Info about Niagara Falls

My brother is getting married this July in Rochester, we were thinking of driving to Niagara Falls the day after the wedding since it is only about a 1.5 hour drive away. I was wondering where we should stay. Is the Canadian side better than the NY side as far as things to do? (other than visiting the falls, of course). I will have my two kids with me (2 and almost 5). Also DH and I have passports, but my kids do not. Has anyone crossed the border with just your kids birth certificates?

Re: Info about Niagara Falls

It was years ago that I went, but I do remember the Canadian side being much nicer. Nicer hotels, more to do, just a much prettier area.

I am not sure about the border crossing with kids though- back when we went you didn't need a passport for anyone- but that has obviously changed.

I'd check on a government website to be sure

Info about Niagara Falls

You definitely want to be on the Canadian side. There really isn't anything to do on the American side. There are a ton of things to do on the Canadian side and your kids will have a blast.

Not sure about the passport/b.c. issue, but if you apply for the passports now you should receive them before July.

Re: Info about Niagara Falls

Stay on the Canadian side. TONS to do!! It's really nice.

I believe your kids need passports. You can probably google it. I heard they got very strict about it. I never had a passport when I went to Canada, just a license and they accepted that but in the past 5 years, a lot has changed.

Info about Niagara Falls

Canadian side! If you are driving over the boarder your kids only need birth certificates. You need passports when you fly into Canada.

Info about Niagara Falls

Canadian side has much better ambiance. My first visit, we stayed on the US side..other than the falls everything's else was blah. I stayed on the Canadian side couple of times. Even though we had already seen the falls, it felt like we were on vacation. There is a butterfly conservatory close to the falls. Niagara on the lake is a cute town that's about thirty minutes from the falls.

Re: Info about Niagara Falls

We recently stayed. We went during February and stayed at Falls View Indoor Waterpark. It was fine but cheap hotel like feel. I would say rooms are similar/slightly inferior to value hotel at Disney.

Kids had a blast at waterpark. It was walking distance to downtown area. They had a giant enclosed wheel to see falls we did and a bunch of little places like ripleys etc. to visit.

Since you are visiting in summer you can probably do one of boat tours of falls.

ETA: we had passports for our kids.

Message edited 5/19/2017 11:00:28 AM.