Niagara Falls
 

Hi <BR> <BR>I am traveling to the Niagara Falls during Labor Day Weekend (Aug 31-Sept 3). I would like to know what is there to do in Buffalo, other than Niagara. <BR> <BR>Could someone help me out here please? <BR>Thank you <BR>Raj

There are factory outlets right near the falls, and the University at Buffalo has several opening season games going on. I'm aware of a volleyball tourn., which is free, and a football game. There are many excellent restaurants in the area. If you go over to the Canadian side of the falls, there are several attractions there, and a very pretty area about 20 min. away called Niagra on the Lake.

Not in Buffalo, but in the other direction from NF, is Old Fort Niagara, a wonderful site. Also endorse Niagara on the Lake. With only three days, NF, OFN and NotL is plenty to fill up your time. NF itself can easily fill two days, if you take the Maid of the Mist trip, the Cave of the Winds tour, walk around the Canadian side, visit Goat Island for a view of both falls and take a trip up the river shore to see the rapids. Have fun!

Are you restricted to staying on the American side? The Canadian side is much, much nicer and truly a hop, skip, and jump away (or more accurately a bridge and customs.) I can't emphasize that enough. Also, the Canadian dollar is about $1.56 for us right now. <BR>If you have young children (or are interested yourself) there's a tacky, but fun area centrally located that has a few small amusement rides, Ripley's, etc. <BR>One hint -- if you do manage to stay on the Canadian side, we noticed that the lines to go on the Maid of the Mist on the American side (same trip) were much shorter. I know I'm confusing you, but the "jog" back over for that may be worth it. <BR>And, again, many more attractions are on the Canadian side. We haven't been there since the Casinos have opened, but there's that too, if you're interested. <BR>Up above the Canadian falls is a gondola type ride across the river. I can't remember the name of it, but it's advertised everywhere. In the same area is a gorge-type walk that you can do. (This is different than the Cave of the Winds tour). Again, well advertised. A large, "needle" type tower to ride to get a great view of the area. A floral clock to stop and check out. There's also a fast speed boat ride you can take along the river that looked fun. By the way, these are all along the way to Niagra-On-The-Lake which is well worth the trip. There's also wineries to visit along the way. <BR>Going in the other direction is Fort Erie (is this the same as Old Fort Niagara?...I'm not sure.)

If you're heading in that way from the east, I strongly recommend stopping for a half day at Letchworth Park. It's not far (perhaps 1/2 hour) from the NYS Thruway, near Geneseo NY. It's a spectacular place - possibly the most beautiful scenery in the eastern US but little known outside the immediate region. It's known as the "Grand Canyon of the East". In Buffalo I'm told that the waterfront area has some good clubs and restaurants, there's a triple A baseball park downtown that's drawing great crowds, you could visit the Anchor Bar and try the chicken wings (it's where Buffalo style wings originated) or even check out the Albright-Knox Museum - a top sheld small art museum.

Believe it or not, Raj, you may well find the hydroelectric power plant on Grand Island in Buffalo (not far from Falls, really) actually very interesting! (It's off I-190 on the way from downtown to the falls.) <BR> <BR>There is a model of the entire river/falls area that shows how the water is diverted through the enormous turbines -- the water flow over the falls at night is reduced by something like 25% or more. You can also see the turbines and get an idea of the power grid in the US. <BR> <BR>It was a failure at this station that caused the Great Blackout of Wheneveritwas that darkened the northeastern quarter of the country. <BR> <BR>

Raj- Lots to do... just check Buffalo.com for events, restaurants, tours etc... have fun

Everyone is giving you great ideas. I'm a lifer in the Buffalo area. Definitely look at the Buffalo web site referred to. Here are the places we take people to. 1. The Maid of the Mist, on either side (US or Canada) is great for all ages. 2. The Albright Knox Musuem - a great art musuem in Buffalo. 3. The butterfly Conseratory in Canada - about a ten minue side trip from the Canadian Falls. this is an indoor live butterfly musuem and is beautiful. 4. Niagara on the Lake - a very quaint town about 15-20 minutes from niagara falls with nice shops, reastaurants and excellent theatre (the Shaw Festival)- better for adults than children, unless the kids are really sophisticated; 5. Chippewa Street in downtown Buffalo is where the nightlife is. It is full of restaurants and nightclubs. Not a place for children, except during lunch and dinner. 6. Buffalo Zoo - an older zoo, but enjoyable, set in a beautiful Olmstead park. 7. Forest Lawn Cemetery-near the Buffalo Zoo - a historic Cemetery-Red Jacket iss buried there, Millard Fillmore is buried there. It is a sprawling cemetery with real interesting graves. There are Sunday tours there. 8. Great Wings-Anchor Bar on Main Street, almost downtown is the originator, but other places are better now. My favorites-Duffs (millersport & Sheridan in Amherst, Elmos, in a strip plaza on Millersport in Getzville (also Amherst)], Nine Eleven, a bar in south Buffalo. 9. Almost all Italian restaurants are terrific, provided they are local and not part of a chain. 10. buffalo bisons AAA Baseball is always fun and affordable. 11. For kids, 2 amusement parks...Fantasy Island is on Grand Island, an island in the Niagara River between Niagara FAlls and Buffalo, or about 35 minutes away is Darien Lake-a bigger amusement park, but I still prefer Fantasy Island. 12. If you have a chance, walk over the Rainbor Bridge between the U.S. and Canada-you will get an incredible view of the falls and it's kind of neat to go thru Customs when you walk over instead of driving thru. Have fun. I'll be at the beach in Maryland

Eileen, Fort Erie is not Old Fort Niagara. They are two different places.