Niagara Falls trip

[UmMusa]

My family plus extended family is thinking of meeting up for a Niagara Falls extended weekend in August. We'd be flying in from different states. I have NO experience or knowledge of this region, so I thought I'd see if y'all could point me in a good direction.

 

Is Niagara Falls a day trip that you add to a Toronto trip or a NYC trip? We're thinking of Thursday-Sunday. Part of the family has shown interest in staying inToronto while others think there's nothing special to do there :D

 

Any ideas? Thanks!

[EmmaNZ]

We did Niagara in a day trip from Toronto (on my honeymoon :001_wub: ). It was fun. Niagara town reminded me of a cheesy british seaside town like Blackpool or Brighton. Not sure if that means anything to you? The only thing I remember specifically from Toronto is the CN tower - which was also fun.

[gardenmom5]

it's hours drive outside NYC. I would think toronto would be much closer.

 

the best view is from the canadian side. you can walk across (there is a fee to walk back to the US. It was cheap, but be sure to carry sufficient change. . . .), or drive across. don't both with the US side "walk-out" you still can't see very much. you can drive along the river on the canadian side - and be sure and drive down river below the falls. there is a tram that goes out across a huge whirlpool. we didn't have time, but it was incredible. (the sheer volume of water going over the falls was stunning.)

 

there are gardens on the US side that have plantings in the shape of the great lakes.

[creekland]

Niagara is definitely closer to Toronto, but you could also stay in Niagara itself for a night (or two) to give you more time to view the falls. There is more to do on the Canadian side, but the US side has a park where you can go over the river on a bridge (park is between the two major falls) and a small bridge you can stand on right above Bridal Veil falls (the smallest part of the US falls). It eerily looks like a water ride at a theme park. Then we like to pay to go down next to the falls (American side) as you truly get a feel for the power of the water. It's amazing. They provide the rain gear (even footwear) for this as part of your admission fee. Do skip the partial bridge over the river. It's not worth even the small fee they charge.

 

From either side you can do the Maid of the Mist boat ride - well worth it.

 

On the Canadian side you can go through tunnels to end up behind the falls - again - we like it. Then the Canadian side has everything from small amusements to a tower to a casino (actually, there's a casino on the US side too - we've never been to either). It is like a resort town.

 

Toronto has typical city attractions. Like the pp, the CN tower is fun to go up into (it has a glass floor section). There's also a large amusement park outside of the city if that interests you. We haven't been there in years, so someone who's been there more recently can likely give better (more current) info.

[unsinkable]

My family plus extended family is thinking of meeting up for a Niagara Falls extended weekend in August. We'd be flying in from different states. I have NO experience or knowledge of this region, so I thought I'd see if y'all could point me in a good direction.

 

Is Niagara Falls a day trip that you add to a Toronto trip or a NYC trip? We're thinking of Thursday-Sunday. Part of the family has shown interest in staying inToronto while others think there's nothing special to do there :D

 

Any ideas? Thanks!

 

I can help with suggestions for the US side. My keyboard is wonky now but I'll check back later when I can type easier.

 

Just be aware of the border rules. You need passports or enhanced drivers' licenses to travel to Canada.

[Starr]

Niagara Falls is a good 7 hour drive to NYC but if you are from far away you could take a few days and go visit. It's always said that you want to go to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Enjoy your vacation.

[unsinkable]

Niagara Falls is a good 7 hour drive to NYC but if you are from far away you could take a few days and go visit. It's always said that you want to go to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Enjoy your vacation.

 

 

I have always tried to put up a good fight for the American side.

 

Mostly "falls" on deaf ears, tho.

 

Get it, falls...Niagara Falls...

[elfgivas]

we have family in both toronto and niagara-on-the-lake.both are fabulous. it depends on what you are looking for.

 

when we go to niagara-on-the-lake, we go wine tasting every afternoon at 4pm. we pick one of the many excellent wineries, and taste three wines each (the equivalent of one glass).

http://wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com/

 

we go to one play (it is home of the Shaw Festival, but always has at least one live musical each season, too - this year it is Guys and Dolls).

http://www.shawfest.com/

 

we take a ride in a horse and carriage. we have one amazing meal out (several of the wineries have fabulous chefs and restaurants as well). we buy lots and lots of fresh fruit and veggies. (many, many orchards)

 

we also drive to Niagara Falls. We take the maid of the mist on a boat right up to the falls. sometimes we take the walk behind the falls.

we visit the butterfly pavilion, and outdoor gardens.

http://www.niagaraparks.com/garden-trail/butterfly-conservatory.html

 

we love birds, so we visit the bird exhibit right in Niagara Falls.

http://www.birdkingdom.ca/

 

Niagara Falls also has the tackiest parts to it, but the kids love the haunted house and the mini golf...

 

Some years, we go back at night to see the light show. and at least once, we visited Marineland.

 

sometimes, we do a war of 1812 visit, going to Fort George, and the Brock Monument, and Laura Secord's house. (which is small, but is a great part of the story, and also sells Laura Secord Ice Cream and Chocolates (think See's). You can borrow children's outdoor games from the shop and play them on the lawn.

 

and if we have time, we sneak into Hamilton, Ontario and visit the African Safari.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g154990-d184770-Reviews-African_Lion_Safari-Hamilton_Ontario.html

 

that's a fair bit for now.... toronto in the next post.

ann

 

ps. if i were choosing, this is what i would choose, as the distances are small, and the events and food world class.

[elfgivas]

then there is Toronto. its a big city. it has all the pros and cons that go with that.

 

it has a great public transit system.

there is great theater and music and dance. (you'll need to order tickets in advance for most things)

there are great restaurants. (you'll need reservations early for the famous ones).

the Royal Ontario Museum is wonderful. ditto the Ontario Science Centre, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.

http://www.rom.on.ca/en

http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/

http://www.ago.net/

Toronto has an island that you can take a ferry boat to and spend the day meandering, rent bicycles, picnic, etc.

http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/

 

hth get you started :)

ann

[emcap]

I'll put in a good word for the American side. We found the views wonderful and the park beautiful. Walking out on the three sisters islands was fun, but a little freaky, if one of the kids fell in the water they would be on their way to the falls. Luna Island was fun,too. We went at a time when it wasn't crowded at all and rode the trolley around the park. All our drivers were wonderful and anwered questions and telling about all the areas of the park. We had so much more fun than anticipated.

 

We were hoping to walk across the bridge to Canada but ran out of time. Honestly I preferred the trails and nature more than the touristy stuff I remember from my trip years ago to the Canadian side.

[unsinkable]

I'll put in a good word for the American side. We found the views wonderful and the park beautiful. Walking out on the three sisters islands was fun, but a little freaky, if one of the kids fell in the water they would be on their way to the falls. Luna Island was fun,too. We went at a time when it wasn't crowded at all and rode the trolley around the park. All our drivers were wonderful and anwered questions and telling about all the areas of the park. We had so much more fun than anticipated.

 

We were hoping to walk across the bridge to Canada but ran out of time. Honestly I preferred the trails and nature more than the touristy stuff I remember from my trip years ago to the Canadian side.

 

 

Yay! I've been talking up the park for years!

 

I realize it's not everyone's cuppa but I LOVE it.

[creekland]

Honestly I preferred the trails and nature more than the touristy stuff I remember from my trip years ago to the Canadian side.

 

 

I really prefer the nature type stuff on the American side too - and the park is superb (though yes, freaky with the feeling of being right above the falls). You definitely get closer to the falls on the American side IMO and a better feel for them and their power (though the boat is fabulous for that too and can be taken from either side).

 

We do, however, sometimes hit the Canadian side to enjoy some of the "other" things (and the tunnels behind the falls). The Canadian side allows you to "see" Niagara better (from a distance, looking at it).

 

Is Marineland still there? (Canadian side) We went with the kids eons ago and enjoyed it. Somehow I thought it was gone now, but it could be a faulty brain neuron.

[beaners]

I really prefer the nature type stuff on the American side too - and the park is superb (though yes, freaky with the feeling of being right above the falls). You definitely get closer to the falls on the American side IMO and a better feel for them and their power (though the boat is fabulous for that too and can be taken from either side).

 

We do, however, sometimes hit the Canadian side to enjoy some of the "other" things (and the tunnels behind the falls). The Canadian side allows you to "see" Niagara better (from a distance, looking at it).

 

Is Marineland still there? (Canadian side) We went with the kids eons ago and enjoyed it. Somehow I thought it was gone now, but it could be a faulty brain neuron.

 

I like Goat Island on the American side.

 

Personally, I'd avoid Marineland. They've had some pretty awful reports that have been investigated in the last year. I'm not opposed to zoos and such in general, but the things I've read about the seals and dolphins there are enough to turn your stomach.