Niagara Falls in September

[Misssmb]

Hi! Thinking of heading up for a few days in September. Would you recommend the KOA on the Canada side? It looks very nice and close to the Falls. Also, is Monday to Friday too much? One last thing, is it easy to cross the border in a RV? Can we bring alcohol across? Thanks for any tips!

[DavidandDayle]

Well, I was born there.
The "attractions" come and go. Depends on what you want. There may be a power plant tour. There's the Maid of the Mist, if you want to see the Falls from the bottom, and walkways behind them. You can just stand there right beside where the water goes over. There are usually spotlights on the water at night.
Downstream, there is a spot where the river makes a right turn by turning 270 degrees to the left (called the whirlpool) and there is a cable car that goes out over it.
My father said that while the Americans own the more spectacular bits, the better view is from Canada.
You don't need to bring alcohol; we sell it here. You may have a bigger problem taking food back home. (At least, American customs ask us a lot more than Canadian.)
Use Canadian money. If you can't get it from your bank at home, Canadian banks will trade at a fair rate. Stores are not as generous. Or use a credit card.

[Misssmb]

Hi everyone! Thanks for all your replies. Our small dog is coming with us and we don't like to leave for more than like 5 hours so we figured, we would get the two day pass and take our time. Figured the day we get there is pretty much shot after a 6 hour drive, set up, etc. So we will have 3 full days to explore. So looking forward to it! I can't believe I only live 6 hours away and have never been but have prob been to Disney 20 times. haha

[buckeyebob]

we were there 2 weeks ago,stayed at campark rv park on lundy lane.the wego bus service will pick you up at this stop and run you to the falls koa is next door(couple blocks).2 days should do it,we did 7 pm and the next day all on a 24 hour bus pass 23 bucks american covered my wife and myself.as other posters have noted guns are a no no.

[Beverley_Ken]

Yes, we used the KOA (Canada) many times and recommend it.In July and August it may be crowded, but not in September.
As for the Falls, one day would be sufficient, but for the other natural scenic and historical sites spend more time. A drive down River Rd to Niagara on the Lake, seeing the gorge the river has created.
There are also what I call tourist traps (Clifton Hill, wax museums etc , a Casino, Many people like them, but not me.

Links to consider:
Niagara Falls/Niagara on the Lake tourism
WEGO transportation
Winery tours
More wineries
Welland Ship Canal
Historic Fort George

and these are just on the Canadian side of the border. Lots more on the American side.

Ken

[Misssmb]

Thanks all for the helpful info!

[DrewE]

For just the falls, I think one day is sufficient. If you also want touristy stuff, there's a good bit of that around that could take up a few days without being too boring, assuming you're into that sort of thing.

New York has some fine state parks as well. Letchworth state park in particular comes to mind as being not super distant from Niagara Falls (maybe something like 150 or 200 miles) and being spectacular. If it were my trip, I would spend one day at Niagara Falls and maybe two or three at Letchworth, though preferences do vary.

Crossing into Canada isn't too big of a deal if you make sure you have all the required paperwork in order and don't attempt to take prohibited items across the border. You do need passports for the people and rabies vaccination certificates signed by a vet (not just collar tags) for pets. Gun regulations are quite different in Canada; handguns are generally not permitted, and there are regulations and paperwork for other firearms. Alcohol is generally not a problem (in reasonable quantities.) It would be well to look up all the regulations for specifics, of course; this is just a very brief overview.

The border crossing can sometimes be quick and sometimes be slow, depending on the traffic, one's luck, etc.

[WNYBob]

I don't know about the KOA in CA, but I know the one on Grand Island is nice. There is also a new "RV resort" also on GI, both have shuttles to the falls.

Fall in Western NY is wonderful. You can spend a week easily at the Falls and local historical sites.

I like to walk over the Rainbow Bridge, wonderful views. The Canadian side has a buss pass which also includes a few attractions in a bundle price,NF Attractions CA

Feel free to ask more questions.
Bob