kingfisher241049

We just booked a vacation to Buffalo NY for late September, and we are thinking of visiting Niagara Falls, on the American side (I can't go into Canada yet, no green card).

Do any of you have any info on how to get to the Falls from Buffalo Airport, and is there much to see from the American side of the Falls?

By the way, any info on cheap car hire would be great too.

Thanks in advance!!

ScousePete

Did this trip two years ago. Flew into Buffalo, spent the night. (Got out as fast as we could, because the place is a dump) rented a car and drove to Niagara Falls.

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/m...S&1qc=Airports

Hertz gave us a great deal and threw in a GPS for free!

Its only 25 miles from the airport to the falls.


It is a shame you cannot go on the Canadian side, as I found there was much more to see and do on that side.

Then we drove to Toronto. Had a great time.

Sophia_S

We went to Niagra Falls a few years ago (about 5),but we drove up through Michigan and crossed into Canada via Port Huron and drove across Ontario,stayed overnight at St.Catherines,then drove to Niagra the next morning,the Falls are fabulous on the Canadian side,the whole area is very pretty (really reminded me of southern England coastal towns),then we drove back into the US,what a disappointment!...it was dirty,nearly everything was boarded up,just a nasty area altogether,we couldn't get away from it fast enough!,then we drove from there, on the outskirts of everywhere,back home to Central Illinois....maybe it has changed,I know a friend of mine told me that a lot of people used to go to the US side of Niagra Falls to get married.........I found that VERY hard to believe,although it was probably very nice years ago.
Sorry don't know about car hire......Sophia

Sarah

You can go into the Canadian side if you have advanced parole, maybe even if you have your temp green card...how far along in the immigration game are you? Don't mean to put a downer on things but the American side is shit and you can't see much at all compared to the Canadian side. Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds is a must if you can't go over to Mooseland.

Manc

get on maid of the mist on the US Side and you'll get as good a view of horseshoe falls as anyone.

AdobePinon

Got to agree with the above. US side is a dump and very tacky. It would be worth getting AP just to spend an afternoon in Canada. Again, make sure you get on the boat.

Duncan Roberts

I went to the Canadian side a couple of months ago. Niagara is a dump and pretty tacky, had to drive out of it to get to the nicer parts. It didn't help that they wanted $18 to park either.

Andy_LongIsland

Go at night - it's kinda cool - they shoot lasers at you n shit

kingfisher241049

I am waiting for my green card to arrive now. Had my AOS last December, fingerprints taken in May, now just sitting waiting.

kingfisher241049

Thanks Guys, very helpful replies.

Cheers

Alan

Sarah

It would be cool if you get it soon then. Its nice to have that freedom of movement. If you don't have an AP, its a ball-ache to get it and it costs to file the form (as always)
If you do get to go over to the Canadian side, you can go right up to the drop over point of the falls, you can't get that close on the US side unfortunately, also on the Moose side is the Skylon Tower which is pretty cool, you go up the side of it in a lift shaped like a yellow egg and when you get to the top you have an astonishing view of the falls. Also near to the Skylon Tower is an Imax theatre and in there they have a museum of all the barrels, boats and makeshift crafts that people have built and gone over the falls in. Once you see the falls its staggering to realise that people actually willingly flung themselves over it.
If you can't go over to the Canadian side on the US side there is Goat Island, and a stationary hot air balloon which is anchored to the ground and goes straight up and down to provide people with a better view of the falls.
Also on the US side is an aquarium/seaworld type place with rescued sea lions and seals and some cool marine life. Its not very big but I enjoyed it and you can watch feeding of the seals and stuff.

Duncan Roberts

If anyone is considering going for a weekend or something to the Canadian side, I would highly recommend Century House B&B in Niagara-on-the-lake, www.centuryhousebbniagara.com. Run by an English couple, good location, 10 minutes away from the falls, free bike use, excellent breakfasts and just a very nice and relaxing place to stay. A little pricey but well worth it. Get's booked up very quickly so look into it well in advance.

blaze

Sweetie, listen to me "THE AMERICAN SIDE IS A DUMP!!!". The Canadian side is really great! Figure out how to get across the border, you will be so much happier! 'The old stone Inn' on the Canadian side is nice and also 'Oakes hotel overlooking the falls' it is the closest hotel to the falls so has brilliant views from the upper floors on a good clear day. It also has an 'Applebees' restaurant attached to it which makes for an easy breakfast in the morning. 'The Old Stone Inn' is a B&B and does a full cooked breakfast. I'm telling you, there is tons and TONS of things to do in Niagara Falls, ON versus not much of anything a stones throw away in Niagara Falls NY!

blaze

Just to say, I have been to Niagara, ON twice in the last year and really enjoyed myself both times. In April I took my mum there (for the second time) and other than the obligatory things, we shopped until we dropped as there are some lovely places to do that within walking distance of the falls, superb!

Jerseygirl

I you are in a position to cancel/postpone your trip (many airlines are offering this without penalties because of the Heathrow scare this week) I would until you get the GC. You really need to be on the Canadian side...and do visit Toronto while you're up there.