Finger Lakes and Niagara Falls
 

I promised my daughter we'd take her to Montreal this summer (she's studying French in high school).

We're in northern Virginia. We'll drive up through Finger Lakes and Niagara Falls, then down through Boston, spending a few nights in each area.

Any suggestions for things to do, see, and/or where to stay for three or four nights in Finger Lakes and Niagara Falls?

Thanks,

The Finger Lakes region has - the lakes of course - and wineries - of course. The Corning Glass Museum is spectacular and Corning is a central placce to stay. I highly recommend Watkins Glen State Park - an amazing walk though cliffs and waterfalls that is not what you would expect - and inexpensive. Niagara Falls has casinos that draw big crowds. The US side is quieter and you can walk practically to the edge of the falls from Goat Island. The Canadian side provides a great view of the big falls, Horseshoe Falls and there is the Maid of Mist Boat Ride. I wouldn't miss the greenhouses south of the falls. Don't stay in Niagara Falls. Continue north to the Niagara Glen parking lot (across from the golf course) and walk down to the shore the rapids on the amazing paths. Then continue your drive to Niagara on the Lake. Stay there in one of the lovely hotels and enjoy the town. If the Shaw Festival is open, taken in a play (reserve in advance). If you want to practice French, go past Montreal to Quebec City and beyond, finding a smaller place where few people speak English. In Montreal, people respond in English in most cases if your French doesn't sound right.

I agree that Niagara-On-The-Lake is a much nicer place to stay than Niagara Falls itself and the drive up there from the falls is quite nice, also.

There are plenty of hotels and IMO the closer you stay to the so-called "downtown" the better but if the Shaw Festival is on then you need to reserve in advance. Some people find the place to be almost contrived and "touristy" but Niagara Falls really IS "touristy" and on steroids.

Thanks,

It sounds like Niagara-on-the-Lake is the place to stay. We'll plan to leave Finger Lakes early in the morning, spend the day in and around the Falls, then continue to Niagara-on-the-Lake for the night.

I had planned on Watkins Glen Gorge for a hike. I saw pictures and it looks great. We'll also spend at least one day visiting wineries. I was thinking Geneva area to stay, it didn't look like there were many lodging choices around Watkins Glen. Is there a lake/wine trail you would recommend over others?

It looks like it's hard to avoid the Shaw festival. We'll probably be there second half of June and all but a couple of shows start earlier than that. They all seem to go until at least August. Any suggestions on picking a show/theater to see while we're there?

Actually Watkins Glen now has one of the nicer places to stay in the Finger Lakes area:
http://www.watkinsglenharborhotel.com/

Out of Watkins Glen just head north on Route 14, over a dozen wineries along the way up to Geneva. Glenora Winery on the way up has very nice accomodations and restaurant:
http://www.glenora.com/

Weekend rates are very high at both of these places and often require two night stays.

Just and aside: The Canadian French spoken in Montreal is a far cry from the Parisian French language your daughter is likely studying but it'll be a great trip anyway.

You might consider visiting Quebec City, a much different experience than Montreal. While in Montreal, make sure you visit the old city of Montreal. It's quite lovely. Bon voyage!

There are many really good wineries in the Niagara Falls/ Niagara on the Lake area. You can go to many right along the parkway that runs between the two areas or venture off to nearby Jordan / Beamsville area for more wineries in a beautiful setting. If interested I can give you some recommendations.

outdoor1,

Yes I'm open to suggestions for Jordan area (I didn't spot Beamsville on the map, is it the same area?).

EmilyPost,

Yes, I think we're modifying our trip to go north to Quebec City, which brings up the question of nice towns to see in the triangle that includes Toronto, Quebec City, and either St. George's or Sherbrooke - we still need to decide which would be the nicer route toward Boston.

Dave,

Thanks for the suggestions, they both look very nice - I haven't checked availability yet.

Here is a link to Angel's Gate winery with directions from Niagara Falls. It is in a beautiful setting and they offer Terrace Lunches in the summer. http://www.angelsgatewinery.com/. Very close by is Meglomaniacs. They make my favourite Ontario wine.. There is a link to many nearby wineries on the Angel's Gate link as well.
If you don't feel like driving too far there are many wineries very close to Niagara on the Lake. Peller estate has a pricy wine tasting dinner menu, and very reasonably priced tastings. Lainey, Strewn, and Mary Niessen are all worth a stop, and be sure to stop by the Ice House right on the parkway for an ice wine slushie and other ice wine tastings.

All the wineries have wine route maps, and may have special events going on as well.

You should not make a special trip to Sherbrooke. I can't comment on St George but Sherbrooke would be a miss as a vacation destination for me. We visit family there every year because we are obligated to do that! There are some beautiful lakes nearby, however. Is that what you intended to visit in that area?

This trip is pretty spread out over a few thousand miles, so I hope you have scheduled at least two to three weeks... if so, add a day or two in Toronto after Niagara before continuing to Montreal and Quebec City... then cut down through Northern NY to get to Boston... lots to do and see and this is well worth taking the time... have fun

EmilyPost,

Not really, scenery is nice and we also like walking/trails. My 81 year-old mother is very fit and a great walker - but I wouldn't take her on anything that I'd consider a serious trail.

For this trip, a nice town, with a French feel, where we can stop for a look around, a decent relaxed meal, and a B&B for the night would be ideal.

garyt22,

I'm thinking 17 days, though I can go a little longer if I need to. I'm ready for two killer drives - roughly 8 hours from our home to Finger Lakes area, and better than 9 hours from Boston home. Other than that, I'd like to keep the daily miles reasonable and have several places where we stay a few days rather than one nighters.

Publius: I assure you, Sherbrooke is not what you're lookng for.

EmilyPost,

I'll definitely not plan on spending time there then, thanks.

I didn't mention my mother earlier. This trip was supposed to be just our teen daughter, my wife and I. I asked my mom for advice because I thought she had been just about anywhere you can drive to (as well as much of Europe). Turns out she hadn't been to Quebec Province at all and wants to come along.

She's actually a great traveler so now my daughter has to share a room with Grandma.

Driving your own car? Talk to your insurance agent about your car insurance in Canada. Make sure everyone has their US Passport valid at least 30 days past your expected departure from Canada.
You could also drop into New Brunswaick and get to Boston by way of Portland Maine.

Check with your insurance agent for anything funky regarding your insurance but we've followed this advice:

http://www.carinsuranceguidebook.com...ance-in-canada

tomfuller,

I checked out the Passport requirement and verified with Canadian Border Security. U.S. Citizens don't need a passport, but are required to carry proof of citizenship.

My wife and I have current passports but our daughter's expired last year (we probably won't get her a new one since she won't need it for this trip, we'll bring her passport and birth cert.). My mom also has a passport, not sure if it's current but expired will work for this trip.

I would have thought you needed a passport, it seems like the airlines require one - but apparently not required to drive.

I'll check with my insurance carrier - good thought.

"For entry into the United States via land and sea borders, U.S. citizens must present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Drivers License, or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document. The only exception to this requirement is for U.S. citizens under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious, or other youth group) who need only present a birth certificate (original, photocopy or certified copy), Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or naturalization certificate."

Is your daughter under 16?

Are you certain an expired passport works?

Does anyone know what an "Enhanced Drivers License" is?

Ny State citizens can apply for an enhanced drivers's license by going to NYS DMV with additional documents that allow us Canadian access similar to that of a passport... it helps cross border workers and frequent bridge crossers get easier passage...

Expired Passports are not acceptable for return to the US...

remember, you are crossing two International Borders... the requirements for ID into Canada may be less strict, but coming back into the US, YOU WILL NEED PASSPORTS... valid ones... a lack of documentation could cause needless delays or flat out reentry....

Since passports are now required for U.S. citizens to re-enter the U.S., enhanced driver's licenses are not needed. U.S. citizens are required to show their VALID, unexpired passport. Just state that you're tourists on a limited visit, answer all questions honestly, be polite and respectful and U.S. citizens will have absolutely NO trouble visiting Canada nor re-entering the U.S. What's all the drama regarding this very simple procedure? I have traveled from the U.S. to Canada and back again 4 times a year for 30 years and have never had a problem before passports were necessary nor since.

Well, you're not paying attention - two of the people in this group only have expired passports and the OP thought that would work.

I stopped in to see my car insurance agent today to pick up my Canada non resident insurance certificate. Tomorrow I will drive my 2003 Honda Civic into and back out of Canada. The certificate even has the VIN listed on it.
We each will have our US Passport with us. Just recently, the Oregon Dept. of Transportation started issuing drivers licenses to illegal aliens.

gary22,

The real rule is CBP can never deny entry to a US citizen, regardless of what they say - ask an agent.

You have to prove citizenship, which an expired passport does as well as a current passport - but a driver's license doesn't unless it's enhanced. Enhanced DLs are offered by some border states with a lot of cross border traffic, they offer one in Washington State now. I'm not sure of the details, I left Washington before they came online, but you pay more for a license that also "proves" you are a citizen.

I advised the Senate Transportation chair, in WA state, against creating an enhanced ID, because it cost tens of millions to implement. The passport is available. I encouraged Senator Haugen to take the same money and help low-income people buy passports.

So why does CBP publish rules they can't enforce? Probably to encourage people to get secure ID's - or just wishing they could enforce stricter rules. CBP is a law enforcement agency, and they see the world through that lens.

I am paying attention. A tempest in a teapot when all is said and done. I am always amazed that people still don't have valid, current passports. It's such an easy thing to take care of and the proper i.d. makes life so easy.

And no American citizen needs any kind of certificate from a U.S. insurance agent to drive into or out of Canada!

PUBL... I think you missed the point... it's much easier to get into Canada ... rules are less strict

It's coming back to the US that requires the passport...

There are TWO sets of border agents... the friendly Canadians who welcome you to explore the "Great White North"

and

the Homeland Security US Border Patrol that respond to 9/11, ask serious questions, use bomb sniffing dogs and require Passports or other approved documentation...

I recommend staying inside the walled gate of Quebec. We loved it there. Also, we liked Niagara on the Lake for a day trip to visit wineries but there is not much to do there unless you're going to Shaw. I would think you would want to take advantage of all that there is to do in Niagara Falls. Cave of the Winds on the American side on Goat Island, also a great place to walk around, you are so very close to the Falls! and then stay on the Canadian side, we stay at the Embassy Suites with Falls view, they are lighted at night and you would have two rooms with a great complimentary breakfast in the morning. Take Maid of the Mist for sure. Actually one long day and one night would probably do it. From Niagara On The Lake you can take the Whirlpool Ride.

A tempest in a teapot: a small event that has been exaggerated out of proportion

Fact: US citizen needs valid passport to reenter US from Canada
Fact: These two US citizens don't have valid passports

I'd consider it a pretty big event and not at all blown out of proportion if they get detained trying to re-enter the US.

The solution is Not a big deal, sf7307. The solution is very straightforward: Get a valid passport! It's that simple! They have plenty of time.

Here's the link for passport applications/process for U.S. citizens. You can print the application online and send in the check. Couldn't be more straightforward.

http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Saturday March 9th is National Passport Day, although federal passport offices will not be open due to sequester, there are thousands of city halls, libraries and communities participating...

Think of it: Getting your passport could prevent an international incident between Canada and the U.S.! ;)

Just to add to this a few days late: If you are driving or entering on a ferry, you can also choose to get an official US passport card. You have to obtain all the same documents as you do for a full passport, but it costs far less. It is NOT good for any other countries, and it is NOT good for entering the United States by airplane. It was far cheaper, however.

Oh, and one possible destination for your list:


If you have a high school student and are visiting the Finger Lakes, you might consider visiting Cornell University. It is a beautiful campus. I enjoyed seeing the pulpit where Dr. Martin Luther King spoke. They have tours all summer; check their website for details.

We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites at the edge of Ithaca. Nice place, and the hotel pool was actually warm enough to swim in and very clean. Although we didn't have time to view it, the hotel was right near the entrance to Buttermilk Falls State Park.

it is absurd not to get a passport.

I would encourage all US citizens that have any thought of going to Canada or Mexico to get a passport or at least a NEXUS card.
Last Friday afternoon my DW and I went into Canada past the Peace Arch (north end of I-5). We presented our Passports to the nice friendly Canadian lady. She asked if we had any tobacco or firearms (no). Apparently they don't care if you have fruits or vegetables anymore. From the first stop in the line to being cleared took 5-6 minutes. We spent 2.5 hours in Canada before entering the line back to the US. This line took 25-28 minutes. The US officer had us pop the trunk and rummaged through our luggage. Then he gave us back our car key and Passports and said welcome back.
While it is true that I didn't "need" the insurance certificate, it would have been much more of a hassle with the Canadian police if we had any type of accident in Canada.
On Saturday morning we went back into Canada to White Rock. We walked out the pier and then measured the white rock (glacial erratic) and found another geocache. DW went in to the Duty Free while I hiked down to the Peace Arch so I crossed the border twice more than my wife. It was an hour from the time stamp on the duty free receipt until we were clear of US Customs.
My Oregon CDL good for 8 years which I showed my US Passport to get, cost more than my US Passport which is good for 10 years. Next year I may get a NEXUS card.

<Apparently they don't care if you have fruits or vegetables anymore. >

That's just California, right?