We are leaving in two weeks for a trip to Niagara Falls and the finger lakes area. Leaving from NJ Friday night and staying in Liverpool overnight. Saturday morning on to Niagara with a few stops in between.

First will by Lollypop Farm animal shelter for a tour. Next will be Buffalo for wings and for beef on weck for lunch. From there on to Niagara on the lake for three nights. We will probably spend Saturday evening wandering around that town. Any suggestions for a nice casual place in town for dinner? I thought Stone Road Grill looks good. We like all kinds of foods and restaurants, from 4 star dining to a bar with great cheeseburgers. Husband is into beer while I prefer wine or cocktails but will drink beer.

My next question is, do you think Sunday would be noticably more crowded at the falls vs Monday? I'd rather do the falls on Sunday as we'd do all the touristy things, maid of the mist, the caves, etc. and then stay until dark for the fireworks. If people think Monday would be much better we'd maybe still come down Sunday for the fireworks but do the fall on Monday.

Also I see we can buy a falls Discovery Pass for $33. We are really only interested in the maid of the mist and the caves which would cost $32. But it comes with a one day pass for unlimited trolley rides plus a book of coupons. I'm sure most of those coupons we wouldn't use but wonder if best to buy the pass anyway.

Lastly looking for a great stop, overlooking the falls to sit and have a few drinks and appetizers as we watch the lights come on over the falls. Don't want any place to dressy as we'll be at the falls all day so we'll be in casual clothing, neat but casual.

We may then go somewhere else for dinner, in the area and back to watch the fireworks. As for another place I heard there is a brewpub, The Syndicate, in that area. Any good? I realize most brewpubs have so so food, but figure husband may like it for the beer.

Those are my questions as of right now. You've all be so helpful up to this point so I expect I'll get tons more great advice.

Thanks in advance for your help.
KathyH

The Keg restaurant in The Embassy has great views of the Falls! I would have dinner and drinks there while watching the lights on the Falls. Actually it it were me I would stay the night at the Embassy asking for a Fallsview room. They give package deals that would enclude a made to order breakfast. http://www.embassysuitesniagara.com/
I would also suggest you take this while in Niagara on the Lake: http://www.whirlpooljet.com/
Have fun!

Stone Road Grill is good but they tend to move tables in and out faster, so you might be better off at The Harp Irish Pub or the Olde Angel Inn(british Pub)... they are both right in the village and offer good comfort food and some beer choices... plus they are casual and the Harp may have Irish bands that are great fun...

August in the Falls is peak season and every day is busy... none of the main attractions ever gets too backed up and waits are usually no more than 20 minutes on any day... stick with Sunday... buy the Discovery Pass and use the peoplemover after you park the car...

everyone has the same idea for sitting and watching the falls at dinnertime over a few drinks... unless you have a set dinner reservation at The Keg, forget about just walking in...

Okay, thanks for the replies so far.

As for Stone Road Grill, I mainly want to go there for the desserts. So what we'll do is go to the Harp or Olde Angel and on the walk back to our B&B stop at Stoneroad for dessert.

Buying the Discovery Pass today.

I do get that lots of people would like to have drinks and snacks and view the falls so I will look into having dinner instead.

We'll be at the falls all day doing all the regular touristy things so might be nice to view from the top.

Or would you suggest lunch at a fallsview restaurant and watcht the sun set and the colors come up from another vantage point? If so where would be best?

The main reason I was hesitant to have dinner at a fallview restaurant as with many places like those they are expensive and the food is so so. We don't mind spending money on meals but like the food to be good. I understand you are paying for the view so I'm okay with not great food but still want good.

I did check and we can get reservations at The Keg.

Any other fallsview restaurants with better views?

Sorry for all the questions. I do greatly appreciate all the advice.
KathyH

Stone Road grill is outside the village so you will have to drive it... about 2 miles

the best place to watch the fireworks is from the street in the viewing area on the canadian side...

the sun sets behind you so unless you have a big mirror, forget about some amazing sunset over the falls...

the lights are turned on at dark and stay on so you can see them while walking around...

You are right about Falls food ... very pricey and not great

lots of chains like Margaritaville, Rain Forest, Hard Rock,
and buffets at the Casinos...

On the US side there is Top of the Falls for lunch after you complete your Discovery Pass... its right in the State Park near Cave of the Winds

The Keg has a great view, but people forget that the Falls is Below street level so you don't need to be high up... in fact the Closer you are, the better... it would be like climbing a 300 foot tower to look at the Grand Canyon... no need to

Not to make a pest our of myself, but why stay until dark, watch the lights and then drive another 1/2hr back to Niagara on the Lake when for a reasonable price you could cancel that night at Niagara on the Lake and stay at the Embassy where you can get a package for the night, $40.00 off the Keg and a great breakfast the next day http://www.embassysuitesniagara.com/pkg-1night.html

CD, don't worry you aren't a pest at all.

I just checked prices at Embassy Suites and for Sunday it's $365 a night and for Monday $315 a night.

We are staying a a highly rated B&B for $120 and it comes with a four course breakfast.

I do prefer a B&B type of atmosphere if given a choice but will stay in chain hotels too.

Now I realize at Embassy suites we are paying for a view, plus you get $40 off dinner and breakfast but still a bit more money than we are paying.

Thanks,
Kathy

Okay, after reading a bunch of reviews and posts I think we will stick to my original plan and not have dinner at the top of the falls. This gives us much more flexibility. Plus we'll be sightseeing all day and not dressed up and these places look a little fancy.

We'll have dinner somewhere, no chain restaurant, and just wander around doing touristy things until the lights come on and the fireworks. I've hear that The Syndicate Brewpub is quite good.

Thanks,
KathyH

The syndicate is several blocks from the Falls... plan on driving there....

Kathy, don't know if you're interested, but I just received this in my email: http://www.embassysuitesniagara.com/loyaltymailer.html

Thanks but it is only good through July, we will be in Niagara August 4, 5 and 6.