Niagara Trip Suggestions?

memphis02 · 07-30-2017, 07:25 PM

We're going to head up to Grand Island, this weekend. From what I've been told, the way to see the falls is best from the Canadian side. Any pointers or must-see / must-do things? We'll be staying at a KoA in Grand Island.

garyg23 · 07-30-2017, 07:32 PM

Canadian side is definitely the most impressive. Should see it during the day and again at night(all lit up).

So be prepared to cross the border, passport etc.

jkaras7 · 07-30-2017, 07:37 PM

We went to Niagara Falls years ago, before we ever had an RV. We all agreed that the view from the Canadian side was better. We also enjoyed the Maid of the Mist boat ride up close to the falls. The sound was thunderous and we got pretty wet but it was a blast.

THE MEEKER · 07-30-2017, 08:04 PM

A must do. Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours at Lewiston Landing, Lewiston NY. 8 miles north of Niagara Falls. One hour high-speed ride upriver into the Niagara Gorge, through the Devil's Hole rapids and to the edge of the whirlpool and back. Many nice restaurants/pubs in Lewiston and Youngstown just a little more north. Fort Niagara also if you are a history buff. Plus the locks on the Erie Canal at Lockport NY, 15 miles east. Downtown Buffalo also nice at Canalside. Again, many restaurants and craft breweries walking distance from there. You will have a great time!

Bucko06 · 07-30-2017, 08:09 PM

Get up early and do the most touristy things like maid of the mist or cave of the winds. The lines get ridiculous fast.

Redwing · 07-30-2017, 08:19 PM

Whirlpool brige is a must ! We liked the tunnels more then the maid of the mist! The best views are from the Canadian side not even close !

Isaacs · 07-30-2017, 08:33 PM

Park on the US side at the state park lot near the Rainbow Bridge and walk across to Canada in the evening. That way you'll see the lights on the falls.

Mark S · 07-30-2017, 09:08 PM

We just arrived at the Grand Island KOA this evening. We could not get a spot past Friday so be sure to have reservations. We are hoping to see the falls on Wednesday.

Isaacs · 07-30-2017, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redwing

Whirlpool brige is a must ! We liked the tunnels more then the maid of the mist! The best views are from the Canadian side not even close !

I think you mean the Rainbow Bridge. They won't be able to cross the Whirlpool Bridge without a NEXUS pass.

memphis02 · 07-31-2017, 06:23 AM

Thanks, everyone!!! We went ahead and got reservations for the tunnels and the 'horn blower' -still discussing logistics for the evening lights. -Might try to talk the rest of the fam into heading down to Lewiston Landing to sample some of their breweries and other offerings!

Thanks again for all your suggestions!

sfergie631 · 08-01-2017, 05:14 PM

Just got back from a 4 day stay at the Branches of Niagara campground in Grand Island. I highly recommend the place. Very spacious, great water pressures and plenty for the kids to do. Didn't get to the KOA but could see it as we drove by and it was VERY crowded.
Of all the tourist things we did the 2 bid highlights were the Skylon tower on the Canadian side and the cave of the winds on the NY side.
Did the Gray Line tours on both sides.

klassic · 08-01-2017, 05:44 PM

Don't forget the Casino is right there too.
One on the US side and 2 on the Canadian side.
Bring some extra money

memphis02 · 08-02-2017, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klassic

Don't forget the Casino is right there too.
One on the US side and 2 on the Canadian side.
Bring some extra money

To save some money on a business training trip several years ago, I stayed at a nearby casino hotel (their rooms were new and $70/night compared to $150+). To get to my room, I had to swipe my keycard to get to my floor in the elevator. The only problem with that is, once you were in the elevator, you couldn't select a button without swiping your card. Every night after having spent the day near 500hp 3-phase motors, my card would be de-magnetized and I would be stuck in that damn elevator for 10-15 minutes or until someone came along and let me out. It was during that trip I learned that, with my luck, I don't gamble at casinos.

Aardvarkjff · 08-03-2017, 12:47 PM

Oh, don't forget about Martin's Fantasy Island. It is like a amusement park/water park right next door. They even have a little train that stops at the KOA and will take you around the funpark. So nice going there in the morning, back to camp for lunch, then back for more in the afternoon.

We will be there this weekend too.

memphis02 · 08-08-2017, 07:08 PM

Outside of a slight toilet mishap due to a fatigued part, we had an awesome Niagara trip. Just wanted to thank everyone for their suggestions! I can definitely recommend using a tour company as we were able to bypass the lines for the horn blower boat, journey behind the falls and get through customs with priority. If you're on a time crunch, it's definitely worth it!!

Also, if you go after 9 on the U.S. side, parking is free at the falls observation area and there's an awesome fireworks display usually at 10pm, not to mention the falls are illuminated and are incredible!

jkaras7 · 08-08-2017, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by memphis02

Outside of a slight toilet mishap due to a fatigued part, we had an awesome Niagara trip. Just wanted to thank everyone for their suggestions! I can definitely recommend using a tour company as we were able to bypass the lines for the horn blower boat, journey behind the falls and get through customs with priority. If you're on a time crunch, it's definitely worth it!!

Also, if you go after 9 on the U.S. side, parking is free at the falls observation area and there's an awesome fireworks display usually at 10pm, not to mention the falls are illuminated and are incredible!

Thanks for the "trip report." Glad you had a great time and thanks for the recommendation to use a tour company.

KillerIsMe · 08-08-2017, 07:41 PM

As an aside, we live pretty close to Niagra Falls and went up there last Summer. Blazing heat. We stayed in a pet friendly hotel on the Canadian side as we have a dog who travels with us everywhere (which is one of the reasons we bought the Jayco). Anyways we walked downtown to see the lit-up falls the first night we were there, crowded sidewalks, hot as hell. Dog stopped right in the middle of the sidewalk, laid a red-hot crap. Steamer. We carry doggie bags with us always and as I bent over to pick up the steamer a girl on her phone and apparently not paying attention bumped into me, knocked me a little off balance, and she stepped right in the center of the steamer. A car had stopped on the street waiting to pick her up and she got in. I felt awful, but man we laughed.

Mark S · 08-08-2017, 08:25 PM

Cave of the wind and maid of the mist were awesome. Buffalo was a really cool town. Check out Canal Side. Enjoy. We had a blast there.

3'senough · 09-25-2017, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by memphis02

Outside of a slight toilet mishap due to a fatigued part, we had an awesome Niagara trip. Just wanted to thank everyone for their suggestions! I can definitely recommend using a tour company as we were able to bypass the lines for the horn blower boat, journey behind the falls and get through customs with priority. If you're on a time crunch, it's definitely worth it!!

Also, if you go after 9 on the U.S. side, parking is free at the falls observation area and there's an awesome fireworks display usually at 10pm, not to mention the falls are illuminated and are incredible!

Hey Memphis this is a trip I have been wanting to take my family on. Now my kids are all old enough and have the stamina to keep up with the hiking.

I see you stayed on the US side and used a tour company to help with getting the Canadian side for your sight seeing. From what I am seeing the rates on the CN side CG's are almost double the US even with the exchange rate, plus I like the remoteness of the GI location which seems very serene vs the others in my running.

If you could PM or post the tour group you used I would be grateful as I want to explore it all and figure out a budget for both time and costs.

5 days enough?

Have no problem getting up early to beat the rush!

Any pointers are appreciated!

ROC-REQS · 09-25-2017, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3'senough

Hey Memphis this is a trip I have been wanting to take my family on. Now my kids are all old enough and have the stamina to keep up with the hiking.

I see you stayed on the US side and used a tour company to help with getting the Canadian side for your sight seeing. From what I am seeing the rates on the CN side CG's are almost double the US even with the exchange rate, plus I like the remoteness of the GI location which seems very serene vs the others in my running.

If you could PM or post the tour group you used I would be grateful as I want to explore it all and figure out a budget for both time and costs.

5 days enough?

Have no problem getting up early to beat the rush!

Any pointers are appreciated!

We camp at the GI KOA a lot for UB Football games in the fall. It's a very nice campground, staff is very friendly and extremely helpful.

You can book Niagara Falls tours at the GI KOA with pickup and drop off right at the campground. The GI KOA web page says they use Bedore Tours

Agree with everything everyone else has posted here on things to do at the Falls, Buffalo, Lewiston, etc.

If your kids like to hike, on the Canadian side north of the Falls and Whirlpool, there's Niagara Glen park which as stairs and hiking trails that lead down into the gorge to the Niagara River.

Have fun.

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