Hi all,
My parents would like to take my husband and me on a short 4 night vacation to celebrate my 30th birthday. This will be for the end of July, originating from Dallas. We have come up with a couple of options. San Francisco(is 4 nights enough?), Dad would like to visit Niagra Falls(is July a good time?), maybe a short cruise...
We go to Vegas often, so we'd like to go somewhere different. Any suggestions from you fabulous travel pros would be appreciated!

San Francisco is a great idea.

I live about 20 miles from Niagara Falls USA (Buffalo area). July is a wonderful time for a visit to the Falls! I would stay on the Canadian side since they have alot more gorgeous hotels to stay at and fly into Buffalo, NY. The Niagara Fallsview hotel just opened and has a great casino. There's also a Hilton and a Marriott, I believe with great views of the Falls from your room. If you are the adventurous type, try the Jet Boat ride up the Niagara River. My husband and I did this a few times and love it each time! You will get wet! It's a blast. if interested, website is www.whirlpooljet.com BTW, we're both in our 30's. You could also take a trip up to Niagara on the Lake where you could take the jet boat ride if you wanted. It's full of wineries and it's a quaint town for a day visit. www.niagaraonthelake.com

Niagara Falls would be excellent! Depending on how long you plan on going, you could also do Toronto. My husband and I had a blast there a few years ago!

Well I love San Fransisco, but I'm a sentimental slop, so if Dad is treating, and he wants to see Niagra Falls, I'd let it go at that and enjoy your birthday treat as well as seeing your wonderful Dad enjoying a spot that is on his list.

Or, put together by printing out a few 'hits' from each city, and let Dad choose. If he still has an aching for the falls, as a previous poster said, there are wonderful places to stay and things to see.

Either way, congrats and enjoy the family time, time with our husband, as well as with our parents, all together, is precious

Thanks for all the info! I agree with the sentimental saps, ha, we are leaning towards going to Niagara, just wasn't sure if it was the best time of year to make that trip. My Dad would love the jet boat, and I think it'd scare the crap out of me, so that's fun for all! After looking at the photos from The Niagara Fallsview hotel I think my decision is getting easier to make. Any other suggestions on hotels? Looks like Niagara Fallsview is pretty booked up.
P.s. I agree about spending time with family. We always have a great time when we travel with our parents, so anywhere we go is fine with me, it's a terrific birthday present!

Hi, be SURE that EVERYONE in your party brings their BIRTH CERTIFICATE (OR passport) for entry into Canada and return.

Can't have somebody spoiling the party for everyone else.

NorthwestMale,
Oh, believe me, I know! My husband, then boyfriend, and I were visiting his parents in Michigan one Thanksgiving and they decided we should go to a casino in Windsor. Getting over there was no problem, but on the way home we thought they were going to make us pull aside. The border agent talked to me a good 15 minutes, not nicely I might add, before he let us pass through. Needless to say, his parents refuse to take anyone over without at least a birth certificate now. They told me it would be no problem,,,ha,,they were wrong!

we go in and out of Canada with only our drivers license, the passport requirement I don't believe goes into effect until the end of 07, but you can check on www.state.gov and go to passports.

actually, here it is, I just had to check for my husband who is on his way there tomorrow, passport requirements for canada, etc go into effect as follows:

December 31, 2006 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
December 31, 2007 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.

Hi MrsJenn!

Try looking into the Embassy Suites too. It's a newer hotel there right in the middle of the action and overlooking the falls too. Most of the new highrise hotels that have been built there recently are not too far from each other and in July, the weather will be nice for walking. Have a great time on the jet boat ride! It will definitely be a great memory. I took my cousins (in their 20's) from Seattle there 2 yrs ago and they still haven't stopped talking about it. Be prepared to get wet : )

Try looking into the two hotels that I mentioned before too....Marriott Niagara Falls Fallsview (adjacent to the Niagara Falls Fallsview hotel that was booked) and the Hilton Niagara Falls Fallsview (across the street from the NF Fallsview). I'm not sure of the view from the Hilton though. I know that all the new highrise hotels are very close to each other, but if you wanted to see the Falls from your room, I would call the hotel directly to check and also look for old postings on fodors and check travelers reviews of the hotels on travelocity.com. Good luck!

If you don't have a passport, you MUST have an original birth certificate. The customs agents don't always ask for it, but if they do....you better have it!

Niagara Falls is a lot of fun, but be prepared for the crowds in July.

Hint: View the falls from the American side as well. Especially all the viewing areas on Goat Island and the upper rapids.

Have fun!

One more thing...I looked up travelers reviews on the Hilton and not rated as high as the other hotels that I mentioned. Just wanted to let you know.

aruba1006 - Thanks for all the hotel info! That helps a ton!

I've been wondering about the new passport laws, you all helped answer that question for me, thank you!

Everyone here is so kind!

MrsJenn - Hopefully these hotels will have some availability for the dates that you want. Like BuffaloGirl said, it's busy in this area during the summertime, but it will be worth it. NF has a fireworks display too every few days (there is a date schedule) and the Falls gets illuminated too in different colors at night. I agree with BuffaloGirl too, Goat Island is great on the American side. You can stand right next to the rapids - nice place for a walk and a picnic. Like the other posters said, have a photo ID and a birth certificate to show at the border.