niagara falls ??

goofyfan4466 · #1 07-11-2007, 07:12 PM

after cancelling our last 2 disney trips because of work injury, the wife has decided we want to go to niagara falls. we haven't been there in 11 - 12 years. what are some must do's there ? we will be there for 2 maybe 3 nights in august. i was looking online and was trying to figure out gas prices, but did not understand how it works there. on gasbuddy site the prices were like 110.6,110.7,110.8 and so on.do they take the american dollar and visa debit cards or do you have to convert to canadian money? also has any body seen cirque niagara? any info. would be greatly appreciated. we are driving from pa.,about a 7 hour trip we are told. ( disney rocks )!!!

robhink · #2 07-11-2007, 08:27 PM

Gas prices in Canada are based on the liter so the prices you see are per liter, take that number times 3.8 (roughly) to get the gallon price. The price 110.6 converts to 1.106 dollars times 3.8 = around 4.20 per gallon of gas. When I've gone to Niagara falls I've always found that it's best to fill up in upstate New York before crossing the border.

Most places in the tourist area around the falls will take American money, and they will take credit/debit cards as well. There may be a fee assessed by your bank for using the card out of country but you'd have to check with your bank.

From southeastern PA it is about a 7 or so hour drive to Niagara Falls, based on construction you might run into.

Polynesian Dweller · #3 07-11-2007, 10:09 PM

You will find that most tourist places list prices in both US and Canadian currencies and will accept either. Sometimes that works out to the advantage of US tourists and sometimes to Canadians. The difference in price quoted is rarely (never?) the same as the exchange rate.

In terms of gas, its currently at about $1.035 CDN per litre. Converting to US$ and US gallons that's about $3.71 US$ per gallon. About the same as in Michigan and slightly more than NY. What you are quoting as prices are in pennies (110.5 pennies).

tarjaybuff · #4 07-11-2007, 10:45 PM

I live about 20 minutes from the falls. Gas prices here are lowering, and we are now at $3.07 per gallon. There is not much to do on the American side. If you pass over to Cananda via the rainbow bridge in Niagara Falls, NY it will put you near CLifton Hill. There is so much to do and see on the Hill, but bring your money. LOL!

CleveSJM · #5 07-13-2007, 09:47 AM

The only real must do is the Maid of the Mist on the Canadian side. The Canadian side is the best side for just walking and siteseeing.

Next, I'd say the Journey Behind the Falls at tablerock is best. The Aerocar over the whirlpool is nice if you don't mind heights. The Gorge walk is pretty good. You can buy multipass tickets at tablerock. Clifton Hill and Lundy's Lane are nice tourist spots. Casinos are close by as well. Up Lundy's lane there is an outlet shopping center with a Root's store. Also a decent informal restaurant up that way called Mick and Angelo's (or something like that). Big menu and great with kids.

Have a great, safe, fun trip!

NJGIRL · #6 07-16-2007, 11:32 AM

It took us 8 hours from NJ. We paid for everything we bought in US dollars. Maid of the Mist was alot of fun. Also the tour behind the falls was nice. It's a beautiful place to visit have fun!

princessesmom · #7 07-16-2007, 04:37 PM

We just returned from our first trip last Friday. It was a lot of fun and amazing to see. We stayed at the Embassy Suites on the Canadian side. We had a great view of both falls from our room and were able to relax and watch the fireworks on Wednesday evening from the bedroom. Our favorite thing was walking across the Rainbow Bridge back into the US. We walked along the state park to the viewing areas for both the American and Horseshoe falls and we did the Cave of the Winds tour watch was so amazing - I highly recommend it! It was a lot of walking, but a beautiful day and we saw some amazing things. We also did the Maid of the Mist, which was fun for everyone except our 3 year old (way too much water flying at her). We went to the IMAX movie about the falls which everyone liked (age ranges from 65 down to 3). We did the sky wheel on Clifton Hill, great view and easy with the kids.

The one thing I would recommend against is going to the Friday's in the Embassy Suites hotel. We had a dinner and breafkast there and were not happy with the food or the service. We did let the hotel and the restaurant know. We had a dinner at Outback which we all enjoyed and Vinny's was also good, both close to Embassy Suites.

We tried to charge most things, but it was never a problem using US money, however most places will give you change in Canadian dollars.

Flower · #8 07-21-2007, 10:47 PM

We go to the falls several times a year. If you like wine, be sure to take the drive up to Niagara-on-the-Lake. N-O-L also offers theatre and very nice dining.

While at the falls themselves, for a bit of Disney check out Wolfgang Pucks located by the new casino - yes, NF has 2 casinos! The old one is right at the falls near the rainbow bridge and the newer one is 'in town'.

The Skylon Tower offers great views of the area and was worth the price.

We recently returned and spent a night at the Great Wolf Lodge - a lot of fun for the family!