Niagara Falls US Side
 

Hi Guys, i need your help, my parents wants to visit niagara falls next week but since they dont have canadian visa (they only have US visa) we cant cross the border right? anyway, anybody there who can recommend a neat, nice and not so expensive hotel close to the falls (us side) i believe canadian side hotels are cheaper and nice. We'll be staying for two days. Thank you very much...

It's not just the hotels and restaurants on the Canadian side that are nicer. You really can't see much of the Falls from the US (you're on top of them) - you need to be in Canada to actually see the front of the falls.

I'm not sure I would bother going if I couldn't visit the Canadian side.

You can get an excellent view of the falls from the American side, and I would not hesitate to go just because you can't cross the border. The view over the American Falls is spectacular - you are literally standing on the top of the falls, which you can't do on the Canadian side (mainly because the falls are much larger). But you can also take an excursion to the bottom of the falls which is pretty interesting and exciting as well.

And you can see the Canadian falls from the US side, you just can't get a full frontal view from land. If you want to get a frontal view of the Canadian Falls, just check into one of the boat tours on the river below the falls, like Maid of the Mist, which has a US landing.

I don't know about the hotels, since I've never stayed on the US side, but if your parents want to see the falls, just go.

I believe all you need is a passport to enter Canada - not a visa. What country is their passport from? Maybe you should ask this on the Canada forum also.

I've seen the falls from both sides and they are spectacular!! I loved it as much on the American side too. Go out on Goat Island and view the falls. Walk down the staircase and view the falls. Take the Maid of the Mist and view and feel the falls. You can't go wrong with the American side nor should you miss it.

The view of the falls is definitely better from the Canadian side.

However, you could take the boat tour with the Maid of the Mist. Here's their website:

http://www.maidofthemist.com/en/

You can take Maid of the Mist from the American Side, and do Cave of the Winds from the American side, both highly recommended no matter where you stay. You can park your car in the parking lot on Goat Island to do both. I hear the restaurant on Goat Island is pretty good also. However, if you could stay in a Fallsview hotel on the Canadian side you will be a lot more satisfied and pleased with your stay. Check into it because I don't believe you need a Visa for Canada, just a passport.

A passport with get you into and out of Canada.

Don't know the nationality of the OP's family. S/he says they HAVE a US visa - but not a Canadian one - so assume they are not Americans and know they need a visa to get into Canada.

Call the Canadian consul and inquire about the visa.

I agree that the American side is well worth seeing. As someone said, you are right on top of the falls, even if you don't get the panoramic view that you do from the Canadian side. You can also walk along the rapids that lead to the falls.

Don't miss the Cave of the Winds. It's my favorite attraction at Niagara.

Cave of the Winds was my favorite. The restaurant (not snack bar) on Goat Island was surprisingly good.

some friends stayed at the casino http://www.senecaniagaracasino.com/ and thought it was a hoot. The room was fine and they enjoyed all the places they went on the American side, although they also walked across to the Canadian side, etc.

No need to cancel the trip over not being able to cross over. You will be impressed no matter what as stated by others.

We enjoyed the American side much more than the touristy Canadian side.

We had a car so we stayed about 10 - 15 min. away at the Fyfe & Drum Inn, Youngstown, NY.

Clean, reasonable and across lays the wonderful Niagara river.

Please check with the proper authorities regarding traveling into Canada and entrance requirements. And, note, that with certain US visas, if you leave - you cannot get back in...

As for whether it's worth going to the Falls if you cannot cross the border, you can see plenty, just not from the Canadian side - which, due to the configuration of the Falls, does have the better views.

I actually like the American side, more park like and natural. A nice comfortable clean place to stay is the Comfort Inn The Pointe:
http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-niag...?promo=gglocal
Walking distance to falls and attractions, ask for a room with view of the rapids. Nice continental breakfast included. Also easy walk to casino if of interest. As mentioned above the casino has a nice hotel and there is the Crown Plaza and Hampton Inn as well, but all more expensive and further from the falls than Comfort Inn.

You just need a valid passport to enter Canada.

Check if you need a visa to Canada. If you have a visa to the US does not mean you need a visa to Canada.

Yes, you can see most from the US side, there is an overlook (hope you are not afraid of heights!) and you can take a cruise on Maid of the Mist. There is also plenty to do around.

I believe you need a car on the US side. There is a trolley, not sure where and how often it's going.

The closest aiport is Buffalo NY. And to cross the border they do check passports and visas, and look everybody in the face, so if you don't have all needed documents don't attempt to cross.

It's better to be on the US side then not to go to the Falls at all. You will still see plenty.

Hi, nj05047, I see you started this topic about a year ago and I am on the same boat now. I want to take my mom to Niagara Falls but she only has a US visa and I know for fact they won't let her in Canada. My question is, did you and your parents make that trip and was it worth it? We will be driving there with my husband and my 2 year old if we go.I will appreciate any advice. Thank you sincerely in advance!

I think the Canadian side is far better. I agree with the previous poster, just ride Maid of the Mist from the American side. It departs on both sides. You might consider the Hot Air Balloon(tethered) ride to get a view from above.

linagw,

It's true that the Canadian side is better in most respects, but you can still do the Maid of the Mist from the U.S. side, Cave of the Winds Tour (and walk around Goat Island), and the Whirlpool Jetboats (http://www.whirlpooljet.com/). I've been to the U.S. side several times and IMO it's worth it. Another nice thing about the NY side is that the waterfront is mostly parks with trails along the river. More "wild" than the Canada side.

But the town (Niagara Falls, NY) itself is depressed and depressing, and I haven't found a decent restaurant outside the steakhouse at the casino. Some hotels near the falls are OK: the Red Coach, the Crowne Plaza, and the Seneca Niagara Casino Hotel.

But here is my "insider" tip: stay in Lewiston, NY, about 20 minutes north of Niagara Falls, which has a nice waterfront area and cute main street with several nice restaurants. There's a very pretty hotel there, the Barton Hill Hotel. Lewiston is also where the Jetboats depart from.

Oh, and if you want to see a REALLY great view of the falls, you can take a helicopter tour from the U.S. side. Rainbow Air does them. They're pricey, but really cool and you'll get amazing photos.