Niagara Falls-US Side
 

My parents are visiting me and i want to take them to Niagra Falls.I do not want to go thru the Canadian side as they will be needing a visa to go there and i think it will add on to the expenses. I would like to know how is the American side ?? and what are the places to see there?

I don't know if it is still the case but all I needed to cross into Canada was a driver's license and a birth certificate or passport.

Actually Tasha, they are from India and we will need $75.00 per person to get one time visitors visa :( and i am planning to take them to various other places in the US, so do not want to put my money towards the visa.

Since you cannot see the falls head-on from the American side (because you are at the top) you MUST do the Maid of the Mist boat tour. There you will be able to view the falls from the bottom, and look straight at them. You should also go to Goat Island, a pretty park where you can walk right to the top edge of the falls at several different points.

I can't help on this one but Tasha seems to have a knack or failing to read posts correctly and offering inappropriate responses.

I did "fail to read this port correctly" but at least I actually try to be helpful in my posts. You main purpose, as I have begun to notice, is to start arguments with other people. Maybe if you spent your time answering people's questions instead of insulting everyone else you woudl eb a lot more useful.

rejitz, I woudl second the idea of doing the maid of the mist tour, as it really would be a shame to miss a direct view of the falls head on. I would also recommend walking over by the stairs on the side of the falls. it's also a really lovely view and it's close enough so that you can feel the mist from the water. I hope you all enjoy your trip!

Thanks guys!

Do the Maid of the Mist and the Cave of the Winds, a walk behind the American Falls. Both are wonderful. there is a Casino on the US side if that is of interest. there is also a nice state park on the US side and you get great views of the rapids.
If you go north of NF on the US side, you can go to Fort Niagara, a beautiful old fort on Lake Ontarioin Youngstown, NY. Also, there is Artpark, a state run theatre and park where there are many nightly performances during the summer (musicals, jazz bands, a few light rock bands, etc.). Artpark is in Lewiston, NY. You will not be far from buffalo, Ny which has a great art musuem (Albright Knox), and lots of interesting architecture, and is of course, the birthplace of chicken wings.
Finally, my relatives are always amazed to visit Wegmans, a chain of grocery stores based in Rochester, but having many branhes in Buffalo-Niagara. the stores are huge and have many items you normally have to go to ethnic specialty stores to get.
Enjoy your parents visit

Thanks Racheal :)