My wife and I are thinking about a mini vacation this Fall . . . thinking about Niagra Falls. Any attractions or activities that should not be missed?
RE: Niagra Falls
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Well this is just off the top of my head here, but you mgiht consider going to see Niagara Falls while you're in town.
Go over to the Canadian side. And get back to me on what you feel as you walk past that moving water on its way to the falls. I just sat and stared at it for over an hour till my wife finally said we had to leave. The raw power of that river is unbelievable.
- Oct 3, 2007
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BrotherBart said:
My dad and I were the same way-kind of puts you in a trance-my mom was afraid we were going to jump in...lol +1 for the Canadian side-Not much to see on the U.S. side. Some of the Canadian side stuff is cheesy (Ripley's Believe it or Not museum, etc...) but there are some nice restaurants too. There is (or was) some kind of beer garden type joint pretty close to the falls on Canadian side, can't remember what its called, but nice view. Also, if you really want to get a feel for the power of the water there's a tour that actually takes you down into tunnels that were bored into the rock for an old hydropower project. You can actually walk down a tunnel behind the falls see the water crashing down-pretty intense.
Take the boat ride. Lady of the Mist or something like that. It was awe inspiring. I think you might need some proof of citizenship to cross the border. I may be wrong about that. Many on this forum know those rules by heart I am sure.
I've been twice, but just for quick visits driving through. Everyone says that the Canadian side is where it's at.
Dont put your foot in to test the waters
(broken link removed to http://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625/niagara-falls-rescue-women-sucked-into-whirlpool-26002721.html)
(broken link removed to http://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625/niagara-falls-rescue-women-sucked-into-whirlpool-26002721.html)
+another on focussing on the Canadian side. My mom grew up in that area & I went to College near-by. The only thing I'd go to the NY side for is wings, several great wing joints.
Bart nailed it, you can walk right up the the edge of the falls on ON side & watch the wAter curl over the edge, awesome. JourneyBehind the Falls is interesting, not sure of the price now. Maid of the Mist boat takes you up-close from below, which is cool and very wet.
If you are up for some hiking there are great trails of moderate difficulty in the Gorge down-river from the falls where you can walk among huge bolders thrown around by the water and watch the giant rapids from close-up. Just don't push it to toe-dipping distance like that woman did a week or so ago & ended up swimming! Also hiking along much of the Niagara Escarpment to the west.
There's a casino if you're in to that. Some say it's a decent place to stay for the $, I've never stayed in any hotel there so no idea.
The city of Niagara Falls is no gem IMO & I think the tourist traps are cheesy.
Driving along the River north of the falls on the ON side is nice. Further away there are many really nice vineyards from the L.Ontario shore south to the Niagara Escarpment. Most give good winery tours and make some very good Whites and unique Ice-Wines. Niagara On The Lake is a nice tourist town about a half-hour away on L.Ontario & the B&B capital of ON with spas & restaurants to match, take your checkbook though $$.
Edit. Oh and if you're interested in some theater, the Shaw Festival runs into October in Niag on the Lake, google it.
Bart nailed it, you can walk right up the the edge of the falls on ON side & watch the wAter curl over the edge, awesome. JourneyBehind the Falls is interesting, not sure of the price now. Maid of the Mist boat takes you up-close from below, which is cool and very wet.
If you are up for some hiking there are great trails of moderate difficulty in the Gorge down-river from the falls where you can walk among huge bolders thrown around by the water and watch the giant rapids from close-up. Just don't push it to toe-dipping distance like that woman did a week or so ago & ended up swimming! Also hiking along much of the Niagara Escarpment to the west.
There's a casino if you're in to that. Some say it's a decent place to stay for the $, I've never stayed in any hotel there so no idea.
The city of Niagara Falls is no gem IMO & I think the tourist traps are cheesy.
Driving along the River north of the falls on the ON side is nice. Further away there are many really nice vineyards from the L.Ontario shore south to the Niagara Escarpment. Most give good winery tours and make some very good Whites and unique Ice-Wines. Niagara On The Lake is a nice tourist town about a half-hour away on L.Ontario & the B&B capital of ON with spas & restaurants to match, take your checkbook though $$.
Edit. Oh and if you're interested in some theater, the Shaw Festival runs into October in Niag on the Lake, google it.
Definitely see it from the Canadian side. It is mesmerizing. As you are looking at this awesome relentless flow, just think, that is about the rate which we are wasting fuel in needless idling cars and trucks.
If you have time, head up to Toronto. It's a nice city, good food too!
If you have time, head up to Toronto. It's a nice city, good food too!
The American side blows--there's a lame bridge thing they installed to try and get a decent view, but it costs too much and the surrounding area's gross. Head to, and stay on, the Canadian side. While there, revel in the cheesiness of Ripley's, Guinness Book Museum, etc. Maybe spend a night or two in Toronto while you're over there--very nice city.
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fireview2788
Minister of Fire
If your going to the Canadian side you'll need a passport. Went with my parents and my family a few years and ago and the kids loved it. Maid of the Mist was awesome and walking beside the falls rocked. Take it all in and enjoy. I'll go back someday.
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If you've got half a day and you're interested in this type of thing, you should make a trip to the Welland Canal. I think Lock 7 is the closest to the Falls. My parents took us there when we were kids and I've been back several times. Going that direction in September.
(broken link removed to http://www.greatlakes-seaway.com/en/pdf/welland.pdf)
(broken link removed to http://www.greatlakes-seaway.com/en/pdf/welland.pdf)
fireview2788 said:
The goofy thing is they only require you to have a passport to come into Canada now because the U.S. won't let you back in without it.
- Maid of the mist, get your butt to the bow and stay there.
- Rapids, I went down on the Canadian side where they have an elevator. You have to pay. I pay the money just to see the rapids. They are incredible.
- Walk behind the falls, I'm not that impressed.
- Dam tour, if you're into that kind of stuff, is really good. Hoover Dam'ish. At night 50% of the water is diverted to two man made lakes, one in Canada, one in the US which is then released during the day to produce hydroelectricity.
- It was $40 to get access to everything. I think it is $14-$16 per attraction if you pay separately. I think you can also get it with the shuttle, which is also worth it.
We flew up to Canada on a little 4 seat Cessna. We landed in Canada and customs wasn't there yet. We called a 1-800# and they told us it's OK, you're free to go. We landed in the states to clear customs on the way back, they come out with a geiger counter.
- Rapids, I went down on the Canadian side where they have an elevator. You have to pay. I pay the money just to see the rapids. They are incredible.
- Walk behind the falls, I'm not that impressed.
- Dam tour, if you're into that kind of stuff, is really good. Hoover Dam'ish. At night 50% of the water is diverted to two man made lakes, one in Canada, one in the US which is then released during the day to produce hydroelectricity.
- It was $40 to get access to everything. I think it is $14-$16 per attraction if you pay separately. I think you can also get it with the shuttle, which is also worth it.
We flew up to Canada on a little 4 seat Cessna. We landed in Canada and customs wasn't there yet. We called a 1-800# and they told us it's OK, you're free to go. We landed in the states to clear customs on the way back, they come out with a geiger counter.
Letchworth state park. Do NOT skip the museum.
Watkins Glen
Zoar Valley
Erie Lakeshore wine tours
Ellicottville,NY fall fest
Antique mall in Salamanca
Watkins Glen
Zoar Valley
Erie Lakeshore wine tours
Ellicottville,NY fall fest
Antique mall in Salamanca
If there's any history buffs in your group, there are a few battlefields on the Canadian side from the often forgotten war of 1812. A lot of Birtish/Canadian and American blood was spilled on the land around the falls.
Fort Niagara is pretty close by in Youngstown. http://oldfortniagara.org/
Read up on 1812 before you go. It is pretty cool to see the river after reading the stories of the assaults, night crossings, etc.
Read up on 1812 before you go. It is pretty cool to see the river after reading the stories of the assaults, night crossings, etc.
On the American side it is really worth checking out the park between the falls upsteam in the rapids. Walk and check out the little islands (sister islands I think) in the rapids on the far side of the park. It is amazing and you can't believe how fast that water is coming downstream throught the rapids. And the fact that it's comming down through there every minute, every hour, every day of the year, forever! Certainly a natural wonder. Also standing near the brink on the Canadian side is breathtaking. The American side is sadly very dumpy and the Canadian side is a total rip off and tourist trap. Stay and dine somewhere away from the tourist area. Enjoy.
We came back out of Canada on a ferry across a lake. We were in the Suburban and they put us right at the bow. All you could see over the hood was the water and the bow wake as we made our way across. That was absolutely cool.
Great way to come back into the U.S. But they sure never figured on a seven thousand pound truck showing up for that little ferry. :lol:
Great way to come back into the U.S. But they sure never figured on a seven thousand pound truck showing up for that little ferry. :lol:
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