We are also heading to Niagara Falls. We have an RV and the kids are excited to see the Falls and the Eclipse. We have 3 under the age of 10.

We're driving 7hrs to my DH's hometown for it. Kids are 7 and 5 and whether they will remember the event or not who knows, but I'm excited and it's a mini family vacation to look forward to.

Nope. We wouldn't make a six hour drive for anything - that sounds like hell to me. Also by making a whole big trip with an overnight you're going to make it seem like it'll be some exciting thing when in reality it'll be very anti-climactic.