Traveling Niagara Falls/ surrounding area-HELP!
 

My parents, sister (21) and I(24) are planning to drive from Boston to the Niagara Falls in May (5 days). Apart from the falls, what else is there to see? Anything around it that might be interesting ( museums, theme parks, malls, national parks)? What would be a good place to stay in Buffalo?

We went from Providence to Niagara Falls last summer and had a great time. (Long, boring drive on the NY Turnpike, IMO) There are many activities relating to the falls themselves. The one that we liked best was the attraction that you walk down along the falls, I can't remember the specific name for it. This is on the American side. The lines for the Maid of the Mist seemed to be shorter on the American side too, but the hotels and restaurants on the Canadian side are better (and cheaper because of the exchange rate.) We also took side trips to the marine theme park - because I am a zoo/animal junkie. There are several historical forts in the area if you like that kind of thing. We didn't get to the outlets but several people mentioned factory outlets in the area as well. Hope that helps.

The falls are actually about 20-30 min. north of Buffalo, and I'd stay on the Canadian side. I've stayed at the Marriott Fallsview, and it was a great location, with a great view of the falls from the higher floors. <BR><BR>If you want to stay in Buffalo, the Hyatt is nice and has a great steak house [E.B.Green's]. By the falls, on the New York side, there is a state park right next to the falls, that has a tram that takes you around, with several stops. We found this to be a very informative ride, and convenient. If you do this, definitely get off by Three Sisters Island. It's impressive to be out on this small island watching the force of the water going by. There is also a section of the falls on the NY side, that allows you to stand right in the middle of the American falls.<BR><BR>On the Canadian side, the view is better, since you can look across and see them. There is a light show at night, and the grounds on the Canadian side are prettier. About a half hour away, on the Canadian side, is Niagara on the Lake, and also some good wineries.<BR><BR>If you are spending time on the NY side, there is the house that Teddy Roosevelt was sworn into office. I found that interesting. Also, there is a Frank Lloyd Wright house just a few blocks away from that. We actually got the directions to it from the Teddy Roosevelt house. And, while I have other restaurants I prefer for hot wings, the original [Anchor Bar] is also just two blocks away from it.

Go to Niagara on the Lake in Ontario and take in a play or two in the Shaw Drama Festival. Excellent theater!

I would second (third) the suggestion for a visit to Niagara on the Lake. It is quite quaint (unless overrun by tourists) and has an English feel to it.<BR>Around the falls, the Maid of the Mist Boat ride that goes to the foot of the horseshoe falls is fantastic. Fabulous view of the falls looking up and out. The Cave of the Winds is also great.<BR>If power plants are of interest, there is the Power Plant down from the falls.<BR>If you like cable car rides over whirlpools there is one downstream from the falls. <BR>If you spend any time in Buffalo I would recommend a visit to Allen town, arts district near downtown; along with the Elmwood Avenue area.<BR>Art park in lewiston NY may have entertainment going on. Olf Fort Niagara is opposite Niagara on the Lake and gives the American perspective of the Revolutionary war. Its been a long time sincne I've lived in the area so cant help with the malls etc.<BR>Enjoy!<BR>Enjoy<BR>

Lots of great ideas here. Niagara on the Lake is a beautiful town and theres many wineries nearby which would be fun. There is also a Butterfly Conservatory on the way from NF to NOTL. Wear bright colored clothing to attract the butterflies. Buffalo has a wonderful art musuem, the Albright Knox Musuem, located not too far from the Roosevelt home and Frank Lloyd Wright Musuem. There is also a nice Navel park in Buffalo. If you like baseball, we have a AAA Farm team and a great stadium. Your US dollar goes far in Canada so its usually a better bet to stay there. Toronto is less than 90 minutes away and make a nice day trip from Niagara Falls. If you paln on staying in buffalo, there are several hotels in the downtown area. there is also an independent, elegant hotel on Delaware Avenue. I'm not sure of the name, it might be called The Mansion. The Town of Amherst might be a good choice -its in between buffalo and Niagara Falls. There are several chain hotels (Marriott, Hampton, etc) near the University of buffalo Amherst Campus. they are right by an epressway entrance so its very convenient. One last thought-everyone is old enough-there are gambling casinos on both sides of the falls for entertainment also.

If you plan to spend anytime in Buffalo you might want to stay at the new Hampton Inn which is right downtown in the heart of the Chippewa district. There are many bars and restaurants in this area, which is where most of the nightlife is. Other neighborhoods which are close by and worth a visit to are Allentown and the Elmwood Village area. There is large mall 15 minutes from downtown, the Walden Galleria and there is an amusement park about 35 minutes from Buffalo in Darien, called Six Flags (formerly Darien Lake). Buffalo also offers the ALbright Knox Art Gallery, lots of great architecture and many fine restaurants. If you are staying for 5 days I would definitely recommend spending at least a day in Buffalo. I agree with previous posters to also visit Niagara on the Lake.

I went to Niagara-on-the-Lake about 5 years ago and caught 5 plays at the Shaw Festival. The jet boat up the Niagara rapids from NOTL was really fun, if somewhat expensive. It was the highlight of my trip.

I'm sure I'll be repeating some of the suggestions already posted, but here's my 2 cents' worth:<BR><BR>Niagara Falls (Canadian Side): Stay there...it's cheaper and you have a better choice of hotels and entertainment. You get a complete panaramic view of the Falls from there. Besides the Maid of the Mist, visit the (I don't know the name of it) walkway down into the lower Niagara gorge. You can see the lower rapids up close and they are spectacular - the strongest rapids in the world I believe! Also, Niagara on the Lake. The drive there is beautiful (and there are wineries along the way) as well. <BR><BR>Niagara Falls (American side): Definitely view the Falls from the American side. You can stand at the railing where the water goes over the edge, plus see the upper rapids. A few miles north of NF is Old Fort Niagara, which is a fantastic piece of American history (www.oldfortniagara.org). The fort was built before the French and Indian War, and it is extremely well preserved. It sits on a beautiful location on the water where the lower Niagara empties into Lake Ontario. The museum there has some wonderful artifacts. The main building (called the French Castle) is the oldest building on the Great Lakes. Bring a picnic lunch. The fort resides inside a state park, and on a clear day you can see across the lake to Toronto.<BR><BR>Buffalo: <BR>1. If the weather is nice, I would suggest the Erie Basin Marina. It is a wonderful place to walk along the lake, with downtown as the backdrop. <BR>2. A guided trolley tour or walking tour. There are a few to choose from. Check out www.surfbuffalo.com/roambuffalo for tours. If you can't or don't want to bother with a group tour, get a walking tour map from the Visitors Bureau on Main Street or call them at 1-800-Buffalo and ask for walking tour maps/brochures. My favorite neighborhood is Allentown, Buffalo's oldest and most historic neighborhood (although maybe you won't be impressed being that you're from Boston)!!<BR><BR>Also, the Darwin Martin House built by Frank Lloyd Wright (his largest of the prairie homes). Their website is www.darwinmartinhouse.org/. It is undergoing extensive restoration, but tours are given during this time. (I'm embaressed to say I live in the neighborhood and have yet to tour it myself)! <BR>3. Chicken wings. You can get them everywhere, but I suggest Frank &amp; Teresa's Anchor Bar. Some locals will tell you to avoid it because its not in the best neighborhood (it's not) or there are better restaurants (there are) but if you're coming here for the 1st time why not have them where they were invented??? (Anyhow, the old corner bars and restaurants in the old neighborhoods are the BEST places to get local Buffalo food). Also try beef-on-weck, a local favorite.<BR>3. The suggestions for staying downtown near the Chippewa district are good. There are a lot of restaurants and nightspots for all ages. <BR>4. Museums, theme parks, malls, etc.: with the exception of the Albright Knox Museum of art (considered to be a small gem) there isn't anything here that you can't see back home or anywhere else (unfortunately).<BR><BR>Have a great time and please post again and let us know how your trip went!!!

Me again. I just wanted to mention that the Wilcox Mansion (referred to as the Teddy Roosevelt house in another post) is definitely worth a visit. It is on Delaware Ave. near downtown/Allentown. When President McKinley was shot and killed here in 1902, Teddy Roosevelt was sworn in at the mansion. The mansion itself has an interesting history from I believe the war of 1812, but is also furnished in period pieces and has memorabilia affiliated with the McKinley/Roosevelt era.