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Niagara Falls 2 day trip (1 Viewer)

TheIronSheik

TheIronSheik

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The fam is always looking for day trip spots to go check out.  And sometimes we'll make it a longer trip where we spend the night.  We thought about going to Niagara.  Like driving up Friday night, spend the day there on Saturday and maybe either drive home that night or Sunday morning.  We don't mind "tourist trap" type things, but our main goal is to see the falls.  Maybe get on the boat ride to the falls.  But aside from that, is there anything that's a must-see or must do?  Hiking trails, quaint shops... 

And we all have passports so it could be anywhere around the falls. And the time frame would most likely be the middle of summer.

TIA

 
Assuming you go to the Canadian side (which you should),  we loved this restaurant a little off the main drag.  English tea room, owners were awesome, felt really authentic.  The fish and chips were great

https://www.thequeencharlottetearoom.com/

And definitely do the Hornblower cruise into the falls.

eta:  I also heard that Niagara-on-the-Lake is really cool to visit, unfortunately we weren’t able to get there

 
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Niagara on the Lake is where you want to be based on your description. 

See the falls, maybe boat ride or walk behind the falls, stay away from Clifton Hill (dumpy Ripley's/Wax Museums/WWE touristy stuff) and go to Niagara on the Lake 

 
bcat01 said:
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a neat little town with shops and restaurants.  There are a lot of wineries if your kids can drive you around.
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I will second this. Niagara-on-the-Lake is very picturesque and has some good wineries. Do the Falls but avoid the cheesy touristy stuff (of which there is a lot right around the falls).

 
I have relatives in Toronto so I have been to and through Niagara Falls a number of times. For a first timer it is very impressive and there are some cool things to do there..but it is a tourist trap much like Gatlinburg.   Kids love that kind of stuff though.  stuffing their faces with fudge and cotton candy.  It is a very nice drive to Niagara on the Lake.   Very cool little town.   

One full day at the falls in enough for me.  Check groupon as the Hilton overlooking the falls usually has some good deals and it is a very nice hotel with great views.

 
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Da Guru said:
I have relatives in Toronto so I have been to and through Niagara Falls a number of times. For a first timer it is very impressive and there are some cool things to do there..but it is a tourist trap much like Gatlinburg.   Kids love that kind of stuff though.  stuffing their faces with fudge and cotton candy.  It is a very nice drive to Niagara on the Lake.   Very cool little town.   

One full day at the falls in enough for me.  Check groupon as the Hilton overlooking the falls usually has some good deals and it is a very nice hotel with great views.
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Some times tourist traps can be a little fun.  But, yes, we tend to stay away for the most part.  I'll have to look into this Niagara on the Lake.  Sounds interesting.

 
You will have a better view of the Falls from the Canadian side, and the area is better developed.  There is decent hiking on the US side, but there is very little to do in Niagara Falls, NY.  To be frank...it's a dump.  There's a pretty nice casino, the state park (which is fine - but again, you'll get better views from the Canadian side), and some standard walking/hiking trails, but nothing much else.  Goat Island, Bridal Veil Falls, Three Sisters Islands, Terrapin Point, they're all beautiful as part of the state park and worth a walk, but hardly something that's gonna blow you away if you're coming from out of town.

Niagara Falls, ON is an absolute tourist trap, but is a much nicer, well-developed area.  Again, the views are better from Canada, because you can get a full panorama view of both major falls - the "American Falls" which are the impressive but comparably ho-hum ones, and the "Canadian Falls" aka "Horseshoe Falls".  

You can do boat tours.  Hornblower runs the Canadian side, and Maid of the Mist runs the US side.  I haven't been on the Canadian tour but I assume they're likely very similar.  It is likely that you will get wet if you get anywhere near the Falls themselves, and you will DEFINITELY get wet on those boat tours.  Even the mist can be pretty strong, just be aware.  The wind will likely be substantially stronger and temps a few degrees colder than the area of the Western NY and Southern ON area, but if you're going in the middle of summer it should be great.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON is beautiful and you should check it out if you're looking for quaint shops.  It is a very charming B&B community a short drive north of the falls.  Nice walkable main street, plenty of little shops and restaurants, beautiful old homes....really a picturesque little place.  Also right in wine country, plenty of wineries around if that's your thing.

If you're into history and still in the US, I've always thought Fort Niagara is pretty cool.  Was part of the fortifications during the French and Indian War and War of 1812.  Now it's a historic landmark and museum.  Not a bad way to waste an hour or two if you like military history.

 
Tasker summed it up nicely.  In addition....

On the USA side, there is Devils Hole State Park.  There is a trail that goes down to the Gorge.  Going down is easy, but you need to be in good shape to go back up.

Also on the CA side is "Cave of the Winds" where you take an elevator down to base of the Falls.  USA has something similar....

CA side has a Boardwalk where you can walk along the gorge.  There is the Spanish Aerocar where you go across the Whirlpool.  

Both sides have helicopter tours

CA side and maybe the USA side have Jet boat tours up the gorge.

CA side has the Skylon tower with a restaraunt on top.

The food in the Falls is not great IMO, you may want to stop at Duffs or Anchor Bar for some wings, or another place to eat...

If you spend the night, and have the money, stay on the CA side and spend the money for a room with a Falls view.

 
How difficult is it to cross over the border?  Meaning, is it a huge line of cars waiting to cross?  Or is it fairly easy?  Like if we were wanting to drive over to Niagara on the Lake?

 
TheIronSheik said:
How difficult is it to cross over the border?  Meaning, is it a huge line of cars waiting to cross?  Or is it fairly easy?  Like if we were wanting to drive over to Niagara on the Lake?
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If you're doing the falls on the US side you'll be miserably disappointed, it's detroit. 

CDN side is a tourist trap, but is decent for food and such outside of it. 

NOTL is busy, but quaint and historic. That's where most ppl like to go for wine, beer and expensive eats. 

Border can be quite busy in summer, just check wait times before you cross. There's 3 crossings within 10min or so of eachother (queenston, NF and peace in fort erie)

 
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Soulfly3 said:
NOTL is busy, but quaint and historic. That's where most ppl like to go for wine, beer and expensive eats. 

Border can be quite busy in summer, just check wait times before you cross. There's 3 crossings within 10min or so of eachother (queenston, NF and peace in fort erie)
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Yeah these are big points. Niagara on the Lake can be expensive and wait times can vary widely. 

 
Soulfly3 said:
If you're doing the falls on the US side you'll be miserably disappointed, it's detroit. 

CDN side is a tourist trap, but is decent for foof and such outside of it. 

NOTL is busy, but quaint and historic. That's where most ppl like to go for wine, beer and expensive eats. 

Border can be quite busy in summer, just check wait times before you cross. There's 3 crossings within 10min or so of eachother (queenston, NF and peace in fort erie)
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Oooh. Is that when they put gravy on the fries?

 
One food tip on the American side - when we went maybe 5 years ago, there were two Brazilian bbq places.  One was good, the other was ok.  Prices were around $40 for all you can eat, which is great compared to major cities and was particularly great compared to the $30 entrees at some of the chain restaurants that are half that price everywhere else.

 
zoobird said:
One food tip on the American side - when we went maybe 5 years ago, there were two Brazilian bbq places.  One was good, the other was ok.  Prices were around $40 for all you can eat, which is great compared to major cities and was particularly great compared to the $30 entrees at some of the chain restaurants that are half that price everywhere else.
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You sure that's not the CDN side? Copacabana and Brasa. 

 
Da Guru said:
One full day at the falls in enough for me.  Check groupon as the Hilton overlooking the falls usually has some good deals and it is a very nice hotel with great views.
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Soulfly3 said:
Dont kno of any on the US side (not saying there isnt), but the only 2 in NF, Canada are very popular. 

I prefer copacabana personally, but the speed/service at brasa is better
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To combine these two recommendations, Brasa is inside the Hilton.

Last time we stayed at the Wyndham Garden, it's like a block up from the Hilton and often has good prices. 

Really for Niagara though, I'd use Hotwire/Priceline, always good deals. 

 
Soulfly3 said:
Dont kno of any on the US side (not saying there isnt), but the only 2 in NF, Canada are very popular. 

I prefer copacabana personally, but the speed/service at brasa is better
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I am not aware of any on the US side, but then again I don't really spend time in NF if I don't have to....

 
Soulfly3 said:
unless i was going to gagsters, la hacienda or sammy's (or wegmans), i dont cross into NF, NY either. 
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Don't forget the outlet mall.  La Galera had really good Mexican food, probably still does but I haven't been there in awhile.  There's a Duff's on NF Blvd now.  And Viola's out near the Wegmans has a pretty decent steak and cheese sub.  

 
If we're walking around the actual falls (not the hiking trails around it) and going on the boat ride, how much of the day would you guys estimate that eats up?  Just trying to figure out what we'd try to do seeing as it's all pretty much going to be crammed into a 12 hour period.

 
Steve Tasker said:
You will have a better view of the Falls from the Canadian side, and the area is better developed.  There is decent hiking on the US side, but there is very little to do in Niagara Falls, NY.  To be frank...it's a dump.  There's a pretty nice casino, the state park (which is fine - but again, you'll get better views from the Canadian side), and some standard walking/hiking trails, but nothing much else.  Goat Island, Bridal Veil Falls, Three Sisters Islands, Terrapin Point, they're all beautiful as part of the state park and worth a walk, but hardly something that's gonna blow you away if you're coming from out of town.

Niagara Falls, ON is an absolute tourist trap, but is a much nicer, well-developed area.  Again, the views are better from Canada, because you can get a full panorama view of both major falls - the "American Falls" which are the impressive but comparably ho-hum ones, and the "Canadian Falls" aka "Horseshoe Falls".  

You can do boat tours.  Hornblower runs the Canadian side, and Maid of the Mist runs the US side.  I haven't been on the Canadian tour but I assume they're likely very similar.  It is likely that you will get wet if you get anywhere near the Falls themselves, and you will DEFINITELY get wet on those boat tours.  Even the mist can be pretty strong, just be aware.  The wind will likely be substantially stronger and temps a few degrees colder than the area of the Western NY and Southern ON area, but if you're going in the middle of summer it should be great.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON is beautiful and you should check it out if you're looking for quaint shops.  It is a very charming B&B community a short drive north of the falls.  Nice walkable main street, plenty of little shops and restaurants, beautiful old homes....really a picturesque little place.  Also right in wine country, plenty of wineries around if that's your thing.

If you're into history and still in the US, I've always thought Fort Niagara is pretty cool.  Was part of the fortifications during the French and Indian War and War of 1812.  Now it's a historic landmark and museum.  Not a bad way to waste an hour or two if you like military history.
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Probably a silly question, but is one boat ride better than the other?  I know the Canadian falls are much more impressive, but for the boat ride, does it matter?  Or is it all about just getting close and getting pounded with mist so which side doesn't really matter?

 
TheIronSheik said:
If we're walking around the actual falls (not the hiking trails around it) and going on the boat ride, how much of the day would you guys estimate that eats up?  Just trying to figure out what we'd try to do seeing as it's all pretty much going to be crammed into a 12 hour period.
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I don't know about the hiking, but Maid of the Mist is about 45 minutes in length.  Cave of the Winds takes probably 90 minutes.

When we were there last September, we stayed at The Giacomo - luxury digs; the disadvantage is that they only serve breakfast.  ETA: It's also within walking distance of a lot of things, plus it has valet parking.

 
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TheIronSheik said:
Probably a silly question, but is one boat ride better than the other?  I know the Canadian falls are much more impressive, but for the boat ride, does it matter?  Or is it all about just getting close and getting pounded with mist so which side doesn't really matter?
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The boats should get you close enough to both falls.  They don't really abide by any sort of international water border, as far as I can tell.  Even if they did, the "Canadian Falls" is 1/3 physically in the US, 2/3 in Canada.  If you're at Terrapin Point on the US side, you're literally butting up against the "Canadian Falls" just a few feet away.  It's just that you don't get as much of a great view looking at something 50 feet to your left as you do from across the gorge.

As to which boat ride is better, don't know.  I've never been on the Canadian one, and haven't been on the Maid of the Mist in a long time.

 
We went a couple years ago. Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds were worth it (note: the "cave" was destroyed in 1955 but it's still cool to stand at the bottom of a waterfall). We did the zip line and the tower on the Canadian side, which were OK but I wouldn't have minded skipping. The kids had fun at the tourist traps while the Mrs. and I went to Smoke's Poutinerie  :thumbup: . 

We stayed on the US side and walked across the Rainbow Bridge to Canada. There is a $0.50 toll per pedestrian to get back to the US side, so bring some quarters.

 
TheIronSheik said:
Probably a silly question, but is one boat ride better than the other?  I know the Canadian falls are much more impressive, but for the boat ride, does it matter?  Or is it all about just getting close and getting pounded with mist so which side doesn't really matter?
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I'd skip the maid of the mist and do a jet boat, they are insanely fun and a unique experience.

 
lumpy19 said:
I'd skip the maid of the mist and do a jet boat, they are insanely fun and a unique experience.
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Was about to post this, but Maid of the Mist is one those "got to do it" Niagara tourist experiences.  But, yeah, jet boat through the gorge is fun.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m4UToeFdVk

How old are your kids?  NOTL is a wonderful little place, but I wouldn't have wanted to go there with kids in tow.  We did a winery tour around the area where we visited 4 or 5 wineries and it included a nice dinner, but not kid friendly.  The town itself would probably bore kids.

 
DaVinci said:
We went a couple years ago. Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds were worth it (note: the "cave" was destroyed in 1955 but it's still cool to stand at the bottom of a waterfall). We did the zip line and the tower on the Canadian side, which were OK but I wouldn't have minded skipping. The kids had fun at the tourist traps while the Mrs. and I went to Smoke's Poutinerie  :thumbup: . 

We stayed on the US side and walked across the Rainbow Bridge to Canada. There is a $0.50 toll per pedestrian to get back to the US side, so bring some quarters.
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Is this the spot where the always show people standing on a wooden deck in yellow rain slickers?  Definitely would want to see that spot.

 
Galileo said:
Was about to post this, but Maid of the Mist is one those "got to do it" Niagara tourist experiences.  But, yeah, jet boat through the gorge is fun.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m4UToeFdVk

How old are your kids?  NOTL is a wonderful little place, but I wouldn't have wanted to go there with kids in tow.  We did a winery tour around the area where we visited 4 or 5 wineries and it included a nice dinner, but not kid friendly.  The town itself would probably bore kids.
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Wouldn't mind doing both of those, honestly.

Just one daughter.  She's 15.  

 
15 is fine for notl. She'll appreciate it even tho she cant drink. As the name states, it's on the lake, just actual meters from the USA (can almost throw a rock and hit it), and you can clearly see toronto across the lake as well (if no fog)

Cool little shops, and a pretty big outlet mall and Bass Pro Shop just 10min drive away at the "start" of NOTL

 
DaVinci said:
We went a couple years ago. Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds were worth it (note: the "cave" was destroyed in 1955 but it's still cool to stand at the bottom of a waterfall). We did the zip line and the tower on the Canadian side, which were OK but I wouldn't have minded skipping. The kids had fun at the tourist traps while the Mrs. and I went to Smoke's Poutinerie  :thumbup: . 

We stayed on the US side and walked across the Rainbow Bridge to Canada. There is a $0.50 toll per pedestrian to get back to the US side, so bring some quarters.
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Would it be safe to say it would be better to park on the US side and walk across the border for our time at the actual falls, then?  And then cross with a car only if we're making the trek to NOTL?

 
TheIronSheik said:
Would it be safe to say it would be better to park on the US side and walk across the border for our time at the actual falls, then?  And then cross with a car only if we're making the trek to NOTL?
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Not really parking spots that i can think of on the US side. Near the border. Maybe at Seneca Casino?

 
I was just thinking, usually my daughter will bring a friend along on these goofy trips.  But would crossing the border with a minor who's not a family matter be an issue?  I almost want to say it should be because I don't think that taking someone else's kid out of the country should be an easy thing to do.  

 
We did this several summers ago. We camped on the US side.

The Anchor Bar in Buffalo is the home of the original Buffalo Wing. The wings weren't even all that spectacular, but it's still history.

Get a "Beef on Weck" on your drive in (you'll see signs everywhere). Doesn't have to be a meal. Just stop and grab one for a snack.

The border crossings (by car) were pretty horrendous when we were there in the summer. I would avoid them as much as possible.

If you stay on the US side, you can park at the bridge and walk across (still need to show your passport) the bridge to the CDN side. Much easier than by car and a great place to get the zany "half of me is in the US and half of me is in Canada!" photo. There's a bus that takes you everywhere you need to go once on the CDN side.

My wife loved (and still talks about) Niagara on the Lake. They have a self-guided wine tour you can do by bike. Not a bad way to spend an evening.

If you make it a longer stay, Toronto isn't a far drive. Interesting contrast between Buffalo and Toronto.

 
E-Z Glider said:
We did this several summers ago. We camped on the US side.

The Anchor Bar in Buffalo is the home of the original Buffalo Wing. The wings weren't even all that spectacular, but it's still history.

Get a "Beef on Weck" on your drive in (you'll see signs everywhere). Doesn't have to be a meal. Just stop and grab one for a snack.

The border crossings (by car) were pretty horrendous when we were there in the summer. I would avoid them as much as possible.

If you stay on the US side, you can park at the bridge and walk across (still need to show your passport) the bridge to the CDN side. Much easier than by car and a great place to get the zany "half of me is in the US and half of me is in Canada!" photo. There's a bus that takes you everywhere you need to go once on the CDN side.

My wife loved (and still talks about) Niagara on the Lake. They have a self-guided wine tour you can do by bike. Not a bad way to spend an evening.

If you make it a longer stay, Toronto isn't a far drive. Interesting contrast between Buffalo and Toronto.
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I've been to Toronto.  Had a business trip there back in like '98.  Loved that place.  Went to the Hockey Hall of Fame, played a round at Glen Abby, saw a baseball game in the SkyDome.  There was a Leafs playoff game the same night as the Jays game and we were probably 2 of 2000 people at the baseball game.  First time I ever got on the JumboTron.  And second.  And third.  That poor camera guy didn't have many other options.  :lol:

 
TheIronSheik said:
I was just thinking, usually my daughter will bring a friend along on these goofy trips.  But would crossing the border with a minor who's not a family matter be an issue?  I almost want to say it should be because I don't think that taking someone else's kid out of the country should be an easy thing to do.  
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At that age, w documentation from the parents (notarized is best) it won't be an issue

(I worked for immigration for several years, fyi)

 
TheIronSheik said:
I was just thinking, usually my daughter will bring a friend along on these goofy trips.  But would crossing the border with a minor who's not a family matter be an issue?  I almost want to say it should be because I don't think that taking someone else's kid out of the country should be an easy thing to do.  
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How old? We brought my daughter's 16-17 year old boyfriend with us and didn't have any issues. 

TheIronSheik said:
Would it be safe to say it would be better to park on the US side and walk across the border for our time at the actual falls, then?  And then cross with a car only if we're making the trek to NOTL?
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There is a parking lot next to the bridge on the American side. It's easily walkable if you're just going for the falls and the tourist traps. If you're going to bring back a few cases of Molson's, it would be better to take the car.

 
Galileo said:
Was about to post this, but Maid of the Mist is one those "got to do it" Niagara tourist experiences.  But, yeah, jet boat through the gorge is fun.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m4UToeFdVk

How old are your kids?  NOTL is a wonderful little place, but I wouldn't have wanted to go there with kids in tow.  We did a winery tour around the area where we visited 4 or 5 wineries and it included a nice dinner, but not kid friendly.  The town itself would probably bore kids.
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I live about 10 min from the falls and do the jet boats every few years, they are so fun, the rapids are so incredible.

 
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