Driving to Niagara Falls

[abiknox]

After initially planning to book a tour to Niagara, we have now decided to drive ourselves.

Is there anywhere specific we should head for to park, what are parking charges & are there any other must do's apart from the falls themselves (I've head of Niagara on the Lake)?

Any restaurant recommendations?

[poohsfriend]

Sorry can't help with specific questions as we were there quite a few years ago. We also went in winter - falls were beautiful all iced up but most of the touristy things (like maid in the mist) weren't operating for obvious reasons. The Canada side is quite built up and you could park on the road almost next to the falls. I preferred the USA side though as that is a Park so we crossed over the border into USA (This did cost quite a bit as we had to pay some form of tax and I guess you would need ESTAs too - we were going to USA later the same trip so had the ESTA but effectively paid twice for the tax and border control stuff took forever!). You can walk behind the falls to the observation points on the Canada side which were good - but again when we went they weren't all open and were getting iced up (we went in February/March time and it was reaaaaaallllly cold but we virtually had the place to ourselves!).

[Mrs Valentine]

I cant help with the parking as we were on a coach tour, but we did a helicopter over the falls and it was amazing. We did the Maid of the Mist and the walk behind the falls and we loved it all. Niagara on the Lake is so pretty and very touristy though. From there we went to the Hershey Town - if you like chocolate (I dont actually like Hershey) but it was very interesting to hear all about it and see lampposts in the shape of chocolates.

[anji]

You must do this if you go to Niagra on the Lake but take a change of clothes as you will get soaked! Changing rooms provided ...! Best to pre-book too.

whirlpooljet/jet-boat...a-on-the-lake/

[abiknox]

Originally Posted by Mrs Valentine

I cant help with the parking as we were on a coach tour, but we did a helicopter over the falls and it was amazing. We did the Maid of the Mist and the walk behind the falls and we loved it all. Niagara on the Lake is so pretty and very touristy though. From there we went to the Hershey Town - if you like chocolate (I dont actually like Hershey) but it was very interesting to hear all about it and see lampposts in the shape of chocolates.

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Its going to be too cold for us to do the maid of the mist unfortunately, the boats wont be running because of ice

Hersheys Town sounds great but I just looked at Google and it tells me its 5 hours away from Niagara Is that right or am I looking att he wrong thing?

[abiknox]

Originally Posted by poohsfriend

Sorry can't help with specific questions as we were there quite a few years ago. We also went in winter - falls were beautiful all iced up but most of the touristy things (like maid in the mist) weren't operating for obvious reasons. The Canada side is quite built up and you could park on the road almost next to the falls. I preferred the USA side though as that is a Park so we crossed over the border into USA (This did cost quite a bit as we had to pay some form of tax and I guess you would need ESTAs too - we were going to USA later the same trip so had the ESTA but effectively paid twice for the tax and border control stuff took forever!). You can walk behind the falls to the observation points on the Canada side which were good - but again when we went they weren't all open and were getting iced up (we went in February/March time and it was reaaaaaallllly cold but we virtually had the place to ourselves!).

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Oh it's good to hear from someone else mad enough to visit at winter!

We do have ESTAs so crossing the border is an option but Im not sure I wan't to waste the time if it takes a while to get through.

I am really hoping the falls are iced over!

[Mrs Valentine]

Originally Posted by abiknox

Its going to be too cold for us to do the maid of the mist unfortunately, the boats wont be running because of ice

Hersheys Town sounds great but I just looked at Google and it tells me its 5 hours away from Niagara Is that right or am I looking att he wrong thing?

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Yeah it prob was about 3-4. Are you travelling aroun or just staying around the Falls area?

[abiknox]

Originally Posted by Mrs Valentine

Yeah it prob was about 3-4. Are you travelling aroun or just staying around the Falls area?

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We are staying in Toronto & just heading to the falls for a day. Really looking forward to it now

[Mrs Valentine]

Originally Posted by abiknox

We are staying in Toronto & just heading to the falls for a day. Really looking forward to it now

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Oh right, Hershey next time then lol.

[wombat girl]

If you park in the town near the falls it is expensive to park if you drive along the river a mile or so there is a car park that costs $5 I think. It is a lot cheaper than town and the walk is great as you see the raging river and where is squeezes into the falls.