Need help planning Niagra Falls girl trip
 

Our husbands don't like to travel so we are 3 to 4 women (45ish) thinking of a girl trip. We would fly into Toronto airport and prefer not to rent a car but will if this is our best option. Where should we stay? Thinking a wine tour, of course the Falls tour, shopping, some hiking if you have any recommendations, and great supper / evening ideas. Any recommendations for us? Thanks!

This would be good for your airport transfer to Niagara Falls.


http://www.niagaraairbus.com/

When are you thinking of planning this? In the spring/summer there are bike rentals and you could go on the parkway from Niagara Falls toward Niagara on the Lake.
There are lots of wine tours and they would probably pick you up from your hotel.
My favorite non-touristy restaurant in Niagara Falls is Napoli which has great Italian food and is not priced outrageously as some restaurants can be.

Would flying into Buffalo work for you? You don't say where you are originating. Buffalo is v/ close to NF.

When are you going?

You have two big choices for Niagara...

If your girls are gamblers, shows and nightlife... consider the Niagara Fallsview Casino and resort with side trip to the Wine region... theres a spa, dancing, musical reviews, top concerts, decent food and fancy rooms... wine tours can be arranged through the hotel...

If your girls are into Wine and Theatre, stay at Niagara on the Lake and spend some time at the Shaw festival... luxurious hotels or B&B, many with spas, over 100 wineries and amazing food options... you could sidetrip to the Casinos...

As Ocean mentions above, the time of year and your point of origin play a part in your planning... you decide...

gary, you make me want to go there!! B-)

We are from Manitoba so a flight to Toronto is easiest for us. Looking at 4 or 5 days any weekend in July (except the long weekend).
These are great options...thanks everyone!

4-5 days, I personally would stay at the falls for 2 nights (with a fallsview at either the Fallsview Casino or the Marriott Fallsview), and then I would stay 2 nights in Niagara on the Lake.

The Spa @ Pillar & Post has just received some prestigious award for "Best Spa". You may want to check it out. Just Google Pillar and Post & you will get info on its 100 Fountain Spa.

Just be aware that all shops in Niagara on the Lake close at 6 pm, and nightlife is pretty much a couple of pubs.

After six is when you catch a play, have dinner at a winery, or head to the Casino...

Amalie - why do you suggest this and how far apart are these locations?

OceanBreeze1 - we will for sure check out that website - thank you!

Can someone tell me where the outlet mall is in this area? Walking distance??

garyt22 - we for sure are planning a wine tour and/or dinner at a winery!

The major outlet mall is on the US side of the border about a 15 minute drive from the Falls

The major outlet mall is on the US side of the border about a 15 minute drive from the Falls

I suggest that because that's what we've done before. We've done two nights in Niagara Falls and one night in Niagara on the Lake one time (we go every year). Other years we just pick one location and visit both. It's convenient to stay in each location though with that many days. It's like a 20 min drive.

oh, because it helps save on parking, and it's convenient to be at the casino and then just go up to your room one night, and then another night it's convienent to walk around Niagara on the Lake for dinner and wineries and then be right there for bed.

You ought to spend some time in Niagara on the lake, and the drive there is v. beautiful. Maybe the shops close at night, but the Shaw festival is on and there are plays every night. They are always feather-weight, frothy, tee-hee plays to satisfy the fun crowd, but it is Geo. Bernard Shaw after all. There is a hill in Niagara Falls - not too big but it could totally disorient humans from Manitoba - you might even require a few tanks of oxygen.

I like amelie's idea but only of you want to go to the casino.
If not, then I wld stay in NOTL for the entire trip & just visit NF for an afternoon. Google "Niagara on the Lake Car Rental" for info on getting around.

You can take Niagara airbus from the Toronto airport to NOTL/NF.
www.niagaraairbus.com

If you want to shop in Buffalo, then just rent a car for the day.

It is my understanding -- not being a woman myself -- that the shopping and other woman-enjoyed aspects of Toronto compare very well with the best Manitoba has to offer, and you might wish to devote a day to Canada's largest city. With a rental car,it is easy to leave Niagara in the morning and return in the evening, so there's no need to change hotels.

BAK

I like BAK'a idea. Maybe you want to spend your first night/next day in Toronto. Then head to Niagara region. You can get a bus from The Royal York Hotel. Or, take the train from Union Station which is across the street from The Royal York.