Niagara Falls trip--part 2

DEcamper wrote:
Hi Modern Family. Sorry if this post is too long. First of all, we did not have passports so we could not go into Canada. However, there was so much to do on this side, we wouldn't have had time on this trip.
We drove up on Monday (got there in the afternoon) set up camp and relaxed.
Tuesday, we visited Niagara Falls and spent the whole day there.
Wednesday (I did not do a trip report on this days exploring as I thought no one would be interested and tired of hearing about Niagara) we went to old Fort Niagara, spent all morning and had lunch at the picnic grounds overlooking Lake Ontario; visited Niagara Power Vista Plant. They had some games showing how electricity worked, and you could walked outside on the deck (like 4 stories up) and look at Niagara River below, and we went to The Devils Hole and Whirlpool State Park (scenic overlooks of the river).
Thursday drove home. So you see, there was a lot to do. When we get our passports, we will explore Canada too:)

As far as walking, it was not bad at all. (I kept stopping to take pictures :B There are also lots of benches everywhere. If you buy the Discovery Pass which covers five different attractions, you also get a bracelet that lets you ride the trolley all day long (which we did ride back to the parking lot at the end of the day). The Maid of the Mist and the Cave of the Winds were elevators, so no climbing. Our son is 12, and he did better than we did :o

The Aquarium was cool, but not very big. The Niagara Legends movie was short, but interesting. The Gorge Discovery Center was ok, probably a little dry for kids, Andrew walked around it, looked at a few things and was ready to go. Cave of the winds was ok. However, I wear glasses and it feels like your are in a very strong shower the higher you go. Todd went all the way to the top so he could say he did it. Andrew got scared and wouldn't go all the way up.

That leaves the Maid of the Mist. I asked them what they thought, and they agreed they liked this attraction the best. Yes you get wet, but it was so cool at the bottom of the falls looking up and seeing all that water raining down, hearing the loud thunder of the falls, feeling the swaying of the boat beneath you, and seeing the birds bobbing up and down on the swirling waters as if they were swimming on a smooth lake. I am so ready to go back...

Long responses are welcome:).. Thanks a lot. Great insight. My son would be fine with the long walks and seeing everything, my 7 year old daughter would give us an earful I am sure of it. The pricing is very reasonable "$33" per adult. Many other attractions on this future trip for next summer are triple the price! (Six flags, Hershey park..etc)

Now we just have figure out our camp grounds! Thanks again.

Wow! What a beautiful place! Yet another place on my list in the next few years (I retire in 10 1/2 months!!) Looks like some really wonderful family memories were made. You can't replace that! :)

Dak

Hi Modern Family. Sorry if this post is too long. First of all, we did not have passports so we could not go into Canada. However, there was so much to do on this side, we wouldn't have had time on this trip.
We drove up on Monday (got there in the afternoon) set up camp and relaxed.
Tuesday, we visited Niagara Falls and spent the whole day there.
Wednesday (I did not do a trip report on this days exploring as I thought no one would be interested and tired of hearing about Niagara) we went to old Fort Niagara, spent all morning and had lunch at the picnic grounds overlooking Lake Ontario; visited Niagara Power Vista Plant. They had some games showing how electricity worked, and you could walked outside on the deck (like 4 stories up) and look at Niagara River below, and we went to The Devils Hole and Whirlpool State Park (scenic overlooks of the river).
Thursday drove home. So you see, there was a lot to do. When we get our passports, we will explore Canada too:)

As far as walking, it was not bad at all. (I kept stopping to take pictures :B There are also lots of benches everywhere. If you buy the Discovery Pass which covers five different attractions, you also get a bracelet that lets you ride the trolley all day long (which we did ride back to the parking lot at the end of the day). The Maid of the Mist and the Cave of the Winds were elevators, so no climbing. Our son is 12, and he did better than we did :o

The Aquarium was cool, but not very big. The Niagara Legends movie was short, but interesting. The Gorge Discovery Center was ok, probably a little dry for kids, Andrew walked around it, looked at a few things and was ready to go. Cave of the winds was ok. However, I wear glasses and it feels like your are in a very strong shower the higher you go. Todd went all the way to the top so he could say he did it. Andrew got scared and wouldn't go all the way up.

That leaves the Maid of the Mist. I asked them what they thought, and they agreed they liked this attraction the best. Yes you get wet, but it was so cool at the bottom of the falls looking up and seeing all that water raining down, hearing the loud thunder of the falls, feeling the swaying of the boat beneath you, and seeing the birds bobbing up and down on the swirling waters as if they were swimming on a smooth lake. I am so ready to go back...

Niagara Falls is on our list. My Grand parents honeymooned there way back in the 1920's. ...I wonder what the place looked like back then. Thank you for a great post and pictures.

First of all, GREAT pictures, It really makes me want to go now. We are in the begining stages of planning for a north east trip next July. Our kids are smaller, 7 and 10 and will tire quicker if we do all that walking and everything you did. If you were to pick one part of Niagara falls to do, which would it be, which one did you get the most out of.

Thanks

(You dont need a passport, do you?)

Hi Camper Jeff and Kelli. We just went to the NY reservation site for Four Mile Creek State Park, looked at the campground map and saw the one closest to the water (I think it was the only one left by the water) and grabbed it probably about 2 weeks before our trip.

Many thanks for sharing such a great trip. Those are the things warm memories are made from.

Thanks for the trip report and pictures. Looked like a good time by all.
Will be adding to the visit list.
Scott

I enjoyed this not nearly as much as I bet you folks did. Nice pictures and story.
How long in advance did you have to make reservations at Niagara Falls State Park.
Thanks for posting.

I definitely have to go back to Niagara Falls, on the American Side, I have done everything on the Canadian side as I have been over there 4 times. Thanks again for posting. It sure made me feel as if I was right there.

Bob in Calif.