bettyandbob Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 (edited) I would like to see Niagra Falls. However, I would have to travel with my ds who has intellectual disabilities. ds has a lot of anxieties. He is afraid of heights. He has a lot of trouble with bridges where he has to see down (a really wide bridge like the pedestrian bridge in Chattanooga where he stays in the middle is ok). He can't do open stairs (where you can see through the platform of each step). In some places I can borrow or rent a wheel chair. I do not own one and don't really have the means to transport one regularly so getting our own is off list for now. If in a wheel chair I can push ds where ever (obviously depends on the grade and me staying in shape). He also has anxiety in dark enclosed spaces -- I discovered that while visiting some caverns. For some reason a wheelchair makes him feel secure. He does not need a wheel chair otherwise. Would we be able to enjoy viewing the falls? If I make the trip I don't want to bug out real fast and see very little. My only trip to the Grand Canyon was like that almost 30 years ago--my friend, her boyfriend and I went there. That's when we found out friend's boyfriend was afraid of heights. We spent less that 2 hours in Grand Canyon National park, much of that in the parking lot. Edited February 19, 2017 by Diana P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 We were at Niagara Falls, Ontario for a family vacation last October. We stayed at Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls Fallsview and the walking path to where people view the falls is wheelchair friendly, slightly steep at some parts, but most flat wide sidewalks. We had a top floor hotel room so our view was great from our room. The hotel has wheelchairs for loan I think at concierge. We could also get a good view from the terrace of Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort and we went to the food court there for supper a few times as they have Burger King and Tim Hortons. We spent three days there for rest and relax. Lots of wide open spaces. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 yes - you would. both from the american side and the canadian side (has a better view. and it's cleaner when you're close to the river/falls). you would both need passports for the canadian side. there is a car bridge on the american side that goes to the island in the river -it has a park. there is a viewing area on the island that is between american falls and horseshoe falls. there are very wide paved pedestrian walks that are on the ground, with railings on the river side - not bridges. have you looked at the birds-eye view satellite maps of the area? he might also enjoy the gardens on the american side where the flower beds are the great lakes. you can walk across the bridge between the US and Canada (be sure and have the correct change to come back to the us.) you still need a passport to do that. Or you can drive across - and have to find parking. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted February 18, 2017 Author Share Posted February 18, 2017 We were at Niagara Falls, Ontario for a family vacation last October. We stayed at Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls Fallsview and the walking path to where people view the falls is wheelchair friendly, slightly steep at some parts, but most flat wide sidewalks. We had a top floor hotel room so our view was great from our room. The hotel has wheelchairs for loan I think at concierge. We could also get a good view from the terrace of Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort and we went to the food court there for supper a few times as they have Burger King and Tim Hortons. We spent three days there for rest and relax. Lots of wide open spaces. Do you think the Canadian side would be better. I need to get ds a passport anyway. I just have to make time to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilaclady Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Do you think the Canadian side would be better. I need to get ds a passport anyway. I just have to make time to do it.The Canadian side is better. We drove to the American side to get gas (cheaper) and eat lunch but stayed more on the Canadian side. The have a nice park with beautiful flowers that you can sit and relax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Do you think the Canadian side would be better. I don't know. My kids wanted a vacation in Canada so we spent a day in Toronto, then drove to Niagara Falls and flew back from Toronto. It is a tourist town and people are generally relaxed. Most people walk at a leisurely pace. Very contrasting to San Francisco where people tend to walk fast. There is a Niagara Falls Shuttle System too which you buy a day pass for. So if walking is tiring like for my parents, hopping on and off the shuttles is a blessing. Shuttle link with map https://www.niagarafallstourism.com/services/transportation/wego/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 (edited) Do you think the Canadian side would be better. I need to get ds a passport anyway. I just have to make time to do it.It depends. If you look at an overhead view of the Falls, you can see the view from most (except for Horseshoe Falls) of the Canadian side is from across the river. The American side is a state park. You can park then walk to the edge of the river and stand at the brink of the Falls. The state park is beautiful, truly gorgeous, and not dirty at all. Given that you mentioned your son gets anxious, he might feel safer observing from the Canadian side. The city of Niagara Falls, NY does have its not so nice areas. But NIagara Falls State Park is, IMO, the best way to experience the Falls. Edited February 18, 2017 by unsinkable 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 (edited) Oh, and I thought of something else...Clifton Hill, on Canadian side, the area where the hotels, restaurants and "attractions" is steep. Walking *down* to the Niagara Falls parkway (where ou walk next to the Falls) wouldn't be as difficult as walking back *up.* but both up and down with a wheelchair would take effort. Edited February 18, 2017 by unsinkable 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luuknam Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 If you're not bringing the kid's dad, you'd also need a notarized letter giving his consent to take the kid abroad without him. Customs will likely give you trouble without it, and may even refuse to let you take the kid. So, in your case, I'd certainly make sure to have the letter. In general, I like the state park on the NY side, but, in your case, it might be easier to look at it from the Canadian side. The pedestrian bridge is fairly wide, with the falls on one side, and car traffic on the other. Your son may or may not be fine staying right next to the car traffic (there's obviously concrete separating the cars from the pedestrians). The city of Niagara Falls, NY, is not so lovely, but the park is fine. Niagara Falls, ON has a bunch of touristy stuff, but it sounds like your son wouldn't be into the Ferris wheel, haunted houses, etc anyway. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luuknam Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Oh, and I thought of something else...Clifton Hill, on Canandian side, the area where the hotels, restaurants and "attractions" is steep. Walking *down* to the Niagara Falls parkway (where ou walk next to the Falls) wouldn't be as difficult as walking back *up.* but both up and down with a wheelchair would take effort. My thinking was that you should be able to see the falls from far enough from the railing to not need a wheel chair. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 I have to say... I also have a fear of heights (I discovered it at a different falls... Victoria... while suspended between two nations over a lot of hippos... I feel terrorized just typing it). I don't honestly know if someone who has a great fear of heights would get a ton out of Niagara. I made myself walk across that half bridge thing, but I could feel that if I had to stay on it, that I'd have a panic attack. I was fine walking along the Canadian side - but I'm aware of how my fear manifests itself and if someone is going to be nervous about the edge, they might not enjoy that at all. We also did a thing where we went down and walked along the rapids on the Canadian side... but it involved a tunnel and he can't do enclosed spaces like that. It's a cool place. I was fine... but I see things through the lens of a fear of heights and I don't know if someone with a greater fear than mine would have had a good time. That said, you can absolutely see the falls from afar in many positions that aren't super close. And if you can get him across that overlook and down to the boat, the Maid of the Mist seems like it would be okay. So... maybe it would be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted February 18, 2017 Author Share Posted February 18, 2017 If you're not bringing the kid's dad, you'd also need a notarized letter giving his consent to take the kid abroad without him. Customs will likely give you trouble without it, and may even refuse to let you take the kid. So, in your case, I'd certainly make sure to have the letter. dh doesn't like to go on trips. ds is 15.5 and has obvious disabilities, but you are right I should have a notarized letter. I hadn't thought about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted February 18, 2017 Author Share Posted February 18, 2017 I have to say... I also have a fear of heights (I discovered it at a different falls... Victoria... while suspended between two nations over a lot of hippos... I feel terrorized just typing it). I don't honestly know if someone who has a great fear of heights would get a ton out of Niagara. I made myself walk across that half bridge thing, but I could feel that if I had to stay on it, that I'd have a panic attack. I was fine walking along the Canadian side - but I'm aware of how my fear manifests itself and if someone is going to be nervous about the edge, they might not enjoy that at all. We also did a thing where we went down and walked along the rapids on the Canadian side... but it involved a tunnel and he can't do enclosed spaces like that. It's a cool place. I was fine... but I see things through the lens of a fear of heights and I don't know if someone with a greater fear than mine would have had a good time. That said, you can absolutely see the falls from afar in many positions that aren't super close. And if you can get him across that overlook and down to the boat, the Maid of the Mist seems like it would be okay. So... maybe it would be fine. this perspective really helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 this perspective really helps. I'm thinking more... there are definitely plenty of overlooks where you don't have to get that close on both sides. So you can *see* the falls for sure and enjoy it - both in the day and at night when they light it up. If you lived nearby, I'd say don't worry, make it an overnight trip. It'll be great. But if you're going for longer... the other "big" things that people do there all seem like they might not be things he could do or enjoy. The Cave of the Winds is definitely out - open stairs, slippy side walking, heights... The rapids walk on the Canadian side is out - tunnel, and even though it's not high up, it might still be too high for some people, especially standing on this edge and looking and some really crazy water... The Maid of the Mist is probably fine on its own, but I'm trying to remember how you do it... I know we had to go across that overlook half bridge and then, I think there may have been some open stairs to get all the way down once we were toward the bottom. Maybe someone can clarify that because I can't quite recall. There's also another one like it on the Canadian side and it might be a possibility if the Maid of the Mist is too hard... I just don't know. This is the big thing everyone does and definitely makes it worth it. Nothing else we did having to do with the falls was especially worth it - some cheesy tourist exhibits and so forth. And if his fear is severe, walking around the parks and so forth on both sides might be okay, but really tense and anxiety inducing as well. So... I guess I'd say if you feel that walking around and seeing the falls from many spots is "enough" then do it. And maybe you'll be able to do the boat ride as well. I just felt like everyone was like, oh, no big deal, and I thought... um... it could be though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luuknam Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 (edited) I'd been trying to remember how to get to the Maid of the Mist, but it's been a few years, but I was thinking the same thing - that it probably wouldn't be accessible enough. I sort of assumed Diana might have thought that already since she didn't ask about it. Honestly, I didn't think the Maid of the Mist was that awesome anyway, but then and again, I didn't think the falls were that awesome (not my thing - obviously there are plenty of people who do think they're awesome). I have anxiety issues, and I thought the Canadian side was less stressful, though a large part of my stress the first time on the US side was dealing with 2 little kids, hoping they wouldn't get away from me, but since it's a park, it was also harder to tell which way to walk to get the best view of the falls. I have no idea how parking is on the Canadian side though - I've walked across the bridge twice, but I don't think I've ever driven across it, and certainly never have parked in Niagara Falls, ON. Edited February 19, 2017 by luuknam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 How is your guy around fast moving water? If he's ok with that, then I suspect your best viewing area is actually going to be Goat Island in the State Park on the NY side. There is a paved walkway around the island that can be a very nice stroll. You can actually see Niagara Falls (US Falls) from a side view and get a perspective on it that you just can't get on the Canadian side, and you can see Horseshoe Falls (the other part of Niagara) up close and personal too - as close as you want. Then you (with a passport and notarized letter) can still cross to the Canadian side to enjoy the better hotels and restaurants (better both in quality and number of options). Pay a little more and get a Falls View Room (we're partial to the Sheraton that's close to the bridge) if you don't think he'd mind a room higher up and you can move the couch in the room to just sit and enjoy the view. You can stroll along the park they have that's riverside - and just explore as you like and he feels comfortable. We do not care to stay on the US side at all, but definitely feel it's the better side for getting close to the Falls in all their glory. On the Canadian side you look across at Niagara. On the US side you can literally be "in" Niagara, next to the raging river, in between the falls, etc, (not that you would want to get that close, but again, you can get as close as you want). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 Maid of the Mist, US side "Can we take a wheelchair onto the boat? Answer: Yes. Our facilities, including the boats, are fully accessible." https://www.maidofthemist.com/plan-your-trip/faqs/ Hornblower Niagara Cruises, Canada side "IS HORNBLOWER NIAGARA CRUISES WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE? Absolutely. Hornblower Niagara Cruises offers accessible friendly ramps, on board and on land accessible friendly washrooms and elevators for guests to utilize during their experience. " https://www.niagaracruises.com/comfort-conveniences We enjoyed Journey behind the Falls, Canada but the tunnels could be claustrophobic. https://www.niagaraparks.com/niagara-falls-attractions/journey-behind-the-falls.html The fireworks is nearer to where the Sheraton, Hard Rock Cafe are located. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 (edited) OP - could you correct the spelling of Niagara Falls in your title, please? It's so distracting. Thanks so much! Edited February 22, 2017 by wintermom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 If you opt for Maid of the Mist - do it on the Canadian side... It's much easier to get to for someone with anxiety (no half bridge to walk out on) and the boats are far better designed for wheelchairs or even staying dry if that's your preference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.