Consider leaving your car at the Amtrak station in "Albany" (it is actually across the river in Troy, not too far from RPI).

The train trip from Albany to NYC down the Hudson River is absolutely beautiful, like the trip down the Rhine that a lot of people go to Europe for.

Parking is not expensive and is safe.

Are you looking for US or Canadian restaurants in Niagara Falls?

Canadian mostly since we will be staying in Canada, but we will also spend a day on the American side so we will have to eat there too.

I don't know much about the restaurants on the Canadian side. On the American side Fortuna's on 19th street is good. Not a great neighborhood (that can be said of most of Niagara Falls USA) but good Italian food. Also there is a restaurant with a nice view of the Falls called Top of the Falls. I've never eaten there so I can't recommend the food but the view is supposed to be nice. Did you decide to go to Wicked? I checked the ticketmaster website and there are some pretty good tickets available.

I still haven't gotten tickets, but will probably order them tonight. There are fairly decent seats available on Thursday the 10th.

On the Canadian side there are Planet Hollywood and Hard Rock Cafes as well as every other chain... one secret gem is along the Niagara Parkway near the Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Attraction... for lunch stop at the Niagara Parks golf course clubhouse... good sandwiches and cold drinks overlooking the 18th green... my kids loved watching the golfers hit up and the course is beautiful.... also in Niagara,a Wolfgang Puck casual restaurant with wood oven pizzas and such...

for better food, head up to Niagara on the Lake... also search the NOTL posts for best food choices

Consider adding Letchworth State Park to your Itinerary... known as the "Grand Canyon of the East" it offers breathtaking views and great hiking.... nearby lodging is very reasonable... Have Fun!

Almost forgot... July 12 and 13 is the Taste of Buffalo, the nations second largest food festival... If you're here, you can sample some of our best foods in downtown Buffalo... a real fun family event... and do not miss the Whirlpool Jet Boats... as hazelnut says... it will be the kids' trip highlight!

If you get tickets for Wicked and plan to have dinner in Buffalo let me know what type of restaurant you're looking for. We have some really great restaurants here.

I am bumping this up because I have more concrete plans now. Can someone critique and give me some restaurant suggestions?

Thursday, 7/10 we will do Niagara falls, maid of the mist and cave of the winds. I think that's a full day. Friday, 7/11, we can either do Marineland or take a look at Niagara on the lake. Have not decided yet.

KathyK, I did get Wicked tickets for Friday night and will need somewhere to eat in the vicinity.

Saturday we were planning to see the Taste of Buffalo during the day and go to a Bison's game that night.

Sunday we will go to Genesee Country Village and try to take in the old fashioned baseball game there, as well as see the exhibits.

Monday we will go to Cooperstown for the hall of fame.

Tuesday we will head south toward the city.

Any ideas and suggestions welcome.

Don't forget the Jet Boats... add that to your wet and wild thursday... on friday consider the Butterfly Conservatory on the way to Niagara on the lake...

For dining on the Canadian side, try Table Rock restaurant, right at the tablerock point of the falls. Ask for a table by the window and it will seem like you're about to go over the falls as you can't get any closer.
While its a little more than moderately priced, we really enjoyed both breakfast and lunch there - different years. We all enjoyed the Hard Rock Cafe, also. There's a Hard Rock on the american side but its quite small.
Hope you have a great trip.

Darien Lake is along the way. It is a theme park with thrill rides etc. It is off I-90 between Rochester and Buffalo.

In Rochester, you might enjoy the Eastman House museum of photography -- more interesting than it sounds, and the house is interesting.

Our 12 hr. honeymoon was at Letchworth State Park -- "Grand Canyon" is a considerable overstatement, but it's pretty.

Believe it or not, the big power plant on Grand Island is kind of amazing -- esp. if you realize that its failure was responsible for the huge blackout a few years ago. It's not far from the Falls.

Sorry no one's interested in Toronto -- it's one of the greatest cities in our hemisphere, and it's also fun.

themishmans: Just a few quick thoughts.......

I personally don't think Niagara on the Lake has much to offer teenagers and younger kids, unless you want to take them on the jet boat ride. It's a lovely, historic little town and all, but for kids? Nah.

Are you going to spend Fri. and Sat. nights in Niagara Falls or stay in a hotel in Buffalo? It would make more sense to stay downtown for those two nights. Check out the Adams Mark. My boss was just there to check it out for a conference, and they've updated it, there's a pool, located downtown, very close to what you'll be doing.

Friday.....there are several other tourist things you can do to fill your day in Niagara Falls. Or, you can check out Old Fort Niagara on the American side:

https://oldfortniagara.org/

Fabulous, historic, fort that sits on the mouth of the lower Niagara River where it empties into Lake Ontario. It has wonderful picnic grounds and swimming pools. And a beautiful sloping grass beach (no swimming). On a clear day you can see Toronto (beyond the sail boats). The "castle" is the oldest building on the great lakes.

However, I'm not sure it's something that a 15 and 9 year old girl would enjoy. But if your looking for some history and a relaxing afternoon of picnicing and swimming, it's the place to go. IMHO it's a better way to spend the day than Niagara on the Lake. Again, IMHO.

Another thing you can do (instead of the fort), is take the girls to Fantasy Island. It's a small, but very enjoyable theme park with several decent rides. It's on Grand Island, midway between the falls and Buffalo.

It's been a long time since I've been to Marineland. I'm not sure I'd go back. I'm not an animal rights activist, but I didn't like how they kept the animals there.

I dislike baseball, but.....the Bisons games are a lot of fun. The stadium was built with the hopes of attracting a national league team. Obviously, that didn't happen. But it's an awesome stadium and you will have a great time! They go out of their way to make sure people enjoy themselves. Lots of entertainment and freebies!

KathyK will give you excellent restaurant reco's. But I'll just throw this out there......Frank and Theresa's Anchor Bar. Personally, I don't like their food. Other people love it. BUT......and it's a BIG BUT.....they invented what we know as chicken wings. Known and referred to everywhere else as Buffalo wings.

In Buffalo they are referred to as just "wings."

It's in a very old, historic building and it's one of those touristy places that has the autographed pictures of famous people all over the walls.

I don't care what anyone else on this board says............they serve the original and BEST chicken wings in Buffalo. It's a bit kitchy (every city has a place like that), but I think the girls would get a kick out of it.

Just my thoughts............have a wonderful vacation!!!

Buffalo Girl, We are spending Wednesday and Thursday night in Canada and Friday and Saturday night in Buffalo (at the Hyatt Regency).

Do they still rent those godawful rubber rain slickers to go behind the falls (or on the Maid of the Mist?)? If so, I'd advise avoiding them and making do with your own foul-weather gear -- those coats stank of mold, fungus, sweat, and who knows what-all else.

The raincoats are gone... several years ago they switched to light plastic logoed rainwear that you keep... when it rains, there are hundreds of tourists in their light blue "cleaner Bags"...

Oh, and about wings...it is definitely on my 15 yo's list of things to try. Last time I was in Buffalo was the first time I tried the "beef on weck" and based on my description, my husband is just dying for some.

Suggestions for Friday night dining-there is a TGIFridays near the Hyatt. Not a big fan of chains, but with kids, it might be a good choice, and a known commodity. Also, a great local favorite, Chef's, is only a couple of miles away. Good Italian food. You would need to drive there and back for the show. Chippewa Street is very near the Hyatt and Shea's and has some good restauraunts, but probably not as kid friendly. Its a big nightspot hangout. The Hyatt has good food, but pricey.

My children are very adventurous foodies (like their parents). Anything local/different/interesting will be just fine for us.