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What do to in Niagra Falls USA's Thanksgiving week?
We are breaking tradition this Thanksgiving. We are taking a family vacation to Niagra Falls. Two nights we will be staying in a hotel with an indoor waterpark. The kids are so excited. I hope I can survive two 8 hour days in a van with 5 kids and a husband on the way there and then again on the way back.
What do you recomend as must do activities. And is it worth 1 1/2 more hours to go to Toronto? Can't wait to go. Thanks in advance.
We took a family vacation there several years ago. It was fantastic! We live in Maryland. First we went to Cooperstown, so my husband and son had a great time. It is a beautiful little town, with a gorgeous lake. We took a boat trip, but that could be very cold this time of year. We spent one day in the Hall of Fame. Then is was a very short trip to Niagra Falls.
I think the falls are absolutely spectacular!!!!!! Of course, you want to do the Maid of the Mist. Dress warmly for that! We also walked around on Goat Island one afternoon. You get wonderful closeup views of the water above the falls. There is a Butterfly Museum that is definitely worth the trip! In one part, you can walk around a rainforest-like environment, and butterflies will land on your finger. (Bring an extra memory card for the camera.) On the way to the butterfly museum was a flower clock. That was not so great.
We also went to the Imax, which was definitely worth it. I remember a museum which may have been at the Imax as well.
I think that's all we did. Sorry, we didn't go to Toronto.
There is a Ripley's museum there, but that is not my cup of tea.
Oh, there is also a tour where you can go behind the falls. Money was running low, so we didn't do that, but I've heard it's really neat.
Where do you live?
Remember that you need birth certificates to prove all those kids are yours. They really do check that.
Also, don't go to the liquor store unless you are going home. It is clearly marked, but we made a wrong turn and tried to turn around in the liquor store parking lot. You can get in, but you can't get out of the parking lot and back into Canada. You have to drive back to the United States.
Remember to use your credit card to pay for everything. It automatically gives you the exchange rate. If you try to change over your money, it will cost you.
Okay, I just noticed that you said Niagra Falls USA. I think all of the stuff I mentioned is on the Canadian side.
Also, take a walk at night along the water to see the falls lit up.
definettly see the canadian falls at night.you get a much better view from the canadian side.but you might need pasports now or birth certifiactes anyway to cross the border.but a MUST SEE AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS LIT UP.you can't see the whole thing from the american side.
Plus there is a shopping area on the other side to walk around a small amusment area. not sure if it will be open this time of year though.but a lot to see on the canadian side.we went to see it and ended up staying over there for 1 night.it was very nice and cheap hotel rates.
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We took a family trip to Niagara Falls last year too. (By the way I was always spelling it to rhyme with Viagra too - until I finally realized it was a 4 syllable word, Niagara - not Niagra;)........just a little hint for when you get there. )
We did go to just about all the things lynnewithane mentioned in her post. We did also take the kids to see Ripleys. My DH & I hadn't been to one since we were dating, and thought the kids might enjoy it. They really did like all the amazing things. There is some goofy stuff there too, but they loved most all the record breaking items. I also second a trip to the butterfly conservatory. Definitely worth it for the children. The IMEX also shows the power of the Falls really well.
I would definitely recommend going to Canada. I'm guessing that your motel must be in USA from your title? There isn't quite as much to do on that side, and the view is actually the backside of the falls......as in the falls fall towards Canada (did that make sense??) There are lots of touristy things (or as my dad would say tourist-traps) to do in Canada, but also it seems to have the most Falls-related places & attractions to see as well, as it affords the best view. If your motel is in USA, that's ok..... just pack up one day and head across to Canada to enjoy everything on that side
We went in April exactly one week before they started running the Maid of the Mist, but actually it was chilly enough that I was kinda glad not to be getting soaked by the spray of water. I just checked online and see that they close the end of October, so I guess you won't have the opportunity for that either. However, if it's a chilly week you won't mind! You can get a little sprayed by taking the tour down in the tunnels behind the falls, but nothing like riding the boat up to it.
Besides the birth certificates (which are a necessity), we were also recommended to take a family picture along "just in case". It shows those children really are yours. We didn't end up needing to show it, but it did give me a feeling of a bit more security. I was actually surprised because we ended up being held-up more going into Canada then coming back into the USA. I'm guessing because we arrived late in Canada - like after midnight, and they asked us more questions.
The credit card suggestion for rate exchange is also a good one. However, we did try to get a little money exchanged so the kids had some foreign money for a souvenior.
Also wanted to add that when I was a kid my family went to Niagara Falls in the winter one year, and it was beautiful! Everything was ice covered - like the walkways around the falls & lampposts, fences, etc. had a thick covering of ice from the spray of mist up from the Falls. Quite Beautiful! That time we drove out to Fort Niagara - which was also interesting if your family enjoys history attractions.
There is much to do in NF canada side!
There is a indoor butterfly museum "thing" can't think what it's called & that is really nice. THe kids love Ripley's & it's fun to go through. The "strip" on Clifton Hill in Canada really offers a lot to do it's full of tourist traps & neon lights etc. but it's a huge thrill for kids.
You can also go to the whirlpool, that is down by the butterfly thing, there is a museum there & you can take a cable car kind of thing over the whirlpool- depending on the wind.
Dress warm, find a spot to park the car & if you are there for a length of time you can get a bus pass, it's the best way to get around, especially with little ones who get tired of walking.
Have fun, definately go to the canada side, there's much more!
My son was an early US history buff and we had a great time. They are closed Thanksgiving day and there are no events planned, but if anyone in your family is interested in history-I think it is worth it.
Have a great time--it is a great family vacation spot.
Toronto is definately worth the trip! My boyfriend used to live there (now lives here with me)...and i loved going up there to see him! So much to do and see!
If you are driving across the bridges from USA to Canada and back you may experience heavy delays. In the past 3 weeks I have been there twice crossing at the Queenston/Lewiston bridge. Both times to USA took over an hour to get in but less than 5 minutes to get back into Canada from the USA. I don't know how the the other bridges are - Peace Bridge, Rainbow Bridge??? Be prepared to have your trunk searched. Last week I was on a shopping trip in Buffalo, one guy on the bus got deported as he had a criminal record from when he was a teenager and never bothered to get it looked after. Have a great time in Canada, eh! You will need your birth certificate and photo ID, like your drivers license.
What do to in Niagra Falls USA's Thanksgiving week?
