any tips for a niagra falls visit

[woodmills1]

so we ar going to the falls anyone got tips?

[Mooseherder]

so we ar going to the falls anyone got tips?

Don't get in any Barrel Rides. ;D

[Ironwood]

It is wine country along the the south shore of the lake there west of Buffalo. If you are a history buff, there is ALOT of early industrial history there associated with DC power pulled off of the water power from the river there. This was before the advent of AC power and the realization of the dangers of DC. There is also salmon fishing in the rivers flowing into the Great Lakes. 

Ironwod

[sawguy21]

I don't know the Yankee side but ours has great scenery and is full of fascinating history.

[ellmoe]

  We're (my three sons and me) taking a trip up there,too.  Plan on being there about Tues./Wed. next week.

Mark

[stonebroke]

Stop by Cooperstown on your way by.

Stonebroke

[moosehunter]

For some REALLY good ribs digin_2 try Tony Roma's. Two locations on the Canadian side.
For a calm ride on the river, Maid of the Mist.
For a wild ride on the river check out the Jet boat tour. Two 1500 hp turbo deisels in a 40 ft jet boat. ( I'm a motor head, that much power is waayyy cool).
The bird Avery right next to the bridge is cool.
There is a fort on both sides worth touring.

There is a strip with tons of tourest traps that could keep some young people interested for days, I always avoid it at all costs!
Have fun,
mh

[Greg]

Holy cow batman, its a small world.

My family is stopping at the falls on the way to cooperstown - for a baseball tournament - this weekend 8)

Trying to figure out a way to catch the falls/highlights in a 1/2 day or so. I was there many many years ago.

Between ball games, we'll have some time to kill in cooperstown as well, any advice? Thanks.

On a tight schedule, and towing along our 3 boys (11, 7, 4) so have to keep a quick pace.

Weird coincidence!
Greg

[stonebroke]

In Cooperstown don't miss the Farmers museum. Also If you have a little more time go to Howe caverns over in Schoharie county. 156 ft down a elevator shaft to see them and a underground boat ride.

Stonebroke

[Dugsaws]

Anyone have suggestions where to stay on the american side that isnt right at the attraction area such as cabins or cottages, planning a trip there the end of July first of August and looking for some accomadations.

Thanks

[ellmoe]

   We just arrived back from our trip( My three sons and me).  I posted my earlier message when I was last on the forum so I missed the invitation Stone broke, but thanks anyway. We spent an evening and a morning at the falls. We stayed on the American side. It looks like there are more activities that cost money on the Canadian side - glad we didn't take our documents. :D We looked at the falls, took the "Maid of the Mist" boat tour (worth the price and gives admission to the observation tower ( a definite "to do"). We wanted to see Fort Niagra, but it was closed. We did hike down the gorge a few miles downstream from the falls. I found some red cherry trees, ripe but bitter, and some wild strawberries, not ripe. We enjoyed our stay with two exceptions. We stayed at The American Inn, a small hotel, away from the falls. I can't recommend them. There are alot of hotels back "in town" that are less pricey. I'm sure some are better. We also tried to eat at the local Pizza Hut. They had a buffet advertised . We went in and there was no buffet. We waited 20 minutes for seating, looking at four cleared tables. The couple ahead said they were there 30 minutes ahead of us. No employee even addresses us or them. After our 20 minutes I stopped one and asked if they ever intended to seat someone. I got a "we're busy", so I took my money and went elsewhere. There was another pizza place close by (name escapes me) . It has been there 50 years, good service and good pizza.

   Niagra was on my list of sites that I needed to see. It was worth the drive and I'll probably take my wife back (with our documents) ;D.

Mark

[woodmills1]

anyone reccomend a hotel on the canadian side?

We are visiting friends in Oswego for harborfest and then heading to the falls after.

[Stephen1]

I travel there for work. We lay over at the Best Western Cairncroft, a nice 3 star hotel on Lundy's Lane 10 min walk to the falls, and Casino.  It has a nice indoor pool and garden area with bar. I do not visit any attractions , but I do get walk about quit a bit. The casino has a great buffet for lunch or dinner. there are some nicer hotels closer to the falls, pricier.

[woodmills1]

I picked the comfort inn fallsview for a few reasons.  All of the rooms with a view are expensive in any hotel but this one has outdoor balconies.  All of the "getaway packages" are expensive and most have things we won't use.  this one has 2 breakfast for 2, one dinner for 2, and free admission to the three pay for falls attractions, maid in mist, behind the falls and the walking tour.  The only thing I don't think we will use is the butterfly experince.  I like the idea of the balcony and we get parking included.

A side note we are headed to Oswego NY first to visit friends for their harbour fest

[OneWithWood]

Further down the river is one of the most amazing whirlpools you will ever see.
I used to go over to the Canadian side and hike down into the gorge to see it up close.  The shape of the gorge makes it difficult to climb back out so you might want to just view it from the rim.
My adventures in Niagara were in 1975 so it may have changed considerably by now.