First time for Niagara Falls
May 19th, 2010, 02:41 PM
#1
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First time for Niagara Falls
My wife wants to see the Falls. Never having been I need some ideas on places to stay, which airport to fly into, other things to do in the area, etc.
We have up to a week, but I'm thinking more like 3 days.
US Citizens with passports
Likes include:
Bed and Breakfasts/Inns
Martinis
wine and wineries
beer
music
Thanks
We have up to a week, but I'm thinking more like 3 days.
US Citizens with passports
Likes include:
Bed and Breakfasts/Inns
Martinis
wine and wineries
beer
music
Thanks
May 20th, 2010, 05:13 AM
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Fly into Buffalo airport (BUF) for the best rates and rent a car... the drive to the Falls is 30-40 minutes... for accomodations you have two choices... the Touristy high rise hotels in the Falls area or the quaint town of Niagara on the Lake... based on your post, look at the Niagara on the Lake Chamber websites for B&B's in the village or choose a small inn... Inn choices include the Charles Inn, The Olde Angel, the Riverbend Inn... there are dozens...
Th Niagara Wine region has over 100 wineries and many of the offer fine dining as well as casual food... for Martinis, ttry one of the famous Icewine martinis...
For Beer, there are Pubs in the Village at the Olde Angel and Harp...
For music, there are several Wineries with concert series, a casino at the Falls with major acts, and music festivals all summer long...
For starters, plug the words Niagara on the Lake in the "Search the Forums" box above as well as Niagara Falls and you will get hundreds of posts... or hit my name with your mouse and you can see several recommendations... good luck!
Th Niagara Wine region has over 100 wineries and many of the offer fine dining as well as casual food... for Martinis, ttry one of the famous Icewine martinis...
For Beer, there are Pubs in the Village at the Olde Angel and Harp...
For music, there are several Wineries with concert series, a casino at the Falls with major acts, and music festivals all summer long...
For starters, plug the words Niagara on the Lake in the "Search the Forums" box above as well as Niagara Falls and you will get hundreds of posts... or hit my name with your mouse and you can see several recommendations... good luck!
May 20th, 2010, 04:35 PM
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Well if you like B&B's than there are tons in Niagara on the Lake! If you want to stay near the falls though, I highly recommend the McGrail Guesthouse http://www.mcgrailguesthouse.com/
It is within walking distance of the falls (top of Clifton Hill) and I have stayed there twice. Fabulous food, and wonderful ammenities. I have stayed in Niagara on the Lake once at a B&B as well, but I think I prefer staying near the falls and then driving to NOTL.
So many amazing wineries!
I also recommend the Olde Angel for the beer, and we preferred the fish and chips at the Harp in NOTL.
It is within walking distance of the falls (top of Clifton Hill) and I have stayed there twice. Fabulous food, and wonderful ammenities. I have stayed in Niagara on the Lake once at a B&B as well, but I think I prefer staying near the falls and then driving to NOTL.
So many amazing wineries!
I also recommend the Olde Angel for the beer, and we preferred the fish and chips at the Harp in NOTL.
May 21st, 2010, 04:52 AM
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Depending on where you are flying from, and if you want to land in Canada, choices are, from only a few cities, Porter, which lands at an airport on an island in the toronto harbour, lots of airlines into Lester B Pearson -- Toronto main airport YYZ, and the John Munro Airport in Hamilton.
But Buffalo sounds like a good idea to me, too.
Go to www.winesofontario.ca for lots of info on wine region tours, routes, bike rides, etc.
If time permits, get then to send you the Wine Country Ontario guidebook. 70 useful pages.
I like to watch ships in the Welland Canal, and visit the Canadian Warplane Heritage museum at the Hamilton Airport.
But Buffalo sounds like a good idea to me, too.
Go to www.winesofontario.ca for lots of info on wine region tours, routes, bike rides, etc.
If time permits, get then to send you the Wine Country Ontario guidebook. 70 useful pages.
I like to watch ships in the Welland Canal, and visit the Canadian Warplane Heritage museum at the Hamilton Airport.
May 21st, 2010, 02:33 PM
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If you've never seen the Falls, you might want to spend one night in one of the hotels in the "Fallsview" district and get a room with a view. There are a choice including Marriott, Embassy Suites (both of these I know have great views) and others. In the Embassy Suites there is a Keg Steakhouse with a window wall overlooking the falls. They're a Canadian chain - decent food. Otherwise Niagara Falls is known for tourist attractions (e.g. 2 Casinos, Marineworld, Maid of the Mist boat tours, etc.), lots of tacky souvenir shops, arcades, etc. But the lands directly adjacent to the falls are landscaped and lovely, with walking paths offering great views.
Then I would, as others have recommended, consider spending a night or 2 in historic, Victorian, Niagara-on-the-Lake. Take the scenic 1/2 hour drive (longer with stops) via the "Niagara Parkway" from the Falls to NOTL. You'll pass a couple of wineries on the way for your first tastings. There are more wineries just the other side of NOTL and also further afield (e.g. the Jordan/Vineland/Beamsville areas about 40 minutes away).
I like the Angel Inn also, and they have musical entertainment often (the food is decent too). The Lounge in the upscale Prince of Wales Hotel is great for a beer or martini, they have a sidewalk patio in season, and I think they still have live Jazz on Friday nights.
You didn't mention theatre as an interest, however there is a famous Theatre Company in NOTL - The Shaw Festival - which runs spring through fall.
Then I would, as others have recommended, consider spending a night or 2 in historic, Victorian, Niagara-on-the-Lake. Take the scenic 1/2 hour drive (longer with stops) via the "Niagara Parkway" from the Falls to NOTL. You'll pass a couple of wineries on the way for your first tastings. There are more wineries just the other side of NOTL and also further afield (e.g. the Jordan/Vineland/Beamsville areas about 40 minutes away).
I like the Angel Inn also, and they have musical entertainment often (the food is decent too). The Lounge in the upscale Prince of Wales Hotel is great for a beer or martini, they have a sidewalk patio in season, and I think they still have live Jazz on Friday nights.
You didn't mention theatre as an interest, however there is a famous Theatre Company in NOTL - The Shaw Festival - which runs spring through fall.
May 23rd, 2010, 02:16 PM
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Geeper,
You've had good advice so far. If you're taking your time, enjoying the full week'd be worth it. 1-2 days in Niagara Falls (with a Falls-view room) would be a good start. And then spend the rest of your time out of Niagara-on-the-Lake. A plethora of B&Bs to choose from. The Olde Angel Inn is a great pub but I'm not sure that I'd recommend it for an overnight stay unless you and your companion are night owls.
As far as wine tours go, I'd suggest one out of NOTL for one taste and then one taking in the Twenty Bench area for variety's sake. Definitely take in the Shaw Festival while you're in the area. So that has 5 days spoken for. One day for generic mooching about brings you up to six days all in.
If you have a Garmin GPS, drop me a line at [email protected] and I could send you some winery routings that could take you as far afield as Stoney Creek ( just this side of Hamilton) to help navigate you around.
HTH
K
You've had good advice so far. If you're taking your time, enjoying the full week'd be worth it. 1-2 days in Niagara Falls (with a Falls-view room) would be a good start. And then spend the rest of your time out of Niagara-on-the-Lake. A plethora of B&Bs to choose from. The Olde Angel Inn is a great pub but I'm not sure that I'd recommend it for an overnight stay unless you and your companion are night owls.
As far as wine tours go, I'd suggest one out of NOTL for one taste and then one taking in the Twenty Bench area for variety's sake. Definitely take in the Shaw Festival while you're in the area. So that has 5 days spoken for. One day for generic mooching about brings you up to six days all in.
If you have a Garmin GPS, drop me a line at [email protected] and I could send you some winery routings that could take you as far afield as Stoney Creek ( just this side of Hamilton) to help navigate you around.
HTH
K
Jul 6th, 2010, 07:12 PM
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Hi Geeper,
I just came back from taking my mom to Niagara Falls for the fireworks. We stayed at the Embassy Suites, and reserved a room with a view of both falls. Definitely do that. It was an amazingly unforgettable view. And we got to see the fireworks from our room as well (and saw the horrendous traffic jam before, during and after the fireworks). A bonus was that Embassy Suites offered free breakfasts, so it was one less act of foraging.
We ate at The Keg, not a bad place for dinner. The staff was friendly and very accommodating, and the food was pretty good. Mostly steaks/meats, good salads, no pasta (I mention this because my mom had a sudden craving for pasta, yet none were to be found on the menu).
Enjoy Niagara Falls. And definitely go to the American side and partake in Cave of the Winds. Awesome experience. FYI - you can do Maid of the Mist on either the American or Canadian side.
I just came back from taking my mom to Niagara Falls for the fireworks. We stayed at the Embassy Suites, and reserved a room with a view of both falls. Definitely do that. It was an amazingly unforgettable view. And we got to see the fireworks from our room as well (and saw the horrendous traffic jam before, during and after the fireworks). A bonus was that Embassy Suites offered free breakfasts, so it was one less act of foraging.
We ate at The Keg, not a bad place for dinner. The staff was friendly and very accommodating, and the food was pretty good. Mostly steaks/meats, good salads, no pasta (I mention this because my mom had a sudden craving for pasta, yet none were to be found on the menu).
Enjoy Niagara Falls. And definitely go to the American side and partake in Cave of the Winds. Awesome experience. FYI - you can do Maid of the Mist on either the American or Canadian side.
