Niagara Falls Local Customs

Free parking is rare. Many parking lots vary in prices from day to day and from month to month. The major parking lots are as follows:

Commercial Parking Lots Ontario Side:

Table Rock parking - Niagara Parks Commission - a fee is charged
Rapids View parking - Niagara Parks Commission - a fee is charged
Greenhouse parking - Niagara Parks Commission - a fee is charged
Kingsbridge Park parking - Niagara Parks Commission - free seasonal
Botanical Gardens parking - Niagara Parks Commission - free
Niagara Glen parking - Niagara Parks Commission - free
Spanish Aero Car parking - Niagara Parks Commission - free
Queenston Heights parking - Niagara Parks Commission - free
Casino Niagara parking - Bender Street - a fee is charged
Skylon Tower parking - Robinson Street "A" lot - a fee is charged
Skylon Tower parking - Robinson Street "B" lot - a fee is charged
Hoco Clifton Hill parking - a fee is charged
City of Niagara Falls street parking & lot parking - a fee is charged

In many cases, parking on City of Niagara Falls streets at paid meters are cheaper than most commercial parking lots. Most commercial parking lots charge approximately $7 to $10 CAN. Many city owned and operated lots charge approximately $5 for 8 hours. The choices are endless and it is your choice. You will pay for convenience. Hotels/Motels provide free parking for patrons.

Many small privately owned lots are available throughout the tourist district. They are relatively small and charge a dollar or two less than the commercial lots however they are often located several blocks away from the primary commercial lots thus much more walking is involved getting to where you want to go.

Commercial Parking Lots New York Side:

Niagara Reservation parking - New York State Park - a fee is charged
Goat Island parking (west lot)- New York State Park - a fee is charged
Goat Island parking (east lot) - New York State Park - a fee is charged
Rainbow Plaza Parking Garage - Niagara Falls Blvd. - a fee is charged

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.

Yes even here you can find many different types of birds, my guess is to to the amount of BUGS around here. Some times you can catch the birds playing in the mist at Terrapin Point at the Horseshoe Falls, we saw up to 100 birds in the mist at any point and then they are all gone, you turn and they all can back again, it weird. Any way there are many types of water fowl to be found and enjoy.

MARILYN & Niagara (1953)
The name 'Niagara' has become associated to the image of a red-dressed marylin Monroe in her first starring role. The film showed off her grandeur against magnificent Niagara Falls with opulent Technicolor closeups, a sexy song, and an exciting walk away from the camera over cobblestones.

Contrary to popular belief, Canada is NOT an extension of the United States. If you plan on making your way into Canada from New York to see the other side of Niagara Falls, you better have documentation! A passport will work and will be necessary for anyone outside the U.S. or Canada. If you're a U.S. resident, you can use a birth certificate or social security card too. I believe the same applies for Canadians wishing to come into the United States. Some people believe that a driver's license will work! Only rarely will it work, and I can't imagine it would work now. You MUST have a proof of residence. Last time a group of us entered Canada last October, we were absolutely grilled by the Canadian customs. A couple members didn't think a birth certificate would be necessary, so they didn't bring theirs! WRONG! But, luckily, they had their Social Security cards which worked for them.

Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory features over 2000 exotic
butterflies of the world in a tropical rainforest setting. Identify the
various species as you make your way along the 180 meter (600 ft.)
pathway. There are over 50 different species of butterflies moving
through a lush, climate controlled environment.
Allowing visitors to see the new arrivals and get a first hand look into
the complex life-cycle of a butterfly.
Niagara Falls newest natural wonder is sure to be an uplifting
experience. Located just south of the Floral Clock, in the world
famous Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens:
At 2565 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls Ontario L2E 6T2

Canada is not to different from the United States, but obviously there are somethings you should know.
*Getting into Canada is simple. Just drive over the bridge and you're there. The border guards will ask how long you plan to stay and if you are carrying alcohol or firearms. No passports needed.
*You can exchange your American dollars into Canadian money at an exchange office. There is one right when you cross the border. Cashiers will accept American money, but then you are not getting the best deal (example-The price tag says 1.50 Canadian, if you give them a 1.50 American, you've basically given them .70 to much). It is better to exchange. If you have left over Canadian money after your trip, you can exchange it back in America.

Other attractions include RIPLEYS Believe It or Not...Guinness Book Of World Records...Tussauds Waxworks...Falls Incline Railway...Prospect Point Observation Tower...Movieland Wax Museum and many others. Yep..Niagara Falls is over touristy and a bit tacky...but the Falls steals the show every time!