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Hi Friends,
I'm going to Niagara Falls with my mom for two days. It will be my first time there (and sort of new to her since she hasn't been there in probably over 40 years). We're most likely going to stay on the Canadian side since it's actually cheaper (at least the hotel is), but we'll really only have one full day (2 nights at whichever hotel we end up choosing). What are the must dos and must sees? Is the Maid of the Mist trip fun or just a tourist trap? How are the casinos? Any 'roads less traveled' and hidden gems? Good restaurants?
Advice is appreciated. Thanks!
We're most likely going to stay on the Canadian side since it's actually cheaper (at least the hotel is), but we'll really only have one full day (2 nights at whichever hotel we end up choosing).
Assuming that you are US citizens, do realize that you will need a passport in order to return from Canada to the US.
You really need to stay on the Ontario side as that is where all of the action is. The New York side is rougher and offers a smaller view.
Go to the Canadian side.......so much to do.......definitely go to the maid of the mist...........even if it a tourist trap it's a good one.........go under the falls too if u can........took a family trip 3 years ago on amtrak to there.......loved it!!!!!!!.......don't know if you are a US citizen if u need a passport.........when we went we didn't need one......who knows though things could have changed since then..........
Go to the Canadian side.......so much to do.......definitely go to the maid of the mist...........even if it a tourist trap it's a good one.........go under the falls too if u can........took a family trip 3 years ago on amtrak to there.......loved it!!!!!!!.......don't know if you are a US citizen if u need a passport.........when we went we didn't need one......who knows though things could have changed since then..........
From the US State Department website:
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html - broken link)
AIR TRAVEL ALL PERSONS traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport book or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. LAND AND SEA TRAVEL ALL PERSONS traveling by land and sea outside of the United States are required to present a passport book/card, or other valid travel documents to enter or re-enter the United States.
The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website (http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/index.shtm - broken link):
Effective June 1, 2009, all U.S. citizens are now required to present a passport book, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document (http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/#0 - broken link) when entering the United States. Please Note: Children under age 16 will be able to continue crossing land and sea borders using only a U.S. birth certificate (or other form of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate.). The original birth certificate or a copy may be used. See the Department of Homeland Security's Ready, Set.. Go! for more information on the changing travel requirements.
The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory (http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/whtibasics.shtm - broken link).
I also liked the Maid of the Mist boat ride, do keep in mind it's aptly named, it can get pretty cool.
I had a short tourist time there after some work nearby, took a Grey Line bus tour, not a bad deal for the money. Didn't go up in the tower on the Canadian side, didn't have time, but would have liked to.
My only real comment is that one full day is not enough to see and do all that's there, 2 or 3 days would be better, but I did the one-day bus tour, it was an OK compromise.
I enjoyed the Maid of the Mist. Warning! If you go on the top deck, you will get very wet, possibly drenched. That is why they issue free cheap rain ponchos. However, it is a lot of fun.
I have to agree with others that the views from the Canadian side are better than the American side.
I can't advise you on the other stuff as I was on a guided tour of Eastern Canada and the Niagara Falls part was half day stop on the tour. We had enough time to do the Maid of the Mist, check out some of the shops (I got both the U.S. and Canada Hard Rock Cafe t-shirts) and have something to eat before we re-boarded our bus and returned to Toronto.
You definatly need a passport, when I went there in June I needed one. Theres a needle around there and my family went there for a nice (but expensive) dinner it's called the Skylon tower the restuarant rotates creating different views, but it is a slow rotation so you won't get sick, takes about an hour to complete i think.. But you can also just take the elevator up to view the falls and the city it's nice
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Niagara Falls......
