Help for visiting Niagara Falls and also Toronto info

[Annie12345]

Hi - My family (DH, me, and DD - 9) is planning on visiting Niagara Falls this summer and we are interested in any information that you could provide to us... reasonable (but nice) hotels, family things to do, etc. Also, do you know of any specials for getting people back to visiting Toronto? I'd heard about a reasonable package for hotels, ball games, theatre, etc. but can't find any concrete information about it.
Thanks so much for any help you can give us...
Annie

 

[MikeWazowski]

Niagara Falls:

Where to Stay

If you are planning on going this summer, it may be a little hard to find a "nice" reasonable price hotel room. But, not impossible. I always avoid staying in Niagara Falls during the summer because of the crowds and prices. My family usually goes there in January and February when rates are dirt cheap. After Disney for some odd reason, Niagara Falls is my favorite place to go. It's somthing about running water.

I would definitely stay on the Canadian side because the Hotels are much nicer then the U.S hotels. But, dont avoid the U.S side attractions. I'll get to that soon. I've stayed at the Sheraton on the Falls , Renaissance Fallsview , Hilton Niagara Falls , and theNiagara Falls Marriott . I like each Hotel alot.

Did not have a bad experience in either hotel. Each was very clean and the staff were very nice. If a view is'nt important to you I would go with the Hilton or Renaissance. Each stay they have Falls view rooms, but they don't any more. They are building a very large casino in front of both of them. Both the Hilton and Renaissance have very nice pools. the hilton has a water slide and the Renaissance has two "water falls" flowing into to them. If you is what you want go with the Sheraton on the Falls or the Marriott. The Sheraton gives you a sliding door to view the falls if you get a fallsview room. They will all be crowed, no doubt. That will be the biggest complaint.

The Sheraton will probably be the busiest. It has the best location, right on the corner of Clifton Hill and Falls Ave. The Sheraton pool has a great view of the falls, but it is small because it's on the 14th floor. The other three are in the Fallsview area which is above the hill. If you don't want to walk far to the falls go with the Sheraton. Also all "big name" hotels will charge you for parking your car a day, any where from $10 to $20cdn. a day. We have eaten at a few of the Hotel Restaurants and they were usually overpriced for what you get.

What to Do

Maid of the Mist (US or Cdn. side)
Journey Behind the Falls (Cdn side)
Cave of the Winds (US Side)
Marineland (Cdn Side)
Clifton Hill (Cdn Side)
Guinness World Records Museum (Cdn Side)
Riply'S Believe it or Not (Cdn Side)
Great Canadian Midway (Cdn Side)
Casino Niagara (Cdn Side)
Senca Niagara Casino (US Side)

Where To Eat

Hard Rock Cafe (US or Cdn. side)
Planet Hollywood (Cdn Side)
Rainforest Cafe (Cdn Side)
Ruby Tuesdays (Under Construction, Cdn Side)
The Keg (Cdn Side)
Eastside Marios (Cdn Side)
OutBack Steakhouse (Cdn Side)
Etc... The Basic Chains

Sites To Check Out

City of Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls Info
Discover Niagara


Ask Me Any Questions, Hope I helped

 

[cruelladephilly]

we went to Niagara Falls last summer (kids under 12) and had a ball--one definite is to stay on the Canadian side and Clifton Hill is the street where all the "Las Vegas style" stuff is (that is my opinion) it is a goofy street filled with 3D shows, rainforest cafe, rides, Ripleys believe it or not -and the falls are just at the bottom of the hill--the Canadian gardens are absolutely beautiful-- we stayed at the Quality Inn of clifton hill--it was ok(we had to move our room to get a ground floor with sliders to pool)it had a cute little water slide in the pool--I would recommend a better hotel (we didnt have much time to chose-it was "on the run" on the way to Canada)but definitely stay on this street--have fun--there is lots to do-
do not miss maid of mist and under the falls--good luck

 

[Annie12345]

Thanks to Mike and cruelladephilly for the great information. I booked the Hilton as I was able to get a great rate ($129 CAD) and I feel pretty comfortable with going with a Hilton. Is it very far from Clifton Hill? Also, how would you rate Marineland compared to Sea World Orlando?
Thanks again (we will be visiting both of your states on this holiday. Going through Buffalo to Erie to visit our friends we met on our DCL cruise in February...)
- Annie

 

[MikeWazowski]

You'll enjoy the Hilton, it's probably a good 10 to 15 minute walk. Well marineland realy is'nt comparable to a Seaworld because Seaworld really stands alone. But, Marineland is still a nice park to walk around. they have to shows. One with whales w/ dolphins and somthing else.

A few rides include a pretty good coaster. Usually is a fun day. They also added a new beluga whale habitat, a drop/fall ride, and a teacup style ride this year. I'm not sure if all of that is open yet.

Buffalo has alot of good stuff to do to. Shopping and attractions.

 

[disney funseeker]

Niagara-on-the-lake is also a very nice place to visit. nice stores along there. There are lots of wineries around the area so you can do a wine tour too. You can get lots of fresh fruits along the fruit stands.

When are you going? In July there is a jazz festival at one of the wineries. You can bring a cooler of food, your chairs, blankets, beach umbrella, and enjoy.

About Toronto, if you go before the end of June you still might be able to take advantage of the "Little Bit of Toronto" package. It might be sold out by now though.
Check out page 2 on this forum. There is a thread about it.
I'm sure you would be able to get a deal on hotel accomodations because there have been a lot of cancellation due to the Sars scare. I read in the paper that one of the hotels who had to lay off staff was even offering some free weekends as long as you donated $50 to the staff who were layed off so they could get by. It was the Holiday Inn on King St. which is right by the theatre district, good restaurants, and bars.

About Marineland, you might be disappointed after Seaworld. If you plan on going to Toronto, why don't you check out Canada's Wonderland instead?

 

[NancyK]

If you've been to Sea World, I would skip Marineland. It isn't nearly as good. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[SandraC]

We also avoid staying in the Falls during the summer ~ the rates are high and it's crowded. We love going Nov-Jan during the Festival of Lights and the Disney Shows!

We liked the Hilton a lot ~ but be carefgul, there are two sections to the hotel. The new section is great, but the old section has tiny rooms and a very noisy and slow elevator. The pool was beautiful but very cold. They had wonderful children's programs when we stayed there.

We just stayed at the Radisson near the falls in March. It's got a little bit of a fallsview, but the Marriot is between the falls and the Radisson. The rate was great $79 CDN per night. The pool was tiny and the restaurant wasn't great. But the location and rate was perfect. The room was beautiful ~ we got a king suite ~ very roomy and a fallsview too!

The Americana is way up Lundy's Lane (8444 Lundy's Lane) But it remains a fav of ours. It's aging a little but they have been redoing it. The restaurant is great and the hotel staff is awesome. The amenities are superb; indoor pool, outdoor pool, indoor kids play tunnels (like Chuck E. Cheese but smaller), two outdoor playgrounds, basketball, volleyball, tennis, whirlpool, sauna, squash court, gym and more. It's got a lot to offer. We are always upgraded there. In Nov we paid $79 for a two room suite with and fireplace ~ the room we requested had a major problem so they upgraded us. They are great that way.

We have also stayed at the little 'mom and pop' type motel across the street from the Americiana (when the Americiana was $200 a night). We paid $49 in July for a no-nonsense room. The owners of the motel are wonderful. They are retired teachers. Their grandson plays for the NY Islanders. They are fab folks! It's called the Seneca Motel.

Have fun planning! S

 

[Annie12345]

Thanks so much for all the replies... we were planning to go at the end of June to be there for July 1st and in the states for July 4th but some work stuff came up so we are now going to go towards the end of August. We're only staying in Niagara Falls for a few days on our way to visit friends in Pennsylvania. I checked with the Hilton and asked for the new section - thanks for the heads up Sandra...