Hi guys,

I just need some quick and dirty basic info on visiting Niagara Falls so I can see if I should resarch it further and discuss it with my husband. I plan to read through as many past posts as I can ASAP as well.

We are interested in visiting the first week of August for 2 nights before we head on to NYC. I just need a general idea of the best place to fly in, affordable places to stay (US or Cananda?), and how transportation would work. Our main goal in going there is to see the Falls, along with any activities that would go with that. Any advice/recommenations that you have would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Hello monalua,

I think the closest place to fly into would be Buffalo, NY. According to Map Quest it's 20 miles / 25 minutes' drive from Niagara Falls.

Again according to Map Quest, Rochester is 87 miles / 1 hour 25 minutes, and Syracuse is 163 miles / 2 hours 30 minutes driving time.

On the Canadian side, Toronto is 79 miles / 1 hour 30 minutes (probably a little less from Pearson International Airport, which is to the west of downtown).

I'm guessing that, if you're coming from the U.S., your best bet would be to fly into Buffalo and rent a car. I imagine you'd need to get clearance from the rental company to take the car into Canada.

I've visited Niagara Falls several times, but always on a day trip basis. I've seen the falls from both the Canadian and U.S. sides, but have only paid attention to the accommodation on the Canadian side.

At Niagara Falls itself there are a couple or more high rise hotels which no doubt have great views of the falls. There is a least one casino there and maybe even more than one. However, to my taste the town of Niagara Falls is tacky. I'm very sorry to insult anyone who likes the town, and there are many people who do.

I personally prefer the smaller (and to my mind much more charming) town of Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL). I understand there are some nice inns and B&Bs there.

A neat activity is a ride on the Maid of the Mist boat at the falls. There also is a butterfly sanctuary on the way to NOTL that may be of interest to you.

I hope someone who has more experience of Niagara will come along and answer your questions in more detail.

Sometimes people take kids to Niagara, and ask what there is for kids to do. I take it that, since you haven't asked the question, it's not an issue.

There is a lion safari park that I have not been to but that some people seem to have enjoyed. I myself come from Africa way back in the mists of time, so North American attractions that imitate Africa don't appeal to me, but someone who has never been to Africa might find the lion park fun.

Anyway, I hope this at least gives you some "quick and dirty basic info" on Niagara.

Niagara Falls is 14 miles from Buffalo, so that's the place to fly into. Where are you coming from?

NYC is 400 miles from Buffalo. Were you planning on flying on to NYC or renting a car and driving from Niagara?If you plan to fly, Jet Blue usually has pretty good fares from Buffalo to NYC. You can always take a cab from the Buffalo Airport to Niagara Falls - to the Canadian side as well. Check out www.NFTA.com for transportation info.

Niagara Falls in August is CROWDED. But then again, what isn't? There are numerous tourist attractions and hotels to chose from (can't help you with hotels).

There have been several posts lately on Niagara Falls. Take a quick look at them for suggestions on all the tourist attractions. Come on back if you don't find all the info. you need.

My one suggestion to everyone who asks: view the falls from BOTH sides.

Have fun.

About 14 million tourists visited Niagara Falls in 2003.

Six million visited Ottawa.

BAK

Thanks so much for all of the great info, I appreciate it! You guys are awesome.

We are tentatively planning to fly from Colorado to Buffalo, I think. Then stay 2 nights near the Falls, then fly to NYC (on Jet Blue). I'm wondering if it would be absolutely necessary to rent a car? Are there buses or taxis or other forms of public transportation that we could use? Mainly we are just concerned with the Falls, a place to stay, and eating (and anything else within walking distance). Although maybe it would be more affordable to rent car?

If you can get from the Buffalo airport to Niagara Falls, Ontario, you'll be fine for two days. There's a tourist-oriented shuttle bus system that takes you to most of the tourist attractions in Niagara Falls.

BAK

Make sure you check with the car rental agency that you can take a rental car across an international border. You can walk across the Peace Bridge and then public transit or taxi to the falls - a short distance.

monalua: I think it's approx. $50 for a one way cab ride from the Buffalo airport to the Falls. The taxi can take you over to the Canadian side.

Driving around the Falls in August will be crazy, plus you'll more than likely have to pay for parking at your hotel.

In my opinion, take a cab.

P.S. The Peace bridge links Ft. Erie, Ontario to downtown Buffalo. I think Ani meant to say Rainbow Bridge. But as I mentioned above, the taxi can take you right to your hotel on the Canadian side, and it is a short walk over the Rainbow Bridge to the American side to view the falls on that side!

My husband and I visited Niagara Falls for the first time last October. So many people say that it's over-rated and "cheesy". I strongly disagree! I'm a nature lover, though, and don't think I'd ever get tired of looking at how awesome the falls are - especially at night. You'll have a great time.

We also flew into Buffalo, rented a car, and drove into Niagara Falls. The one thing that seemed to cost more than expected was the parking. Everywhere we went, we paid $10 to park. We even had to pay $5 to park in the parking lot of the IMAX theatre just to go in and watch the movie! If you'll stay somewhere in the Clifton Hills area so you can walk to everything, I'd say it would be good to do without the car. I'm not sure about transportation up to Niagara on the Lake but just the drive up the river was wonderful. Also, our hotel charged $20/day to park your car.
If you plan on seeing the countryside, a car would be better. If you want to stay in the general vicinity of the falls......use public transportation and save all the parking fees for something you really want - like something at the Hershey store!

Have a great time!

You would benefit from renting a car at Buffalo airport in order to enjoy the many sites in close proximity to Niagara Falls---within 10 or 15 miles. Along the parkway are the numerous award winning wineries which all give tours at no cost. There is the Botantical gardens, one of the best I've seen in the world, the historic town Niagara-on-the-lake, the jet boat rides along the Niagara River, and the highly acclaimed G.B.Shaw Theatre in the old town, the British fort, the Butterfly Conservatory and more. We stayed at a bed and breakfast called Parliament Cottage whch provided more than most hotels and B&B owners ever do for their guests. It was priced near one hundred dollars, others we visited were much higher priced and at this home we had our own bathroom. We stayed in the Niagara area for three days and there wasn't enough time.

No question about it...rent the car, buy the activities booklet available at the US side... this includes the Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, people mover and several other attractions geared toward the nature of the Falls... Don't miss the Whirlpool Jetboats...its a world class ride through the rapids below the falls into the Devil's Hole whirlpool...you will get wet,so bring a change of clothes... then clean up and drive the wine trail through Niagara region on the Canadian side, planning for dinner at Peller, Strewn, or Hildebrand wineries... stop in the village of Niagara on the Lake for a stroll....

In the first week of August John Daly is going to try to drive a golf ball across the Horseshoe Falls.

Expect crowds.

This story should break in newspapers (sports or travel sections) tomorrow.

BAK

I would pay to see John Daly walk across the Falls on a tightrope. But drive a golf ball?

This is great information - also a first timer - sounds like the way to go is plane from NYC to Buffalo, then taxi or bus to hotel. Staying on the Canadian side seems to be the consensus (although I had always assumed the US hotels were just as close?)

What is the activities booklet - is this like a Citypass type of thing?
Also is it worth taking one of the 4 hour day tours offered by various companies or is it just as easy to go around yourself on public transport? Any recommendations on which tour if tours are the way to go?

We have become regular visitors to the Falls, we go several times a year, Christmas and Newyears, and once in the warmer months. I recommend you find a place on Clifton Hill. You have your choice of rooms ranging from hundreds a night, or less, there is a Travelodge, infact two of them just up Clifton Hill. This is all within walking distance of the falls. Driving around can be nuts, so this is why we prefer this location. You have places to eat such as the Hard Rock, or Planet Hollywood, right down the the Wendys, oops or maybe its burger king across the road from the Travel Lodge. Lots to do and see on Clifton Hill, Ripleys Believe it or not, chocolate factory, Planet Hollywood, Wax Museum..
i would take in the "street" and maybe the Maid of the Mist, perhaps a horse and buggy ride.... Lots of beautiful gardens, again all within walking distance from Clifton Hill.
Hope this helps...
We stay at the other more expensive places such as the Merriot, or the Embassy Suites, and although they do have amazing view of the falls, they are expensive, and you cannot reasonalby walk to these other sites. Parking is insane and costly.
If you want something nicer then the Travelodge, i suggest Sheraton Inn on the Falls. On the corner basically of Clifton Hills. Gorgeous rooms with view of both falls from your bed!

One more thing, i would highly suggest you go to your local dollar store and buy plastic poncho's, and take them with you or you will have to pay for them, and they of course or marked up heavily in the area. Even if you are just walking depending on the day and the wind, many people prefer to wear these as you will get wet and your camera!!, if you don't mind getting wet, ... then don't worry about it... but we have learned that is one thing to buy at the dollar store and just pack in our suitcase...

On the Canadian side, buy the Niagara Parks Great Gorge Adventure pass
http://www.niagaraparks.com/
and, for one discount price, get admission to the Maid of the Mist, Journey Behind the Falls, White Water Walk, the Butterfly Conservatory, all day transportation on the People Mover and Incline Railway plus several discount coupons including discounts for the Whirlpool Aero Car.

HELP!!!
Once and for all--should I rent a car?
I am flying in from Buffalo (2 of us) no kids. We are planning on staying at the Sheraton Fallsview early July for 4 days only. We want to definitely see the Falls and ride the jet rides/domes under the falls. We also plan on visiting the casinos at night. Would it make more sense to rent a car for the 4 days or just take cab from airport to hotel (30 minutes) and walk or public transportation everywhere else? HELP....

I would rent a car. That way you can
travel by serendipity.

Stops on the way include Niagara on the Lake, visit Brock's monument, the fort on the US side, check out the Art Deco and Frank Loyd Wright architecture in Buffalo, attend a play at the Shaw Festival and a drive up the wine and orchard route to St. Catherines Ontario from Niagara On the Lake and travel to some pretty fine restaurants.

I'm a local in niagara so Fly in to Buffalo. It's an easy airport. Travellodge on Clifton hill if you have kids. If you want something quieter you can pick a major hotel like the sherton but it'll be pricey. Also it's the civic holiday on August 1 so the border may be busy. But everything is pretty much open except bank, liquor store and beer store. In Niagara Falls you should do Clifton Hill tacky attractions but fun. I would do the butterfly conservatory. You should do Niagara on the lake. Maybe take a theatre show at the Shaw festival. www.shawfest.com. Also should visit local wineries they do tours. Niagara airbus does a tours. They also take you to Queenston Heights...ect. They have all different tours. http://www.niagaraairbus.com/
Helicopter ride is cool. and also one must go up the Skyline tower. you can also find more info at www.infoniagara.com.