Thinking of going to Niagra Falls this summer and the hotels on the Canadian side seem to have the best room views. Does one need a passport to visit for a couple days? Any comparable hotels on the US side with a room view of the falls?

Come on over!! You dont need a passport....... YET! I live in a border town and cross over all the time with no hassle.The falls are better on our side and your American dollar goes farther over here so,enjoy!!

If you time it right you can come to are show on Grand Island.

http://www.angelfire.com/folk/canam/page35.html

Stay on the Canadian side. Much nicer. I was there in 97 and I loved it. For a real good view there's a space needle type resturaunt there. Also make sure you go walk behind the falls. There's a tunnel that you can go down.

Also Toronto is close by.

David

If you time it right you can come to are show on Grand Island.

http://www.angelfire.com/folk/canam/page35.html

Looks inviting but I was thinking of timing it with CB06 in June. I was checking this page out (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.html) and it says, "will need a valid passport, proof of who you are or other travel documents." Not sure what's meant by "...other travel documents." Know any official online site that can clarify that? Looking at the Embassy Suites and hate to book something then not be able to cross the border.

Should ask too if I'd need to do a currency conversion for shopping and dinner?

Whatever you do Dale just DON'T fall in or decide to go over the falls in a barrel; you're far to valuable an asset to the chevelle world. JN

A certified copy of your birth certificate, or a passport, will make re-entry to the U.S. much easier. We go up north all the time skiing. It will really help.

Dale - photo ID (drivers license?) and your birth certificate - you will be just fine.

I would change your money to Canadian before you come up or you'll get "hosed" on the exchange rate if you pay in U.S. dollars. ;)

A certified copy of your birth certificate, or a passport, will make re-entry to the U.S. much easier. We go up north all the time skiing. It will really help.

ditto....

We did Niagra 2 years ago. 2nd trip for the wife I , 1st for the kids. We redid the biggies, Maid-n-the-Mist, Overlook Tower, and Behind the Falls. We also took a bus Tour along Niagra. We also drove to the Clock garden (don't know real neame) on the Canada side . It was free, and pretty neat.

We stayed on the Canada side in a KOA. Took a Drive along Niagra. should have done the cable car across the Whirlpool, and the Jet Boat to the Whirlpool (pricey).

Best view is the Canadian side.

I would change your money to Canadian before you come up or you'll get "hosed" on the exchange rate if you pay in U.S. dollars. ;)
Dale,
I've been to Niagara Falls a million times, it seems. I grew up in an area just 15 miles upriver from the Falls.
As mentioned, a photo ID and a birth cert will be sufficient. Generally, more of a hassle when entering back into the States. Be truthful and don't act suspicious and you'll be fine. Unlike Mexico, Rental cars are not a problem either when crossing the border.
We normally do a withdrawal at a local ATM machine after crossing the border into Canada. Seem to get a fair exchange rate that way.

Dale, we go to the Falls at least once a year. Our daughter loves it. If you have some time take the drive to Niagara-on-the-lake. This is the name of the town. Very pretty, lots of small mom and pop stores (no name brand retail stores allowed on main street). The bed and breakfast places around here are amazing, but expensive. Another unique place to visit is the Butterfly Conservatory, very neat. Both of these places are just outside of Niagara Falls, and well worth the drive. It was suggested to bring Cdn. money which is great, but some places also except U.S. at par, which is a good deal. Either way, you will do OK, since there is tons of U.S. visitors here all the time. Enjoy, Daren

I haven't been there in about 10 years and don't know what has changed since 9-11. I do know you are limited on how many cigarettes you can take (buy before you go, $$$) and all wife and I need was our drivers license to go either way (no daughter at that time). Lots of sites to see and plan to get wet with the "Maid of the Mist" ride or the "behind the falls" tour.

We stayed outside of all the tourist traps and on the cheap in Rochester,NY.

*Also, try to go when the trees are in bloom.

And another thing... they use the metric system... KMPH not MPH...lol

And another thing... they use the metric system... KMPH not MPH...lol

You mean I have been driving 110 mph when i should have been doing 110kph :eek:

:D

Hey Dale the falls are awesome, go to the butterfly greenhouse its cool, the Casino is great, many tourist trap type places but common sense will take care of that. The walk behind the falls is a must. Be sure to specify falls view room when booking and check on a map to see how close the hotel realy is! Be sure to leave any guns/weapons home as the border has 0 tolerance. There is also a marineland there (not bad). Really worth the trip. Ralph

I thought I saw it in the newspaper that as of Jan.1,2006 that passports would be required to re-enter the USA.

I agree with 'photo ID plus proof of citizenship' (eg birth certificate) for crossing. Passports do get less scrutiny though I have found.

Leave your weapons at home, and your radar detectors - they are not legal in Ontario. :) Freeway speed limits here are 100km/h = ~60mph, everyone drives up to 70-75mph (115-120km/h) though - after that you are risking it.

Check the mileage, but crossing at Detroit is an option as there are freeways from Detroit to Niagarafalls inside Ontario. If you choose that way, you are welcome to pitstop at my place in London, approx halfway between Detroit & Buffalo.

Went across last summer when I drove up for the Can-Am show. Sent a full day on the Canada side of the border, it was great.
I had my passport with me, and actually did a tour buss for the day.

The Can-Am show was a good excuse to see that part of the USA, and to make my first trip into Canada.

I thought I saw it in the newspaper that as of Jan.1,2006 that passports would be required to re-enter the USA.

It has been extended to Jan.'07

Oh yeah, watch out for the Eskimos and Polar bears as soon as you cross the border :D

Mike

i have been there a couple of times, and if you like nature, go to the US side.
better view of the falls from canadian side, but it is all "finished" and "detailed" and "touristy" while the US side has the nature trails & woods.... both sides have their appeal.

we stayed 2 blocks off the main drag & only spent $80.00 a night for a "Best Western" hotel.

for breakfast, try the "ale-e-inn" or something like that..... its shaped like a space saucer and you get a really fair portion for the price.

theres also an italian place, i forget the name.... t go to the top of "clifton hill", turn left & its down about 1 - 2 miles on the left.

if coming through detroit, tunnel is easier to get through than the bridge, but more city driving to get to the EC row and 401...... yeah, the 401..... NEVER have you been on such a boring stretch of road in your life from Windsor to Hamilton..... have a helper so you can stay awake :boring:

the casino gives a pretty fair exchange if you run outta cash & don't forget to hit the "hershey" store as well as the "RCMP" store down by planet hollywood (or is the the Hard rock cafe?)

heres a couple links to some pics i took while there...... butterfly conservatory is worth the drive (about 15-20 at the speed limit) just make sure you get there before it opens so you can see them being released.

http://www.pbase.com/shayfah/winter_niagra__montreal
http://www.pbase.com/shayfah/butterflys_from_niagra
http://www.pbase.com/shayfah/waterfalls-niagra_
http://www.pbase.com/shayfah/niagra_falls_vacation

have a great trip

And another thing... they use the metric system... KMPH not MPH...lol
Yeah, pretty funny! We get to build stuff and send it all over the world to other metric countries, lol!

Yep a passport is easier but not essential, Dale if your coming through Detroit/Windsor i am 5 Min. from the bridge in Windsor and you have an invitation to stop if needed. We also have a Casino and some interesting viewing stops, HEHEHEHE if your looking to overnight. Ralph

Yeah, pretty funny! We get to build stuff and send it all over the world to other metric countries, lol!

I had a good scare is all. Not used to kph and it was a 9 hour drive. :D

We go over the bridge, into Canada and visit Niagara On The Lake every year. This a shot of one of the many restaurants/stores to check out.

BTW.. When we came to the border crossing to back to the US, they didn't ask for any docs. They only asked where I was born. I told them New Jersey, and they let me in anyway.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/nia_on_lake.jpg

Same thing happened to me Bill, fancy that :). Just watch out for the elusive Canadian Ice Cream Eater, eh :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/DON.jpg