Niagara Falls - Worth it?
 

Between 1 week in NYC and 1 week in DC, we have a couple days to do an additional stop. We're considering Niagara Falls or Virginia. We are traveling with 4 children (11, 9, 7 & 6). 7/13-7/15

Do you have any suggestions for travel method and or stops? I'm contemplating bus or train. We could rent a car if that would be better - but are open for suggestions.

Thanks!

Niagara Falls is out of the way. How about Colonial Williamsburg? Or Amish Country in PA....Hershey Park, buggy rides, etc.

We are definitely doing PA (it will be after the DC stuff). I'll check into Colonial Williamsburg - that would be awesome as well. Any suggestions, hotel, transportation etc?

Do PA before DC...it's between NYC and DC, so it makes more sense.

Niagara Falls is two full days travel - by train or car. then you need at least one full day there - and to go to the Canadian side - where most of the major sights and the better hotels are. (The US side - except for right on top of the Falls - is not very pleasant. So you need to allow time for the border crossing each way. The Falls are interesting - but IMHO - worthwhile only if you will be in the area, I didn;t see them until I was in my 40s and we did a road trip to Toronto - which is only about 1.5 hours farther than the Falls.

IMHO Colonial Williamsburg is much more interesting with a lot more to do - including the Yorktown battlefield and a large amusement park. Just be prepared for very hot and humid weather.

Niagara Falls is an awesome and powerful natural attraction that will interest adults and children.
The Maid of the Mist, Journey behind the falls and whirlpool boats are great activities.

However, NYC to Niagara to DC is a lot of indirect driving. You would be dedicating three days for one day of activity.

Philadelphia, Lancaster, PA for Amish country or Colonial Williamsburg are worthy destinations with much less mileage.

While NYC to DC has great train service, and you could visit Center City Philadelphia by train. You will need a rental car for Lancaster or Williamsburg.

Nearby Williamsburg is Kings Mill, an amusement park your children would enjoy.

Worth it? In a word, no.

In two words, definitely not.

Stop by sometime when it's on your way.

In the Williamsburg area, you've got Colonial Williamsburg, the National Park Service sites of Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown Battlefield and the "commercial" sites of Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center.

In addition, if the kids are "history'd out" by the time you get to Williamsburg, you can always go to Busch Gardens, which is a really nice amusement park, or Water Country U.S.A.

I suggest you check out the websites for all of the above places to see what interests you most. You won't have time to do it all in just 2 days.

Niagara falls are the most beautiful falls!
You should travel by Queen of the Mist. You will enjoy to the fullest and your kids will too.

You can take the train from NYC to Williamsburg and rent a car there if you don't want to drive the horror that is I-95. As you will see on the way down, the same train will return you to Washington.

In addition to the places mentioned above, there are art and history museums in Norfolk and Richmond, only an hour or so away.

It's not really on your way and kind of out of your way. Although I think you could do it if you had 3 days in which to get there sight see and return. I live close to the falls 2.5 hours away. I've been there many times and I love it there. I actually like the American side better but if you spend a night there is more to do on the Canadian side. The American side is more of a big park. The hotels on the Canadian side have great views of all the falls. Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds tours are both awesome. Not to be missed.
Amtrak runs NYC-Niagara Falls. 7 hours one direction.
Jet Blue flies NYC- Buffalo. 45 minutes one way. Then you could rent a car to get around the falls.
Driving up would be 7 hours each direction. NYC-Niagara Falls.

It would be a pricey little detour. Only you could decide if it is worth it. Will there be future opportunities to see the falls?

I think the falls are wonderful and should be seen. But a quick trip there with 4 kids would be a nightmare.

It depends on your kids' tolerance for being in the car, but it is sooooo worth it. If you can leave early AM on the 13th you would have the rest of that day and all of the 14th before splitting early AM on the 15th. Stay on the Canadian side as others said, have your papers in order. There are many fun things for kids on the Canadian side, a short walk to the falls. Definitely ride the Maid of the Mist.

Much more enjoyable than Williamsburg, where it will be hotter than he**. Save that for the spring or fall.

Where are you before NYC and after DC? You could fly into Buffalo see the falls and ride the Lakeshore Limited from Buffalo to NYC.
Any interest in seeing Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia?

I'd make 2 suggestions, if you are going to be in NY, how about a day at Fire Island, the kids will LOVE that, the beach there is wonderful and it's fun getting there. You take LIRR to a cab to the ferry over and back. There is a hike to take through the "Sunken Forest", between sand dunes. There is a Ranger Station to learn about the seashore, a showers/bathhouse for changing, snack bar, and a beautiful beach.

Or for something a bit special how about Old Beth Page? Another restoration, out on Long Island, again the LIRR to Beth Page and a taxi to the restoration the kids will love this place too. No rides, just the restoration and they will see how people really lived in the early 1800;s. There is a working farm, docents, restored buildings, restaurants and it is really very nicely done.