Go To Canada
by johngayton
Other people have mentioned this and so I will simply reiterate it here. If you are visiting the falls from the US side it is well worth the visit over the bridge to see the falls from the Canadian side. These are definitely the best views of both The American Falls and The Horseshoe Falls.
Whether on foot or driving the immigration procedures on both sides are simplicity itself especially if you have your passport stamped that same day. From what I gather US citizens don't even need a passport, a driving license is sufficient.
There is a small border charge which I think was $2 for a car and 50 cents on foot.
Tipping in Niagara Falls (NY & Canada Side)
by machomikemd
Some hotels include tips or gratuities with group programs to simplify bookkeeping. This will usually include gratuities for housekeeping, bell service and food service. In a hotel, bell service should be tipped about $1 per bag, and housekeeping $1 to $5 dollars a day (in proportion to your room rate). Visitors should know that the standard tip in restaurants is 10%-15% (on restaurant bills, an average tip will match the GST & tax for Canada Side), with 20% for very outstanding service. This is especially important for visitors from countries where tipping on meals is not done: here the waitering staff depend on tips for a significant portion of their incomes. Tip taxis about 10%, and a dollar a bag they carry for you (not just unload), or at the very least round fares up to the nearest dollar.
More than waterfalls
by feline01
Take a walk or drive through Queen Victoria Park along Niagara River Parkway. We saw the Christmas light display here which was very kitschy but good and in the spring/summer, there are loads of flowers. South of the the city of Niagara Falls is this contraption that you can ride in to get a bird's eye view of the falls. Picture a ski gondala hanging over rapids and this is what it is. It was closed during the winter so we couldn't ride it but I'm sure it's a great way to see the rapids and the surrounding natural beauty.
How to get around
by sim1
I got to Niagara Falls by car. Getting into Niagara isn't such a problem, having a good parking spot for your car might be. If you just come for the day you can park your car at the huge parking lot after the Horseshoe Falls. The parking fee isn't cheap, but without a doubt there will be a parking spot. The parking lot is huge, and I mean HUGE! So big that there is a bus shuttle service to bring you from the parking lot to the falls (included in the parking ticket).
When you are planning to stay in Niagara overnight I would advice you to leave your car at the hotel and find other means of transport to move around in Niagara itself. I did most of it on foot, as I found this the less stressful way to get around, hahaha, and the cheapest too. But there are plenty of other options. You get a good overview of all your options on this website: http://www.infoniagara.com/transportation/index.html
Terrace overlooking the Falls
by apbeaches about Edgewaters
We sat on the terrace overlooking the falls. It was a cool night, people were friendly, our waitress was attentive. We got beautiful photographs. We enjoyed our salads, vegetable spring rolls and teriaki salmon.
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Mounty, Niagara Falls, CN
Me with the Horseshoe... but no horse!
Journey Behind the Falls
From the maid of mist
