What advice does anybody have for a first timer going to Niagara Falls, Ontario? ?

Question

Is a tour company necessary to see all the sites or can I walk to them all as my hotel says I can? Two family members will be with me. I'd hate to go there and be kind of 'lost' just wandering around. We just want to see the falls and the fireworks and eat some good food. Not a huge budget available. Short 2 day trip. Any advice concerning this is appreciated.

Answer 1

I live right beside Niagara on the Canadian side so this is pretty much the best info you will get. If you are are on a budget here are some helpful tip's. First off, Hotel's there are really exspensive. Stay at the Blackstone Inn. It's its only a two minute walk to Clifton Hill. It's the cheapest and cleanest Hotel in Niagara. I stay there frequently. Most of the attraction's are located there. This will save you money on parking fee's. If you want to see other attraction's, purchase the Great Gorge Adventure Pass. This will save you money should you choose to see each attraction seperately. The pass include's admission to the Maid Of The Mist, The White Water Walk, Journey  Behind The Falls, Butterfly Conservatory and many other attraction's. It also inculde's a day pass for the People Mover Shuttle which which will take you to all the attraction's. Do not eat at any restaurant in, or around the Falls. Total rip off!!!,Take a drive out Lundys' Lane and go to the Flying Saucer Diner. Just a short drive. Great food, huge portion's and really cheap. And it's shaped like a UFO, make's for a fun dining experience. If you get there before 10am, you can get a huge breafast for 2 dollar's.If you want some freebee thing's to do you can go to the Imax located on Fallsview Ave. There is a Daredevil Museum located inside,  The Niagara Glen Nature trail, The Botanical Gardens, The Floral Clock, Dufferin Island. Bring bread. You can hand feed 100's of geese and duck's. Don't forget the camera!!!!!! The Niagara Zoo (Zooz Niagara)  is awesome too. Only 15 minute drive on the outskirt's of the city. Firework's are Friday, Sunday and Wednesday at 10 PM. Last but not least, do not go to Marineland. Total rip off!!! Nothing much there to see and a total tourist trap. If want anymore info, feel free to contact me anytime.

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Hope you have great time and good luck.

Answer 2

Niagara Falls is very tourist friendly.  There are a lot of things to do.  Be aware that it is expensive.  A Regular grand slam that would cost you $5 at Denny's anywhere else will cost you at least $13 at the Denny's in Niagara Falls.  In October tourist season is pretty much wound down so thats the good part, it won't be as crowded, try some of the little hole in the wall places if your on a budget- or go across the bridge to eat.  its pretty manageable to walk.  clifton hill is indeed a hill so be prepared to walk up and down, and i don't know where you are traveling from- but it will be possible that it is quite chilly in october.  good luck

Answer 3

If you are looking for a really nice dinner while there, I highly recommend Copacabana.  The food is delicious and since they keep coming out with more and more skewers of meat you certainly get your money's worth.

Answer 4

The actual area of the Falls themselves is fairly compact and walkable.  Most of the major hotels are down by the Falls area and if that is the case with yours then you should have no problem.  All the touristy souvenir shops (Lundys Lane), Madame Tussaud's, etc. are all walkable if you are staying near the Falls.

As far as the other "sights" you are talking about, Marineland (although I have never been there) is one mile from the Horseshoe Falls, according to their website, so I guess that would be walkable if you are staying right near the Falls.

Niagara Falls, while the Falls themselves are spectacular, is a very touristy city, very commercialized and expensive.  You would be best to avoid the tourist area around the falls as far as eating.  A few years back I paid about 13.00 for a grand slam breakfast at a Denny's near the falls, which would be about $6.00 elsewhere.   As you get away from the touristy area, you'll find food prices in restaurants more reasonable.  If I were you, I'd ask some of the locals where they eat - I'm sure they don't pay $13.00 for a breakfast at Dennys!

You'll love the Falls, tho - they are spectacular.  The Horseshoe Falls, on the Canadian side, are the best.  You can take the Maid of the Mist boat trip right up to them, you can pay to go through a tunnel behind them.  Lots of experiences there with the Falls.  Enjoy!

Answer 5

1. you won't get lost. It's pretty simple to walk around the tourist area.  you can walk most places.  if you want to go further out like to the butterfly conservatory or Queenston Heights, use the people mover.

Recommendation: if you want to eat at say boston Pizza, don't go to the one on Clifton Hill, there is one up off of lundy's lane. go there instead.  Same food, 1/2 the price.

If you get a chance, head into Niagara-on-the-lake (about 20 minute drive away) gorgeous town, first to be settled in this area, old buildings. GREAT food, wineries along the way you can take a tour at.  Fort George is an awesome place to stop (Fort from the war of 1812).

if you need anything else feel free to contact me through my profile.  I'd be more thanhappy to help