Niagara Falls

[KentDog]

Our family will be making the drive to Niagara Falls in the next few days and wanted to get the inside scoop from our own IM Canucks and those who have been there on the things to do around the area.

Where should we book our hotel? Where should we eat? What are some other things to do around the area? We are looking to stay for one night, then perhaps booking a hotel a few hours away somewhere else in Canada. Where else should we go?

Please give our family some suggestions.

 

[P-funk]

I grew up in Cleveland, OH and my friends and I used to drive up to Niagra Falls all the time on the weekends (since the drinking age was 18) to party.

Don't really know of any places that are "family" friendly there....obviously check out the falls and if you can, take the tour where you put on the rain coats and go down into the falls. There are some cool museums there (wax museums too). it is fun there IMO. just walk around down near the falls and there is a ton of good stuff to do.

If you want to have a really great time, treat the family to a night at the Sundowner Strip Club. You wont be disapointed.

 

[kbm8795]

I remember boilermaker going a couple of years ago, and he had a thread up which might have some suggestions.

http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/open-chat/68491-canada-trip.html

Iain had some tips on that one, so you might ask him if he's got anything more to suggest.

Remember the U.S. dollar has been floating at around par with the Canadian dollar after quite a few years of being worth more. That might make some things in Canada seem pretty expensive compared to the U.S., but maybe not too bad. Of course, the Canadian falls are the best, and you can get right up to the edge. . .
I thought I saw somewhere that they do fireworks a lot during summer nights, so if that is going on, there's a cheap fun diversion for everyone. And I think there are lots of stuff to do that is great for kids as well.

 

[min0 lee]

I have nothing to add but make sure you don't down in a barrel.

 

[KentDog]

Thanks for the tips, guys.

I thought I saw somewhere that they do fireworks a lot during summer nights, so if that is going on, there's a cheap fun diversion for everyone. And I think there are lots of stuff to do that is great for kids as well.

Yes, you are correct. I read that they do this every Friday and Saturday. Unfortunately, I think we will be going on a weekday to avoid the rush. Plus we all took time off of work to do so.

If you want to have a really great time, treat the family to a night at the Sundowner Strip Club. You wont be disapointed.

Lol. If only you knew my parents. Even if they were the type that would enjoy this type of thing, I'm not, plus we're taking my little brothers (who just turned 9).

 

[tucker01]

Hotels I would suggest.

Niagara Fallsview Marriot
Sheraton FallsView
Embassy Suites

Dining there is lots of choices. I like the Keg steakhouse. Good prices good food.

Tons of nightlife around. couple of casinos, clubs. If it is just the guys, head up Lundy's lane, for some good rippers.

The older part is almost carnival like, but fun to see.

10 minute drive is Niagara on the lake Some of the best Winery's in North America.

 

[P-funk]

How close do you live to Niagra Falls, Iain? I always thought you lived in Toronto. That is a lot closer than Ontario, no?

 

[KentDog]

Hotels I would suggest.

Niagara Fallsview Marriot
Sheraton FallsView
Embassy Suites

Dining there is lots of choices. I like the Keg steakhouse. Good prices good food.

Tons of nightlife around. couple of casinos, clubs. If it is just the guys, head up Lundy's lane, for some good rippers.

The older part is almost carnival like, but fun to see.

10 minute drive is Niagara on the lake Some of the best Winery's in North America.

Thanks, Ian. I'm not sure which hotels we will be staying at, but they are both three star. We are leaving tomorrow morning and will be in Canada for two nights.

We are planning on going on the Journey Behind the Falls and the Maid of Mist. We are also thinking about this "Aero Car." I have also read about the following:
- Watching spring blooms around the falls
- Bird Kingdom
- Butterfly Conservatory

Can you tell me if any of these are a guaranteed waste of time and money? And will it be difficult to do all of these things in one day, let alone to get tickets without advanced booking?

How should we dress for the falls? Weather looks good tomorrow, but I didn't know if it would be especially cold around the falls so do jeans and shoes instead of shorts and sandles? Should we buy raincoats before we go to the Journey Behind the Falls or Maid of Mist?

Tomorrow is Canada Day. How will this affect our trip? I guess there will be fireworks after all.

Lastly, I believe we will be spending one night in Toronto as well. Any ideas for things to do with the fam?

 

[tucker01]

How close do you live to Niagra Falls, Iain? I always thought you lived in Toronto. That is a lot closer than Ontario, no?

Toronto = City
Ontario = Province.

I live in Brantford so an hour drive from Niagara

 

[tucker01]

Thanks, Ian. I'm not sure which hotels we will be staying at, but they are both three star. We are leaving tomorrow morning and will be in Canada for two nights.

We are planning on going on the Journey Behind the Falls and the Maid of Mist. We are also thinking about this "Aero Car." I have also read about the following:
- Watching spring blooms around the falls
- Bird Kingdom
- Butterfly Conservatory

Can you tell me if any of these are a guaranteed waste of time and money? And will it be difficult to do all of these things in one day, let alone to get tickets without advanced booking?

How should we dress for the falls? Weather looks good tomorrow, but I didn't know if it would be especially cold around the falls so do jeans and shoes instead of shorts and sandles? Should we buy raincoats before we go to the Journey Behind the Falls or Maid of Mist?

Tomorrow is Canada Day. How will this affect our trip? I guess there will be fireworks after all.

Lastly, I believe we will be spending one night in Toronto as well. Any ideas for things to do with the fam?

Yep Today is Canada Day, so Expect it to be quite busy at Niagara Falls, especially come sunset for the Fireworks.

The Maid of the Mist is pretty cool and brings you right up close, I assume it will be pretty busy as well cause of the holiday.

I am not sure about the Conservatory, or Bird Kingdom, but you will be suprised with the amount to do around Niagara Falls.

Today I would where shorts, sandals, around the falls, They will provide a rain jacket for when you are on the boat.

Toronto, there is a shit load to do, You have to remember it is the 5th largest City in North America. Very Culturally Diverse. Where abouts in Toronto will impact on what you do.

 

[maniclion]

Yeah, like Min0 said don't go down on a barrel chested man....

 

[KentDog]

We got to Niagara Falls late yesterday afternoon. It was nice, with live music in various places, and a lot of things to check out and places to eat. The falls was smaller than I had thought it would be, and smaller than my parents remembered when they went 20-some years ago, but it didn't matter because it was really the atmosphere that made it nice. However, the fireworks show was terrible, and lasted just under 10 minutes. Regardless, I would have loved to have brought a date with me.

We are in Toronto now staying at the Marriott Renaissance hotel by the airport. We went to two different Chinatowns earlier today (not my idea, I'm with the rents). We don't have any real plans from here and are deciding whether we should go back to Niagara Falls tomorrow morning because we didn't make it early enough yesterday to do any day time activities.

What should we do in Toronto?

 

[tucker01]

There is a shit load to do in TO

Where to begin

Casa Loma
CN Tower
Toronto Island
Toronto Zoo
Hockey Hall of Fame
St. Lawerance Market
Ontario Place
Canada's Wonderland
Beaches
Royal Ontario Museum
Art Gallery of Ontario
McMicheal Canadian Art Gallery (Group of Seven works)
Ontario Science Center
Danforth (greek town)

 

[tucker01]

Plus around the Airport, there is a slew of good strip clubs

 

[KentDog]

There is a shit load to do in TO

Where to begin

Casa Loma
CN Tower
Toronto Island
Toronto Zoo
Hockey Hall of Fame
St. Lawerance Market
Ontario Place
Canada's Wonderland
Beaches
Royal Ontario Museum
Art Gallery of Ontario
McMicheal Canadian Art Gallery (Group of Seven works)
Ontario Science Center
Danforth (greek town)

We went to the CN Tower and Casa Loma yesterday night, but didn't go in (just had a look at the outsides and walked around the area). What's the deal with the CN Tower? Is there a restaurant in there? Does it have good food? Is it reasonably priced? Or is it one of those things where you just take an elevator ride up and admire the view from the top? Do people go into the Casa Loma without having a ticket for any event?

We will be going to the harbor today to look at boats (my dad is looking to buy one soon) and will be taking a ferry to the Toronto Islands. We almost went to the Mideval Times Theatre (like the one from The Cable Guy), but couldn't justify the expense for what seemed to be a relatively short show (beginning at 7:30pm). Has anyone here been to this show?

 

[KentDog]

Plus around the Airport, there is a slew of good strip clubs

I will keep this in mind for my next trip to Toronto. Are strip clubs here relatively inexpensive?

Also, this has been killing me. What does "135.8" mean at the gas station? And are you supposed to tip at restaurants here?

 

[tucker01]

All depends on the club. drinks are $6-7 Dances are around $20. Some Clubs you might get some extras. They are always completely nude.

135.8 cents per litre.

So like $5.11 per gallon.

 

[tucker01]

We went to the CN Tower and Casa Loma yesterday night, but didn't go in (just had a look at the outsides and walked around the area). What's the deal with the CN Tower? Is there a restaurant in there? Does it have good food? Is it reasonably priced? Or is it one of those things where you just take an elevator ride up and admire the view from the top? Do people go into the Casa Loma without having a ticket for any event?

We will be going to the harbor today to look at boats (my dad is looking to buy one soon) and will be taking a ferry to the Toronto Islands. We almost went to the Mideval Times Theatre (like the one from The Cable Guy), but couldn't justify the expense for what seemed to be a relatively short show (beginning at 7:30pm). Has anyone here been to this show?

CN Tower yes a view. The Restaurant up there rotates, decent food, nothing spectacular.

Casa Loma has a lot to see, but yes there are shows there you can buy tickets for.

Midevil times sucks for the price.

 

[KentDog]

Awesome insight, Iain, thanks again.

Tipping ettiquette? Yes or no? We have been tipping the whole time, but last night we got terrible service and tipped bad when we probably should have not tipped at all.

 

[tucker01]

Tipping is pretty standard 15-20%

I agree with shitty service gets no tip. Where did you eat?