time to go? I'm considering this next year. Many thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*lifeoftheparty* Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 We went the first week in June, and were told that we showed up a week or two before the heavier crowds, because of school not being out yet. We had beautiful weather. But I bet that fall would be beautiful too :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristin0713 Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 Thank you SO MUCH! These replies have been really helpful! DH and I have passports and we will bring birth certificates for the kids. I'm so excited :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storygirl Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 We went to Niagara Falls last summer, and we all loved it. We stayed on the Canadian side in a cheaper hotel without a view of the Falls, because we are budget conscious. Be sure to check whether there will be fireworks over the Falls while you are there. We didn't know ahead of time and missed them, though we could hear them from the room. Before going, we bought an attraction package online that gave us entrance to four attractions plus unlimited bus access. We chose the attractions that we wanted from a large list. We went on Maid of the Mist, went on a river walkway, went through the tunnels behind the Falls, and went to the interactive movie Niagara's Fury. Warning -- in Niagara's Fury, you watch a movie while standing on a metal walkway, and torrents of water are dumped on your head. We had on the provided rain gear but still got completely soaked, from hair to shoes. I wasn't expecting it and thought we would just get sprayed in a more moderate way. I'll just say that it was not my cup of tea, although the kids loved it. It may be something you want to do, but be warned! I also should say that we did not experience any problems at the border crossing, even though DH and I are white and my children are not. The crossing agent scrutinized our passports seriously and asked us to open the side door of the van so that he could see who was sitting in the back, but after some routine questions, we went right through. It was a long wait, but no hassles. I don't want multiethnic families to be worried that they will automatically be singled out, because it did not happen for us. I'm sorry others have had issues with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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