Niagara Falls - Canada side

[griswold]

So, Mrs. Griswold and I were thinking about going to Niagara Falls, ON (since we heard that's the better side to see it).

We're planning to go the weekend of Oct 14/15.

Anyways, I'm looking for recommendations of where to stay, see, do, eat, etc from those who have had good and bad experiences.

Thanks in advance!

[TranaGreg]

This is kinda in my bailiwick ... IMO the great thing about Niagara Falls is that it's 15 minutes from Niagara-On-The-Lake, the heart of Ontario's wine country. 88 wineries in the region. Tons of beautiful B&B's (I've stayed in 5 or 6) on the edge of beautiful vineyards & great restaurants. Plus there's a few great small batch breweries.

On the other hand a lots of folks go & stay at one of the casinos in the Falls. Depends on what you're interested in.

I could come up with a huge list ... but here are a few random things:

best dining at a vineyard: Ravine
best dining in town: backhouse
best pub: the Irish Harp
our favourite B&B: Woodbourne Inn
favourite brewhouse: everybody will tell you Oast (which is indeed very good) but I prefer Silversmith
best pie (really): The Pie Plate
best store for snacks: Picards Peanuts
things to do: the Butterfly Conservatory is kinda cool, and lots of folks rent bikes & ride the path along the Niagara Parkway. There are a few great golf courses in the area too.

I could go on ... and I haven't even mentioned which of the 88 vineyards you should visit.

[griswold]

This is kinda in my bailiwick ... IMO the great thing about Niagara Falls is that it's 15 minutes from Niagara-On-The-Lake, the heart of Ontario's wine country. 88 wineries in the region. Tons of beautiful B&B's (I've stayed in 5 or 6) on the edge of beautiful vineyards & great restaurants. Plus there's a few great small batch breweries.

On the other hand a lots of folks go & stay at one of the casinos in the Falls. Depends on what you're interested in.

I could come up with a huge list ... but here are a few random things:

best dining at a vineyard: Ravine
best dining in town: backhouse
best pub: the Irish Harp
our favourite B&B: Woodbourne Inn
favourite brewhouse: everybody will tell you Oast (which is indeed very good) but I prefer Silversmith
best pie (really): The Pie Plate
best store for snacks: Picards Peanuts
things to do: the Butterfly Conservatory is kinda cool, and lots of folks rent bikes & ride the path along the Niagara Parkway. There are a few great golf courses in the area too.

I could go on ... and I haven't even mentioned which of the 88 vineyards you should visit.

Thanks bud! I appreciate the info!

[griswold]

Hey Tranagreg!

How about things to do around the Falls (other than Butterflies)?

Is this any tours or things to do that may be outside the norm, but still pretty cool?

[TranaGreg]

Niagara Falls - the city itself - is a pretty touristy place. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure lots of people love the arcade-feel of the main strip (Clifton Hill) - the Guinness World Records "museum", the Movieland was museum, the Castle Dracula wax museum, the Ripleys Believe it or Not museum, the Rock Legends wax museum (see a trend?) ... but for those of us who are relatively local it gets old fast.

The Journey Behind the Falls gets mixed reviews (it's been a very long time since I've done that); when I went it wasn't very interesting (seeing the backside of a waterfall could be any waterfall), but it seems they've made it more interesting lately based on what I've heard. The Maid of the Mist - the boat ride that approaches the falls - has been replaced on the Canadian side by Hornblower cruises, and I've heard very good things about them.

Of course, the falls themselves are truly awesome - I've seen them maybe 20 times & each time I stop & marvel. The park area up top is crazy busy with tour buses - I'd recommend park somewhere a bit away & walk.

Marineland used to be a big deal but I can't attest to how good or bad it is - if you're interested you might want to do some research. They had a few bad incidents with how they treated the animals a few years ago but I don't know if they've straightened that out.

If there's anything specific you're interested in let me know. Of course there are new things popping up all the time but if I know anything I'll pass it along.

[griswold]

Thanks bud!

Just checking....driving over the border....is the only thing that Mrs. Gris and I need are our passports?

[TranaGreg]

Thanks bud!

Just checking....driving over the border....is the only thing that Mrs. Gris and I need are our passports?

well, plus the basics ... a car, clothes ... yeah, a passport + secondary ID (drivers lic) should be all you need. Re: crossing, there are three border crossings in the area - the Niagara Falls crossing is always the busiest. When coming from I90 (I assume that's how you'll be coming in) we usually cross at Buffalo-Fort-Erie. It's very easy to get to via the 190 and then on the Canadian side it's a straight shot up the QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way) to the Niagara Falls turn off (or wherever you'll be staying). Or you could just stay on the QEW & come to Toronto (it's only another 90 mins).

[griswold]

Thanks...well, we'll see how exciting Niagara....if it's boring....we'll come to Toronto!