Hey, so me and my fiance are going to be in New York visiting my dad in a couple weeks. We have planned for the last day to go across the border (got our passports all set) and stay at a hotel in Niagara Falls in Canada. Since I know there's at least a few Canadians here I was wondering if anyone had any advice on where to stay, what to do, etc. Obviously if any non-Canadians know about the area chime in.
If you're ever in Niagara on the Lake (opposite Youngstown, New York), definitely check out the Whirpool Jetboat Rides.
Holy crap. I just looked that up and it looks crazy! Probably a bit expensive for us though...
We ended up booking something in the Fallsview area near Horseshoe Falls. We're planning to do the Maid of the Mist tour and go to a restaurant with a view of the falls. Any recommendations? Anything within walking distance (that is not the casino) that we should check out?
Also we have heard that there's some not so great areas. Any advice on where to avoid?
Quote from: Lingus on August 26, 2010, 06:12:15 PM
Holy crap. I just looked that up and it looks crazy! Probably a bit expensive for us though...
We ended up booking something in the Fallsview area near Horseshoe Falls. We're planning to do the Maid of the Mist tour and go to a restaurant with a view of the falls. Any recommendations? Anything within walking distance (that is not the casino) that we should check out?
Also we have heard that there's some not so great areas. Any advice on where to avoid?
I wouldn't know much about the restaurants around Fallsview, but my advice is to head over to one of the local towns for restaurants if possible. The restaurants in your area are likely to be overly "touristy", meaning overpriced for semi-decent quality food.
Also, Niagara is relatively safe, I wouldn't worry too much about areas to avoid.
Cool thanks for the tips. I figure we'll be in for a bit of touristy crap. Kind of what it's all about I think. I mean, we will be tourists... But yea, I planned to make a reservation somewhere so we wouldn't have to deal with waiting in the crowds for a table with a view. Still though, I think you're right. It sounds like they have some places that are essentially Outback/Chiles quality food at twice the price. I'm hoping to find the "hidden" place that's great quality, with a view, and decent prices. >.>
Frankly, I've never been, but I have heard some things. First off, it is much better from the Canadian side. So make sure to actually come on over to check it out. Secondly, it's best if you take the boat out, as it's a real experience that way, as opposed to viewing it from afar. Lastly, there isn't much else to do in Niagra Falls, so no point in sticking around and trying to find other tourist attractions.
Quote from: Seifer on August 26, 2010, 07:17:18 PM
Frankly, I've never been, but I have heard some things. First off, it is much better from the Canadian side. So make sure to actually come on over to check it out. Secondly, it's best if you take the boat out, as it's a real experience that way, as opposed to viewing it from afar. Lastly, there isn't much else to do in Niagra Falls, so no point in sticking around and trying to find other tourist attractions.
Just got back last night (crazy to think I was in Canada yesterday morning, and in LA in the evening).
In any case, what you said there Seifer, is exactly the case. The views from the Canadian side are amazing. We walked along the upper portion, the main road there for a while and it's just great. The best is right up next to it where you are about 5-10 feet (or 1.524-3.048 meters) and a railing away from where the water drops off.
The maid of the mist boat ride was freaking awesome. It's really like nothing else. We took a bunch of pictures with a water-proof disposable. We're hoping at least one or two of the shots come out okay.
And finally, yes, the touristy crap was worthless. You get the same experience going to Las Vegas and/or Universal Studios. We're glad we only spent one night.
But yea, we had a good time in Canada (first time out of the US). The only issue was getting back into America they gave us some crap, but I think we just got one of the more crabby customs officers. It's understandable with all that's going on, it's just frustrating to have to go through it.
If we were to do it again, and we most likely will, we would stay somewhere outside of Niagara Falls, somewhere prettier and less touristy, and we would get the Adventure Pass thing that takes you around in the people mover and gives you passes to like four different things (one of which being the journey behind the falls that I wanted to do but we didn't end up doing.) I would also want to go over to the American side and see it from the observation deck. Even if just for a bit. And additionally, I think I'd want to go up to Niagara-on-the-Lake and do that jet boat thing Torch mentioned.
Quote from: Lingus on September 13, 2010, 07:46:39 PM
Quote from: Seifer on August 26, 2010, 07:17:18 PM
Frankly, I've never been, but I have heard some things. First off, it is much better from the Canadian side. So make sure to actually come on over to check it out. Secondly, it's best if you take the boat out, as it's a real experience that way, as opposed to viewing it from afar. Lastly, there isn't much else to do in Niagra Falls, so no point in sticking around and trying to find other tourist attractions.
Just got back last night (crazy to think I was in Canada yesterday morning, and in LA in the evening).
In any case, what you said there Seifer, is exactly the case. The views from the Canadian side are amazing. We walked along the upper portion, the main road there for a while and it's just great. The best is right up next to it where you are about 5-10 feet (or 1.524-3.048 meters) and a railing away from where the water drops off.
The maid of the mist boat ride was freaking awesome. It's really like nothing else. We took a bunch of pictures with a water-proof disposable. We're hoping at least one or two of the shots come out okay.
And finally, yes, the touristy crap was worthless. You get the same experience going to Las Vegas and/or Universal Studios. We're glad we only spent one night.
But yea, we had a good time in Canada (first time out of the US). The only issue was getting back into America they gave us some crap, but I think we just got one of the more crabby customs officers. It's understandable with all that's going on, it's just frustrating to have to go through it.
If we were to do it again, and we most likely will, we would stay somewhere outside of Niagara Falls, somewhere prettier and less touristy, and we would get the Adventure Pass thing that takes you around in the people mover and gives you passes to like four different things (one of which being the journey behind the falls that I wanted to do but we didn't end up doing.) I would also want to go over to the American side and see it from the observation deck. Even if just for a bit. And additionally, I think I'd want to go up to Niagara-on-the-Lake and do that jet boat thing Torch mentioned.
Goderich ;). Prettiest town in Canada, small, quiet, peaceful, yet still a "tourist" location. Though frankly, I don't know why. I think it's purely because it's so pretty and peaceful here.
Yea, I guess that's close enough to make a day trip out of the falls. How would you say Niagara-on-the-Lake compares?
Can't say, never been.
Canada?
Don't forget your polar bear saddle! I bet the hotels over there are like massive igloos with hockey rinks and maple syrup rivers and beer waterfalls surrounding them.
What the heck? Are you thinking of the north pole or something?
He's making fun of Canada. Theirs a common misconception on the internet that it's all snow up here, always. Whereas really it's just the Northwest Territories. I've honestly had people online ask me if I was living in an Igloo. Yes, I have internet and electricity in my Igloo.
Oh man... That's really funny.
Quote from: Linus on September 30, 2010, 08:22:50 PM
Oh man... That's really funny.
Why Canada??Why not to a different continent like Antarctica?
You mean why did I visit there? Because we were already nearby. Plus Antarctica would be a ridiculous place to visit.
In case anyone was wondering. The day we were in Canada is was a very comfortable, warm, sunny day.
When I went to Canada it was over 100 degrees and it was really hard to sleep at night I was sweating.
We do have the sun here. It's only really cold as you go north. But if you ever look at a map of population density, almost all of our population is focused near the border.
(http://www.census2006.com/census-recensement/2006/as-sa/97-550/vignettes/img/map-2006-pop-density-canada-sz01-en.gif)
Interesting... If you look at a map of Mexican population density, almost all of their population is focused ALL !@#$ING OVER THE PLACE!
(http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/2843/mexicans.jpg)