Hoping to take my wife to Niagara Falls in August

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macnmotion
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Hi everyone. My wife Pia's visa has been approved for the USA, so we'll be there in August. I'd love to take her to see Niagara Falls, so now we'll go through the Canadian visa process. Assuming we get one, I want to take her on the Maid of the Mist (along with my GoPro).

Any pointers on this side trip would be greatly appreciated. We'd probably stay overnight in Canada one night, and I'd like to stay with a view of the falls. I'd also like to be able to get some good angles for photos. I also understand you can take the Maid of the Mist from either America or Canada, and that if we do it from America we wouldn't need the Visa. Is the trip on the boat essentially the same or is one better?

Any suggestions on locations, restaurants and hotels would be greatly appreciated. Matt, I know you've made a number of trips there, so you may be a good source of info.

Thanks. Andy
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Kelly
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Hi Andy.

I don't have any first hand suggestions, but just this weekend I heard some wonderful comments on the fallsview rooms at this place: http://www.sheratononthefalls.com/ It's on the Canadian side, and not to be confused with Sheraton at the Falls on the American side.

Let us know how your plans turn out! :D
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Des219
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Hi Andy,

Kelly was one step ahead of me. I can't imagine whom she got that information from :) however my wife and I stayed at the Sheraton that Kelly linked to and loved it. We were on one of the top floors and slept with our balcony doors open. The sound and view is amazing. Expensive, but worth it!

I believe Matt has said that he prefers the Maid of the Mist from the US side because it is less busy.

For me the activities on the US were better but the views, hotels, and restaurants on the CA side are better. I also really enjoyed the Cave of the Winds (my favorite) and the islands above the falls that you can walk out on from the US park.
macnmotion
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Thanks to both of you. I'll get the application going for the Canadian Visa so we can stay overnight on the Canadian side. I'm heading to the Sheraton website now!

Andy
macnmotion
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I showed Pia some photos of the Sheraton on the Falls, and her jaw dropped. Then she got a bit sad, and when I asked her why she said that she thought that the Maid of the Mist would be fun too. I laughed, and told her we could still do both :-)

On another note, we began the process of getting the Canadian visa for our one night trip into Ontario. I can't believe the amount of paperwork required, about 5 times as many things as for her 10 year visa from the USA. Wow.
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Des219
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Sorry for my ignorance but why does she need a visa instead of a passport?

I am sure you will enjoy it. Our room had cool photos from the early 1900's of the falls.
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Matt
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Sorry I didn't catch this earlier.
A Thai citizen would need a Visa to enter the USA or Canada. Canada is tough to get into now. The USA has lightened up on tourist visas.

As far as hotels... Sheraton that Kelly Pointed out is Fantastic. There's another one, smaller and with no falls view, nearby. Be sure not to book that one. I stayed there last summer and didn't like it one bit. The Hilton one that is connected to the Casino is by far the best place I stayed. The Fallsview suites are superb. The breakfast lounge there is fantastic. Being connected to the Casino is great for money exchange (exchange at the Casino for the best rate and no fees - yes, they even take Baht) -- and the restaurants there are priced fairly. Especially the sports bar there. The problem with the Casino-area resorts is that there is a heck of a lot more walking involved, especially uphill. The Sheraton is on Clifton Hill- and right across from the American Falls, and adjacent to the QV Park there. If I can get out there this year, I'm going to book that hotel.

As far as photos... easy... The Skylon Tower is always the best elevated shot. 12 bucks to get up the crumbling elevators.
From ground level, climb the steps to the top of the lookout point on top of the concessions building near the Maid of the Mist attraction. I found that to have a crowd-free view a lot of the time. I brought my SLR on the Maid... worked really well. The problem is they pack those boats tight... year really have to rush to get a nice spot to shoot from. Bring a decent-sized soft, absorbent cotton cloth to wipe your gopro lens with. It's going to constantly get covered in mist and your shots will be blurry.

Our Niagara Falls Section is pretty comprehensive (though I need to update) and the USA v Canada list has a good rundown of all the attractions on the Canadian Side.

Niagara-On-The-Lake would be a great Day-trip too. If you aren't renting a car, the bus system will take you pretty much anywhere, but I found it to miss stops, be packed, and not the most convenient way to get around.

Once checked into the hotel, you can bill a Niagara Parks tourism package to your room. They all sell them. They include the bus, and if you take advantage of all the attractions it ends up working out so 2 are free. When I did this, two were closed for repairs/whatever, so they gave me a refund for the full price of those tickets.
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Kelly
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And.......here is a link to the Niagara Falls info Matt put together on this site. Doubtful you'll find such comprehensive info presented in such an organized manner elsewhere.

http://nyfalls.com/niagara-falls/
I am strong, because I've been weak.
I am fearless, because I've been afraid.
I am wise, because I've been foolish.

- Unknown

My NYFalls.com Team Page
Scenes from a Public Market
New York Historic
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