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OT: Travelling to Niagara Falls with kids

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nitanee123

Well-Known Member
Nov 27, 2001
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My wife wants to take the kids to Niagara Falls for a day or two in June. Couple of questions:

1. Any hotel recommendations? A nice pool is a must.
2. Can kids get into Canada without a passport? I read conflicting websites. Some say yes and others no.
3. Any attractions for kids that are recommended?

thanks in advance
 
Assuming you're driving there, not flying, you can get across the border with just a birth certificate for 16U. Still better to have a passport though, if just for peace of mind.
 
Take the maid of the mist and the tunnels under the falls on the Canadian side. There are a lot of cheesy touristy places that are kind of creepy fun (Ripley's believe it or not museum). There is a butterfly conservatory if you are into such things (in canada). High speed boat tour is fun, as is Whirlpool Aero Car. Lots of fun stuff to do...I'd play it by ear depending upon the weather. Just a walk in the Falls table rock park is fun.

Good times without a lot of expense, IMHO.
 
Marriott on the Canadian side. Great views of the falls.

625x404
 
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Without knowing how old your kids are - i'd suggest staying at Great Wolf Lodge on the Canadian side (if your crumb-munchers are 12 or under, that is)

The few times I've been to the Falls I'm ready to GTH outtathere after about 23minutes, alas we live 80mi down the road so maybe I'm proximity-biased... I absolutely cringe at the prospect of visiting Niagara Falls NY as the city is a card-carrying hell hole... the touristy-trappy Canadian side is substantially tidier, but is aggravating as well...

I might suggest the NF Aquarium...
 
nitanee123 said:
My wife wants to take the kids to Niagara Falls for a day or two in June. Couple of questions:

1. Any hotel recommendations? A nice pool is a must.
2. Can kids get into Canada without a passport? I read conflicting websites. Some say yes and others no.
3. Any attractions for kids that are recommended?

thanks in advance
Click to expand...

If you can't get passports for the kids in time, delay the trip. If you can't go to the Canadian side, it's not worth going.
 
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Ripley's Believe it or Not and for dinner at the Rain Forest Cafe are a lot of fun, depending on the kids age.
 
All the kids attractions are on Clifton Hill. Mini-golf, wax musuems, fun house, bowling, etc....stay on Clifton Hill.
 
I second the Whirlpool jet. We took a young niece and nephew there years ago and it's the one thing about the falls that they still talk about. You will get soaked even with the raincoats. Enjoy.
 
Depending on the length of your stay, get one of these passes. We were there for a long weekend and got the "Adventure Pass Classic" and it definitely saved us money.

Niagara Adventure Pass link.

The "Hornblower Niagara Cruises" are the Canadian-side version of Maid of the Mist. "Journey Behind the Falls" is a must-do. The surprise of the package for us was the White Water Walk, which is a boardwalk along the edge of the river. We really enjoyed that. (Kids were probably 11 and 9 at the time.) Really cool to get up that close to the river.
 
Check the schedule for fireworks over falls. It looks like the regular schedule over the summer is Monday-Friday at 10:00 but there are others added in.
https://www.niagarafallsusa.com/niagara-falls-state-park/illumination-fireworks/

We went with a group last summer and were told that we needed passports for the kids to get into Canada. As others have said, don't go just to go to the U.S. side. We stayed at the Marriott Courtyard that was close to the tourist area and had an indoor and an outdoor pool and a good sized hot tub next to the indoor pool.
 
The problem isn't getting into Canada! The problem is getting back into the U.S. if you don't have passports.
 
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Embassy Suites on Canadian side - don't recall the pool, but great view and very large rooms.
 
I was looking into this for awhile. If you are driving, you only need a passport card and kids just need a birth certificate. If you are flying, then you all need a passport.
 
Took the grands there 2 years ago. We stayed at Marriott on the Falls. Great rooms right on the Falls with rainbows Indoor pool. Kids still talk about Falls boat ride, butterfly house and Seaworld. All on Canadian side. Kids were 4 & 5 and didn't need a passport back then.
 
psuro said:
Do they still have the Ripleys Believe It or Not Museum on the Canadian side?

Avoid the Canadian Ballet with the kids or wife.
Click to expand...

Depends on the age of the kid. Some kids are ballet magnets.
 
Not sure your kids ages or interests but for something different Fort Niagra up on the lake on the American side might be interesting. Also the Welland Canal locks are not far into Canada. It might be interesting to watch a couple of ships lock through if you've never seen such a thing.
 
CF LION said:
Marriott on the Canadian side. Great views of the falls.

625x404
Click to expand...
Embassy Suites is less expensive and probably better views. The views depend on how much you want to spend. Pay the extra to get a falls view. Rooms with a view of both falls are more expensive but a room with 2 double beds just overlooking the Canadian Falls is a nice compromise. Probably too cold for outdoor pools in early June but the Embassy Suites has a decent indoor pool.

Look on the Embassy Suites Fallsview website for a family fun package that include activities for kids. http://www.embassysuitesniagara.com/hotel-packages.php

This package includes:
  • Luxury two-room Suite accommodations
  • Complimentary cooked-to-order Breakfast for your entire party
  • Complimentary Evening Reception including two alcoholic drinks
  • $20 for Fallsview dining at The Keg Steakhouse + Bar overlooking Niagara Falls
  • $20 dining voucher at TGI Fridays Restaurant & Bar
  • Admission for 4 to the Greg Frewin Magic Show
  • Attraction Admissions for 4 people to the Brand New Niagara Falls Fun Zone:
    • Mini Putt Shipwreck Adventure
    • Mystic Maze of Mirrors
    • Screaming Tunnels Haunted House
    • Screaming Tunnels Torture Chamber
  • Two passes for citywide attraction, Casino and Falls shuttle (WEGO)
They're going to charge you $25 per day for shuttle parking but you can usually save money by parking at the Casino ($5 or $10) and walking 2 blocks.

Lots of things for the kids on Clifton Hill. https://www.cliftonhill.com/

They'd also enjoy the Maid of the Mist ride, Cave of the Winds, or the Jet Boats that leave from Niagara on the Lake. Somebody already mentioned the butterfly museum, especially if it rains.

Mom & Dad might enjoy the short drive to Niagara on the Lake. Beautiful little town with 3 play houses (Shaw festival) and quite a few wineries for tastings (Peller Estates is my favorite). Some packages come with free wine tastings.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I ended up booking the Great Wolf Lodge. Kids are both under 6 so they should enjoy it.
 
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