I have just booked a mini-vacation for my husband and I. We will arrive in mid-September to visit Niagara Falls for the first time. We will have 4 nights (5 days) and wondered how to plan our stay. Should we stay all 4 nights around the falls, or is 2 or 3 nights enough there? Where else would be a nice place to stay for 1 or 2 nights?
Just by looking at the map and reading a little about the area, it would seem that it would be pleasurable just to drive around the general area (maybe along the lakes or to visit some wineries). We even wondered if it would be worth our time to drive down to Erie PA.
Any thoughts or comments are welcome!
FALLS BOUND!
Buffalo and Niagara Region Inquiry
Try staying around the falls for your vacation, this is the centre of everything to do. You can easily reach Buffalo, all of the falls attractions and my personal favourite on the Canadian side the niagara wine region which has some fantastic wineries and many things to do!
Buffalo and Niagara Region Inquiry
3 nights will be plenty at the falls. just make sure while your at the falls you stay on the ontario side. the hotels are nicer and theres more things to do (the ny side is a state park and lacks new development). while at your hotel in canada, you could easily get in a half day at some wineries and tour niagara-on-the-lake.
theres so many places you could go in the area after your niagara stay so its hard to recommend something. you might have fun staying in buffalo. theres tons of things to do if your a history or art buff. theres the albright knox art gallery, forest lawn cemetary, allentown/elmwood, and the amazing chippewa street if nightlife is your thing.
people from buffalo usually do day trips to rochester and the surrounding areas. canandaigua lake is a nice place and has a short drive...
if you want to stop in erie i would advise doing it on the way home back to tennessee instead of driving 100+ miles south and then back north. im not really sure what there is to do there. if you are driving home on 79, definately stop at the grove city prime outlets.
good luck, post back if you have any more questions.
Your preference for a stay in the Niagara Falls regions should be a hotel on the Canadian side of the falls. This side has undergone a hotel building boom that was incited by the opening of a casino on the Canadian side. Some may think that areas of downtown Niagara Falls, Canada, have been developed to a grotesque degree but the overwhelming natural beauty of the falls tends to overshadow any concerns about the tackyness of the areas above the falls. A newer native casino in Niagara Falls, NY, has incited some new hotel development there also.
An alternate location for a few days would be a hotel or bed and breakfast in Niagara-on-the-lake, Ontario, on the Canadian side of the Naigara River where the river empties into Lake Ontario. You may look at the Queens Landing Hotel, the Prince of Whales Hotel aor the Pillar and Post Hotel in Niagara on the lake. (all have the same owner). There are a large number of smaller bed and breakfast places in Niagara on the lake. The town itself is almost painfully attractive. The main street should be a blaze of colour from flowers and the onset of the fall change in the trees.
The Niagara region, located between two large lakes, has a microclimate that supports wine production. Try to visit some local wineries - I suggest Inniskillin and Peller Estates, both on the Niagara Parkway just south of Niagara on the lake.
You might visit the Butterfly Conservancy located on the Niagara Parkway between the falls and Niagara on the lake. If you want to golf on one of the best public golf courses in Canada try the Whirlpool golf course on the Parkway just north of Niagara Falls.
I would also suggest a drive of the American side of the Niagara River, through Lewiston and Youngstown to Fort Niagara on the New York side of the Niagara River as it flows into Lake Ontario.
If your are looking for some shopping (beyond souvenirs) your best bet will be the Prime Outlet Mall in Niagara Falls, New York. (on Military Trail between Porter Ave and Highway 62).
There is an outlet on the Canadian side but it%26#39;s not in the same league as is the New York outlet. There%26#39;s another outlet beside the New York State Thruway at Waterloo, about half an hour drive east of Rochester. Again the Niagara Falls, NY outlet is superior.
If you are driving back to Tennessee you may consider the drive through Southern Ontario and re-entering the US at Detroit. There is a easy connection from the bridge to I-75 and the run south to home. This is the major escape route for Canadians fleeing to Florida.
Also, if you wanted to spend a night in downtown Buffalo there is a beautiful hotel called ';The Mansion on Delaware'; It is one of the most historical, yet restored to all of it%26#39;s legandary past.
while in downtown you could catch a show, schedule a tour of the Darwin-Martin House, or even go dancing at night in the Chippeawa area.
have a great time visiting this wonderful city
Heidi,
I think that you have a great idea for a wonderful and relaxing couple of days. Remeber we are between 2 great lakes with the mighty niagara connecting them together.
I think you should try to spend one night in Buffalo-the Mansion is a lovely place to stay-There is plenty of History, the Albright Knox art Musuem is a great place to spend a couple of hours. Not far away is the Basillica of Our lady of Victory, it contains the remains of Father Baker-he is a local hero that is on the track to sainthood. Even if you are not of a religious bent it is an extrordinary building. Have fun at night on Chippawa St. which is the party area of Buffalo-all types of clubs for any taste.
I would then meander North and stay in Niagara Falls Ont. but do make sure you visit the American side we have the most lovely scenery.
I would then move out to Niagara On the Lake-it is such a charming place, you won%26#39;t want to leave.
Have Fun and enjoy your stay
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