Starting to plan Niagara falls trip

[NMWildcat]

We were there the second week in June this year. So you will be there a few weeks earlier in the season. It is a PERFECT time to go as the tourist season hasn't started to peak yet. The crowds were much smaller and manageable, and prices are much better.

We spent a few days on the American side and a week on the Canadian side. Next time we will skip the American side entirely. The things we enjoyed on the US side was the jet boat into the whirlpool and the trail down to the river.

Definitely check out the Niagara Adventure Pass on the Canadian side. https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit-n...-plus-details/

We got the plus pass and for less than $100 US a person you can do just about everything there is to do. You can probably do it all in 2 very full days, but we spread it over a week. One of the cheapest tourist spots we have encountered in awhile. Going back with friends next year.

Even got DW to do the Zipline! Not included in the plus pass, but it was a blast and the pictures were fantastic.

Have fun!!!!!

[Threegaleh]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Hi Charles, welcome to FRF!!!
If you are using the full site- looking on a computer vs a smart phone you should see
a search box in the upper right corner of the screen. It's a white box in the green band.

Make sure the dot is on FRF not google.
Type in Niagara Falls and hit search.
You will find many discussions on the area.

There are options- the Canadian side is crowded and beautiful and reminds me of Disney World. It's expensive but can be worth it if that's what you're after.
The US side is much less developed.
We've stayed on both sides and liked both.
IF you are on a budget we recommend 4 mile creek NY state park. It's a no frills park with decent bath houses and water and electric sites. It's an easy drive to the bridge to cross into Canada if that's what you want.
IF you're into hiking and getting up close and personal- there is a trail on the NY side that follows the Niagara river right up past the whirl pool.
You can sit on a rock and literally spit into the Niagara river. It's awesome.
Or you can go to the Canadian side and pay to park and then ride the trams up and down and pay to get on an elevator and go down to the rapids and look through a fence at the fast water.
If you have time on the NY side do consider a 1/2 day trip on the Erie canal boats. It's way more fun than I thought it would be and I've been through giant locks on the Ohio river in my own boat. Also the power station on the NY side has a very neat visitor center that shows how they manage all that water to make power. Well worth a couple hours and right on the way from 4 mile creek to the bridge.

Check out some of the discussions you find with a search and come back here if you have more questions.

I live in Canada just outside Niagara Falls. I have travelled in the states many times and find it very beautiful as I do my country. I feel sad for the way you have described our beautiful country.

[spock123]

Originally Posted by Threegaleh

I live in Canada just outside Niagara Falls. I have travelled in the states many times and find it very beautiful as I do my country. I feel sad for the way you have described our beautiful country.

I must have missed something I didn’t hear him say anything bad about the Canadian side. The poster was just giving his honest opinion. I enjoy Canada as well as America

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by Threegaleh

I live in Canada just outside Niagara Falls. I have travelled in the states many times and find it very beautiful as I do my country. I feel sad for the way you have described our beautiful country.

I did not mean to disparage your wonderful country!

The person who started this discussion was asking about Niagara Falls not the country as a whole.
We have visited the Canadian side of the Falls twice. I compared it to Disney World.
Disney world is beautiful, meticulously clean, typically crowded and expensive and the shop keepers and tram drivers are usually friendly and knowledgeable.

What makes me sad is someone posted that the US side is a slum which it is not. I would happily re-visit either side of the falls.

[sherman12]

All great posts and suggestions. In a nutshell if the Falls is the main reason of your visit and you are not that interested in spending more drive time than necessary, the campground to choose from is; Branches of Niagara or KOA, both on Grand Island and less than 15 minutes from the Falls. Both will offer more amenities than Four Mile Creek State Park, such as full hook ups, cable, pool etc. However those amenities cost more than double the day rate at Four Mile, which is 30 or 50 amp but nothing else, like many state park around the country. Four Mile is about a 20 minute ride to the Falls. Between is the great charming town of Lewiston, NY, 8 miles from Four Mile. Great historic Main St. with shops, dining options of every choice, a good sized super market, Tops, ending at the Niagara River with a great restaurant overlooking the river. Golden Point State Park or Lakeside are both longer drives from the Falls, offering similar amenities of Four Mile but with little else around them if you run out of milk and eggs.

One point not brought up about stays on the Canadian side is price. Things are more expensive in Canada, say over $4 a gallon for gas and a high Good and Services Tax (GST) of 15% last I checked. There is a favorable exchange rate currently that has been hovering around 30% that will help mitigate from of the higher prices. The Canadian government spends a lot of money in Niagara Falls, it is just about their most southern city and tourist attraction. Again, if you are ok with driving and exploring around the area, Queenston Ontario and more so Niagara on The Lake are great places to visit, especially NTL. Driving there, about a half hour or so from the Falls you will follow along the Niagara River on a beautiful two lane road. As you get near to both towns you will be surrounded by Niagara Wineries. You will find an abundance of world class wines of all varietals in this region. Even if wine isn't your thing, some of these wineries will feature the some of the best restaurants in the region. Well worth it.

Back on the US side, Buffalo, NY is 20 minutes away with a great waterfront, restaurants and attractions. There usually is some type of festival every weekend from Spring on through. Check it out.

Have a great trip and enjoy WNY and the area.

[grumpy0374]

We were there just this past Sept. Another vote for Branches RV Campground. Super campground, lots for kids to do if you have any. A 10 minute ride to the Falls on US side. Restrooms are squeaky clean, nice camp store.
US side, has others have voiced, is very depressing. Falls are nice, but the area surronding it are, to be nice, "lousey" Streets need repair, boarded up store fronts all over the place. For all it's promotion and hype as a destination, it leaves alot to be desired.
The welcome center is nothing more than a multi storied cube with more games, t-shirt and key chain stands.
Welcome center at the falls entrance is under repair, but needs a good clean up.
If you have a passport, you MUST visit the Canada side. Clean, busy, vibrant.
A bit more expensive, but so what...you will enjoy it.
The boat rides from either side will give you the same views, but the views from the Canada side walkway are much better, and at one end you will be mear feet from the falls.
Visit Fort Niagara. Short drive north, and you can spend several hours touring it. On your way back to the campground stop in at the Brickyard Pub & Bar B Q in Lewiston. Excellant food, and you WILL be taking back left overs.
Take a 30 minute drive west to Lockport, NY., and take an Erie Canal Lock cruise via Lockport Locks/Erie Canal Cruises. Fun way to spend a few hours and view the canal and enter/exit several of the river locks.
Grumpy

[phillyg]

I was very disappointed with the American side. Previously visited the CN side many years ago.

[ambonito]

You need a passport if you plan to go over to the Canadian side. You must go there if you're making the trip. At a minimum, I would drive the extra 90 -100 miles to visit Toronto, even if it's a day trip. If you're a history buff, Buffalo has some great museums. There are also retired Naval ships near downtown Buffalo. Other than that, check out tourism sites to see all that you can see in and around Niagara Falls.

[rockland2002]

Hi,
If you have kids and you are traveling to Niagara Falls N.Y.
There is an RV park that was recommend to me that my kids still talk about, that was great. It is in Canada, not far from the falls.
The name is Sherkston Shores, part of Sun RV Resorts.
If it was closer to me, I live near New York City, I certainly would go back again with my RV.
You need a passport or an inhansed licence for the border.

[ronphill]

We live about 4 miles from joe wheeler park. Stay there often. Nice place to stay. When we saw the falls, we took a van tour. It was great. No worries about parking. Don’t remember the park we stayed in but it was a few miles before the falls. Would highly suggest doing this.

[Paulred]

Niagara Falls is a tourist area and that is reflected in the prices. We are fulltimers, so we spend summers at a very nice camp in Ridgeway, which is 20 miles south of Niagara with easy access. Discount for Good Sam members. Majority of the sites are a mixed bag of trailers and park models, some quite nice, some not so much. Decent pool.
The rear section is for travelers. Good sized pull throughs, level.
Good camp for tourists as you want a good place to sleep, but is handy to sites in the area. Two miles to Safari Niagara zoo.

Name of camp is Knight's Hideaway.

[Cotice]

I am from the Niagara area . The falls have festival of lights on right now. A free new years concert Canadian side. Plus two Canadian casinos - one on US Niagara Fall side. Then There is historic Niagara on the lake north of Niagara falls Have a good trip

[Cotice]

I may also look a derisell camp ground Jordan valley . Good Sams family run good pool . quiet they make the rounds make sure things good after 11:00 Prices are good

[Sgtmac]

Be advised when I was there in 2012 there was only one liquor store in Niagra Falls.

[GoRoyals]

Lane selection at the border is very important. We went into Canada at Buffalo and there, RV's had to be in the far left lane. If you didn't set yourself up for it early, you would have been at the mercy of the many, many cars on the bridge. Lane selection coming back thru Michigan was not very intuitive, RV's had a designated lane on the far left of the car entry, which was to the right of the truck lanes. However, you couldn't see the sign till you approached the gate.

[bruspell]

Other posts have recommended 4Mile Creek State Park. I am a local resident and camper, and frequently stay at 4mile. It is a very big, well maintained park. Shower/bath facilities are well taken care of, and there are numerous play areas for the kids. Limited site services (power). Water fill locations throughout park, and decent dump stations. By now it's likely that the sites that many campers covet are already taken for May (Campers can "reserve" their desired site beginning at exactly 9am, 9 months preceding the first day of camping). However, even when the park is close to full, site 007 is open. I can't explain it, but we think this is the best kept secret at the park. It is a shaded, very large site, close to the park entrance (which also means that it is super close to the parkway entrance to drive to Niagara Falls, and surprisingly quiet at any time of day/night). By its convenient (close to Niagara Falls) location, this would be a great choice. Also, it is likewise very close to the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge: in the event that you are planning to include a visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake, CA this would be the bridge to take.

One other thought about one of the forum choices: Golden Hill State Park. Great park, many sites also have water hookups (some need a fifty foot hose). This park is further out from your destination, and while small it is very much in demand. Lakeside sites (B loop) are pull through, other Lake side are back in, but have lots of room to maneuver. Worth checking out - but be sure you are good with the distance to the Falls (I'd say it's closer to forty miles). New shower bath facilities, hiking trails, even a boat launch adjacent to the park (free access with camping pass).

There is a KOA in Lewiston, NY (very close to the falls) that offers full hookups including cable and wifi. You may want to check them out online. Well run, swimming pool, compact.

Oops...I have gabbed too much. Have a great trip.
Bruce

[jnbghldn]

My husband visited Niagara Falls a couple of yeas ago and discovered 4 Mile Creek State Park Campground. It was fantastic. Just far enough away from Niagara Falls to be away from most of the maddening crowds but a pleasant drive to reach it easily. Old Fort Niagara was along this path and we spent half a day exploring it as well. We scored a site right on the shore of Lake Ontario and it was awesome to kick back and watch the big ships cruising on the Lake in the distance. And to look at the land on the other side of the Lake from us and know that was another country was cool. The campground itself is well tended and the bathrooms clean. We highly recommend this campground!
jnbghldn

[charles55]

Thanks everyone for sharing your advice and experiences. It has made a difference, I have gone from someone that didn't have a clue to a person with a game plan. again thanks to everyone.

[sherman12]

Charles55, enjoy your trip to WNY! A lot to see and do. When you get closer to the trip, or while in the area and you have a question, shoot me a PM and I'll try to help.

[tdiller]

Stay at four mile creek. Drive to ft Niagra and use the shuttle into town. Purchase the multi day multi show pass. (covers trolly to and from the shuttle for one day) allows entry to maid of the mist and cave of the winds and the aquarium. It can all be done in one day then return at night for the lighted falls. Then spend some time on the Canadian side.