possible trip to niagara falls -advice?

[fanuminski]

The wife and I were thinking about taking a trip
there next month (flying in to Buffalo).
Anybody have any advice
on where to stay, must see places or visits, etc ..?
Either side - Canadian or US.
We were told to
visit some winery(s) while there.
thanks in advance!
-M

[skullguise]

My wife and I did this trip in May. We stayed on the Canada side, at a place called Niagara-on-the-Lake. A beautiful town with lots of B&B's (bit of an odd setup, people in residential neighborhoods get licensed for B&B's, but the one we stayed at was great!).

Downtown area is very nice, a bit touristy, but the shops are not "brand name" shops.

The area is indeed well-known for wineries, and the B&B's often have coupons for free tastings. There's a product called Ice Wine (based on frozen grapes) that this area is known for as well.

It's about 20 minutes north of Niagara Falls itself, and (though I've never been on the US side) it is said that the Canadian side is nicer. There is a fairly big downtown on the Canada side, with stores, hotels, and a Casino too.

If you'd like, PM me and we can chat more. But we went for a 5-day trip, that was a good lentgh; and we had a great time!

[rumonkey2]

Don't even think about...

...taking/renting a barrel :raspberry:

[fanuminski]

...taking/renting a barrel :raspberry:

funny .... :biglaugh:

I did find this website - I found myself laughing at some
of the many falls escapades (see the 1920 Englishman)

http://www.niagarafallslive.com/daredevils_of_niagara_falls.htm

Skullguise - I will PM you later -thanks!

[m-fine]

If you do want to go over the falls, the Canadian side has FAR fewer rocks. There is very little chance of surviving if you go over the Amercan side but many have survived the horse shoe.

Niagara on the lake is a great place to stay, Queens landing has a good restaurant, other hotels have better locations. They are all co-owned FYI, so it is a touristy town by design, but done well enough not to be tacky.

Ice wines are sweet desert wines, not my favorite, but the winery visits can be fun. If you are willing to drive a few hours, the fingerlakes offer better wine.

Even shorter drive is Totonto. The falls itself is good for an hour or two, Niagara on the lake is "qauint" but if you are staying for more than a weekend you may want something more to do. You can get to Toronto in a bit over an hour, and there you have all sorts of things to entertain.

Finally, if you don't mind driving, the buffalo niagara area is only a couple hours from Erie PA, home of TCA and big cigar. Maybe you can pick up a gizmo and a pair of WAF's for the hotel room.

[Jackass]

You should also consider your health plan before you go over. If your not insured, definetely go over on the Canadian side, their National health insurance will cover you.

[fanuminski]

If you do want to go over the falls, the Canadian side has FAR fewer rocks. There is very little chance of surviving if you go over the Amercan side but many have survived the horse shoe.

thank God for the Canadian national health insurance - They can
always store me in my barrel until they get to me!

Niagara on the lake is a great place to stay, Queens landing has a good restaurant, other hotels have better locations. They are all co-owned FYI, so it is a touristy town by design, but done well enough not to be tacky.

Even shorter drive is Totonto. The falls itself is good for an hour or two, Niagara on the lake is "qauint" but if you are staying for more than a weekend you may want something more to do. You can get to Toronto in a bit over an hour, and there you have all sorts of things to entertain.

thanks for the tips!

Finally, if you don't mind driving, the buffalo niagara area is only a couple hours from Erie PA, home of TCA and big cigar. Maybe you can pick up a gizmo and a pair of WAF's for the hotel room.

Maybe Craig will set up a double/triple/quadruple blind test
of his toys for me ..... which , of course, will lead to another
interesting 100 page thread on the merits of (different ways of) testing :whoopie:

-M

[m-fine]

You should also consider your health plan before you go over. If your not insured, definetely go over on the Canadian side, their National health insurance will cover you.

Hospitals in Buffalo won't turn away the uninsured. If you go in one, you can also ask the Canadians who are there how they like their health plan.

[skullguise]

There's an audio store in Niagara on the Lake as well. The Audio Loft. Right offf the main road in town (on Victoria St).

He has a fair bit of Anglophile gear. Canada, being a member of the Commonwealth (I may have that wrong semantically), gets the Brit gear at great prices. The owner, a nice guy to chat with, mentioned he can often charge in Canadian Dollars what they cost in British Pounds due to VAT....

As for restaurants, NotL has some pretty good ones. A couple can get pricey, but the food is good. My wife and I went a couple times to a place called the Old Mill Tavern. Good upscale pub atmosphere, good food at good prices. They make a nice crispy flatbread pizza that we liked a lot.

Also, if you're into theater, they have several places to see shows. Not sure if the festival they have is still on, but worth checking out if you like that.

M-fine is right on the Ice Wines, they ARE sweet. They are fine for tasting, but a little does go a long way. One of the wineries we visited (Chateau ? ? - two words, don't remember the full name) had a nice tour, actually pretty informative.

[woosch]

If you are into the tourist thing Niagara Falls has lots to offer, Maid of the Mist, tunnels behind the falls, cable car over the whirlpool. There is the wax museum and a bunch of other "similar" things on Clifton hill.

If you are into gambling there are 2 casinos, I'd suggest the new one over the old.

If you are driving/have a car the drive along the Niagara Parkway is nice from Niagara Falls to Niagara on the Lake. There are a few places where you can hike down into the gourge.

There is the green house, the power plant, gardens, flower clock, etc to tour.

Several wineries in the area, some offer meals.

I think they are still running the jet boats up the river from Niagara on the Lake.

Yes, I grew up with 20 minutes of there... lol

[m-fine]

You probably know, but BRING PASSPORTS! The border ain't like it used to be when your accent was good enough evidence of your place of birth.

Also, in Buffalo, the Anchor Bar is a good stop for historical purposes if you like chicken wings. You can also grab a beef on wick, a local sandwhich favorite. Most places now use beef from cows, although historically there were more than a few horse on wicks sold as beef. If you drive east to Rochester, you will find the restaurants to be more honest. When you order a garbage plate, you know what you are getting.

Also, check airfair into Toronto vs buf. Sometimes you can get cheaper flights and if going to Notl it is not much further if at all once you account for border crossing.

[blackzarg]

It's been a few years since I've gone, but I remember on certain nights of the week they put on fireworks and lights. I also remember that the Canadian side has a much better view than the US side, so if you can, cross the border and check that out.

If you have kids, there's a pass that will give you access to certain activities like going behind the falls, a hike around the falls and the river, and also a butterfly garden (pretty cool if bugs don't creep you out - they literally just land on you if you don't move).

[Nov]

Leave the wife on her own shopping one afternoon and make a visit to the Sundowner :jiggy: :partay: