Driving to Niagara Falls Canada

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've done this drive twice in the last few years and both times it took me 7.5 hours to get there. Left at around 7:30am and made it there by 3pm - didnt even have to stop to get gas. Took an hour nap at the hotel and then walked around the Falls and Clifton Hill. If you have time during your trip, I suggest making the drive to Toronto and spending a day there. It's about a 1.5 hour drive from Niagara, but less with no traffic.

Thank you for sharing. You all have convinced me to do the trip in a day. I take it the border crossing doesn't take that long on that side?

We are actually planning on going to Toronto for a day/night to catch a game. We will be at a hotel next to the Falls for 3 nights, Toronto for one night, and then at an airbnb in Niagara-on-the lake for the last 3 nights. I'm really looking forward to the trip, despite the possible cold weather.

We did this trip last summer and getting over the bridge and through the Canadian Border was very quick. Coming back through the US border entry took forever.

If you’re a baseball fan (I realize the game could be hockey) — we spent the night in Rochester and saw the Red Wings (the Nats farm team), then drove the next day to Niagara Falls. The Marriott at the Rogers Centre is a fun place to stay if you’re going to see the Blue Jays. If you have a Marriott loyalty account, you can book a room with a view of the field.

[Anonymous]

When we drove through in December, there was huge amounts of water going over both sides of the falls, which isn’t always the case in the winter. Probably due to the mild winter this year.

Adding some unsolicited advice - Toronto is way more interesting than Niagara Falls, and I personally would at least switch one night in NF for an extra night in Toronto. but I guess it depends what you want to do - if city tourism less interesting to you then you wouldn’t do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are headed there for the week over Easter break. I'm trying to decide if we should do the drive in one day, leaving DC early Saturfay morning, or split it up in two and leave Friday evening. If we split it up, where would you recommend we spend the night? We'd likely drive 4 hours and then stop.

We did the drive last summer. We stopped in the Poconos and Corning/Watkins Glen.

There are a few lodges in the Poconos that have an indoor waterpark, and if the weather is good, some outdoor actvities.

We did glass blowing at Corning and went to Watkins Glen (part of Finger Lakes).

I hope you realize that the boat tour to the falls does not open till May 1. I learned that the hard way. The falls may still be frozen in March.

This is fabulous OP
The Corning Museum is great for all ages

This is the exact way we did it.

[Anonymous]

Stop in Bradford, PA. Visit the Zippo factory.

It's a depressing drive, just FYI. Lots of economic depression.

[Anonymous]

We drove to Toronto last year for a work conference (and to visit relatives on the way home), and Niagara Falls was a fun two hour stop on the road trip...but I can't imagine being there for three nights.

[Anonymous]

We have gone to ReptileWorld near Bucknell and have also stopped at the Little League Hall of Fame.
All fun "stretch your legs" types of breaks.

[Anonymous]

I live in Toronto and have been to Niagara Falls many times as a day trip and occasionally overnight on the Canadian side and also on the American side.

I agree with others that I wouldn't stay 3 nights in Niagara Falls plus your 1 night in Niagara on the lake, unless you're planning to do a lot of day hikes eg Niagara escarpment and bike rides in addition to the usual touristy things.

[Anonymous]

We also went to the Canadian Niagara last summer. We overnighted in Pittsburgh, but that was because we wanted to see a Pirates game, but otherwise could’ve driven straight there. I agree that 3 nights there may be too much. The Canadian boat ride was great! My kids really liked it.

We also went to Toronto for one night to see a Blue Jays game. I don’t know if that’s what game you’re referring to, but if so and you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, know that the upper deck seats are VERY high and sloped, if heights and a general sense of falling forward and rolling off are a problem for you (they are for us). I’d have liked to have spent more time in Toronto.

And apparently along with everyone else, we also went to the Corning glass museum and Watkins Glen. My kids did glass blowing (it requires reservations but we got in with no problems), but I’d say it was a little bit of a bust. My kids are teens and the glass blowing was less hands on than I’d anticipated.

[Anonymous]

We also did the trip in one day (from DC). We left on a Friday morning before rush hour and it was about 7.5 hours. We also stayed in Canada! Have a great time!

[Anonymous]

We did when DC was a toddler, left from Fairfax on a Friday afternoon around 3pm, and it’s midnight after we cross the border. It was summer so they had fireworks everyday and all the water related activities. 2nd time we had two young kids and planned to stay at Pittsburgh overnight but end up staying there to explore nearby.

[Anonymous]

We went for spring break a couple of years ago. I agree to spend 2 nights in Toronto & 2 at NF. Check out the ROM in Toronto. Also, the naval museum in Buffalo is neat.
We enjoyed the Canadian side of NF and also the state park on the US side. We stopped at Pittsburgh on the way home & did one of the museums there.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Thanks for all the advice everyone. I love it. I'll definitely report back on what we did with all of our time in the Falls. We have two boys who are 9 and 7. We plan to take them to many of the activities around the Falls, including the two go-kart places I found there. We are actually going to a basketball game while there as the lakers are playing the raptors. I figure we will have one night but two days in Toronto based on our current plans. I'm thinking our days in Toronto and the falls will be activity filled, while our days in Niagara on the lake will be more restful with lots of walking and biking. We will be at the Sheraton Falls overlooking the falls, which I am hoping will be a treat within itself.

If this helps to give you any perspective on how we vacation, we went to Quebec City last summer and stayed a week. We would have all gladly stayed for two weeks. I've seen people post that you only need a few days in QC, however I loved it there. I realize Niagara Falls isn't QC, but I'm hoping we will find fun and rest during our week there. I'll definitely report back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When we drove through in December, there was huge amounts of water going over both sides of the falls, which isn’t always the case in the winter. Probably due to the mild winter this year.

Adding some unsolicited advice - Toronto is way more interesting than Niagara Falls, and I personally would at least switch one night in NF for an extra night in Toronto. but I guess it depends what you want to do - if city tourism less interesting to you then you wouldn’t do that.

What would you recommend for some days in Toronto?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks for all the advice everyone. I love it. I'll definitely report back on what we did with all of our time in the Falls. We have two boys who are 9 and 7. We plan to take them to many of the activities around the Falls, including the two go-kart places I found there. We are actually going to a basketball game while there as the lakers are playing the raptors. I figure we will have one night but two days in Toronto based on our current plans. I'm thinking our days in Toronto and the falls will be activity filled, while our days in Niagara on the lake will be more restful with lots of walking and biking. We will be at the Sheraton Falls overlooking the falls, which I am hoping will be a treat within itself.

If this helps to give you any perspective on how we vacation, we went to Quebec City last summer and stayed a week. We would have all gladly stayed for two weeks. I've seen people post that you only need a few days in QC, however I loved it there. I realize Niagara Falls isn't QC, but I'm hoping we will find fun and rest during our week there. I'll definitely report back.

We took an extended family trip to Niagara Falls for Spring Break and stayed 3 nights like you. The kids were 6, 8, 10, and 12 and there were enough cheesy, kid-friendly activities to keep them engaged the whole time. For reference, the 6 year old wanted to move to Canada after the trip was over lol

Like you, we took a day trip to Toronto and the kids enjoyed it. In Toronto, we went to the Royal Ontario Museum (it was a hit with everyone, they have a couple of sections that are very much geared for kids), Casa Loma (a self-guided tour of a "castle" that was actually very interesting) and went to the top of the CN Tower (touristy, but why not; also, you may want to consider making reservations for dinner/snacks at the top...that was a missed opportunity for us). You can save on the costs by buying a Toronto Museum Pass that gets you access to most of the city's museums. By that point, it was time to return to Niagara Falls.

Also, we spent a half-day at Niagara-on-the-Lake. It's cute but more romantic than family friendly. However, we did enjoy a great breakfast, picked up a variety of maple syrup, and bought a bunch of wine at a nearby winery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were just there. Maid of the Mist open April 4.

Yep, we saw that. We are staying on the Canadian side so we'll do their version of Maid of the Mist, which opens on March 28th.

https://www.cityexperiences.com/niagara-ca/city-cruises/voyage-to-the-falls-boat-tour/

When we went a few years ago in April, they didn't open till May 1. We missed it because I hadn't checked opening dates.

We did go a few years later in July.

Wonder why they are now opening early.