Niagara Falls Favorites

Favorite thing: This is really the only TRUE visitors center on the NY side, it is located in the park. I say the only true visitor center because most of the souvenir store try to call them selves a visitor center but it's a trap to get you in to buy their goods. To us a visitor center has INFORMATION not souvenirs, just a heads up! You will find a lot of good info about the falls here, tours and things to do.

Favorite thing: Check out the Duty Free store on the USA side of Rainbow Bridge, the prices are good and plenty of gift, shirts, smokes,& liquour to choose from. We found some very nice t-shirts to bring back for the family at a good price, had a hard time finding any at other souvenir shops worth picking up. I also got a few bottles of Ice Wine for Terry & a botlle of good Cognac for me at great prices. You must keep in mind that if you buy at the Duty Free they will ask you a few questions and one is that you must stay over night in Canada to get these good prices ir you may be taxed, this worried us because we were staying on the USA side and had NO plans of staying over night in Canada. So we drove over had breakfast in Canada and came right back and worried the whole time but al they asked was did we have any thing to declare: answer yes 2 bottles of wine, they said OK move along and didn't even check. So just be careful and don't look guilty.

Favorite thing: We never would have noticed this guy if not for one of the pleasant Niagara Falls employees pointing it out to us.

Apparently a man had obtained permission from the Canadian Government to walk a tight rope between the Casino and the hotel shown in the picture.

Oh, and he didn't fall.

Fondest memory: This is one of many crazy stunts that the Falls inspire. I've heard stories of people going over Horseshoe Falls in barrels - some lived and some died. The oldest was in his 90s and the youngest was only 7, both of whom survived.

Another story was related about a man who actually walked a tightrope across the Falls from the U.S. side to the Canadian side. When the novelty wore off, he hoisted his boss onto his shoulders and carried him across. He had to stop seven times as his boss was quite a load. There are better ways to get a raise.

Favorite thing: Rainbow bridge is the border with Canada.
I walked across it and enjoyed the view.
Post 9/11 security standards make it a bit harder to enter the U.S.A.: it is suggested that you bring your passport rather than just your driver's license, or have your license and a birth certificate. The good times when you could cross the border easily if you were a U.S. citizen are gone.
And be ready to "pay toll to the U.S.A.": 50 cents.

Favorite thing: I personally think the best view of the falls is from the Canadian side. We went on the maid of the mist tour and got the blue raincoat-its a must do trip!! the boat goes right near the cascading water and you get hit by the spray but its actually an amazing experience! This photo I took on the boat.

Fondest memory: Everything! The fact that Niagara itself is a whole resort and so friendly! the beautiful fireworks we saw over the falls and the way they are illuminated at night! The lovely refreshing spary in the air from the water-in July temperatures this was a godsend! Just everything!

Favorite thing: THE SKYLON TOWER
A nice place to see the whole view, revolving restaurant, panoramic views...
More info at: skylon.com

Favorite thing: MAID OF THE MIST
This little boat takes you to see the Falls from down under. Feel the water all around you, see it fall from the bottom. Since 1846.
151 Buffalo Avenue. Niagara Falls NY 14303 . Ph 716-284-8897. Fax 716-284-5446.
More info at: maidofthemist.com

Favorite thing: THE SHAPE
Niagara Falls are not the most impressive Falls I've seen by height or extension, but its Horseshoe shape make them very spectacular for the huge amount of water you can see falling together.