Niagara falls

[BARNABY]

Will be in New York for six days in late October. Would like to fly JFK TO BUF (with jetBlue maybe) early one day, visit Niagara Falls, then return to JFK late next day.

i/ Is it better to experience the Falls from the US side or the Canadian side?
ii/ What is involved to 'cross the border' to view from the Ca side, can I just get a shuttle bus to my hotel, showing my passport where necessary?
iii/ Any suggestions re Hotels on the Ca side?
iv/ Is the 'People Mover' worth investing in?

Any other tips will be appreciated, many thanks....

 

[drron]

Thats a big day.
Canadian side is better-Maid of the Mist goes from there.
If staying I suggest the Embassy suites Niagara Falls.Can get good rates-when we stayed(was an early October therefore not peak seaon)the rates for a Junior Presidential suite were only about $40 above an ordinary room and they have great views.Everyone gets a cooked breakfast and the evening managers reception.

 

[anat0l]

Funny enough, I'm also heading to the USA in late October, and am planning a day trip to Niagara myself.

My idea was to do a very long day trip (12 hour day trips aren't strangers to me) based out of New York. Looks like it may be better for Maid of the Mist to approach from Ontario side. Even better, perhaps I should cough up for a night at a hotel around the Falls....

 

[digga]

No question - Canadian side for the views of the falls. If you stay overnight, try to aim for a waterside hotel room, or get high up in one of the hotels set a little further back. Just bring something warm, and waterproof!

 

[auriga]

Maid of the Mist goes from both the US and the Canadian side.

 

[Dyslexic traveler]

I have to say I have seen the falls two times as we have family in Canada and both times I was underwhelmed I think it's like a lot of things in the Americas the idea is better than the actual place I had imagined a massive drop but there quit small and on any day of the week all you can see for miles is tourists

 

[drron]

I have to say I have seen the falls two times as we have family in Canada and both times I was underwhelmed I think it's like a lot of things in the Americas the idea is better than the actual place I had imagined a massive drop but there quit small and on any day of the week all you can see for miles is tourists

I have also stayed there twice.First was early May.great chunks of ice going over the falls-spectacular.Next was October-fall colours everywhere-beautiful.And both times as out of season-few tourists.The Maid was not operating in May-though can some years if ice has gone.usually closes up late October.
Official Maid of the Mist Website

 

[sampa]

An alternative to visit Niagara Falls by JFK TO BUF is JFK to Toronto.From YYZ there are
direct buses to Niagara Falls.Please note that going to Canadian side off Niagara Falls by bus that the casino stop is closer to everything ( the falls,hotels,observation tower and casino).Do not get off the bus at Niagara Falls stop because it is not close to anything of interest.To get from the Canadian side to the American side of the falls i walked across the bridge .Strangely you had to put 50 cents in a turnstile to cross the bridge.American customs operates on arrival but not on exit.I found the falls impressive
It is the volume of water going over that makes it so.When I was there in January several ago there was only a handfull of tourists around and the maid of the mist was not running because it only runs in the warmer months
LGA to YYZ
EWR to YYZ are options aswell

 

[anat0l]

Seems I'm out of luck for the Maid of the Mist ride. Last tours are 24 October, of which I'll arrive too late for (I depart Australia 23 October). (Technically I could make it, but it would be a squeeze.)

 

[Maca44]

This was three weeks ago, great to see but with heaps of tourists with it being towards the end of the US summer school holidays.

 

[Dyslexic traveler]

Macca 44 did you think it was smaller than you imagined ?

I did

 

[psi999]

This was three weeks ago, great to see but with heaps of tourists with it being towards the end of the US summer school holidays.

I was also there 2 weeks ago.

US airways flight 3640 (LGA - BUF) - out of new york at a reasonable hour and on the ground in Buffalo at 9:18.

Hired a car and was at the falls by 10am.

As mentioned all the views are from the Canada side but so are the people so if you are intending on a maid of the mist 'voyage' - Do this on the US side, either straight away or later on in the afternoon after you have have crossed the border and back again.

As for Canada - US dollars accepted everywhere at the falls so don't worry about changing cash.

We finished up our day back at BUF airport for a 6:45 flight to Boston - left the falls at 4pm - 6 hours and you have done everything.

Big day.

 

[Maca44]

Macca 44 did you think it was smaller than you imagined ?

I did

Yes, although they are in two sections albeit I was still impressed with the volume of water. For me, it was a case of wanting to see Niagara Falls; seeing it; walking around for about 2 hours and then driving back to Detroit. They had six boats working the Maid of the Mist, (from both the US and Canadian side) but it was not my cup of tea. All in all, it was like trying to explain the Grand Canyon to someone..you have to see it.

 

[NM]

I would heading to Toronto and heading down from there (bus, train or rent a car). Do all the immigration/customs at the airport as they are generally much more efficient than at road crossings.

If you never been to the falls before, you should definitely head to the Canadian side. The views/experiences are chalk and cheese on the different sides of the border.

 

[Ric]

+ 1 for views from the Canadian side. Embassy Suites or The Marriott will give you great views of the Falls.
I stayed at The Marriott and photos shows the views from the window of the room in Marriott.

 

[Sprucegoose]

There are also day air charters out of NYC for around $900 pax if you are timed constrained.

Cheers

spruce

 

[dfcatch]

I was there in winter (march), was definitely underwhelmed, but the falls did look cool at night from the casino

 

[drross]

have done the falls from NY into buffalo on jetblue in winter(jan) .. jetblue excellent.. falls ok - lots of ice going over.. no crowds. no drama crossing to can side. also drove down from toronto in spring (may)- still lots of ice and still no crowds.. from memory we lunched in the sheraton and had great views..