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Planning a trip to Niagra Falls around Labor Day. Looking for suggestions on places to stay, eat, and things to do.

My general recommendation for Niagra Falls is to stay on the Canadian Side. It is better developed, has more hotels, all the nightlife and entertainment. The main attraction is the Falls. Take ALL the tours, you won't be disappointed. If the weather is nice crowds can be a problem and parking is tough. See the falls at night, it's lit up with multicolored spot lights. Sorry I can't be specific with places to eat or stay. Try Fodors.com or travelocity.com for ideas.

I agree with Bernard, the Canadian side is a lot nicer than the US side. I can only add two comments. There are two revolving tower restaurants which provide a great view of the entire area. If you want to eat there, you should make reservations well in advance. I have done it through E-mail. My other comment is, I hope you're not expecting to stay there for more than a few hours. After taking the Maiden of the Mist boat ride and getting drenched, there isn't much to do, unless you're into Ripley's Believe It or Not kind of things. The town provides nothing but low brow attractions. You might want to visit Toronto. It's only about an 1.5 hours away.

If you are taking children, they would probably like Marineland Niagara. I believe it's only about 15 minutes or so from the falls.

We stayed at the Hyatt Fallsview and would recommend this hotel. Get a room with balcony view of the falls!

The attractions I would recommend include the Maid of the Mist boatthat approaches the base of the horseshoe falls which adds a great dimension to seeing and FEELING the falls. Also would recommend the cave of the winds from the american side which lets you walk beside and under a portion of the Amerrican Falls. As a final suggestion, check into Nigara on the Lake; it's a small Canadian town down the Niagara River about 30 minutes from the falls. It's a very quaint village with a touch of England. Unfortunately the mass of tourists have discovered it, ie. US and it may take away from its quaintness, but it is still a very nice place to visit. On the way you'll pass above the Nigara gorge. Enjoy your trip

If you will be there long enough, go to Toronto (90 min.), one of North America's premier cities! Otherwise -- You're going to think I'm nuts. But if you manage to "do" the Falls (Maid of the Mist, walk behind the falls, etc.) and have a little time on your hands, consider going over to the hydroelectric power plant on Grand Island (I think) on the US side. You'll see how and why the Falls are partially turned off at night! There's an exhibit to show where all the water goes, and you can see the absolutely gigantic turbines that create all the power for the entire Northeastern US (site of Big Blackout a few years back). It's an amazing site, gave me some amazing pictures.

Definitely stay on the Canadian side - you'll save lots of $$ witn your American dollar, you lucky person! Recommended hotels: Marriot Fallsview Sheraton Fallsview Renaissance Make sure to get a room with a view of the falls - otherwise, why be there? Sights to see: Maid of the Mist Walk underneath the falls Butterfly museum IMAX film Niagara Casino Botanical gardens Absolutely do not miss taking the beautiful drive along the Niagara Parkway, beside the gorge, to a lovely town called Niagara-on-the-Lake. A bit touristy, but very nicely preserved as a turn of the century town. Enjoy some of the homemade fudge and maple sugar candy, and buy some excellent jam at Greaves. There aren't any really good places to eat in Niagara Falls. The Table Rock restaurant affords a nice view of the falls - you feel like you're right at the edge. Some lovely restaurants are in the wine country area around Niagara on the Lake - such as On The Twenty. The Queens Landing Hotel has a pricey, but lovely restaurant in Niagara on the Lake. Enjoy your trip!

Aren't you really starting to stratch for things to do when you recommend visiting a power plant, a butterfly museum, an IMAX theater. I grant you, if you like penny ante gambling, there are a couple of crummy casinos there. I still say do the Maiden of the Mist and leave.