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Original poster

Is Niagara Falls really that bad?

23 replies

Rugbylife · 18/04/2019 12:08

Hi all, thinking of doing a Toronto/Niagara trip in June, we have 3 DS 21,16,13 so would need 2 rooms. Thinking a few days in Toronto then same in Niagara as there seems more to entertain the boy’s. Most people say a couple of hours in Niagara is enough, is it really that bad?

OP posts:
BarefootHippieChick · 18/04/2019 15:29

I've been to Niagara about 6 times, and though it's an amazing place to visit, a few hours is more than enough. Visit the falls, do a boat trip, browse around the tat shops, get something to eat and you're done. Quite frankly there's not much else there apart from coffee shops, casinos and hotels. Toronto, however, you could spend days in and still not have enough time to see and do everything.

flissfloss65 · 18/04/2019 15:31

S day at Niagra Falls was plenty. We did the boat and helicopter trips. Why not combine with Boston too?

BarefootHippieChick · 18/04/2019 15:32

Don't forget a trip to Niagara-on-the-lake on the way. A lovely quaint little town with some quirky shops and lots of ice cream places!

Honeyroar · 18/04/2019 15:33

Whereas Toronto has lovely beaches and things to do around the lake if you get bored of the city.

bellinisurge · 18/04/2019 15:36

I grew up in Blackpool. I only visited Niagara from the US side. While the falls are beautiful and the Maid in the Mist boat journey up to the falls was wonderful, the US town reminded me of Blackpool. In fact, Blackpool is actually nicer.
I don't know what it's like from the Canadian side although I here the view of the falls is better from there.

Michellebops · 18/04/2019 15:37

Stay in main city of Toronto, visit the cn tower, try take in a hockey game.
Whilst niagara is lovely it can be done in a day.

Or

Go the other direction, fly into Newark, visit New York, here a car and drive up and see niagara from buffalo side.

You need a visa to cross into Canada or vice versa.

BarefootHippieChick · 18/04/2019 15:40

Bellini the Canadian side is much better. The American side is like a one horse town! Very rundown!

PCohle · 18/04/2019 15:40

Once you've seen the falls it's just casinos and shit restaurants. I stayed overnight and it was a bit of a waste.

DulciUke · 18/04/2019 15:43

Why not combine with Boston too? It is a 7 hour drive from Niagara Falls to Boston, so not exactly a quick side trip if you are short of time.

desparate4sleep · 18/04/2019 15:46

The Canadian side is better. I loved it but it's definitely only a day trip. Toronto is great you can definitely do both.

Fstar · 18/04/2019 15:49

Went in 2008, think it was 2 days in Toronto and 3 in Niagra. Like the shopping and walking arou d Toronto, went to baseball museam for a couple of hours and up cn tower.

Niagra was chilled but took a long drive in crappy minibus, one main street with shops, wax museams and food places, not much else to do. We went walking a fair bit but really a day trip is enough or overnight.

dazzlingdeborahrose · 18/04/2019 15:50

A day in Niagra is more than enough. We did a day tour from Toronto. Stopped at an ice winery, Nivea by the lake and then to niagra for lunch. Did a helicopter ride over the falls. The falls are amazing and you can go under and view them from behind if you see what I mean. It's a strange town. Falls one side and then a Blackpool style amusement strip in the other.
Loads to do in Toronto. Definitely base yourself there. The islands and Cabbagetown are a must.

Jackiebrambles · 18/04/2019 15:51

I agree don't spend more than a day there! When I went there years ago it reminded me of back to the future 2 when Biff ran the town and and it was all casinos, neon lights and tat!

Jackiebrambles · 18/04/2019 15:52

The falls and Niagra on the lake are lovely though

Theninjawhinger · 18/04/2019 15:56

We did 2 days and honestly, 1 is def enough. I’m glad I went - but it genuinely is just like Blackpool in the town. The boat trip is amazing, but once you have done that and pottered around you really are ready to leave!

ifIwerenotanandroid · 18/04/2019 15:57

I love the spot on the Canadian side where you can stand right next to the water as it goes from horizontal to vertical - before I went I didn't realise how close you can get. The deep green & white water is very beautiful.

But yes, it's just a day trip.

clara10 · 18/04/2019 16:05

We went to Toronto for Oct half term. Stayed in Toronto and hired a car for a day trip to niagara. Cost around £85 for the hire car. Agree one day is enough. We got the pass tickets which included behind the falls, boat trip, making of the falls and possibly the best bit - the white water walk.

The Toronto citypass is really good value. Loads to do in Toronto.

QuantumWeatherButterfly · 18/04/2019 16:09

Lots to do in Toronto! Definitely spend more time there.

Aragog · 18/04/2019 16:11

We spent one night at Niagara Falls, driving from Toronto and then an early flight the next morning. So I guess an afternoon and evening.

The falls were amazing and also great to see in the evening too. The we from the hotel room was breath taking. Full length windows to just sit in front of - fabulous, though expensive.

But tbh half a day was long enough for Niagara Falls themselves.

tanstaafl · 18/04/2019 16:51

There’s two Niagara Falls towns, one in Canada one in USA.
Personally , we felt the Canadian side was more in your face.
The US town was spread out more.
You can catch the boats that go to the jaws of the big falls ( Horseshoe ) from either country.
The US side has the big tower and viewing platform which is the lifts down to the US boats.
US side has the walk ways down by the river where you can stand just in the waterfall of the ‘American Falls’. The US side has a move theatre showing history of the falls , maybe 25 mins long, enjoyable imho.
Canadian side has the ‘go behind the Horseshoe waterfall’ attraction.

The US side has the island that separates the American Falls from the Horseshoe Falls, there’s some good viewing spots there as well.

We arrived at Niagara on the US side around 4pm.
We had pre-booked tickets for the boat so we went down on spec ( tickets were not for a specific time ). Jumped on, done in 30 mins.
Next morning we went and did the walk around the platforms by the river. You don’t have to get wet but we had the hotel to get back to , shower and check out so stood there getting drenched only takes a few seconds.

You can walk over the Rainbow bridge from the US side to the Canadian side with a UK passport - you get checked at the Canadian side and get checked when you go back to US. We never needed visa for that.

Completely agree with ifiwerenotanandroid , that spot sticks in your memory and the colour of the water is fantastic.

You won’t regret going but if the Falls are the reason for going , one nights stay is all that’s required.

Original poster
Rugbylife · 18/04/2019 19:57

Thanks, we were looking at a multi trip with Virgin and it’s 3 nights in Toronto and 4 nights at Niagara. From the posts so far this seems too long at Niagara.

OP posts:
underneaththeash · 20/04/2019 17:23

It is! It’s really horrible. Canadian side has a much better view, but there’s more to do in the US side. We were there for 2 nights and couldn’t wait to leave.

BestIsWest · 21/04/2019 12:51

Just bookmarking as we are doing a week in Toronto in June. We struggled s bit with accommodation though.

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