Niagara Falls adventure crowdsourcing

[orangerful]

So, Tim finally got his passport and I've decided to start small and just drive across the border into Canada so he can get his first stamp (do they stamp them at the border? I don't know, but I will be a nerd about it and request I get a stamp).

I'm thinking Niagara Falls and staying on the Canada side. Found a few hotels that had a good rating and a good price so now I need to book one. My plan is to be in the area for 3 days and that seems like a lot for just the falls so anyone have any suggestions for activities?

I see that Toronto is about 90 minute drive - suggestions for the city would be welcome too.

I haven't been to Niagara since I was...hm...I must have been pretty young, like 10? 12? I don't really remember it anymore, my brain apparently was not impressed. I do remember sitting on the beach with my Grandma while my family ran into the casino somewhere just to say they gambled in Canada. LOL. Maybe it was a new casino at the time? Random, I know.

Anyway, if you've been more recently or know of some must-see things in that radius, let me know! I've got Wanderlust with so many other people going on vacation so I want to plan something so I have it to look forward too. :)

Comments

[yourlibrarian]

I pulled this from my post some years back about visiting Niagara.

Niagara was also a bit of a letdown. I wouldn’t tell anyone not to go – the falls and the area are quite pretty. But apparently Canadians are just as capable of kitsch as Americans and the whole area is a pricey tourist hellhole. Also the falls are smaller than I expected.

They’re more beautiful than Foz do Iguaçu, the water is clear and the rocky area leading to the falls and farther downstream are attractive to look at. Iguaçu is muddy and less picturesque. But it is BIG. I still remember on our drive to see it that you could hear the sound of the falls for miles before we arrived. I couldn’t hear the falls from the hill above them at Niagara – but maybe that’s because the Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville restaurant’s music was being blasted for blocks around.

We paid for the Behind the Falls access and that was well worth it. Basically you stand on an observation deck halfway down the falls and can also walk through some tunnels to two “behind the falls” observation spots. The nice thing was that it wasn’t so crowded that we couldn’t take our time (at least on the observation deck – the tunnels had lines). I can see why it’s recommended that people go to the Canadian side – it seems you can’t see nearly as much from the U.S. side.

[orangerful]

I was debating about the 'Behind the Falls' tour but it sounds like it might be the best thing! I found information about a park nearby too with good hiking so I figure we can spend a day at the touristy Falls area and then a day in pure nature. I'm pondering doing a third day on the U.S. side and maybe just a quick visit to the Falls there and then some hiking in New York.

Thanks for the input!!!

[colls]

They don't stamp passports at the USA/Canadian border (or never have when I've crossed). I don't think it's something they'd do even upon request? But I'm not positive on that. Our relations with Canada might've changed in the past few months (/s)

I enjoyed downtown Toronto, which isn't really all that far from NFalls - was there for a convention but there were plenty of interesting restaurants.

Have fun!

[thenewbuzwuzz]

No suggestions, other than have fun!