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-   -   Niagara falls in one day (https://www.fodors.com/community/canada/niagara-falls-in-one-day-832978/)

vivian_2009 Mar 27th, 2010 12:05 PM

Niagara falls in one day
 
Hi there,
I have been reading around the forum about NF and all the neat things to do there. I know "it all" can't be done in one day, however, what would your suggestions be of things to do in one day ~if that was all you had?
We definitely want to go on the Maid of the Mist. Other than that one must.. all other ideas sound great.. but no idea of how many we can do and in what order will be best for time and ease. (keeping in mind that of course we won't know weather conditions or how many people will be there..) I am just looking for a good starting point. I go with the flow easily and just wanted a "list" so I am not standing there with the "now what" look on my face when we arrive ~and wasting time with the "I don't know~ what do you want to do" ping pong match with husband :) ha-ha

thank you all for your time and patience.
cheers
Viv

OceanBreeze1 Mar 27th, 2010 12:15 PM

There's a poster here named Gary & he seems to know the Niagara area v/ well so I hope he sees this & responds. I am not really a NF expert so can't offer much. But I do know that the
Maid of the Mist opens April 10, 2010.... Call (905)358-5781 for schedule & ticket info.

vivian_2009 Mar 27th, 2010 12:23 PM

Great Oceanbreeze1, thank you for your help and the number. I will also look forward to Gary's (and others) input.

cheers
Viv

kodi Mar 27th, 2010 01:26 PM

I enjoy just walking all along the railing, stopping to look at the falls . I like to walk along the railing, to right where the water tumbles over the falls.
Then Yes, the maid of the mist for sure.
You could take the people mover all along the whole route.
I take many people to the falls, and truly just doing this gives them a really good day at the falls.

Yes, You could do so much more, but I really don't think it's necessary to do more to have a good day.

garyt22 Mar 27th, 2010 06:53 PM

Hello again... if I had one day driving from Toronto (think thats your plan)...

Get the kids up early and feed them breakfast in Toronto and hit the road as close to 9am as possible... take the QEW towards Niagara about 90 minutes at most... Select an area to park near the Rainbow Bridge and walk across the bridge to the US Side (passports required)... head to Goat Island and get a super close up view of the water as it goes over the Falls...

Head to The Cave of the Winds on Goat Island(its open in April) and see the Falls from below... If you are brave and its warmer, you can walk the Hurricane Deck... then dry off

On the way back to Canada, theres a Hard Rock Cafe on the US side near the Bridge... stop for lunch.. burp and return across the bridge to Canada... near the bridge is Clifton Hill, a strip of goofy museums, arcades, attractions and perfect fun for your kids... make sure you look for the place that takes the fake "over the Falls in a barrel photo"...

back to the Car for a drive along the Falls for viewing and a stop at the Maid of the Mist... there are signs or ask... park there... do the ride... back in the car... and follow the signs to the Fallsview Casino... next door is the Embassy Suites with the KEG restaurant... take the elevator up to the main restaurant with view and you may get a window seat in April... eat and enjoy the view... relax its over...

Hope you survive and feel free to bring some dry clothes and stolen hotel towels in the car... the wet things do have rain gear, but you could get a little wet... have fun

OceanBreeze1 Mar 27th, 2010 06:58 PM

I knew Gary wld come up w/ am intersting day for you. I never wld have though to walk across the Rainbow Bridge to the US side!!!

OceanBreeze1 Mar 27th, 2010 06:59 PM

..."never would have thought".... sorry for my typos...

vivian_2009 Mar 28th, 2010 07:02 AM

Gary,
That is a great response.. thank you! If the weather is somewhat warm, we will be up for anything. (or even if it is sunny) My kids are pure New Englanders and they have taken a polar plunge here on the coast more than once on a sunny April day. (they have even forced me to go) Love the burp and relax comment~ you must have met my kids.. haha :)

and yes the barrel over the falls picture will be a must for our "travel wall" of photos at home

With towels, and a change of clothes, I will be looking forward to doing anything we can. Your plan sounds like a fun day.

I like the Keg restaurant idea for the end of the day.. (my birthday~but I have stopped counting #'s) Do you think I need to call from the road that day for reservations? (or a few days earlier?) We would love to end the day with a window seat...if possible.

Oh and thank you for the passport advice ( I may not have thought to bring them from the hotel's safe)

Thank you and Oceanbreeze1 for your help..
Cheers
Viv :)

vivian_2009 Mar 28th, 2010 07:04 AM

Oops.. Kodi I didn't mean to leave you out..
thank you as well for your time and help
Viv

garyt22 Mar 28th, 2010 11:36 AM

the Keg has online reservations if you want to lock in a time...

vivian_2009 Apr 1st, 2010 06:59 PM

thank you Garyt22~ I called the Keg and made reservations yesterday.

they cannot guarantee a window seat but they said they would try their best.. so I am crossing my fingers.


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