Niagara Falls help needed

[Vince and Charlette]

A little over a year ago, we stayed at the Grand Island KOA. Really nice clean place. Easy access to the US side and the bridge to Canada. (Be sure to take your passport!)

[itat]

OP is from Quebec and has already booked a site on the Canadian side.

[selkirk awards]

But !! exchange your money at a bank some people will take advantage buy just what you need, you loose when you trade it back in or sell to one of your neighbors.

[itat]

Originally Posted by AGFazio

Sherkston Shores resort was great. Right on Lake Erie. Canadian side.

X2 We're going there again the first week of August. We've stayed there probably 4 or 5 times in the last 10 years.

Kids of all ages will enjoy the amenities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjqqFfDl630

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6mFsrwmIFo

A couple cautions though:

1. This is a "Beach Resort and Campground" so its not for everyone. There aren't many trees and no privacy. Their "premium" sites are very large/long and can handle even the largest MHs but they aren't as fancy as those I've seen pictures of on the forum with interlocking stone patios and cabanas (at least they didn't have that last time we stayed there).

2. Weekends can be very busy and noisy with lots of teenagers running around in golf carts. For this reason, we only stay there Monday to Friday when its much more relaxing.

[Scootdawg]

Not to sound funny, but plan to spend a day in downtown Buffalo. Home of the original chicken wings at the Anchor Bar, which is just down the street from Harbor Place. Its a nice park on the water front. Buffalo is finally looking good.

[tonyb1725]

On Grand Island there is a newer campground called " The Branches" while I have not camped there personally, friends rate it highly, Four Mile creek SP.
on the Lake Ontario shore is also a popular location as well as the other campgrounds everyone has mentioned

[Retrofun]

Of all of the sites mentioned, which would be quiet and better for a pack of furkids? Four legged kids outnumber those with two, so we prefer a quiet place when evermpossible

[GalsofEscape]

Originally Posted by Retrofun

Of all of the sites mentioned, which would be quiet and better for a pack of furkids? Four legged kids outnumber those with two, so we prefer a quiet place when evermpossible

hi retrofun, not sure what would be best, as we have only been to 4 mile creek, but at 4 mile creek sp the sites were pretty spacious and grassy. also, the park was quiet when we were there.

[tonyb1725]

X2

[Still Kickin]

Originally Posted by Scootdawg

Not to sound funny, but plan to spend a day in downtown Buffalo. Home of the original chicken wings at the Anchor Bar, which is just down the street from Harbor Place. Its a nice park on the water front. Buffalo is finally looking good.

While in the WNY (Niagara Falls) area do this for a nice day trip; cross to the canadian side and drive the Niagara Scenic Pkwy. It is approx 22mi along the Niagara river, picnic at the rivers edge along your drive. Cross at the Peace bridge to the US and park at the Erie Basin Marina downtown Buffalo (free car parking). Walk the river, take the water taxi (w/bike cpl bucks) to the outer harbor to tour the 1800's lighthouse. Walk/bike the outer harbor trail along the waterfront. Places to eat; The Hatch at Erie Basin Marina or picnic it on the grass at the marina. Tour WWII war ships (fee) Discover the terminus of the Erie Canal (free). Kids can play in a fantastic sandbox on boardwalk. Rent kayaks and paddle the Buffalo River. Tour boat Miss Buffalo departs daily from vacinity of Erie Basin. Rent remote control model sailboats. Enjoy, as it is the most natural people friendly waterfront anywhere on the great lakes, right at the cities edge. They did this one right!

[Scrapper]

I would like to give a little on our stay at Niagara Falls Canada side last June. Though we stayed at a nice hotel which had a money exchange, the lady behind the check-in counter told us to go a couple of blocks to the casino for a better rate. Walked in with $800, out with about $820, not bad imo. The casinos are not allowed to charge for exchanges.

[Retired JSO]

Don't miss Fort Niagara and fill up tax free on the reservation.

[Still Kickin]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

I would like to give a little on our stay at Niagara Falls Canada side last June. Though we stayed at a nice hotel which had a money exchange, the lady behind the check-in counter told us to go a couple of blocks to the casino for a better rate. Walked in with $800, out with about $820, not bad imo. The casinos are not allowed to charge for exchanges.

Lots more now as the US dollar is strengthening . The casinos are the lowest fees, because they want you to lose, oops gamble more, so they don't hit you as hard flipping currency. But, most things cost more in socialist Canada. Booze and beer is out of this world. Also, remember this, tipping at a restaurant is not customary in Canada, as they do not employ the duel wage scale as in the US. So, they "love" the ignorant American tourist at area restaurants who are not aware of that little tidbit.

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by Still Kickin

Lots more now as the US dollar is strengthening . The casinos are the lowest fees, because they want you to lose, oops gamble more, so they don't hit you as hard flipping currency. But, most things cost more in socialist Canada. Booze and beer is out of this world. Also, remember this, tipping at a restaurant is not customary in Canada, as they do not employ the duel wage scale as in the US. So, they "love" the ignorant American tourist at area restaurants who are not aware of that little tidbit.

We were not charged any extra for currency exchange.
I know we ate at a restaurant and the tip was included on the total. We had planed to leave 15%, but when the waiter brought the bill it was listed at the bottom just above the total. I believe it was something like 20% or 25%. I don't remember the exact amount.

Maybe some of our northern neighbors could chime in, but they charge a government and provincial sales tax. I don't know if they have a income tax like the US has. A lot of places here have federal, state and city income tax and then also charge state and city sales tax. Cars, tires, gas and tobacco has a federal tax added.

[Scrapper]

I forgot to include that here in Wisconsin there is a county sales tax.

[Still Kickin]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

We were not charged any extra for currency exchange.
I know we ate at a restaurant and the tip was included on the total. We had planed to leave 15%, but when the waiter brought the bill it was listed at the bottom just above the total. I believe it was something like 20% or 25%. I don't remember the exact amount.

Maybe some of our northern neighbors could chime in, but they charge a government and provincial sales tax. I don't know if they have a income tax like the US has. A lot of places here have federal, state and city income tax and then also charge state and city sales tax. Cars, tires, gas and tobacco has a federal tax added.

To your expierence; tipping is not "customary" in Canada, like in the US, because their rate per hour is not reduced, as it is here for waiters and waitresses, where the tip is suppose to make up that gap. No idea why they clipped you extra. There is PST and GST taxes, as well as crippling income taxes. Also, Canada punishes consumption, by that I mean gasoline, liquor, beer, etc. Very similiar to the way Europe punishes its citizens. Although recently the gov't has tried to roll some rates back. FET US (federal excise tax) is a tax imposed on mfg, burried in the price levied at retail. Lets all agree to agree less taxes are better, that seems to be the path here in the US going in the future. Time will tell, because taxation is power, and gov'ts don't like to relinquish power back to its citizens, no matter where we may reside.

[GalsofEscape]

Geez, the question was which of the mentioned campgrounds was good for dogs..

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by Still Kickin

No idea why they clipped you extra.
Right next to the amount was TIP.

[QUOTE=Still Kickin;1391908]Lets all agree to agree less taxes are better, that seems to be the path here in the US going in the future.[/QUOTE
Is this why the people who have the money put it in off shore accounts instead of paying their fair share?

[l001952119]

Originally Posted by Modmike

I want to go to Niagara falls on July 29th but can't find a place to accommodate my motorhome.

My first question is are there any campgrounds you would recommend with 50 full hook ups just outside of town? Also, can I park my motorhome in a lot downtown?

Thanks.

Stayed at
Campark Resorts | Niagara Falls Ontario | RV | Campground They are ten miles out from the falls on the Ontario side. BUT, the city bus stops directly in the outside parking area in front of the RV park. A small fee is required and daily unlimited use passes are purchased at the RV park office. The bus will take you directly to the downtown area and falls. This avoids using an RV to travel to the falls. Forget parking in the downtown area! It all but is non-existent for an RV.

[l001952119]

Originally Posted by johng4706

X2 on the Campark campground in Ontario. Stayed there in early July. Good location and on the WeGo route. The Canadian horseshoe falls are more impressive than the American falls. The WeGo was $7.50 for the day with unlimited on/off privileges. The 24 hour day begins the first time you scan your card. Parking close to the falls was $22.50 and I don't think it was for a 24 hour period.

X2