RobertGurski

Hello

We are planning to do a road trip to niagara falls next weekend. We will be driving from Springfield, IL. Also I was thinking to go to NY city from Niagara falls and then drive back home. We have never been there before, so i have a few questions to ask.

1. How many days should we allocate for the trip including drive time? from google map I saw that drive time to niagara falls from springfield is about 11 hours. I can do that in a day.

2. Is next weekend a good time to go to niagara falls, or should we delay it further into the summer?

3. Any recommendations about a decent place to stay for both niagara and nyc? I am not looking for anything fancy or expensive, just a decent and safe place to stay. I dont want to spend more than I need to, to just sleep at night.

4. Any suggestions about a trip itinerary?

One more thing, I cannot go to canada, so we have to stay in the US part of niagara falls.

Thank you. Hoping to get some good suggestions.
And happy memorial day weekend everyone.

cd

The US side has no hotels with a Fallsview. We have never stayed on the US side so cannot recommend anything. You will want to drive to Goat Island, it is beautiful and they do have a restaurant with a view I believe although we have never been there either but if I could not go into Canada, I would try it. YOu will want to do the Maid of the Mist from Goat Island and Cave of the Winds. Both are wonderful and worth your time and money.

nytraveler

I'm sorry but I wouldn;t go to the Falls if you can;t get to the Canadian side. IMHO the views from there are much better and there are a plethora of decent hotels, many with view of the falls.

I know nothing about hotels on the US side - the only 2 I have seen mentioned were distinctly complaints.

As timing for the trip - a minimum is:

Day drive to Falls
Day 2/3 Falls and parks on US side
Day 5 drive to NYC
Days 6-8 NYC
Day 9 & 10 home (don't know how far this drive is

Hotels in NYC are not cheap and most rooms have 1 double bed for 2 people - if there are more than 2 of you, you will need a larger, upgraded, more expensive room. If there are 5 or more you will need a suite or 2 rooms.

There is only one hotel in Manhattan with free parking - so look at the Travel Inn on the far west side. They have regular rooms left at $285 plus tax but no larger rooms (for more tan 2 left). If you need a larger room at very short notice expect to pay about $300 per night if you search discount sites - but parking will be another $35 to $40 per night for a regular size vehicle - more for an oversize vehicle (larger SUV or van).

If you tell us how many you are and ages (in many hotels 12 and up counts as an adult) and your budget people can make specific recos.

RobertGurski

Thanks both of you. Thats heartbreaking to know that Niagara falls is not worth the visit from the US side.
We are all 4 adults.

For NYC, any suggestions for decent hotels in the outskirts? I mean, we can take the subway to get to the City. We would like to see the statue of liberty, times square, central park and ground zero.

Though I understand that niagara falls is way better in the canadian side, if we do decide to go ahead with the trip, any suggestions of a decent hotel within say half hour to one hour drive? We will have a car, so driving is not a problem?

cd.. thanks for mentioning goat island. I am googling it right now. and nytraveler.. thanks for the itinerary. I was looking exactly for that. Our drive back home from nyc would be about 14 hours. So it has to be 2 days.

garyt22

Robert.... nytraveler knows NOTHING about Niagara Falls so don't pay any attention... there are dozens of hotels in all price ranges... It's a great time to visit because everything is open and the kids are not out of school yet... right near the Falls is the Seneca Niagara Casino... Comfort Inn The Pointe... The Red Coach Inn...

A few miles away, you can save a few bucks by looking at dozens of Hotels and motels on Niagara Falls Boulevard, including brand New Hampton Inn, Super 8, Holiday Inn Express, Motel 6, all opened within the last year...

The must do Falls attractions are Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds and both are included in www.niagarausadiscoverypass.com

In addition, take your group for an unforgettable ride on the Whirlpool Jetboats from nearby Lewiston www.whirlpooljet.com

On your way to the Jetboats, stop at Devils Hole, and also see the other attractions on your Discovery pass... also get a look from the US Falls observation deck...

After leaving the Falls, consider breaking up your NY drive with an overnight in the Finger Lakes... also consider using Route 20 south of the NY Thruway for a scenic trip through farms, villages, and antiquing areas across the north of the Finger Lakes...

Have Fun in Niagara and disregard information from those who know little but claim to know everything...

maxima

garyt22 is correct.. there is plenty to see from the us side of the falls..and there are lots of inexpensive basic hotels/motels.. this is a good time of year to go.. the weather is ok barring rain but that can happen later on too,,,and the local colleges have had their graduations etc..so more hotel space should be available and the school age kids are still in school..

the trip from Niagara falls to NYC is close to 400 miles.. mostly you can take the NYS Thruway across Western NY .

Finding a reasonably priced hotel in NYC this time of year on short notice may be difficult.. you might want to consider Hoboken NJ and take Path in/out of Manhattan.. there are also cheaper hotels in Queens in Long Island City...or stay in White Plains and take Metro North in.. its not ideal but you can get parking outside of Manhattan

also you should check availability for tickets to the statute of liberty and to the new museum that just opened at ground zero . the 9/11 memorial is outside and is free..if you cant get a ticket to liberty island you can still see it from a distance on the staten island ferry. for free or take a sightseeing boat such as the circle line.

nytraveler

Sorry - I thought I made it clear that I know nothing about hotels on the US side. Just that they don't have Falls view.

As for nyc, if you are willing to drive through the city you can check out hotels in Long Island city, which is about 10 minutes from the city by subway. BUT, be sure that 1) the hotel is right near the subway and 2) they have room for you to park your vehicle. Be aware that this is a mixed use area - a mixture of budget motels. warehouses, auto repair shops, etc and few facilitis such as restaurants. The Country Inn & Suites seems to be full for your dates - I would search some others - but you have left it very late to make reservations.

Another option is to find a hotel in Jersey City - but that would have to be right near the PATH train - not subway (which is only in NYC) but connects to Manhattan. I would search the discount sites for hotels there - but make sure they are within a very short distance of PATH and determine what they charge for parking.

I would definitely try to do this today - since a lot of hotels seem to be full for early June.

BuffaloGirl

Robert - Gary knows Niagara Falls!!! I would just add that if you book a hotel/motel on Niagara Falls Blvd. that Gary didn't mention above, then beware. There are some real skanky places along there. I just checked the new Super8 he mentioned - $98.00 per night and gets very good reviews.

If you don't mind driving 10-15 minutes to and from the falls, check out some hotels in Amherst near the Univeristy of Buffalo north campus. You would be right off the thruway that gets you to the falls.

I love the American side of the falls. Goat Island has many great vantage points, my favorite being Terrapin Point. The upper rapids are amazing. And as Gary said, you can go out on the observation deck to get an (almost) full view. You should also be able to walk out about halfway on Rainbow Bridge to get a good view. Not sure how that would work- even though you won't enter Canada, you'll have to walk back through American customs. That's something you'd have to research. Not sure if you'll need a passport or enhanced drivers license.

Niagara Falls and NYC for the 1st time.....how exciting. Have a great time!!!

sf7307

Two questions - what is your hotel budget for NYC, and is there any chance you can go in the opposite order - NYC over the weekend, and then Niagara Falls during the week? The reason I ask is the prices for hotels in Manhattan are MUCH less expensive over the weekend than during the week (I just checked Hotwire, and found many choices over the weekend in the $150-200 range, whereas during the week, nothing for under $300.

cd

http://www.thetravelinnhotel.com/?mcid=gc42a1
Just wanted to say we stayed here and enjoyed our location. Small room, small parking lot but free parking lot. Attached breakfast restaurant that was economical and good. The hotel was very clean and close to the subway. I noticed TripAdvisor had a post that wrote about bedbugs in 2011 so wanted to include that information.

nytraveler

I too reco'd Travel Inn but when I checked they had only one room left - for 2 people - nothing for 4 people for the dates I anticipated assuming going next weekend. Doesn't hurt to check again - but this is very late to reserve rooms and I fear a lot of places will already be full.

Urge the OP to reserve something NOW.

RobertGurski

Thanks a lot all of you. I am so relieved to hear that the US side is worthwhile too. Thanks a lot for the hotels. I know I am trying to do it in the last minute, but with my job, I cannot plan ahead early. Something always comes up.

@ Garyt22, I opened the link http://www.niagarausadiscoverypass.com/
and I see the following, "Please be advised that due to severe icing and record snowfall over the winter the Hurricane Deck at the Cave of the Winds is not yet open".
Does that mean that the falls are not flowing now? I am sorry if that is a lame question.

I am checking out all these hotels that everyone mentioned. How many days should I allocate for niagara falls?

@sf7307, yes we can go to nyc first and then go to niagara. I was hoping not to spend more than 100 per night per room for nyc. I know it sounds crazy, but I thought we can stay somewhere outside and take a train for the attractions or drive if possible.

Thanks a lot for all the suggestions and helps. I am so glad I found this site. Happy memorial day everyone.

garyt22

the ice is gone... it melted late

nytraveler

$100 a night for 4 people in NYC is simply not a realistic price - not even in the worst of the January weather. For Manhattan the average price for a moderate hotel room for 2 people is about $250 per night.

You can search discount sites if you want but I can't imagine that there is anyplace safe and clean within travel distance of NYC at that price this time of year, when there are throngs of tourists. If you find something at that price for 4 peope you need to check very carefully 1) neighborhood (some are "motels" where they house homeless people in very unsafe areas) and 2) distance/transit to the city (some places are 1.5 hours to and from the city with transit at times convenient for commuters but not otherwise).

For perspective, a bed in a shared dorm room in a reputable hostel is about $40 per night - so $160 for 4 of you - up to $200 per night with parking for the car.

You might want to check the Newton - a reliable budget property on the upper west side. They have an AAA/AARP special rate of $225 a night plus tax (18%) for a double double room. If you are interested I would contact them to see what options they have for your dates.

(If you had booked several months ago there would have been better options - but 5 other budget places I have looked at are already full)

RobertGurski

Thanks nytraveler, I thought of that price based on my experience with Chicago. If it is more than that, then so be it.

I am already finding quite a few options for niagara falls (thanks to gary and buffalogirl), but not much luck with nyc hotels yet.

I am thinking if postponing the trip a week later will be better or not. Any thoughts?

jubilada

Chicago and NYC are in different universes as far as hotel prices are concerned.

We liked the Hotel Mulberry in Chinatown . For next weekend they are showing rooms with 2 queen beds for 259 before tax. There is often free parking on the street after 5 pm fri until mon am; if not the garage next door provides discounted rates. The beds are very comfortable. The rooms are tight for 4 but larger than most NYC rooms. Subways are close.

nelsonian

Try hotels in Long Island City, use Booking,com or Hotels.com to get an idea of prices, then read the reviews. We stayed at Country Inn & Suites but nytraveller is saying it is booked for your dates. There are others close to the subway. There are a lot of new cafes etc opening up in LIC it is not a bad area at all. We enjoyed staying there.

RobertGurski

Thank you all for the help. Ended up with one of the hotel suggestions made by garyt22 in niagara falls blvd. Delayed the trip by a week. Also we have a couple friends in nyc and new jersey. So when we told them that we are visiting and would like to meet them, they offered us to stay with them. So we will be probably staying 1 night at each of my friend's place.

As far as nyc trip is concerned, we will be seeing statue of liberty, times square, ground zero. What else we should not miss?

We are also thinking to go to a beach. which beach would be the best within a couple of hours radius? a friend of mine is suggesting atlantic city. We have never been to any atlantic ocean beach. So looking forward to that.

Thanks.

nytraveler

Statue of Liberty requires tickets bought far in advance. You can check now on the national parks dept web site but I think you may find all tickets to the ferry and the statue gone. You can get on line for the ferry - but it may be more than an hour to get on and without tickets don't think you can get into the statue. Also with limited time this is a big chunk - probably at least 5 hours with the various ferries - esp if you have to stand on line.

There are also lines to get into the 9/11 memorial (please do no say Ground Zero) it is offensive to many people who lost family or friends.

Also, need to figure out how to get to and fro the cities from you friend's homes - train or bus. Taking a car in and out of the city is expensive (toll for bridge or tunnel plus parking of $20 at least each time you park - there is no place to park on the street). And get a good subway map - by far the least expensive and most efficient way to get around.

I would not go to Atlantic city - which is a truly dreadful place with a lot or crime. Depending on where the friends are they can probably aim you towards a decent beach open to the general public.

SeaF

Top of the Rock or Empire State Building, but not both.