OSUGT Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Thinking about taking the wife in April. Anyone ever been? What did you think? I do not want to get a passport. Does this mean I cannot visit the Canadian side? Should we just make the drive up there and grab a hotel room? Any suggestions on how to do things right up there would be great. Thanks for the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igotaprestent4u1647545491 Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Thinking about taking the wife in April. Anyone ever been? What did you think? I do not want to get a passport. Does this mean I cannot visit the Canadian side? Should we just make the drive up there and grab a hotel room? Any suggestions on how to do things right up there would be great. Thanks for the help! the canadian side offers a much better view. I do not recommend going without a passport. All the "hot spots" seemed to be the canadian side when i was there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tractor Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Didn't the gov make a rule that passports were gonna be required to cross the Canadian boarder after a date? I know I hear about this. I've been there Canada does have the view, but the US side has actual places to eat that don't suck and better casinos:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qtr_pndr Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 if so get the passport Candian side starts to party around 10-11 and lasts all night . Candian side>US side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evan9381 Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 my g/fs dad was just there last week, and claimed he got into canada and back into the US with just a drivers license. all the pics i saw that he took though, were from the US side, so who knows. i would check w/ BP before i payed the toll to go into canada, and take a birth certificate, SS card, etc etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokin5s Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 go get a passport, go to Canada's side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cptn janks Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 in addition to the view, the canadian side has awesome strip clubs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradyPPC Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Agreed, Canadian side is much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhatch Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 We went there on our honeymoon and it was awesome. We stayed on the Canadian side. Our hotel room was much cheaper than I thought it should have been. The exchange rate was great at that time though (10 years ago). You definately want to go over the border. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sol740 Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 I was there when I was 7 years old. Canadian side, I was a little upset at the lack of wacky, cartoon characters walking the streets. Than my dad pointed out the Canadians. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitrousbird Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 They were supposed to change the rule last Jan. for a passport when driving across. Now I heard it was this Jan, but I haven't looked. It is already required for flying and boating to Canada. But why not get a passport? It is easy pretty easy to do, not all that expensive, and they are good for 10 years. It's stupid NOT to have a passport, seriously. I have been there a couple times. My wife and I were married there, and had an AWESOME wedding with more guests than expected (Ben - aka Casper was there, and I know had a good time, as did his wife). We have always stayed at Sheraton on the Falls, with a fallsview room. But it's pretty expensive for those rooms (usually $300-500 a night; thank god for hotel points). Most of our wedding guests stayed at the Hampton, which is close enough and pretty decent, and a lot less expensive. You must visit the Vineyards. In April, it should be warm enough to do the Jet Boat tour, which is freaking awesome (you WILL get totally soaked even with full rain gear on...think jumping into a swimming pool wet). Both big casinos are pretty good. There are some great places to eat as well, and a lot of stuff is within walking distance. Maid of the Mist is cheap/neat. Tour under the falls is pretty overrated, other than getting up close and personal with the falls. American side sucks. Full of illegals and dirty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
street pilot Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 get a passport. You might be able to sneak by without it, but its a good thing to have anyway. There is some good wine country close... get some icewine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZappBrannigan Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Get a passport and do it asap because they take forever to get back to you unless you pay extra and even then it still takes awhile imo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black00ws6 Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 You have until June 1st to enter Canada without a passport... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Pomade Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Just get a passport. Like it's been mentioned, it easy to get, not that expensive, and you really should have one anyway. If you go to Niagra Falls, you pretty much have to go to the Canada side to make the trip worthwhile. Casino Niagra is one place I'd recommend. You are asking for serious trouble/hassle if you don't take a passport or, in the very least, your birth certificate (an orginal one, not a photocopy) and ID with you. Getting into Canada isn't that big of a deal - it's getting back into the U.S. where you encounter all the problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitrousbird Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 You are asking for serious trouble/hassle if you don't take a passport or, in the very least, your birth certificate (an orginal one, not a photocopy) and ID with you. Getting into Canada isn't that big of a deal - it's getting back into the U.S. where you encounter all the problems. My experience going to/from Canada has been more of a pain going to Canada then getting back in the US. That's both flying and driving, even with my wife being a Canadian citizen. Neither is all that difficult with a passport. Without a birth certificate, they may not even let you across. But it's stupid not to get a passport; ~$60 and it is taking 1-2 months if not rushing the order right now, from what I hear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
944s2 Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 The hotel we stayed in........ http://www.niagaracentralreservations.com/OSI_1519953/ Found it to be the cheapest close hotel. A good map to show were it is in relation to the falls (still a good walk and its downhill all the way, but you have to walk back up at the end of the day) http://www.infoniagara.com/hotels_and_motels/Niagara-Falls/oldstoneinn/index.html Map is at bottom of page. .4 miles to falls The jet boat tour... by far the best thing to do for a thrill!!! http://www.whirlpooljet.com/ select the one Niagara-on-the-Lake (it has been designated a National Historical Site)..... they launch from both but the town on the Canadian side is super nice next to some beautiful vineyards and the old fort there. Oh and do the wet jet tour the covered dome is not worth it you don't get wet at all and don't get to experience the speed and wind and all the cool elements. Good map from the Niagara Canadian side http://www.whirlpooljet.com/pdf/map.pdf on the Niagara parkway right by the helicopter tours there is a park on the river side that you can park your car and walk all the way down to the whirlpool and get up close and personal.... not many tourist know about it either, (we learned from a local) it was very nice down there as there were very few people and it was free. Maid of the Mist really neat to do you get right next to the falls, as far as the boat can push in against the current. http://www.maidofthemist.com/en/ Journey behind the falls... when you get there I'm pretty sure for like 20 or something you can get both for a bundle discount. http://www.niagarafallslive.com/journey_behind_the_falls.htm Fort George you will drive right by on the way to the jet boat tour we didnt do the pay tour but walked around the outside for free. http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/fortgeorge/index_E.asp The nice casino(casino Niagara on the river is not nearly as cool as this one). http://www.senecaniagaracasino.com/ Same distance from your hotel as the other.....about .5 mile. We didn't go to the Botanical Gardens but heard they were nice. http://www.niagaraparks.com/garden/botanical.php Good attractions website. http://www.niagarafallslive.com/Attractions_in_Niagara_Falls.htm Hope this helps we drove up through Buffalo and crossed at the Rainbow bridge on 90. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Pomade Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 My experience going to/from Canada has been more of a pain going to Canada then getting back in the US. That's both flying and driving, even with my wife being a Canadian citizen. Neither is all that difficult with a passport. Without a birth certificate, they may not even let you across. But it's stupid not to get a passport; ~$60 and it is taking 1-2 months if not rushing the order right now, from what I hear. Yeah, my experiences have been just the opposite - they've been very nonchalant about letting us into Canada but completely militant about letting us back in to the U.S. Moral of our stories: just get a passport and you won't have to worry about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avenger1647545502 Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Maid of the Mist is an absolute must. It is AWESOME.....just no other word for it. But be aware that you WILL be getting wet. Journey Behind the Falls is neat as well. The tram ride over the Whirlpool is another must. Goat Island is worth an afternoon. Most of the good stuff, casinos and bars, is on the Canadian side. Once you get more than a few blocks from the falls and bridge on the US side, it gets pretty seedy. And north of the falls on the US side along the gorge is pretty much a ghetto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don 95Vert Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 On the American side, you should head out to Lewiston and check out the gorge on the way out - you can stop there. You can get a good view of the whirpool. On the Canadian side you can go over the whirlpool in an Aero Car (cable car). A few cool things in Lewiston, but if it's open, always stop at Hibbits frozen custard and get some black rasberry frozen custard - just wonderful - if it's still open.... Past Lewiston Old Fort Niagara is a really cool place to see - it's right at the mouth of the Niagara River where it meets Lake Ontario. Niagara Falls NY is one of the worst total ghetto places in the US - just horrid. But besides the new casino, there are a couple of gems to see - if you like ethnic food, on Friday nights go to Gadawski's Bar on 1444 Falls Street. The area looks bad, but once inside it's a gem of a place. If you like Italian, go to Como's on Pine Ave. On the US side take in Goat Island and all the stops along the way - Cave of the Winds is really cool, you are taken down to the base of the falls in rain gear they give you. The Canadian side is really better, but getting long in the tooth - and the Clifton Hill area, where most people go, is total tourist trap heaven. I was born there and lived there for a while and still go back about every year to visit... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitrousbird Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 The Jet Boat is the best way to see the whirlpool. It's one thing to look at it; it's another thing to be IN it. I'd only do the tram if you are also doing th Jet Boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GonneVille Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Maid of the Mist is an absolute must. It is AWESOME.....just no other word for it. But be aware that you WILL be getting wet. Journey Behind the Falls is neat as well. The tram ride over the Whirlpool is another must. Goat Island is worth an afternoon. Most of the good stuff, casinos and bars, is on the Canadian side. Once you get more than a few blocks from the falls and bridge on the US side, it gets pretty seedy. And north of the falls on the US side along the gorge is pretty much a ghetto. He's not really getting across how bad the U.S. side is...a couple blocks away from the actual falls, the buildings look like wartime Berlin minus the craters. Seriously, the place is fucking scary. Get a passport and hit the Canadian side. Fulton Street is like something out of Las Vegas, totally nuts. Do the Maid In The Mist, the jetboat, and the Whirlpool tram, at the very least. Get dinner somewhere along Fulton Street and watch the light show they do at the Falls at night. Then go find the strip clubs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tractor Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Oh one other thing. If your into butterflies and flowers they have a really awesome butterfly conservatory on the Canadian side. Probably the most fun we had. We've been to a few here in the states and they suck compared to that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSUGT Posted January 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Thanks for the input, everyone. Sounds like I'll be getting a passport:) I just hate dealing with govt agencies, but in this case it sounds like the only way to make it a good trip. thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitrousbird Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Thanks for the input, everyone. Sounds like I'll be getting a passport:) I just hate dealing with govt agencies, but in this case it sounds like the only way to make it a good trip. thanks again By gov't agencies, you are dealing with the post office. Not a big deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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