Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)
-   Canada (https://www.fodors.com/community/canada/)
-   -   Niagara Falls - our plans so far (https://www.fodors.com/community/canada/niagara-falls-our-plans-so-far-536063/)

taxnerdkk Jun 12th, 2005 05:23 AM

Niagara Falls - our plans so far
 
So far, we think we will:

Get to niagara around 4-5, set up the tent at the marineland campground, go talk a stroll downtown to see the falls and maybe the casino later in the night. See the falls at night, is there fireworks on fridays?

Saturday morning, head for either six flags or marineland, stay there till about late afternoon. Evening?? not sure suggestions?

Sunday morning, go see the falls, do maids of the mists, head out to niagara on the lake for the afternoon.

evening??

head back to ottawa monday morning

taxnerdkk Jun 12th, 2005 04:16 PM

I would think that niagara would have been a popular destination, surprised not much more talk on it

travelphile Jun 14th, 2005 03:30 AM

This board (Ontario Canada) doesn't seem as often used as many of the other fodors destinations...

Be sure to take time just to wander at the falls - I guess that is what you will do on Friday. I know the falls are lighted, not sure of when fireworks are. If it is as hot as it has been, think about the bird avery and butterfly conservatory - I have yet to make them but they are VERY popular with people from Rochester NY - where I live.

Maid of the mist is a great tour, I haven't tried the jet boats yet and may be this weekend. Growing up in the area, six flags has a better reputation than marine land for an amusement park, but I camped there 2 weeks ago and only one coaster was running, so my view of the place has fallen...

Hope this helps a bit! trav

taxnerdkk Jun 14th, 2005 04:27 AM

Why was only one of the rollercoasting running?? That seems very odd!

How is the camping? I was thinking of camping either 1 night there and 2 nights at the marineland camping or 3 nights at the marineland camping.

Sixflags has a nicedeal if you use the park, but not sure if it would be worth it to have to pack and unpack the tent....

how long of a drive is six flags from niagara (canada)?

travelphile Jun 14th, 2005 03:36 PM

Other coasters ran sporadically - but often with no people on them! We stood outside the Superman gates for a while - they seemed to be testing it. Mechanics & engineers standing around scratching their heads - didn't appear anything wrong to us, but who knows why they weren't letting people one! The Viper was also running sporadically on Sunday, but we weren't waiting in lines by then.

Camping... it is undoubtedly the largest campground I have ever seen - and I grew up camping with my parents! If you can get around the 180-220 numbers you are close enough to walk. IMHO some of the sites we saw you would need to drive to the park from the campground - and I walk a few miles each morning for exercise!

Some sites around a field, some out in more wooded areas - I would call and ask someone working there for the type of area you would prefer.

It was a fabulous deal though - the weekend gig. We didn't bring our pop-up as we stayed with friends who had rented a trailer - great for 6 people, but I'm not sure how many are in your group.

Drive would be 1:30 minutes with border crossing. Actual drive would be closer to an hour. Its just a few miles of I-90. Hope this helps!

ashoebri Jun 15th, 2005 07:00 AM

Hi I live in the area. Fireworks are everynight around 9:30pm. Maid of the mist is ok but kind of boring you might want to try the speedboat. Be prepared to get wet. Loads of fun.

taxnerdkk Jun 16th, 2005 04:27 AM

Thanks for the replies!!

So from Niagara Falls...it would almost be as close to go to Canada Wonderland then to 6 flags?

Also, do you have a website or more details on the jet boat tours?

As anyone every stay at the marineland campground?

ashoebri Jun 16th, 2005 09:58 AM

Ok just so you know wonderland is a good 1 hour 1/2 drive. I wouldn't do both Marine Land and Wonderland. Too much in 5 days. If you have your heart set on wonderland I would just stay in Toronto. They have direct GO transit buses that run to wonderland.
Jet boat url http://www.whirlpooljet.com/index2.cfm
The drive from six flags to niagara about half hour depending on border traffic. I haven't stayed at Marine Land so I'm not sure. If your in Niagara Falls you should do Cliffton 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.

taxnerdkk Jun 16th, 2005 11:46 AM

Thanks! We will not do canadawonderland. We will either do six flags or marineland.

What is clifton hill? Is it a town near niagara falls?

ashoebri Jun 17th, 2005 06:54 AM

No it's not a town it's just part of Niagara Falls close to the old casino. It has like the Guiness book of world records museum, WWE museum, fun houses, games like ski ball, Ripley's Believe it or not museum. But it's on a street. I also made a mistake about the fireworks they use to do it every night but you can find the info here http://www.infoniagara.com

kcapuani Jun 20th, 2005 03:39 PM

It will take much longer than 30 mins to get to Six Flags - it is around 45-50 miles from Niagara Falls. I live near Buffalo and checked mapquest to be sure.

Canada's Wonderland is around 90 miles away.

taxnerdkk Jun 21st, 2005 03:55 AM

Should be less then an hour I assume for six flags? I think we will stay in the niagara region, friday afternoon do maids of the mist and explore the area in town, have supper and head for casino. Maybe Saturday, do marineland then in the evening maybe head out towards niagara on the lake and go visit a vineyard....fireworks at night...sunday, maybe just walk around, see the falls again..and leave at around 3h00pm? Am I missing anything? Does that sound reasonnable?

kcapuani Jun 21st, 2005 04:10 AM

Your plan sounds good, just be aware that the tourist area of Niagara Falls is rather small. You may be bored on Sunday if you do not plan an excursion - you've probably looked into these already but here are a few suggestions:
Journey Behind the Falls
Butterfly Conservatory
Whirlpool Jet Boat (leaves from Niagara on the Lake)


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 06:53 AM.