Stephen
New member
...what should we do? I'm whisking my wife away for a few days to the falls.
And you need not recommend the obvious...
-Stephen
And you need not recommend the obvious...
-Stephen
-
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When in Niagara...
- Thread starter Stephen
- Start date
Must-do:
Cave of the Winds - walking tour out at the base of the American Falls. Hopefully still open this time of year. Amazing place to stand.
Maid of the Mist - boat ride into the horseshoe of the Canadian Falls. Incredible.
Walk around the park where CotW is, including out on the islands which are between the American and Canadian Falls. Very pretty.
Nighttime view from the top of the observation tower at Maple Leaf Village (I think that's what it's called). It's on the "strip" on the Canadian side, which is a real hoot to walk and the riverfront has fantastic views, day and night. Even has a Ripley's. The US side has pretty much nothing, though there is the big green steel observation tower which is okay.
Others:
You can hike down the canyon, but I don't know the details.
There's a cable tram ride across the whirlpool gorge, if I remember right. Way cool, not for the vertigo-challenged.
The dam at the end of the river diversion where it comes back into the river down below the falls is very impressive; if you're just driving around any day, be sure to go past it.
Cave of the Winds - walking tour out at the base of the American Falls. Hopefully still open this time of year. Amazing place to stand.
Maid of the Mist - boat ride into the horseshoe of the Canadian Falls. Incredible.
Walk around the park where CotW is, including out on the islands which are between the American and Canadian Falls. Very pretty.
Nighttime view from the top of the observation tower at Maple Leaf Village (I think that's what it's called). It's on the "strip" on the Canadian side, which is a real hoot to walk and the riverfront has fantastic views, day and night. Even has a Ripley's. The US side has pretty much nothing, though there is the big green steel observation tower which is okay.
Others:
You can hike down the canyon, but I don't know the details.
There's a cable tram ride across the whirlpool gorge, if I remember right. Way cool, not for the vertigo-challenged.
The dam at the end of the river diversion where it comes back into the river down below the falls is very impressive; if you're just driving around any day, be sure to go past it.
ChileMass
Active member
Go over the Peace Bridge to the Canadian side - MUCH nicer than the NY side, and there's a beautiful parkway that runs along the Niagara River up to St. Catherine's......not sure if the big amusement park is open daily this time of year or just weekends, but there's a HUGE amusement park on the Canadian side of the falls......
Stephen
New member
We are staying on the Canadian side...
skiguide
New member
anyone know how much (if any) of the american side is dog friendly?
i'd love to take the long way over to Niagra (i've never seen it) on my way down to Ohio when I drive out west in a week or so, but I'll have the dog, so I want to make sure he'll be able to get out and walk along any trails or whatever with me if I go for the view.
and I'd probably like a nice camping spot over that way - or we'll sleep in the truck
i'd love to take the long way over to Niagra (i've never seen it) on my way down to Ohio when I drive out west in a week or so, but I'll have the dog, so I want to make sure he'll be able to get out and walk along any trails or whatever with me if I go for the view.
and I'd probably like a nice camping spot over that way - or we'll sleep in the truck
Links...
US...
Niagara Falls State Park (it's framed, so some links below shoot right in)
Cave of the Winds
Maid of the Mist (US page, but you can board from CA as well)
US Observation Tower
The island to walk first out to is Goat Island, then all the little other ones. Fantastic to be right on the river, and great views from right on the edge of both falls.
I couldn't find anything saying if dogs are allowed in the park or not, and even if I remembered, that was 1993...
In Canada...
Apparently Maple Leaf Village and its observation tower (which had the BEST view) is gone, replaced by the Casino Niagara back in 1993. That would be why the tower wasn't open then (but was back in 1985). Bummer. But if you're on the Canadian side, really just walk around. It's awesome, and a great waterfront. And there's a tunnel walk down behind the Canadian Falls, but I've never done it.
This pageis by far the best documentary page I've seen to really sum everything up in one page.
US...
Niagara Falls State Park (it's framed, so some links below shoot right in)
Cave of the Winds
Maid of the Mist (US page, but you can board from CA as well)
US Observation Tower
The island to walk first out to is Goat Island, then all the little other ones. Fantastic to be right on the river, and great views from right on the edge of both falls.
I couldn't find anything saying if dogs are allowed in the park or not, and even if I remembered, that was 1993...
In Canada...
Apparently Maple Leaf Village and its observation tower (which had the BEST view) is gone, replaced by the Casino Niagara back in 1993. That would be why the tower wasn't open then (but was back in 1985). Bummer. But if you're on the Canadian side, really just walk around. It's awesome, and a great waterfront. And there's a tunnel walk down behind the Canadian Falls, but I've never done it.
This pageis by far the best documentary page I've seen to really sum everything up in one page.
Stephen
New member
Picked up a couple of passes:
http://www.niagaraparks.com/nfgg/discountpass.php
Plus coupons to Ripley's:
http://www.infoniagara.com/attractions/ripleys/coupons.html
There's a Guiness World Records Museum near Ripley's.
http://www.niagaraparks.com/nfgg/discountpass.php
Plus coupons to Ripley's:
http://www.infoniagara.com/attractions/ripleys/coupons.html
There's a Guiness World Records Museum near Ripley's.
skiguide
New member
yea, i submitted a question about it - since it wasn't on the FAQ -
definitely seems like the NY side is as cheesy and touristy as i've heard - what i'd be interested in doing with the dog though is the Niagara Gorge Trail System,
i don''t know that I'll stay long - so I don't know if it's worth the time/effort to cross the border, even with all the dog's papers, etc.
definitely seems like the NY side is as cheesy and touristy as i've heard - what i'd be interested in doing with the dog though is the Niagara Gorge Trail System,
i don''t know that I'll stay long - so I don't know if it's worth the time/effort to cross the border, even with all the dog's papers, etc.
The park is the one nice part of the NY side. It really is worth going out on Goat Island and the smaller islands, and standing on the brink of the Falls. The obs deck is okay, but not as good as being on the CA riverfront. Cave of the Winds is awesome!
The one other thing you get with the NY park is all the displays and history in the info center. Some of that stuff is really cool (well, was). You realize how there are old power stations built into the cliff walls and tunnels everywhere. No wonder I started out in structural engineering.
The one other thing you get with the NY park is all the displays and history in the info center. Some of that stuff is really cool (well, was). You realize how there are old power stations built into the cliff walls and tunnels everywhere. No wonder I started out in structural engineering.
pepsi
New member
A link to Border crossing wait times that may be useful if you have access just before you get there:
http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/
Try and cross as early or as late as possible. I was there a few weeks ago and had a less than five minute wait each way. But, the line of cars (stopped) heading to Canada when I was coming back to the US was about 5-8 miles long.
Also, although I did not need them. It's recommended that you carry a passport or birth certifcate (not a copy).
http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/
Try and cross as early or as late as possible. I was there a few weeks ago and had a less than five minute wait each way. But, the line of cars (stopped) heading to Canada when I was coming back to the US was about 5-8 miles long.
Also, although I did not need them. It's recommended that you carry a passport or birth certifcate (not a copy).
