Niagara Falls

sara1998 · #1 10-15-2006, 06:35 PM

Anyone been there? What else is there to do besides visit the falls? Looking into vacation ideas for next year.

DrummerDeanna · #2 10-16-2006, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sara1998

Anyone been there? What else is there to do besides visit the falls? Looking into vacation ideas for next year.

I've been there

There is a lot to do around there. The American side is beautiful and more of a nature park than a tourist/commercial monstrosity. BUT the view from the Canadian side is better.

On the American side there are a few things to do near the falls....there's more to do on the Canadian side, an aquarium, an amusement park, wax museum, butterfly pavillion, tons of haunted house things and more....it's pretty cool.

I enjoyed the Canadian side for the carnival aspect and such - and I enjoyed the American side for the beauty - and you can get so close to the water!

OH and don't forget about Maid of the Mist - the boat that takes you to the foot of the falls and Cave of the Winds...where you can go into caves behind the falls...SO much fun

sara1998 · #3 10-16-2006, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

I've been there

There is a lot to do around there. The American side is beautiful and more of a nature park than a tourist/commercial monstrosity. BUT the view from the Canadian side is better.

On the American side there are a few things to do near the falls....there's more to do on the Canadian side, an aquarium, an amusement park, wax museum, butterfly pavillion, tons of haunted house things and more....it's pretty cool.

I enjoyed the Canadian side for the carnival aspect and such - and I enjoyed the American side for the beauty - and you can get so close to the water!

OH and don't forget about Maid of the Mist - the boat that takes you to the foot of the falls and Cave of the Winds...where you can go into caves behind the falls...SO much fun

Thanks Deanna. I was wondering if I was going to get any input!

DrummerDeanna · #4 10-16-2006, 01:33 PM

I'm behind - had company this weekend

Paula lives in Buffalo - not at all far from Niagara Falls - she probably knows of more cool stuff in the area. All in all though my mom and I had a blast there...it'd be a pretty fun vacation spot...lots to do that both adults and kids can enjoy.

SuzeQuze · #5 10-16-2006, 01:34 PM

Yeah, you have to take the Maid of the Mist, it's such an experience. If you do go to the falls you'll be struck by the thunderous sound. That does not translate over film so you don't expect it. It can only be fully sensed in person.

I know that I went up in some very high outlook on the Canadian side. That was so cool and I recommend it. The falls really are much more spectacular from that side. You can see the horseshoe-shaped part from there. However, if you do stay on the American side, you can just walk over to the Canadian for the day which is what we did. There wasn't much to do on the American side though.

Make sure you see the falls at night from the Canadian side when they are all lit up.

DavidMn · #6 10-16-2006, 01:34 PM

I wanted to go when I saw Fleetwood Mac in Buffalo in 2003, but I didnt have the time.,

SuzeQuze · #7 10-16-2006, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMn

I wanted to go when I saw Fleetwood Mac in Buffalo in 2003, but I didnt have the time.,

Was that because of having to get back to work? Work always gets in the way of fun!

Except it does fund it!

must.find.pot.of.gold

DavidMn · #8 10-16-2006, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

Was that because of having to get back to work? Work always gets in the way of fun!

Except it does fund it!

must.find.pot.of.gold

Well, actually what happened is during the day I was at the Pirates game in Pittsburgh, and it ended at about 3. I stayed in Erie Pennsylvania so I got to the venue like 30 min before the show started. That was Thursday night. I had to be back to work in Minneapolis at 6:00 AM Saturday!

SuzeQuze · #9 10-16-2006, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMn

Well, actually what happened is during the day I was at the Pirates game in Pittsburgh, and it ended at about 3. I stayed in Erie Pennsylvania so I got to the venue like 30 min before the show started. That was Thursday night. I had to be back to work in Minneapolis at 6:00 AM Saturday!

That reminds me, I went to Woodstock in '94 and my friend wanted to stay over Sun night so I had to have my mother call in sick for me to my office on Mon.

DavidMn · #10 10-16-2006, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

That reminds me, I went to Woodstock in '94 and my friend wanted to stay over Sun night so I had to have my mother call in sick for me to my office on Mon.

Yeah it was about a 15 hour drive from Erie to Minneapolis on Frifay. Got in at 1:00 am and was at work at 6.

skcin · #11 10-17-2006, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

I'm behind - had company this weekend

Paula lives in Buffalo - not at all far from Niagara Falls - she probably knows of more cool stuff in the area. All in all though my mom and I had a blast there...it'd be a pretty fun vacation spot...lots to do that both adults and kids can enjoy.

Eh, you pretty much covered it.

I much prefer the U.S. side, since I'm a nature lover. Also could be because my parents took us to the Canadian side every summer & I've been in every silly museum there 20 times.

But there's really no shortage of things to do in this area, to be honest. Lemme know if you decide to come up & I'll give you more info.

GardenStateGirlie · #12 10-17-2006, 01:22 PM

i've been a few times -- i really really love canada and you're not at all far from toronto -- a city i reccomend if you have the time to make the trek. in niagra falls, do the skylon tower [simply for the view]. the food there is expensive but not bad and you revolve the entire time you're eating dinner which is very cool. if not, do the observation deck and check it out. other than that, there's plenty to do on clifton hill [the main drag] which everyone has already mentioned. there is also a simulator you can hop into [not for free, of course] where you go over the falls. i can tell you right now, i don't think at age six i fully understood the "simulation" bit -- i cried thinking we were literally going over the falls. oh, mom and dad...

skcin · #13 10-17-2006, 01:36 PM

Oh , I forgot to agree that the Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds tours are both a must, and you can do both on either the U.S. or Canadian sides. Not too expensive, either.

sara1998 · #14 10-17-2006, 01:50 PM

Thanks, ya'll. I think I might take the kids up there next summer. It's only an 8.5 hour drive from here. Want to do lunch, Paula?
On edit: Better yet, let's do Cedar Point, then the kids and I can go to Niagara Falls!!

skcin · #15 10-23-2006, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sara1998

Thanks, ya'll. I think I might take the kids up there next summer. It's only an 8.5 hour drive from here. Want to do lunch, Paula?
On edit: Better yet, let's do Cedar Point, then the kids and I can go to Niagara Falls!!

Either or, you just let me know.