J_Joel

Planning a trip from NYC with destination of Niagara Falls. Want to stop over at Woodstock either on the way out of the City or back to the City. Ultimate destination is Niagara Falls for a couple of nights. Planning to leave after 4th of July weekend. Any suggestions or where to spend the night in Woodstock and where to stay while in Niagara? Do have a passport and typical american ID (will this be enough?). Would like ideas on where to stay in Woodstock area and same for Niagara? Thanks! J Joel

annikany

Do you plan on crossing into Canada to stay the night? How much time will you have for Niagara Falls? The view of the falls from Canada is the best All the falls can be viewed from the American side as well in you don't have time to cross into Canada. I personally like the American side with the beautiful park on Goat island. I'm in the minority on that tough. All the great tours can be done from the US side too. Cave of the Winds is awesome. It takes you right down to the base of the Bridal Veil Falls. Canadian side has hotels with views of the falls. They are on Clifton Hill. There is a lot of entertainment on the Canadian side. On the US side the Crown Plaza is a great choice and the Seneca Niagara Casino is right across the street. It is also within walking distance to Goat island. It took me 2 hours to walk Goat Island and that was without any tours or stops. You will need an entire day if you want to do tours.
Never stayed in Woodstock. Sorry.

J_Joel

Thanks for all the info and tips. Will probably have two or two and half days in Niagara. Nothing definite planned about where to stay overnight, but I think I would prefer staying where there's a view of the falls. Any suggestions for two people/one room?

zlaor

If you have a car, we stayed about 10-15 minutes away in the picturesque village of Youngstown, NY.

Saved us a heck of a lot of money on lodging, the town is an absolute gem right on the Niagara river.

cd

We love the Falls and usually stay at the Embassy Suites. They have packages that include a made to order breakfast and $40.oo toward dinner at the Keg which is their restaurant that has amazing views of the Falls, ask for a window seat. For our room we always ask for a Fallsview room where you can have a glass of wine at night while looking at the lighted Falls. http://www.embassysuitesniagara.com/
There is also a Marriot right next door that would have the same view but we have never stayed there.

I agree with the above poster regarding Goat Island on the American side, it is awesome but I do prefer to spend the night in a Fallsview room which has to be on the Canadian side, nothing on the American side has a Fallsview.

Since you do have a couple days, I would also recommend a drive to Niagara On The Lake which is about 20min away. It is a pleasant drive and a cute little town to have lunch in, they have a lot wineries that are fun to visit.

tom42

If you want a hotel with a view of the Falls, look into the Fallsview area hotels on the Canadian side. There are quite a few in that area (Hilton, Sheraton, Marriott, Embassy Suites, just to name a few). It will cost you extra to guarantee a room with a view of the Falls.

nytraveler

We stayed at the Sheraton Fallsview - and had a room with floor to ceiling picture window looking out over the floodlit falls - as well as a nice seating area with fireplace (fake) and free breakfast (not worth it). Don;t recall the exact rates but it was defiitely reasonable.

Stephenlp

On the Canadian side:

A very affordable ride on the "Maid of the Mist" is a truly exhilarating experience you will NEVER forget!

An easy 1/2 day trip up to "Niagara on the Lake" is also an unforgettable experience.

On the way, "Queenston Heights" a major "War of 1812" battle site, is a great spot for a picnic.

garyt22

The "woodstock" concert was in Bethel, NY... look at www.bethelwoodscenter.org for the museum location and the concert site is less than 5 minutes away... Bethel is near Monticello and only a few hours from NYC...

I would plan a stop at Bethel for a few hours and then continue driving to the finger lakes, perhaps Watkins Glen (3 hours)... that gets you to a hotel for dinner and relaxing night... the next day you can ride up the lakes, visit some wineries and have lunch before hitting Niagara...

J_Joel

Thanks for the info about Bethel - Glad I asked and didn't show up at Woodstock looking for the original site. I love your suggestion about how to break up the drive out of NYC to Niagara (7 hours ??). Any favorites on where to stay in Watkins Glen?

annikany

I can vouch for the Marriott. They have great views of the falls with floor to ceiling windows and a fireplace. The beds were sooooo comfy. There is a gondola ( I use this term only because I don't know what else to call it.) at the base of the hotel that will take you down to the falls viewing area and attraction center for booking tours. It's not free but it was very reasonable and I think some of these hotels on Clifton Hill give you free passes. The gondola makes access to the falls so easy. Ask when you call for reservations. The Marriott has a nice restaurant but as I recall the view of the falls is blocked by the tree line. Clifton Hill has the best hotels for falls views.

And - I love Watkins Glen. Never stayed there because I live so close but it is worth your time to stay there. The easy climb up the gorge is awesome and you'll want to take plenty of pictures there.

garyt22

Theres a new hotel The Harbor Hotel at Watkins Glen... have not stayed there but the location is good and new is usually safe... and as annikany says the gorge walk is great... we parked at the bottom and took their bus to the top and walked back to the car... perfect hike...

J62

Gary is correct - the original concert site is in Bethel, not Woodstock. That said, it is the village of Woodstock itself that is the draw now for me. Quaint little village with an offbeat vibe. A few good restaurants, and several music venues with live music.

If you want to visit the concert the by all means stop by Bethel and look at the fields out in the middle of nowhere. If you want to enjoy Woodstock of today, spend a day or so in the town of Woodstock.

J_Joel

Thanks everyone - Watkins Glen/Finger Lakes area looks wonderful. But if we can't make it as far as Watkins Glen after visiting Bethel/Woodstock, would you suggest stopping overnight in Binghamton or nearby? That looks to be about halfway and is off the state route heading to highway I-90 (to reach the falls)

garyt22

Just to correct your info... there's a multi million $$$ interactive museum in bethel woods dedicated to the concert and "Woodstock Nation"... the fields are still there too for J62 to visit... one of the best museums I've been to...

If you want a perfect stop near Binghamton, continue along 17B to 17/86 towards Binghamton... the exit past Binghamton is Johnson City... there is a large mall, several hotel and Motels, just off the highway.... not quaint or scenic but a cheap, warm bed less than 4.5 hours from Niagara... food choices aplenty... we like ruby tuesday at the mall...