Niagara Falls

[patr]

Hello everyone, we are going to visit Niagara Falls for a long weekend next month to celebrate our 35th anniversary. It will be our first time - can anyone suggest any "must see" or restaurants? We are booked in a falls view room at the Hilton.

Thanks!

[loria]

Assuming you are on the Canadian side? I would take a trip over to Niagra on the Lake--it's a really lovely town--
if you are feeleing adventurous take a jet boat tour into some serious class 5's ---

[lprof]

Two summers ago my husband and I spent a weekend in July at Niagara Falls, Canada. We were at the Hilton which was quite comfortable and convenient. Our only hotel meal was breakfast in the Watermark Restaurant... very nice views of the falls and very sunny in the morning.
I suggest walking down to the falls early in the morning... we went about seven on a Sunday, and there were only a few people around compared to huge crowds the day before.


I, too, recommend the scenic drive along the river to the town of Niagara on the Lake, a quaint town with many wineries to tour, many producing ice wine.
www.niagaraonthelake.com
There is a wonderful Shaw Festival there each summer which I can recommend. http://www.shawfest.com/
We had a nice Sunday brunch at the Cannery Restaurant in the Pillar and Post Inn. http://www.vintage-hotels.com/pillarandpost/dining.htm

Have a great time and Happy Anniversary!

[PA Girl]

I third Niagara on the Lake, very lovely. We drove up there for a day trip when we were staying in Niagara Falls (Canadian side.)

I don't remember much about our Niagara Falls dinners. We did have lunch outside at a restaurant with a large terrace on the water, can't remember the name but it was a nice lunch.

[toni]

I agree with the niagara on the lake, Lots of wineries in that area and it is a pretty drive. if you can, do the maid of the mist boat trip into the base of the falls. It is a classic. If you watch the office that's where the wedding was. Have to say that the canadian side has more going for it. We just had friends in town who went there and did some tower view that they enjoyed, also where u can go behind the falls they
liked that too. Have fun!

[brenda]

Ditto the suggestion for the Jet Boat Tour. Oh my gosh, that was fun.

http://www.whirlpooljet.com/default.aspx

It took about an hour. You will/would get completely soaked to the skin so change of clothes needed.

One of the places it departs from is Niagara on the Lake, so we walked around town first.

[samholtz]

we live 3 hours from niagara...i can really help you with anything you want to know. we go up sometimes twice a month.
there ia an awesome bike path that will take you from niagara to niagara on the lake. you can also hike down to the whirlpool and along the river (it's awesome). the budhist temple is a good stop to, it's really amazing inside.
any questions pm me.
Sam

[mindehankins]

We love the Canadian side of the falls! Blaine proposed there
I like traipsing around the Clifton Hill area. We LOVE "Nightmares" the haunted house. Look it up! It is SO fun! We have a hilarious pic of Blaine (*not*) protecting me from one of the illusions.
Niagara on the Lake is truly beautiful, as so many have said. I've done a couple of wine tours and the jet boat....
It's a fun getaway....enjoy and congrats!

[mindehankins]

Oh, and just in case you like it better, check out the views and reviews of the Sheraton, as well, assuming you're talking Canadian side.
I thought the Sheraton views were WAY better than the Hilton, with floor to ceiling windows. We stayed up very late at night, just gazing at the unbelievable view....

[PA Girl]

Oh, and just in case you like it better, check out the views and reviews of the Sheraton, as well, assuming you're talking Canadian side.
I thought the Sheraton views were WAY better than the Hilton, with floor to ceiling windows. We stayed up very late at night, just gazing at the unbelievable view....

I will add we stayed at the Sheraton Fallsview, on the 4th floor (I think) and there were a grouping of rooms that had patios that directly looked out on to the falls, it was incredible. I remember having two loungers and a bistro set. We spent a lot of time out on the patio.

[patr]

Thanks everyone, I will definitely add Niagara on the Lake to our list. Does anyone know if we need reservations for Maid of the Mist? I will also check out that Jetboat thing, might be a bit too much for us old folks tho' !

We are staying at the Hilton on the Canadian side (Hilton Honor points).

[theshopper3]

Hi Patr,

You would definatley not need reservation for the Maid of the Mist. It is a very big & steady attraction, with a basic revolving line up. Only suggestion may be to go a little early to see how the line is.

The Shopper

[BuffaloGal]

Unfortunately, I must admit that the Canadian side has a lot more going on than our New York side. I, too, recommend Niagara on the Lake. Very quaint and beautiful with excellent restaurants. Check out vintage-hotels.com. They operate a number of properties in Niagara on the Lake.

Maid of the Mist is great and easy to get onto. You can ride from the Canadian or US side. Before you cross into Canada, it's worth checking out Goat Island and some of the viewing areas in the parks surrounding the Falls. There is a tower that lets you walk out over the area right above where the Maid of the Mist departs. It's a pretty impressive view. I haven't done the Jet Boat, but my son absolutely loved it. (Prepare to get wet!)

If you like casinos, there are a number of them up there as well. There happen to be some good restaurants at the Seneca Niagara Casino on the US side. If you like steak, the Western Door is especially good. On the Canadian side, there is a Wolfgang Puck restaurant, though I haven't tried it. Have a great time! Sometimes we need a reminder in this area that we are a "destination" too.