Niagara Falls- anyone been? Tips?

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

I'm contemplating a vacation to Niagara Falls sometime in May, perhaps. I'm not a traveling person, nor is the friend I'm going with, so this is a big thing we need serious help with (lol). Has anyone vacationed there before? Or anyone live near enough to have any tips? We need a good rate on a flight from Cali, and a good hotel rate for 3 or 4 nights (we have AAA and/or gov't discounts available to us). Does anyone know if we'd need a car to get around, too? She's just always wanted to see Niagara Falls, so the other touristy stuff we can take or leave, so to speak.

We've both been looking around online exhaustively, but nothing's slapped me as just right yet. Any help would be MUCH appreciated!! Thank you.

[Tiffany0204]

I've been to Niagara Falls a few times... it's not overly far from where I live.

There's really only a small area that's of real interest in Niagara Falls, it's called "the strip" or "Clifton Hill". That's where all the haunted houses, fun museums (like the Ripley's Believe it Or Not Museum... definitly go, it's great!) are on. The Fallsview Casino is right in that area as well, and then it's not that far of a walk until you actually get to the Falls.

Now keep in mind... I'm talking about the Canadian Side of the Falls. I don't really know the American side that well. But... the Canadian side is prettier.... lol. (it's true!)

You can do the Maid of the Mist, where you take a boat into the mouth of the falls but I really enjoyed the "Journey Behind the Falls" where you take a path and it goes into these corradors that are behind the falls. You can actually go through a tunnel and it opens up in behind the falls. Loud, but very cool. then you go all the way down to the bottom and get much closer to the actual Falls than the Maid of the Mist... but it's all personal preference I suppose.

Okay, as for tips:

The closer you get to the Falls, the higher the prices are jacked. Same goes for hotels. You want to be as far away from them as possible to actually save some money, so you *might* want to rent a car.

We found decent rates on the hotels on Lundy's Lane. It's further from the falls.. but still close enough. To have a small idea as to the price gouging, I paid $15cdn for 2 eggs, a small portion of hashbrowns and one thin peice of ham and toast. The breakfast should have cost around $4 at best. So yeah. DON'T EAT NEAR THE FALLS! :-P Or at least get a chance to scour around at first. This was at the Denny's.

http://www.cliftonhill.com/

Is a great site that shows you what you would want to see. My personal faves are Marine World, Ripley's Believe it or Not museum, Journey Behind the Falls and (if you like a good fright) try the Screamers haunted house. It's SCARY!!!


Edit: if you do rent a car, and are into Wine Tours, the Niagara Escarpment is chock-full of TONS of Wineries. Some of Ontario's best wines are brewed in the Escarpment. Take a look around, it's not that far outside of Niagara Falls.

[annie_so_pink]

I went to Niagara Falls a few years ago on vacation. It was really fun and it is so gorgeous. We went on the Journey behind the Falls thing and that was awesome! I definately recommend it for vacation

[TribalRats]

Wow! my only advice? HAVE FUN!

[MazieDog]

I've never been there, but would love to go. Got room for a boy and his dog? My only advice would probably have to be: If someone tries to sell you a barrel, don't buy it...

[oc_spirit]

I know! Come visit me I'm only 2.5hrs away! LOL I've been there a few times now and I deffinately recommend the tourist boat rides. Which one depends on your sense of adventure! There are quiet ones that just get you close to the falls or there are more exciting ones that get you close to the falls but also take you down the river on the rapids and such. Oh the wax museum is so much fn especially the basement which is the "torture chamber" ripley's believe it or not and haunted houses are a must! There's also Seaworld if you wanna take a look at some animals and go on a few rides.

[princessjodi]

I just went last fall. Definitely bring proper documentation to go to the Canadian side!!! The US side is a national park and other than an indian casino and the Hard Rock Cafe, really isn't anything fun to do...oh, there is the Maid of the Mist too. I didn't go on that...it closed for the season the weekend before I went. If you are coming from Cali, you are probably used to everything being open all the time, like I am. Well, back east they have things called 'seasons' and places actually close down for large parts of the year! It is sooo weird! Double check when tours, etc operate so you can make the most of your trip.

One more thing...all the pics you typically see of the falls are taken from the Canadian side. The falls are actually on the US side so your pics won't turn out that great if you are on the US side.

[Tiffany0204]

Haha yeah we definitly have "seasons". It's neat, at night they "light up" the falls as well!

not sure what you mean by how the falls are actually on the US side... there's two 'falls' so to speak. One more of a straight line on the American side, and the "horseshoe" which is on the Canadian side (more people are familiar with the Horseshoe falls)

Either or, they're both pretty spectacular!

[princessjodi]

Originally Posted by Tiffany0204

Haha yeah we definitly have "seasons". It's neat, at night they "light up" the falls as well!

not sure what you mean by how the falls are actually on the US side... there's two 'falls' so to speak. One more of a straight line on the American side, and the "horseshoe" which is on the Canadian side (more people are familiar with the Horseshoe falls)

Either or, they're both pretty spectacular!

When I went there was soooo much mist you couldn't even see the horseshoe falls, so I was really talking about the American falls. We got some great pics, but I think if we had been across the border looking back we would have gotten better ones.

[Jamila]

I went when I was a kid. We followed it from NY to Canada and it was great. As far as any advice I have none cause I was 8 when I went. But I can say do the Maid of the Mist boat thing it is awesome.

[Steve #1]

Niagara Falls is something everyone should see. The city is a bit touristy for me. My advice would be to take a vacation to Toronto (awesome city) and make a day trip to see the falls.

From the US side walk out on the foot bridges to the small islands for a nice view.

[Haven]

I went when I was a kid. We followed it from NY to Canada and it was great. As far as any advice I have none cause I was 8 when I went. But I can say do the Maid of the Mist boat thing it is awesome.

Heehee, I was kid last time I was there too. I think I was only five. I went on the boat ride and all I remember is crying my eyes out because my Dad kept telling me I needed to take pictures and the pictures would come out better if he held me over the side of the boat. He has always had a dumb sense of humor. My older brothers thought it was hysterical, of course. Stupid boys.

I do remember really liking the shops and hearing alot of French-speaking people in the crowds (my grandmother spoke french all the time, so I felt right at home)

Either way, have a great trip and let us know how it went.