My daughter would like to see NF as her High School graduation present. She was told by someone that there is a gondola type ride over the falls. I can't find any info on it. Does anyone know if there is such a thing?
thanks for your help!

There is the cable car over the whirlpool, a short distance below the falls.

http://www.cliftonhill.com/niagara_f...anish_aerocar/

The gondola, or cable car, is a bit down river. You have to drive from the Falls and you can't really see them from there.

Right at the Falls people generally take the boat ride to get close, or go down inside the rock (it's an organized paying line) to come out on a close viewing area.

thank you for the information and the link. That must be the ride she is talking about!

If you have any suggestions about what to see and where to stay, I would love to hear them.

I think we will stay for 2-3 days. I am hoping for moderate priced accomodations - ($150night?)

This is just hopefully a coincidence but when I clicked that link, a Virus warning popped up as a program was trying to be installed so anyone that has clicked that link may want to run their anti-virus program.

You can see the most - and have the best choices of hotels and restaurants on the Canadian side of the Falls. So be prepared with correct documentation - passports are best - for everyone.

A lot of the hotels in NF have 'fallsview' rooms and you can ask for a room just overlooking the top of the falls. It's quite a view. I know the hotel attached to the casino is situated this way but I think there are others that are less expensive (possibly the Marriott among them).

If you want to make a nice weekend of it you could stay in NF one day and overnight and then take a short drive to Niagara On The Lake (about 20 minutes) which is very lovely at this time of year. The Shaw Festival will be on by then so you can choose a matinee or evening performance and have lunch or dinner somewhere nice. It's not all Shaw -- there are usually some musicals as well. I don't know the line-up this year but the website is

www.shawfest.com

The main street of the town is end-to-end charming shops and restaurants. Depending on when you're going, the plays might be in previews which means the prices will be somewhat lower.

Check out this site for things to do on the Canadian side:

http://www.niagaraparks.com/

And this one for the US side:

http://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/

There are three things I would say you should absolutely do:

1. Maid of the Mist (either side)
2. Cave of the Winds (US side)
3. Just spend 1/2 - 2 hours watching the falls. From Table Rock (Canadian) or Prospect Point (US), you can just gaze into the water rolling over the edge. It really is amazing and mesmerizing.

My last visit, I stayed at the Days Inn Near the Falls on Victoria Ave. on the Canadian side. It was $89 per night and the room was very nice. It was up Clifton Hill, so no view of the falls from the room, but it was fun walking through the "carnival" of Clifton Hill each morning and night. It looks like right now the rooms are going for $130 for mid-June.

Look into the Adventure Pass offered on the first link above. It can save you a decent amount of money. You get a one day People Mover pass with it, so if you plan to do the activities further out (Butterflies, White Water Walk, Aero Car, etc.), you can use the People Mover on that day. Then do the stuff right at the Falls (Maid of the Mist, Journey Behind the Falls). The New York side has the Niagara Scenic Trolley that's $2 for a day pass.

sailingsailing
We have stayed at the Embassy Suites with view of the Falls and liked it so much we are going back in June. If you go to their website they have packages to chose from. For instance they offer a 2 night stay for $310.00. This includes a suite with bedroom overlooking the Falls, a full breakfast each morning and a manager's reception (2 free drinks) check it out at: http://www.embassysuitesniagara.com/

Thanks for the information. I just realized after reading the posts that I will need documentation for the Canada part of trip. Does that mean passports? My older daughter and I have passports, but my younger one (13 years old) does not.

Also, what do you think is a reasonable length of time to stay and see the sights?

Thanks again!

A birth certificate for your younger daughter will be fine.

I agree with the suggestions about Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds. I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest shopping as an additional activity. I work with high school girls -- it seems to be a universal hit.

In any event, there is a nice outlet mall on the US side of the falls. Lots of bargains to be had.

Enjoy your trip!

Also check the Oakes Hotel as well as the Embassy Suites.... and I sound like a broken record... make sure your girls go on the best three things at the falls... Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, and the Best of all... Whirlpool Jet Boats... they will never forget it!