We have a visitor from Europe who would love to see Niagara Falls. I'm planning to take the Amtrak Train with her and one of my kids from Albany to Niagara Falls ( 6 1/2 hours) and then spend the evening and part of the next day exploring the area before meeting up and returning home via car with another friend who is on business in Toronto right now. We will arrive at the train station at about 4:30 PM. I know it's a lot of sitting in the train and car. If we travel to the US side it will cost about $60 less for the three of us than if we continue to the Canadian side. Would it be better to arrive on the Canadian side (I understand the views are much nicer there) or should we save the money for a nicer hotel/ food, stay on the US side and walk over the Rainbow Bridge in the evening and morning? What else can we do there without a car?
Any hotel recommendations for either side with a train station pick up perhaps? Or would we take a taxi?

Will your friend from Europe have a visa to visit Canada? That might impact your decision of where to visit/stay.

Definitely go to the Canadian side - much better views plus better hotels (Falls view) and dining options.

But a couple of questions:

Does your visitor have a multiple entry visa for the US - and a visa for entry to Canada

Do you and your kid have your passports ready?

WHEN are you planning on going? Is this for later this year -and how much later - will things still be open and weather decent (some things - Maid of the Mist and not sure what else shut down at end of Oct.)

The US train station is not walking distance to the water (especially with bags)... you would require a cab ride and then either walk across the Rainbow Bridge or have the taxi take you across... you also would be delayed by customs and traffic on the bridge... in truth, much of your savings on the fare would be wasted...

Stay on the train to Niagara Falls,Canada and you will shorten customs procedures, eliminate bridge hassles, and save over an hour in delays versus US drop off...

If you cross via rail, you will be directly on the water and even better, on the route for WEGO transport buses... WEGO runs all day back and forth along the tourist route and you can purchase single ride or day passes... WEGO also can drop you near the Hotel area for a short walk to the hotel...

October is off season so you can get a great room, even with a Falls view at much less than normal... if you have no preference, try a hotel bidding service and you might find under $100 rooms... Favorites include Embassy Suites, Any of the Mariotts, the Oakes Hotel. and the Fallsview Casino and resort...

as for attractions, the Fallsview Casino offers major Vegas style shows, so check their schedule... the WEGO buses stop at all the scenic points so check their map, and Niagara is part of a vast Wine region that celebrates Fall Harvest in October so you can take a wine Tour from the hotels... the Hornblower Tours has taken over the Maid of the Mist Canadian tours and offers enclosed cabins so you won't get wet... there is also a botanical garden, butterfly conservatory on WEGO route or you could bus tour from the hotel to nearby Niagara on the Lake...

plenty to do... have fun

Thank you for everyone's super helpful suggestions! Our friend can enter Canada without restrictions (she's from Germany)and we already have our passports so are good to go to Canada. I just reserved our tickets, we will be going in a few days.
Gary22- great tips! WEGO http://www.wegoniagarafalls.com/ looks perfect!

But can your visitor re=enter the US after leaving? This may require a multiple entry visa - not sure of the rules - but she must be sure before she leaves the US.

NYtraveler, thank you so much for your very valid concern. Fortunately Germans are able to enter the US without a Visa. They just have to show their passports. We've taken Germans to Vancouver before and it was never a problem.

Take them on the Maid of the Mist and the Cave of the Winds.

Just got this in my email from travelzoo.com:

(The link was too log so I shortened it via tinyurl.com): Marriott Hotel $109 per night (city view, a few dollars more for fallsview).

http://tinyurl.com/kjov4yn

On the Canadian side you can do EVERYTHING without a car. There is a shuttle bus, I think it has 3 different routes, taking you to different areas. The route along the river works all year.

You can buy a day pass - don't remember if they give you a map with places to see around each stop... or maybe I found it on the Internet.