Niagara border crossing from NY to Canadian and time need to spend there
 

We are traveling to Buffalo, NY to see the falls in 3 weeks. We have US passport to visit Canada side my Dad does not have US passport and can not see falls from Canada side. But my 12 yrs old daughter really want to visit Canada side falls, at least for few hours if possible. My Dad can take rest in the hotel during that time..may be in the late afternoon. I need some suggestion about what is the minimum time needed to go and see the falls from Canada side. We may visit Skylon Tower if time permits. Is the bridge open all the time to cross or has any timings. We have one full day and two half day to spend on the whole. Please let me know.

If you are on the US side, consider walking across the Rainbow bridge with your daughter...the view is stunning from the bridge... there is minimal wait at the walk through customs and a minimal charge... once you get to Canada, its a short walk to the Falls Viewing area and Clifton Hill Tourist Area

If you just want to walk around the Falls, schedule at least two hours... you can also purchase passes for the WEGO shuttle and spend more time there exploring the entire area...

If your hotel is far from the Rainbow Bridge you can park your car in the lot right at the bridge on the US side and enter right into the customs building at the bridge...

Don't waste your time at the Skylon Tower... because you are already 200 feet above the river when you watch the Falls from the street, there is no need to go up a tower... a better choice is to take her on the Giant ferris wheel called the Niagara Skywheel on Clifton Hill... its the same price as the tower and much more fun... there's also a clifton Hill Fun Pass that includes the Skywheel and some other attractions

Have Fun...

Also while you are in Niagara on the US side, make sure you take Dad and Daughter on the Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds or get them as part of the Niagara Falls Discovery Pass..

Also make sure you get on the Whirlpool Jetboats attraction which is a short drive from the Falls... Its probably the best attraction at the Falls...

If you have additional questions, just ask 'em...

First - it is not too late for dad to get a passport using the expedited service - assuming he is a US citizen (the Canadian side is much more pleasant in terms of hotels and restaurants - as well as having much better views)

Second - the Falls are not in Buffalo (perhaps you already know this) and if you are staying there you will need a car to get around - to and fro the falls (central Buffalo to the falls is about 40 minutes by car)

Third - the border is open all the time. Depending on the day and time there can be more or less traffic/time to get across the border (it took us about 40 minutes to get back on a Sat am)

Walking Goat Island on the U.S. side is very scenic. You can get up close and personal to the Falls, especially if you go to Cave of The Winds and as Gary said, you can all take Maid of the Mist from there.

If you father can't get into Canada, the falls are still spectacular from the U.S. side.

Not sure where you are staying, but it's only a 20 minute ride from downtown Buffalo. You're better off staying right in NF if that is the purpose of your trip.

Thank you all so much for the information. Our Hotel is 10minutes from the falls and we are renting a car. Everyone is suggesting walking across the bridge to Canada side. If we drive instead of walking across the bridge, will it save any time? I thought it may be convenient to drive around if we take our car.

swtraveller, if it were me, I would take the car. I think it would save a lot of time.

Taking the car involves driving through customs both ways... my wife waited 1 hour today in line and last Saturday we waited 1 hour 15minutes... that was just for one way... there is no line if you walk across... the reason I suggested walking is for the experience and adventure for your daughter... once you reach the end of bridge in Canada, everything is within a one mile area...

If you drive, you also have to find parking, and in the main viewing area of the Falls in the summer, you will end up walking long distances from the tourist lots to see the Falls... then back to the car... then park again... there is very little parking in the Clifton Hill area...

Better yet... have cd pick you up... drive around while you sightsee and cart you around the Falls... that might save time...

You might get lucky and breeze across customs in the car, but even "breezing across" is 15 to 20 minutes... you decide...

How long it takes to get to and fro by car varies by day, time, traffic and a host of other factors. It took us about 40 minutes to get back into the US by car.

It sounds like walking across is faster - but then you have to sort out transport on the other side, (I believe there is some sort of tram but don;t know the details).