Debden

Hi,We are planning a trip to Niagara Falls and want to stay on the Canadian side but don't know what city that is or how to get there? What airport would we land in?? Can someone reccommend a hotel on that side?
We want to take that Boat Ride on the rapids where you get soaked with water.Not sure the name of it though....
Any info would be great.And help too!!
Thanks,Debbie

Debden

OK I was just looking at a map and the canadian side I beleive is Toronto,Ontario,Canada.I have to check and see if they have flights into Toronto.
Also,I found the Niagara FallsView Casino Resort that looks great.Has anybody stayed there?? Any other suggestions for a better hotel? I want something close to the Falls if that's possible....
Can anyone help me?
Thanks,Debbie

angelo10

Niagara Falls Ontario is located just across the river from Niagara Falls New York with the great waterfall situated right between these twin cities. The main border crossing between Niagara Falls New York and Niagara Falls Ontario is via the Rainbow Bridge that spans the Niagara River Gorge just a few hundred meters below the falls.
You can cross the Niagara River into Canada on the Peace Bridge in Buffalo New York approximately 25 miles south of the falls. Once you reach the Canadian side of the border, you can either take a quick trip along the Queen Elizabeth Highway to Niagara Falls, or you can take the scenic drive along the Niagara River Parkway. As an alternate, you can cross the river and enter Canada at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge about 5 miles north of the falls, then take the spectacularly scenic Niagara River Parkway along the Niagara Gorge to the falls.

The boat is the Maid of the Mist and she departs from a wharf in the gorge a few hundred meters below the falls.
As for the hotel, we ate once on the top floor of the Hilton Niagara Falls Fallsview which overlooks the Horsheshoe Falls.

Debden

Angelo,Thank you so much for the info!
Maybe we can fly into Buffalo and drive from there. Do you know what month would be the best for the Maid of the Mist boat ride?? I mean I don't want freezing water soaking me. I was looking at June??
Any suggestions or help would be appreciated!
Thank You,Debbie

kcapuani

Although summer is very crowded in Niagara Falls, June would be a perfect time to go weather wise. Fly into Buffalo - there are several low cost carriers that serve Buffalo such as Southwest and Jet Blue. The Maid of the Mist is a must do, as is the Cave of the Winds tour on the US side. It is a journey down to the foot of the Bridal falls - you can reach out and touch the water. But, other than the Cave tour and Goat Island, there is nothing to do on the US side. Definitely stay on the Canadian side. The rapids boat ride is called the Whirlpool Jet Boat. It leaves from Lewiston, NY or from Niagara on the Lake in Ontario (a 25 min drive from Niagara Falls). The website is whirlpooljet.com

If you are interested in Toronto, a great city, then post on the Canada forum. I can say that it is a very diverse city with many unique neighborhoods (Chinatown, Greektown, the waterfront etc).

Debden

kcapuani, Yeah! Yes that's the boat ride we want to do!! The Whirlpool Jet Boat! It looks like sooo much fun! Is there a hotel that's located at Niagara on the Lake?? Any suggestions for a hotel with a Falls View would be great!
Thanks for the help!
Debbie

nytraveler

There are a bunch of hotels with views of the falls. We stayed at a Sheraton - but there are a couple of them - not sure ow hcih it was - but if you look at a few of the guidbooks and the sheraton web site it will tell you.

Ours had floor to ceiling windows looking directly out at the falls - which is lit at night - and also had a fireplace (faux naturally) and a jacuzzi. (The hotel itself was quite ordinary - but the view was spectacular. I seem to remember it was quite inexpensive - but we used points of some kind so do;t know the details.)

kcapuani

I've never stayed at NOTL before but there are several places. Most of them are small hotels and B&B's, no chain hotels. I would post on the Canada board for specific experiences.

In Niagara Falls, all hotels, with a few exceptions, are on the falls. Either Sheraton would be a good choice (nytraveler - Did you stay at the Sheraton Fallsview? I stayed in that same type room before!). One is the Sheraton on the Falls (by Casino Niagara) and one is the Sheraton Fallsview (the last hotel on the "strip"). There is also a Marriott, Hilton, Embassy Suites and a new Doubletree. The Doubletree is set back a bit but I'm sure the higher rooms still have great views. What makes it distinct is that it looks like a mountain lodge and has a spa.

Have fun!

cd

Debden
Just to clarify. Niagara on the Lake is a charming little town about a 15-20min drive from Niagara Falls. If you want a Fallsview room you will have to stay in Niagara Falls. I recommend Sheraton Fallsview.

Slw

Oh Debden, you will love the Whirlpool Jet Boat! We had a blast and wished we could do it over and over. Here is a link to their website. You can buy tickets online. I loved Niagara on the Lake. It's a picturesque town and very nice to walk around. There are lovely B&B's and inns and a couple of hotels. Depending on the time of year the Shaw Festival may be going on and there are wonderful productions of Shaw plays and also plays by other writers. We saw 3 and all were enjoyable and well-acted.

kcapuani

Good point cd - NOTL is about 20 mins north of Niagara Falls and is situated on Lake Ontario.
Visit www.niagaraonthelake.com for more info.

polyester

Hamilton, Ontario, also is close to the falls and may have better hotel deals, but with the exchange rate I'd encourage you to get a room near the falls so you can walk to all the tourist stuff. I'd also suggest paying a few bucks to view the falls from behind. The entrance is on the Canadian side, and you get a cheap rain poncho to keep (sorta) dry. Haven't done Maid of the Mist or similar boat rides, and I can't remember the name of the tour behind the falls, but it's super cool and a great view.

Stephanie

You mean St. Katherines. I remember my Mom and I going to the Canadian side and missing the exit and going straight into this small city and under a tunnel and having to turn around.

Meesthare

Hamilton is actually not near the Falls at all - it's over an hour away, and not really a tourist destination. If you're going there, you might as well drive an extra 45 minutes (or less) to Toronto. St. Catharines is a little closer but not really within hailing distance of the Falls; you shouldn't have any problem finding pleasant accommodation either in Niagara Falls or NOTL.

KathyK

I agree with others here. June is a great month, early June will be less crowded than later in the month. Fly into Buffalo and stay on the Canadian side of the Falls, in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Take a day trip to Niagara on the Lake where you'll find great wineries, nice shops and restaurants and a very quaint town. How long are you staying? Not sure what your interests are, but Buffalo also has something to offer and you might want to consider a day or two there. Once you fly into Buffalo, there is alot to do within a short drive. Just curious, where are you coming from?

Debden

Wow,Thank you all for your replies! So much great info! I needed it..I know nothing about that area.I'm coming from Upstate New York and we plan on staying around 3 or 4 days. I did find a hotel I like called Ramada Plaza FallsView,Niagara Falls.It seems to get really good reviews.
Niagara on the Lake sounds like a great side trip.Cave of the Winds and the Maid of the Mist sounds like a couple of great things to do too! Wow all these suggestions will certainly keep us busy...but we love it! It all sounds like so much fun.I can hardly wait to go.We are still thinking mid-June and maybe extending our stay a few days.
We would love to stay at the Sheraton Fallsview...It looks great but the room we want (of course the most expensive!)
is little too steep for us.
Thank you everybody for your helpful comments and suggestions!
Please feel free to keep them coming.
Debbie