Buffalogirl- I didn't know Niagara Falls,NY had a lot of crime. I just heard it was rundown. Are there any restaurants in the "immediate" hotel area? I am considering staying in Lewiston. I think I am going to go over to Canada, but probably just to see the falls. Is Journey Behind the Falls worth doing or is it basically the same thing as Cave of the Winds? I still see myself spending most of the time in New York doing the stuff I mentioned, like the Niagara Power-plant and Old Fort Niagara, and the hike in the gorge at Whirlpool State Park. What is the big deal about Niagara-on-the-lake? Although I probably will be just walking over to Canada. It is easier to walk over and get through customs than drive. Or I might drive over if I do decide to go to Niagara-on the lake. But, I really want to go before they start requiring passports? How long into the year does it stay cold and snowy? I know Buffalo is famous for its snow. What's the weather like in early April?
Thanks-

Niagara on the Lake is a quaint town with lots of wineries. Although we enjoyed having dinner there, my 11 year old was less than thrilled. I think you may want to skip it. We went to Cave of the Winds first and then Behind the Falls a few days later; my family LOVED Cave of the Winds (we even thought about going twice) and were disappointed in Behind the Falls where you walk through a few "danky" tunnels between 3 viewing points. Most of Cave of the Winds is outdoors - be prepared to get VERY wet and have a ball. At least that was our opinion.

asdaven-
It sounds like you would be perfectly happy with your visit to the falls from the American side. As you have pointed out you have other interests as well. I've done visits both ways. The view of the falls from the Canadian side is better though. There are some very nice hotels on the Canadian side that have "falls view" rooms and they can't be beat for your personal viewing of the falls. However, you do get wonderful views of the American, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe Falls from the Maid of the Mist. The Cave of the Winds tour is awesome! Skip Journey behind the falls even if you do go to Canada. Niagara on the Lake did not "Wow" me either but I'd heard so much about it I decided to go. Although it is very nice we have plenty of similar (nicer even) towns here on the American side. My favorite spot for lunch on the American side is the Hard Rock Cafe.
I will say this. I just visited Niagara Falls NY in July with my cousin from Sweden. It was his first visit and we chose not to cross over in to Canada because of time retraints. He loved the entire visit. We did Cave of the Winds and the Maid of the Mist. Then we walked up to Terrapin Point. He had a fabulous time. (I wish he could have seen the falls from the Canadian side.) He doesn't know the view from the Canadian side so he can't compare the 2. Trust me he was not disappointed with his NY visit.
Go and have fun! You can't go wrong either way.
Hope this helped.

I would not recommend going to Niagara Falls in early April. It could still be snowing. The Maid of the Mist does not start running until sometime in May I believe. Generally the weather doesn't start to warm up until early to mid May (Even that is not a guarantee). Does your family of 4 include children? Niagara on the Lake is a very quaint town with lots of restaurants, shops and wineries. Most kids would be bored there, but as an adult I love to visit there. If you decide not to go there then walking across the bridge is a good way to see the Canadian side of the falls. What are the hotel choices in Lewiston? I can't think of any.

I just checked the internet for hotels in Lewiston and the only one that I found was the Barton Hotel and Spa. It's brand new and expensive. Lewiston has better shops and restaurants than Niagara Falls USA. And less crime.

I don't have any kids. It is me and some friends. I know that the main thing of Journey Behind the Falls is the tunnels and cave of the winds you can't go behind the falls, but there is a viewing area at the bottom of Horseshoe Falls for Journey Behind the Falls and Cave of the Winds, how do they compare? These are my interests: small towns, outdoors/natural wonders, and history. As far as lodging, I am more looking into a cabin or something like that instead of a hotel. I have two dogs and I need to stay at a place where I can leave them for the day. Although, I could probably do a couple things with them. Hotels that allows pets tend to have a policy that you can't leave dogs unattended because they bark. What's the point if you can't do anything and have to stay in a hotel room the whole time? The dogs are another reason I would rather stay in NY because who knows what you have to do to get them over the boarder.
Thanks-

asdaven
RE: Niagara on the Lake
We toured the wineries, your kids would hate it. The one thing they would love is the whirlpool boat that leaves out of Niagara on the Lake. Its expensive but check it out at: http://www.niagarafallslive.com/niag...l_jetboat_.htm

When we visit Niagara Falls we always stay on the Canadian side. There's a magical feel to walking all around and seeing the Falls as you walk. It's also magical to have a hotel room with a Fallsview room and to be able to see the Falls at night as they glow in color. The Embassy Suites is great for a family as they would have a seperate sleeping area for your children and they offer Fallsview rooms. They also offer a complimenty, full breakfast each morning, the dining room also has views of the Falls. None of this is available from the American side.

We do visit Goat Island while we're there. The views are awesome and Cave of the Winds cannot be beat.

Opps, just read your post and see you don't have children. Sorry.

Definitely go to the Canadian side. It's all about the vantage point of the Falls and it's much better from the Canadian side. Anyone who has seen Niagara Falls would tell you it is one of the most amazing sites in the world. It is more than worth the $80 passport. You will be so disappointed once you get there if you don't at least have the option of crossing to the Canadian side.

In order to avoid long lines, parking frustrations, etc., I would recommend taking a bus tour of the Falls. I am not the tour bus type, but it takes you to all the major sites so much more efficiently that it is really a good idea. I stayed at the Marriott and just purchased tickets in their lobby. I believe it was about $145 and included Maid of the Mist, Journey Behind the Falls, Skylon Tower, Butterfly House.

The Falls at night is spectacular. So beautiful. We ate at the Skylon Tower and enjoyed the fireworks with a birds-eye view. The food wasn't that great, but Niagara Falls is all about the views.

Also, after you have seen everything at the Falls, you would love Niagara-on-the-Lake (about a 30 minute drive). Or you could drive to Toronto for the day.

For 3 days, you would be much happier on the Canadian side. Don't try to convince yourself that the NY side will suffice because you will be disappointed (and very bored). If you start saving now, you should be able to swing it by next summer. Also, look into other less costly options through the State Department.

Not sure where you would find cabins to rent.

But - if you plan on taking dogs into Canada or back into the US be sure that they have proper ID/license and also valid rabies vaccinations forms from your vet.

(Really anyone traveling with a dog should be sure to have the subcutaneous ID implants - so if anything should happen they can be traced back to you.)

Short answer: Both sides have their advantages.

To expand on this;
Canadian side has better view of the falls, US side has better parks, IMO. This was the absolute opposite of what I'd expected. Stayed on the US side so that I wouldn't have to take my car across the border (and deal with any possible delays) When I walked across to the Canadian side, it felt like I was in one big carnival/county fair without the livestock exhibits. This wasn't a horrible thing, but I'd expected the Canadian side to be more..undeveloped than the US side. It was my first time on Canadian soil and I just thought that the US side would be like a big shopping mall overrun with souvenir stands and chain restaurants...when in fact it was the Canadian side that had more of that stuff.

Conversely, the US side had more parks along the water...which I was pleasantly surprised to see.

It almost doesn't matter which side you stay at, as long as you visit both sides during your visit!

Have been to both sides many times and without question, the Canadians win. In general, Niagara Falls, NY is run down and dirty. Very little investment has taken place and even when investment happens it is done in a less than desirable way. Take the casino on the American side which allows smoking everywhere on the property to make your clothing stink and is over-powering. The Canadians do not allow smoking in their beautiful building. It is truly a shame that more has not been done to attract visitors to the American side.

Re: the last post.
The casino is owned by the Native American Indians. NY state no smoking policies do not apply to their property.

The Canadian side is far better than the American side.