Niagara Falls

Old May 17th, 2001, 07:28 PM
  #1  
H
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Niagara Falls

Can anyone tell me what's the difference between the American side and the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Which one is better??
 
Old May 17th, 2001, 08:00 PM
  #2  
Sal
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The view from the Canadian side is much better.
 
Old May 17th, 2001, 08:24 PM
  #3  
Grant
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Canadian side: you can see both sets of falls; lots of tourist activities like Maid of the Mist boat, walking behind the falls, etc.; lots of tourist-trap crapola like a Wax Museum, etc., hotels, restaurants (sort of, none stellar), etc.

American side: an interesting view of Horseshoe Falls (Canadian) but difficult to see the American Falls, because you are pretty much on top of them; much less crowded, not much to do, but you can get to other interesting things in the area without having to deal with crossing the border. Believe it or not, the Niagara hydroelectric power station on Grand Island is fascinating (has a tour, info, etc.)
 
Old May 18th, 2001, 03:47 AM
  #4  
Beth
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A friend moved to Rochester a year ago. She always takes guests to the Canadian side, and says it's much better. I've been to the American side, but all I remember is a viewing platform and a souvenir shop!
 
Old May 18th, 2001, 03:57 AM
  #5  
SeeBoth
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I used to live in Niagara Falls area when growing up. My last visit back was 5 years ago, but as far as I know, there is still the elevator on the American side that takes you up a little ways to an observation deck, but more importantly, it takes you down to beneath falls level and you can walk a ways left on the rocks to get near-ish the base of the falls.

If you only have time to view from one side, the other folks are correct- Canada wins. But to get the whole experience, you really need to view from both !

At night, they shine colored lights onto the falls from the Canadian side. Pretty. But in the daytime, it is quite neat to be on the American side to see the ominous current of the water before it goes over the edge.

Crossing the border into Canada never used to be a hassle, so don't let that stop you from visiting our friendly neighbors to the north.

And lastly, if anyone ever has a chance to go see the falls in the WINTER, that is BY FAR the most beautiful time of year to be there. The constant mist freezes on the tree branches and makes it a gorgeous winter wonderland.
 
Old May 18th, 2001, 08:15 AM
  #6  
xxx
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I agree with Seeboth. It only takes a few minutes to get from one side to the other (pending traffic at customs). The only thing I would recommend is that you stay on the Canadian side - the hotel and restaurant choices are better.
 
Old May 18th, 2001, 08:25 AM
  #7  
Grant
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Compared to dealing with some other border crossings, US-Canada isn't bad, but it does take some time, and it's very affected by traffic. Many people now avoid the Rainbow Bridge for that very reason. Take your passport, too.
 
Old May 18th, 2001, 08:31 AM
  #8  
Linda
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See both sides, and, in the middle is Goat Island, complete parkland and you can stand between the falls and get very close to them. I believe, tho am not certain, that it is only accessible from the American side. Please take time to ride the Maid of the Mist--an experience not to be missed.
 
Old May 18th, 2001, 12:01 PM
  #9  
C. Hardwick
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There is nothing to see or do on the American side. Everything is one the Canadian side including the better view. For once we've outdone the Americans!!!
We have the casino, the shopping and the sights. If you have time get someone to give you directions to the town of Naiagar-On-The-Lake. Absolutely stunning with incredible shopping.
 
Old May 18th, 2001, 12:15 PM
  #10  
ann
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I stayed at the Best Western on the Canadian side - what a bargain for a really nice little hotel with a sweet little continental breakfast, and the river across the street! Falls were 1 mile down the road. Nice winery up the road. Went up the eye of the needle. I remember the whole experience as kind of eerie and surreal but a lot of fun. I recommend the Canadian side, if only to save on expenses, and because it's less cheesy.
 
Old May 18th, 2001, 12:51 PM
  #11  
Cheryl
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Ditto everything the above posters state ... absolutely the Canadadian side. I grew up in Buffalo and have been to Niagara Falls many times ... most recently last year. Actually took a bus trip to the casino last year (which is on the Canadian side) and stopped for lunch at the park on the American side. It was sad to see that the American side has not been kept up as much as the Canadian side ... even the picnic tables and restrooms in the park seemed run down and in need of repair. Definitely plan your time there around the Canadian side ... if you are interested in going over to the American side you can just go over the bridge and be there in a few minutes (minus the time going through customs - which is no big deal at all). There is an outlet mall on the American side if you are interested in that type of shopping.

I would also second a previous poster's suggestion to drive up to Niagara-on-the-Lake if you have time. This is a quaint village about a 30-45 minute drive north of Niagara Falls on the Canadian side. There are several shops and three theaters for plays if you are interested. (Niagara-on-the-Lake features the "Shaw Festival" every year in which the three theaters run plays by Bernard Shaw and other playrights of that era.

A really fun thing to do is to take the hydroplane whitewater ride (leaves out of Niagara-on-the-Lake and also from Lewiston on the American side). The hydroplane boat holds about 30 people and runs the rapids in the Niagara River all the way down to Devil's Hole (a notorious spot in the rapids north of the falls). It is quite thrilling (and also relatively safe). If you do this I would not recommend a seat in the front as you will get absolutely drenched! You will get wet with any seat (so dress accordingly), but the one's in the front are especially doused. (I would only recommend this on a warm/hot day as the river water is pretty cold.)
 
Old May 19th, 2001, 06:13 AM
  #12  
Dona
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The Canadian side is the BEST. And for all you Americans out there-the exchange rate for the american dollar is wonderful! You will get about 1.55CD to the US dollar. If you go to the casino, buy your slots coins with American money, then when you win, they will pay your winnings in US dollars!(they will give a receipt when you get the coins)..
"America borders on the Magnificant-Canada."(quote from an old DuPont poster. Enjoy!
 
Old May 19th, 2001, 08:23 AM
  #13  
Boots
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"For once we've outdone you Americans"?? I am an American, C. Hardwick, and visited to Niagara Falls and Toronto last summer. You have plenty of things to brag about! We safely walked the streets of Toronto late at night with no fear- there are no guns there - it's outlawed. (The most tragic news that week was when someone fell in front of a bus) Every trash can had several compartments for recyclables and unrecyclables. The country is clean, safe and friendly. I love my country, but it's obvious Canada does a number of things better than we do!!
 
Old May 20th, 2001, 11:40 AM
  #14  
Cheryl
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H...have lived in Buffalo my whole life and here's my opinion. Stay on the Canadian side. Your American dollars (assuming you're American) go much further. It's safer there, but unbelievably tacky (and I do mean tacky). Definitely go on the Maid of the Mist and the (don't know the name) walkway down to the lower Niagara (it's amazing to go down there and see the gorge from the bottom and the rapids - I believe the strongest rapids in the world!). When standing on the Canadian side, you view the entire falls from a distance. However, I highly suggest going to the American side, because you see the falls from a completely different perspective. On the American side, you can stand at the railing right at the very edge of the water as it goes over the edge from a few different places, including Goat Island. Also, you can see the upper rapids up close from Three Sisters Island. When you've done all that, go back to Canada and check out the casino if that's to your liking. There is one place near the American side that is highly and shamefully overlooked is Old Fort Niagara . It's only a few miles north of the falls. It was build during the French and Indian and war and has been used not only for that but the revolution and the war of 1812. It is in pristine condition and sits at the mouth of Lake Ontario right where the Niagara ends. It is a fabulous piece of American history that is overshadowed, unfortunately, by the casino and Niagara-On-The-Lake on the Canadian side. Have fun!
 
Old May 21st, 2001, 12:07 AM
  #15  
Mike
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I used to live in upstate NY and visit Niagara Falls a couple of times a year. I agree with most of what's been said here - I think that the view and the recreational opportunities are better from the Canadian side of the falls, however no visit is complete w/o seeing the American side as well.
Also, it's been a few years since I've been there, so I'm not sure if this still applies, but I remember hotel rates as being approximately equal on both sides of the border. What makes a difference though, is that if you are a non-Canadian staying in Canada, you may be entitled to a refund of the GST (7% federal goods & services tax) that you pay on your hotel room and any souvenirs you buy. The refund can be claimed at the duty-free shop as you leave Canada (save your receipts!) and can add up quite nicely. In effect, you will only be paying 5% tax on a hotel room in Canada as opposed to 13% in the USA.
 
Old Jun 2nd, 2001, 02:47 PM
  #16  
Kay
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I have thoroughly enjoyed reading each reply. My husband and I are planning a trip to Niagra Falls in a few weeks and I look forward to seeing both sides of the Falls, as weel as the experience of the Maid in the Mist. Can anyone share some great restraunt choices, moderately priced?
 
Old Jun 2nd, 2001, 03:50 PM
  #17  
L.
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It has been about 12 years since my husband and I were at Niagara Falls, but what I remember most was that at night the litteraly "shut the falls off". I do not know if they still do, and you have to be there around 2-3 AM, but they use to divert the water to a hydro plant at night and the result was spectacular. Ask around to see if they still do? We took the ride/drive tours first than went back at our own pace. Hope you have a great trip.
 
Old Jun 4th, 2001, 09:41 AM
  #18  
anncat
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I am also planning a trip to Canadian side of the falls with my husband at the end of this week and would like some restaurant suggestion as Kay would. Any good continental or french restaurants in the nearby area. We are staying at the Brock hotel?
 
Old Jun 16th, 2001, 04:27 AM
  #19  
anncat
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This message is for Kay and hoping she hasn't left yet for the Falls. I just returned from a stay at the Canadian side of the Falls. As for things to do it was definitely the best choice to stay on that side. Restaurants - we stayed at the Brock Hotel and had some free dining privaleges which weren't "acutally" completely free. The dinner there was almost like eating a frozen dinner or airline food. We also ate at Montana which was recommended to us by some folks at the hotel and I would give it a C- rating. The best meal we had was our last night there and that was at the Twenty One at the Casino Niagara. Definitely excellent food.
 

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