Some tips for your visit to Niagara Falls:
- A room where you can look out and see the falls is a real plus--you may even be able to watch the fireworks over the falls from your room (fireworks are only on Fri and Sun nights in the summer) . Be careful, though--one hotel is said to have let trees grow tall enough to block the view from their lower "fallsview" rooms. Fallsview rooms command a premium; you may want to look out your room's windows promptly upon arrival, to make sure that the view meets your expectations. (Complaining the next day may not be quite as effective.)
- The Maid of the Mist--US or Canada doesn't matter--is unforgettable.
- Cave of the Winds does not take you into the cave--it collapsed a long time ago; this is still a must see--you will never get closer to the falls unless you jump off a ledge someplace.
- For parking on the US side, drive right past all those people waving official-looking orange flags and signs that say "Falls Parking" and follow signs for the "Cave of the Winds" across the Rapids Bridge over to parking lot #2 inside the state park. You'll be right in the middle of everything to do in the park and it's cheaper than the state park parking on the other side.
- To avoid crowds when you view the falls close-up, dedicate one morning to showing up at the falls shortly after sunrise. You'll be amazed at how quiet and empty the busiest viewing areas are.If you are in the Table Rock area, you will also be able to be catch the first elevator ride down to Journey Behind the Falls, avoiding crowds and long line-ups later on and, again, you will have a certain amount of privacy, especially if you hurry off the elevator all the way to the end of the viewing area. (The rest of the tourists will proceed much more slowly. You can dawdle and take your time on the way back!)
- History buffs may want to brush up on the history of the War of 1812 before visiting; a major battle was fought at Queenston Heights, site of the monument to General Brock (British) and Canadian War of 1812 heroine Laura Secord. Laura Secord's grave is in the Lundy's Lane cemetery, which was the site of the bloody Battle of Lundy's Lane. It is adjacent to the Lundy's Lane Museum, a fine small community museum focussed on that battle and the War of 1812.
Overall the Canada side is pretty commercial--stay along the walk that overlooks the river for the most peaceful Canada experience. The US side is a whole different mentality--the state park dominates the area; very natural.
