Need Help with June trip to Niagara Falls
Mar 12th, 2010, 10:50 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Need Help with June trip to Niagara Falls
My husband and I are planning our 10th anniversary trip to Niagara Falls the end of June. We are driving from Wisconsin, stopping in Cleveland to see the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame and then we are heading to the Falls, Canadian Side. We are looking to stay at either the Oakes or Embassy hotels at the Falls- is either one better than the other? What about parking costs or advice?
We then are planning on seeing the usual: Journey Behind the Falls, Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, Whitewater Walk, Skylon Tower, Whirlpool Aero Car, Queenstown, Victoria Park , ButterFly Conservatory & would like to get a People Mover Pass. Should i book these seperately? Or did someone get a pass with most of these on?
We are also thinking of visiting Niagara on the Lake also for the day- neither one of us drink wine- so are there other activities or things to do?
Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!
We then are planning on seeing the usual: Journey Behind the Falls, Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, Whitewater Walk, Skylon Tower, Whirlpool Aero Car, Queenstown, Victoria Park , ButterFly Conservatory & would like to get a People Mover Pass. Should i book these seperately? Or did someone get a pass with most of these on?
We are also thinking of visiting Niagara on the Lake also for the day- neither one of us drink wine- so are there other activities or things to do?
Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!
Mar 12th, 2010, 12:33 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,808
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Niagara on the Lake is very charming, particularly in the spring and summer. The main street will be full of flowers. Just walking and browsing in the shops is pleasant and stopping somewhere for lunch. That said, the Shaw Festival will be on at that time so you might want to take in a matinee or evening performance. There are several theatres and there are package deals. Here's the website:
www.shawfest.com
You could turn it around and stay in NOTL and then just visit NF. Either way would do -- it depends on the kind of atmosphere you're looking for.
PS The RnR Hall of Fame in Cleveland is great but make sure you leave lots of time for it!
www.shawfest.com
You could turn it around and stay in NOTL and then just visit NF. Either way would do -- it depends on the kind of atmosphere you're looking for.
PS The RnR Hall of Fame in Cleveland is great but make sure you leave lots of time for it!
Mar 12th, 2010, 12:50 PM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks so much for the info on Niagara on the Lake. I think we will stop there on the way out of town..
We were planning on 3 hours for the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, lunch then head to "The Falls"!
We were planning on 3 hours for the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, lunch then head to "The Falls"!
Mar 12th, 2010, 05:15 PM
#4
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,544
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Both the US and Canadian sides offer Adventure packages through the parks... check out their websites... Embassy Suites and Oakes Hotel are next to the Fallsview Casino... both are great... compare rates and try to get the view side...
One thing missing from your list was the Whirlpool Jet Boats... try to add that to the list(You can drop Journey behind the Falls if you do Cave of the Winds) The Jetboats also leave from NOTL so you can combine that with a walk around the Village and Lunch... have Fun!
One thing missing from your list was the Whirlpool Jet Boats... try to add that to the list(You can drop Journey behind the Falls if you do Cave of the Winds) The Jetboats also leave from NOTL so you can combine that with a walk around the Village and Lunch... have Fun!
Mar 13th, 2010, 05:11 PM
#5
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,559
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Shaw Festival workers went on strike Wed, March 10, 2010.
They are hoping for a speedy resolutions to this labor dispute. But, you shd check first to make sure they are back @ work b/f you buy your tickets.
They are hoping for a speedy resolutions to this labor dispute. But, you shd check first to make sure they are back @ work b/f you buy your tickets.
Mar 13th, 2010, 08:13 PM
#6
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 10,190
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Amy - check out the Adventure pass from the Canadian side (www.niagaraparks.com) as it will include more of what you want to do and will have discount coupons for dining and shopping also. They're still advertising the winter pass, so just keep watching until they change it.
The Adventure pass in past years has come with a free one-day People Mover pass. Plan your activities accordingly: do the JbtF, MotM, CotW, ST on one day (don't use the PM pass), then do WAC, Q, VP, BC, etc. on the day you use your PM pass. Do the WJB on the day you go to NOTL (it's further down than the PM goes, so you'll have to drive either way).
I'm not sure how many days you're planning on being there, but you can easily do the US side with CotW and Goat Island on one day, JbtF, MotM, ST and the actual falls area on one day (plan it for a day they have the fireworks), then do the PM activities (BC, Q, VP, etc.) on another day, and then WJB and NOTL on a fourth day. You can spread them out more and have more relaxation time if you have more days, or you can combine the US side with the MotM/JbtF stuff into one day if you have less time.
No matter how much or how little time you have, make sure you make the time to just sit and watch the water pour over the edge of the falls - it's mesmerizing!
The Adventure pass in past years has come with a free one-day People Mover pass. Plan your activities accordingly: do the JbtF, MotM, CotW, ST on one day (don't use the PM pass), then do WAC, Q, VP, BC, etc. on the day you use your PM pass. Do the WJB on the day you go to NOTL (it's further down than the PM goes, so you'll have to drive either way).
I'm not sure how many days you're planning on being there, but you can easily do the US side with CotW and Goat Island on one day, JbtF, MotM, ST and the actual falls area on one day (plan it for a day they have the fireworks), then do the PM activities (BC, Q, VP, etc.) on another day, and then WJB and NOTL on a fourth day. You can spread them out more and have more relaxation time if you have more days, or you can combine the US side with the MotM/JbtF stuff into one day if you have less time.
No matter how much or how little time you have, make sure you make the time to just sit and watch the water pour over the edge of the falls - it's mesmerizing!
Mar 22nd, 2010, 08:33 AM
#7
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Since your into visiting the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, be sure to visit the Hard Rock Cafe on Falls Avenue.
Also, Niagara-on-the-Lake is NOT just for wine lovers. It is one of the MOST historical places around... (If not in North America) and I know my wife loves the 100's of shops on the main strip... Worth the Trip!!
D.
Also, Niagara-on-the-Lake is NOT just for wine lovers. It is one of the MOST historical places around... (If not in North America) and I know my wife loves the 100's of shops on the main strip... Worth the Trip!!
D.
Mar 22nd, 2010, 05:47 PM
#8
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 10,190
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>
No offense, but unless NOTL has quadrupled over the past two years, this is a major overstatement. There are certainly a number of shops along the "main strip", but no where near "100's" AND the term "main strip" in this connotation is misleading as it's pretty much the ONLY strip for shops.
NOTL is a great quaint town with historical interest, winetasting opportunities and a variety of shops. It is not a shopper's mecca.
No offense, but unless NOTL has quadrupled over the past two years, this is a major overstatement. There are certainly a number of shops along the "main strip", but no where near "100's" AND the term "main strip" in this connotation is misleading as it's pretty much the ONLY strip for shops.
NOTL is a great quaint town with historical interest, winetasting opportunities and a variety of shops. It is not a shopper's mecca.
Mar 22nd, 2010, 06:04 PM
#9
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,559
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And, that main street in NOTL is extremely congested w/ pedestrians and cars. It takes forever to drive from one end to the other. Better to go around. We used to love NOTL...about 20 years ago....but hardly go there anymore.
Mar 22nd, 2010, 06:16 PM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,808
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To be fair, there are some very nice shops on the (yes, short) main street. Unlike other tourist towns, it's not all fridge magnets and t-shirts. I would definitely park at one end and walk one side of the street and the other back to your car. I still think you shouldn't miss it.
Mar 23rd, 2010, 05:15 AM
#12
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,544
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OceanB... C'mon... if you don't go there, keep those comments to yourself... the town is only a quarter mile long and you only need to stop for crossing pedestrians... it doesn't take forever to drive it.... even on the busiest weekends its still a fun walk... 20 years ago there wasn't anything worth visiting..... so Chillax OceanB
Amyden... don't let them convince you to avoid NotL... it may well be the highlight of your trip... its romantic, and offers the best dining in the region... plus cute shops, fudge and wine...
Amyden... don't let them convince you to avoid NotL... it may well be the highlight of your trip... its romantic, and offers the best dining in the region... plus cute shops, fudge and wine...
Mar 23rd, 2010, 06:10 AM
#13
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,808
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Spring and summer weekends are the only time we're there but as I've said, there's really no need to drive anywhere. Park the car and walk. Regarding long weekends, the OP is going in June so no long weekend there. Even driving down the main street at the most crowded time on the most crowded weekend takes, what? ten minutes?
I stick by my advice to visit NOTL.
I stick by my advice to visit NOTL.
Mar 23rd, 2010, 07:12 AM
#14
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,944
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If anyone thinks Niagara on the Lake is congested, they should try Chester NS in September.
But back to NotL; it's a great place, and a little traffic should not keep anyone away.
I was there over many months,. repeatedly, for my book, and it is easy enough to get around in, once you find a parking spot.
I, too, can't find hundreds of stores, but among the smaller number, there's a great book store, and fudge.
BAK
But back to NotL; it's a great place, and a little traffic should not keep anyone away.
I was there over many months,. repeatedly, for my book, and it is easy enough to get around in, once you find a parking spot.
I, too, can't find hundreds of stores, but among the smaller number, there's a great book store, and fudge.
BAK
Mar 23rd, 2010, 08:26 PM
#18
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 10,190
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For the record, I never said don't go.
I just didn't want the OP to think that NOTL was some huge shopping district with hundreds of stores, when it's a small, quaint, historical town with a short section of shops.
Here in Northern California, we have lots of similar towns. Take a drive down Highway 49 through Angels Camp, etc. and you'll see a lot of them. They're fun little towns if you don't go expecting a strip mall version of the Mall of America, but rather a quaint, charming, historical town with a few interesting shops (not every shop will interest everyone, but you should find at least a couple that meet your desires).
P.S. I've never had a problem going through it in either direction.
I just didn't want the OP to think that NOTL was some huge shopping district with hundreds of stores, when it's a small, quaint, historical town with a short section of shops.
Here in Northern California, we have lots of similar towns. Take a drive down Highway 49 through Angels Camp, etc. and you'll see a lot of them. They're fun little towns if you don't go expecting a strip mall version of the Mall of America, but rather a quaint, charming, historical town with a few interesting shops (not every shop will interest everyone, but you should find at least a couple that meet your desires).
P.S. I've never had a problem going through it in either direction.
Mar 24th, 2010, 02:37 PM
#19
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Also consider visiting some of the many and sundry wineries that're in the area. I can think of 5 that're just off the Niagara Parkway (the shore road between Niagara Falls and Niagara on the Lake) let alone the many others in close proximity. For parking, forget trying to park behind the Old Courthouse (everybody and their dog tries there). Go a couple or three blocks away from the main drag and you're more likely to find something.
Also, if you're of a history bent, check out Fort George and (if you're a brave soul who fears not the evil golf ball) Fort Mississauga.
N43.26153 W79.07713
HTH
K
Also, if you're of a history bent, check out Fort George and (if you're a brave soul who fears not the evil golf ball) Fort Mississauga.
N43.26153 W79.07713
HTH
K
