My wife wants to see Niagara Falls for our wedding anniversary this year. Not wanting to go during the high season so I figured sometime late August to mid-September might be good. Any suggestions for accommodations would be appreciated. I am not opposed to a resort if we can keep costs somewhat manageable, say $500-$600/night. Also toying around with going to the Canadian side to stay.

Suggestions/comments will be greatly appreciated. TIY.

The view of the Falls from the Canadian side is better than from the American side. I was there (American side) in 2005 -- photos https://www.flickr.com/photos/...ms/72157636180139394 and in 2013 (Canadian side) -- photos https://www.flickr.com/photos/...ms/72157635091694668.

I was on tours and didn't overnght at the Falls, so can't help there.

flashguy

If you are an American citizen and wish to cross over to the Canadian bank of the Niagara River, you are required to show your passport at the border crossing.

We stayed on the Canadian side Summer of 2016. But we were in our RV. There is a hotel on the Canadian side that have a great view of the water fall, especially at night. I will try to find the name of the hotel if I can. If you go on a not so busy season, hotel room rates maybe lower. I keep hearing that the view of the falls is better from the Canada side.

If by chance you have the time consider the some what nearby Watkins Glen Gorge. 2 or 3 hours away IIRC. We did Niagara and Watkins Glen 12 years ago.

We really liked it. You could back then... park at the bottom and walk up then back down or there is a shuttle to assist either way. Going uphill is prettier but a bit harder...

In my photo below look closely, the walk/hike path is on the right going behind the little falls! We had the good fortune of being there during fall color season.

Website:
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/142/

If you have a passport I’d go to the Canadian side. If not, may not be worth getting a passport unless you need it for other stuff.

Not sure if you need the passport to cross, but likely. The Canadian side has much more to offer, for the visitors.

I think we stayed at the Embassy Suites about 10 years ago, lots of stuff around. I don’t think you have to do any more than walk the edge. I’m talking about boat or helicopter rides.

Yes, it is kinda a cool spot to visit.

quote:

Originally posted by ador:
We stayed on the Canadian side Summer of 2016. But we were in our RV. There is a hotel on the Canadian side that have a great view of the water fall, especially at night. I will try to find the name of the hotel if I can. If you go on a not so busy season, hotel room rates maybe lower. I keep hearing that the view of the falls is better from the Canada side.

This is a photo of the Falls from the restaurant in an upper floor of the Sheraton Hotel on the Canadian side: DSC_3283.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr.

There's a nice town up-river called Niagara on the Lake that is worth a visit, and between it and the Falls there's a gondola ride (Whirlpool Aerocar) that might be fun (we didn't have time for it).

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
If you are an American citizen and wish to cross over to the Canadian bank of the Niagara River, you are required to show your passport at the border crossing.

Or Real ID

Took Mrs.BurtonRW there for a weekend last May.

It's about a 6.5 hour drive for us, so we drove up to Amherst (where we stayed for half the price of what it would have cost us to stay "at" the falls) late Friday afternoon to get an early start on Saturday.

Drove into Canada first thing Saturday morning and walked around the falls before taking a walking tour (which wasn't really all that special - hardly any interesting information that couldn't be read on the various placards) and then a Hornblower boat tour (Maid of the Mist on the Canadian side). Enjoyed the rest of the day exploring the remainder of Niagara, which is kind of like a hybrid city/amusement park/tourist trap. Plenty to see and do if you like that sort of thing.

Drove back to Amherst and spent Sunday morning walking around Niagara Falls State Park (which is, of course, "our" side). It's a state park and feels like one. A fancy one, maybe, but a park, rather than the aforementioned amusement park feel of the Canadian side. It was quite relaxing.

The views are much better from the Canadian side, so don't not cross over. Also, consider crossing at Peace Bridge in Buffalo vs. Rainbow Bridge @ Niagara for much shorter lines (if there's a crowd).

Have fun!

-Rob

We were there 4 weeks ago. Stayed in an AirB&B on the Canadian side. Didn’t do the American side at all. This time of year there is almost nobody around. Very easy getting seated anytime, anywhere. Probably the farther off season you go, the smaller the crowds will be. We were walking alone downtown because nobody else was there.
Arrived on a Thursday and things were very quiet. The only busy day was Saturday.
Worth visiting too while there is the little town of Niagara on the Lake. A little less touristy, some nice shops and a very good English Pub.
At the Falls -
A place to see is the Powerhouse. It used to take water from the river to make electricity with 11 turbines. They also have a long tunnel that comes out near the foot of the falls.
Finally - there is a canal, with locks, near by that allows ship travel from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. Interesting if you have any naval interest.

Definitely go to the Canadian side and I would stay on the Canadian side also. I've been there a few times mostly for hockey tournaments at the Gale Center.

The Canadian side has a few casinos if that's your thing. Going in the off-season is best IMHO. The weather may not be as warm but fewer crowds.

The Maid of the Mist boat ride was worth it to us. Got in line early and managed to get directly in the bow, Titanic style, for a great view.

You get a free (included in the ticket price) dollar store poncho souvenir!