Niagara Falls
- Thread starter Elle
- Start date
kwillia
n/a
I assume you are staying on the US side... I stayed on the Canadian side and didn't do the US side. You MUST do the Maid of the mist Boat ride. Be sure to take along one of the disposable "waterproof" cameras so that you can take pictures while on the boat and close to the falls. The river gorge walk on the Canadian side was breathtaking and well worth the time. The walk behind the falls did not offer up and "kodak" moments, but if you want to experience the complete raw power of the water, it's your opportunity to hear it and see it up close through the concrete cubbyhole.Elle said:
We spent one day on the US side, and two days on the Canadian side. Didn't ride the MoM or do any of those things in the brochures, except take the balloon ride. There's a ton of fun just in walking around looking, and the Canadian side is definitely more entertaining than the US side.
cattitude
My Sweetest Boy
vraiblonde said:
We stayed on the Canadian side but we really enjoyed seeing the view from the American side as well...two very different views.We had dinner at the Table Rock restaurant on the Canadian side and the boys went wandering. Ott and I hung out, had a few drinks and watched the light show over the falls...it was beautiful.
Elle
Happy Camper!
Not sure, we'll be camping on the American side at Four Mile Creek State Park so I guess we'll start there. I've read about all the action there but just wondering if there was any advice on something that we just shouldn't miss.cattitude said:
We'll also be visiting Watkins Glen State Park for 2 days first then heading further north to Niagara for 2 more days.
Elle
Happy Camper!
This is nice to hear that we can have a great time doing nothing really. I think this is the kind of vacation I want to take this year, just relax and mosey around. But at the same time we won't be going back for a long time so I just wanted to check and make sure there wasn't something that we'd regret missing.vraiblonde said:
Elle
Happy Camper!
Are there lockers somewhere that I can rent b/c I assume we'd just do this as part of our daily visit and not want to return to the car or camp to lock up the digital, I do have a nice waterproof camera I bought for our cruise when we went snorkeling but it takes film so I’d rather have my digital for regular shots and just use them when needed.kwillia said:
Elle
Happy Camper!
Great to hear. My sister has a picture very similar to yours from her trip there last year (she actually went the exact same days last year that we are planning to go this year). I've booked 2 hotels in the past and have had to cancel the trips (hubby's 2 week reserve time happened to come up both times ~ what are the odds) maybe with booking a campsite this time we'll finally make it up therekwillia said:
We went a couple years ago; the Canadian side is definitely more interesting, more things to do. And Niagara On the Lake is worth the trip. We took a short tour to the butterfly exhibit on the Canadian side. Lots of great pics.
The thing behind the falls was a huge disappointment, in my opinion. We had a lot more fun in the casinos. And our favorite was a restaurant on the Canadian side called Copacabana (I think) where they bring the meat to your table and carve it right off the skewer. Really good stuff.
If we'd had more time we might have checked out the vineyards on the drive up. I had no idea New York had so many vineyards.
The thing behind the falls was a huge disappointment, in my opinion. We had a lot more fun in the casinos. And our favorite was a restaurant on the Canadian side called Copacabana (I think) where they bring the meat to your table and carve it right off the skewer. Really good stuff.
If we'd had more time we might have checked out the vineyards on the drive up. I had no idea New York had so many vineyards.
Elle said:
Probably, but why not go ahead and get a passport? They're good for ten years, and they're about as good a piece of ID as you'll ever get. We're getting one for our son, too.
Oh and you can just walk over the Rainbow Bridge anyway. It's a short walk.
Elle
Happy Camper!
I think we'll probably walk to Canada then if we do go over there ~ thanks.SamSpade said:
Just as a side, I'm sure you already know but kids passports are only good for 5 years. We don't really travel too far and until they become mandatory I don't think I'll make the investment, especially since they have expiration dates.
What you do is park on the US side, then walk across the bridge to Canada. I wouldn't drive it, and you'll see why when you get to the bridge and see the traffic line to get into the country.Elle said:
We spent a good half hour just taking in that first view of the falls, then another 10 jumping across the border line.
We camped at a KOA a few miles from the falls.I think you need a passport now to go into Canada - when we went all you needed was a driver's license or birth certificate.
We didn't do any disappointing things. On the US side, there's a simulator that takes you over the falls in a barrel - this was VERY fun! On the Canadian side is where all the shops are, and there's a section called (Clinton?) with exhibits, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, arcades, restaurants, tourist fun, etc. All within walking distance.Elle said:
Elle
Happy Camper!
I'm sure we'll be walking it over. Thanks. Was the KOA nice???vraiblonde said:What you do is park on the US side, then walk across the bridge to Canada. I wouldn't drive it, and you'll see why when you get to the bridge and see the traffic line to get into the country.
We spent a good half hour just taking in that first view of the falls, then another 10 jumping across the border line.
I think we may be ok this summer with just a license (if not I guess we just won't be walking over the bridge)vraiblonde said:
From the offical website: Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:
Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.
As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.