Niagra falls

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joer

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Hi there
This is just in the planning stages at the moment, most likely next year but to take in Niagra falls how many days would I need there to see the Falls and whatever else is to be seen there.
If for instance I was staying in Toronto would a day trip cover a visit as I see it only takes two hours on a bus. I will not be driving a car
Thanks
 
There isnt much there... you could see it in an afternoon. The town itself isnt much to look at, strips of restaurants, souvenir shops and hotels and casinos.

The colonial niagara town is nice but if you arent driving could be awkward to visit.

If you do the lady of the lake boat trip you will be soaked through so maybe skip that if you have long way home.
Or bring a full change of clothes in a waterproof backpack.
 
Ps dont be tempted to chance crossing the american border which is in the town... have heard horror stories of visa issues when trying to return.
 
It really depends on what you want to do there.... if it is just a box ticking exercise then a few hours will do you. Otherwise you need to do some research and find out what is in the area that interests you.
 
Did it in a day trip twice from Toronto, once in summer, once when frozen. Definitely not much else at the falls other than itself and the boat trip.
 
Thanks to all
That is one part of the proposed trip sorted. I am sure there will be many more to come.
 
If you are in Toronto recommend doing one of the lake cruises, gives a great view of the skyline.
The CN Tower can be a bit mental with teenagers and groups, but if you are there for sunset it is spectacular.
 
I would also recommend some ethnic eating if food is your thing. The large foreign population means there are loads of great restaurants. I loved some of the Ethiopian food which you simply won't get in IRL.
 
I can only echo what others have said. Although it's been a few years ago since I was there, it's no more than a few hours. The falls themselves are impressive and well worth seeing, but unless it's changed radically, everything nearby is distinctly tacky, unattractive and basically a place you'd run from rather than to.
 
As mentioned. One day is fine for the visit. Totally tacky town! I didn’t get to see it at its best -it was misty and we decided to cancel our lunch at the tower as there would be nothing to see. But what I saw of the falls was still spectacular and memorable.

Traffic to Niagara is mental!

I won $25 in the casino - I have very fond memories of Niagara! I went, I saw, I bet, I cashed out! :) We went to a great winery nearby called 2 sisters. Not sure if that’s available on a bus route?

We took a ferry to Wards Island from Toronto about €5. Spectacular view of the Toronto skyline and a great boardwalk walk! One of the highlights definitely!

We had dinner at Kóst. Went back for brunch. Fabulous place. Great views of the CN tower. Restaurant is on the 44 floor.

Had dinner at revolving restaurant in CN tower. Dinner wasn’t perfect - it was fine - but the sunset views were amazing! It didn’t cost a whole lot extra to have dinner as opposed to view only and we had the comfort of window seats for over 2 hours.

Los Calibris Mexican restaurant was also great.

Fabulous city!

Marion
 
I second the advise about crossing the border and visa issues. Had that experiecne many moons ago when on a J1 and went to see the falls from the American side.
Canadians booted me out and I got stung for a lot of dollars by the taxi they rang to bring me back to the American side.

You'll see as much of the falls as you need to from either side so no need to cross over
 
I agree with all the others, one day is sufficient to see all there is to see. I was there along time ago and from what I can remember there a lot of tacky shops selling souvenirs etc, do take a boat ride and go “behind the falls” you will get a poncho however you will get WET however that’s part of the fun.

On another point the British use the border between USA & Canada as an example of a soft border when it comes to Brexit however as the previous posting have shown it is not soft or seamless

Have a good time
 
The falls themselves are a wonderful sight, but I wouldn't hang around. We went on a boat which brought us quite close to the centre of the falls and it was very good.
 
Thanks for all the helpful advise.
I was thinking of possibly going to Toronto for a few days and taking a day trip to the falls. Going then to Chicago for a few days and then on to Washington or Boston to finish up. Like I said this is very much in the planning stages. Has anyone done this type of trip . Thanks once again.
 
You've covering a lot of ground - if you want to hit a bunch of cities, have you looked at an organised coach tour e.g. Travel Department, or Insight Vacations?
With some of them, the pace can be a bit hectic, but it is a great way to see a lot of the sights without the hassle of planning it yourself.
You can usually find one that will cover Toronto, Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa, Niagara on the Canadian side; or New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington in the US.

Not sure if they usually cross the border... make sure you have all your paperwork right, you don't want the US to either think (a) you're trying to enter via 'soft' border or (b) haven't left the country and so have overstayed your visa waiver.

Unless you like museums, I think you would see Washington in a day; Boston would be a nice place to just hang out, or maybe try to fit in a colonial themed walking tour.
 
You are probably right odyssey06 , it might be better to stay on either USA side or the Canadian side but not both. My son who was 26 did San Francisco, Los Angles and Vegas ourselves four years ago, four days in each and it was great. We are both doing this trip too but am not sure how many days is enough in say Boston or Washington or Chicago . Perhaps leave Canada for another time or with the Travel Dept or some other tour group. Would you say one day in Washington is enough ?
 
I loved Washington DC, so much to see and do. I did go to a lot of museums though, but even so just wandering around near Capitol Hill and seeing the various war memorials/Lincoln memorial would need a couple of days.
I found http://www.newseum.org/ really interesting and all the Smithsonian museums are just great.
 
joer said:
You are probably right odyssey06 , it might be better to stay on either USA side or the Canadian side but not both. My son who was 26 did San Francisco, Los Angles and Vegas ourselves four years ago, four days in each and it was great. We are both doing this trip too but am not sure how many days is enough in say Boston or Washington or Chicago . Perhaps leave Canada for another time or with the Travel Dept or some other tour group. Would you say one day in Washington is enough ?
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I suppose it depends on whether you think you will be back to North America soon, if so I think just pick a country and leave the other cities for a coach tour.

Chicago to the east coast cities is a considerable distance... Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa, Toronto\Niagara is a nice chain; as is Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington.
There's probably more variety between the Canadian cities, and if ye haven't been to Canada before, nice to tick that box.

I liked visiting Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia.

It depends on what kind of holiday you are interested in, if you want to see the famous monuments and museums then you should allow more time in Washington.
If you are more interested in seeing the sights in the afternoon & kicking back in the evening somewhere relaxed with a few beers, then Boston is better.
Try to avoid giving yourself a tight schedule such that you are in a different hotel every night. On the coach tours I was ok if it was 2 nights here, 2 night there, or 1-4-1, but a sequence of one nighters is a bit much.
Might be nice to include a stop somewhere 'mid-sized', so not a famous metropolis, somewhere random like Atlantic City!
 
ps don't book with an organised coach tour if you like lie ins, unless it's a trip where you are in same hotel every night. My experience of coach tours where you are covering a lot of ground is that you are on the coach every morning by 9am at the latest. So before that you need to have breakfasted and possibly packed (if you are moving on to a new hotel).
 
If we were to start our trip in Toronto and fly to say Chicago , to finish the trip in USA should there be any problems flying from Canada to USA .
 
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