Tell me about Niagara Falls?

[nat]

HI, Well we are off to NF the first week of October! How will the weather be? We are staying at the Marriott Fallsview! We are flying and we booked five nights, so we will have a total of four full days, we had booked four nights but added the extra night to be safe? We like to sight see and do a lot! Any ideas on which transportation to use from the airport?? Should we rent a car? Also, is there a small grocery/liquor store in walking distance from the Marriott? My son takes medication in Propel (drink) and I will need to buy it for each night and DH and I like to have a or two int our room! Any info would be greatly appreicated! Many thanks!

[Tyson The Lab]

The weather in Niagara Falls is really unpredictable. It can be warm enough for shorts, or cold enough for pants. The hotel you are staying in, is that on the Canadian or American side? I think there are casinos on both sides now.

[nat]

HI, (Canada) we live in New England, so it sounds like it's very close to our weather!

[BriarRose0708]

Are you flying into Buffalo or Niagara Falls Airport? It will take you at least 20 to 25 minutes to get to NF from Buffalo (counting traffic), but if you're flying into NF there should be plenty of cabs around and i think your ride will be only 10 minutes.

As the above poster said, you never know what the weather in Western New York is going to be like so dress in layers! It could be 70 degrees and sunny or freezing cold and snowy.

Honestly, the American side of the Falls has gotten a lot of flack because there's not a whole lot to do as far as entertainment goes. The park is lovely though, and you should definately take a walk over to Goat Island, it's beautiful, especially in the fall! You can actually feel the vibrations from the water rushing over the falls. NF is one of my favorite places to go. Other things on the American side- Hard Rock Cafe, some shops, the outlet mall and Maid of the Mist, plus the casino. There's also an observation tower you can get good pics of the Horseshoe Falls from. Your best view from the Canadian side though.

In Canada there are a lot of more "touristy" things to do. You can also do Maid of the Mist there, and go into the caverns behind the falls and there are loads of places to eat- Hard Rock, Planet Hollywood, and Rainforest. Many shops as well and a Hershey's store for your sweet tooth! If you rent a car or take the bus you can go to Marineland, sort of like a Sea World/Busch Gardens combo. Clifton Hill is the busiest part on the Canadian side, it has 3D movie things, clubs, more restaurants, haunted houses (they are VERY scary, nothing like haunted mansion), and Ripley's Believe it or Not. I haven't been over there in about 3 years so they may have added more.

The actual city of NF on the American side is not that big and I am pretty sure you can walk to a grocery store. Look for a Wegman's or Tops, and we also have Walgreen's and Eckard Drugs.

Hope you and your family enjoy your trip!

[nat]

Thank you so much! I am pretty sure that we are flying Southwest into Buff, NY, how far is that? What do you recommend for transportation? Are the stores on the Canadian side that you mentioned? Should we rent a car???

[BriarRose0708]

Since you're flying into Buffalo, I'd rent a car, but just be aware it can be a hastle driving over to the Canadian side depending on the time of day. You're going in the off season so it shouldn't be that bad. It's very very easy to get to NF. Look for 290 West and follow the signs for 90 North. You'll go over Grand Island bridges (there's a 75 cent toll), and then the exit is right there. It will take you about 20 minutes. I am not sure about grocery stores on the Canadian side, but you can basically find most anything on Clifton Hill, which should be in walking distance of the Marriott. Or you can stop on the American side, pm me if you want specific directions when it gets closer to your trip. If you decide to go over the to American side you can easily walk accross Rainbow Bridge instead of driving. If you do rent a car I'd definately go to Marineland and you can drive up to Niagara on the Lake, it's s very cute town on the river with lots of wineries and shopping!

[Polynesian Dweller]

I am Canadian from just north of the area. You won't find beer sold in a corner store in Ontario, it is only sold in the Beer Store by law. Also be aware the our law doesn't let you walk around with alcoholic drinks, you will have to drink them in your room or the restaurants. Most room bar fridges have some for a price of course.

Your hotel is in the Fallsview area and we have stayed there. It, the Sheraton Fallsview, and, Embassy Suites are all together and have the best views of both Falls in the region.

You should have no problem getting the Propel. You will be in the tourist region rather than a commercial region so are a bit away from where the residents live so there aren't grocery stores per se in the immediate walking distance area. But, I have bought this in shops in the Clifton Hill area and that is easy walking distance.

Weather can be quite variable at that time of year, anywhere from 4C (39F) to 26C (79F)have been known but I'd plan for teens C (high50's F to low 60sF).

Have a great trip!!

[Tyson The Lab]

If you plan on only drinking in your room, then you could stop at the duty free on your way into canada. as soon as you pay your bridge toll it should be right there. if you are talking to a Canadian border guard, then you are too late. If you drink beer, expect to pay $30-40 CDN per 24 bottles at the beer store. Duty free charged $12 US last time I passed through, but that was a couple years ago. I think the catch is you can't bring it back with you though, so bottoms up. If you drink mixed drinks, you can get liquor and/or wine at duty free as well. You may want to google some addresses before you leave home. some of the grocery store chains here are: Sobeys, Price Chopper, No Frills, Loblaws, A & P, Dominion. I don't know which ones are in the area you are staying, but as another person mentioned, you won't find one in downtown Niagara Falls.

One other thing to google....the butterfly conservatory. It will take up about half of your day. The area is surrounded by vinyards so its a nice drive. They have routes all marked out. The conservatory though, takes about an hr to walk through, and you will be surrounded by hundreds of types of butterflies. They can land on your head, and hands etc.

[nat]

Many thanks to all of you ! There is always the option to drive?? It's seven hours???? Not sure yet?? If we do, then I could pack everything I need from home beer, ect! Has anyone ever made the drive for New England (RI) if so how was it?? If we fly, I think we will rent a car for sure. We like to explore! Keep the tips coming!!!

[RedSoxFan]

My sister lives in Chepachet, RI and it takes us 5 hours from Ithaca, NY to get to her house. And it takes 2.5-3 hrs to get to Buffalo from Ithaca depending on the traffic. Hope this helps. This is a great thread as we are going to visit NF in the summer as we need to go to U of Buffalo for a college visit/tour for DS #2.

[tinkerbelle75]

We went in January of this year and we had so much fun! Stay off the beaten path and you'll find some pretty amazing things in the NF area.I'd stay away from Clifton Hill,it's nothing you won't find in every other tourist town in the US. We found a monastery, a convent, and a Buddhist temple within walking distance from our hotel. The ten thousand buddhas was one of the most beautiful things i've ever seen.(and no, I'm not a Buddhist)
The falls are gorgeous,but make sure to take a rain poncho, or buy one because you WILL get wet when you get close to them.
As far as car service, we used Jewel of Niagara, and they were absolutely wonderful.They will stop on the way for you to get the propel.We would recommend them to anyone.If you need more info or pics,just PM me!
Oh,and definitely try the Icewines!!!!
Have a wonderful time!!

[mouseaddict]

Someone mentioned Niagara -on-the-Lake
This is possibly my favorite place in the world! (besides Disney) It is so beautiful. You should try doing a winery tour..loads of fun. If you like fudge you have to try Maple Leaf Fudge...yummy!
Have a fantastic trip

[nat]

Thanks, we will! My family has always had a very small vineyard here in the Northeast! We are small peanuts, but it is a wonderful tradtion which my sons and my DH have gotten involved in!! If my Dad ever read that he'd have my head... !!

[TFrauts]

Because you are going in th 'off season' keep your eyes out for half price attractions!! If you are into haunted houses, 'Nightmares' is the BEST!! Kinda scary, but well worth your money!! The others are cheesy rip offs!! We always go the the indoor waterparks(these are neat when its chilly outside) when we are up there!! We always stay at the Great wolf Lodge, but there is one closer to you at the Sheraton By/on the FAlls...We love the rainforest cafe...but we ate at the Spicy Olive, which is just up from the big ferris wheel(the ferris wheel is really neat, and heated, but kind of pricey) and it was DELICIOUS!! If its someones b-day, the b-day person gets his/her meal for free at Tony Romas! Ripleys 4-D ride is neat, but I always leave with a headache because of the jerking back and forth! HAVE FUN!!

[RedSoxFan]

I just booked our trip to Niagara Falls. Staying at the Doubletree Resort Lodge & Spa Fallsview -- got a room with a fallsview for 7/21--7/25. We will also do a campus tour of U. of Buffalo for DS#2 during the visit. After Niagara Falls, we're heading to Cleveland for 4 days to see the Red Sox and go to Cedar Point. Should be a fun vacation.