New York to Niagara Falls

We are going to do the Canada/New England cruise in 2015 out of New York. We would like to visit Niagara Falls. Thinking about flying in early a few days and driving to the Falls. I have heard the Canadian side is better.

Can you rent a car in New York and drive across the border?

How far is it to drive from New York?

Any recommendations or where to stay or how many days to take?

The one way trip is about 7 hours (plus stops). I'm guessing that you have been to NYC and are looking for something else to do. Maybe fly to Buffalo and then make it a one way drive.

We are going to do the Canada/New England cruise in 2015 out of New York. We would like to visit Niagara Falls. Thinking about flying in early a few days and driving to the Falls. I have heard the Canadian side is better.

 

Can you rent a car in New York and drive across the border?

 

How far is it to drive from New York?

 

Any recommendations or where to stay or how many days to take?

The drive to Niagara Falls from NYC is about 8 hours, give or take an hour, depending upon how many bathroom breaks you need. :D:D:D:D

It is an easy drive, Thruway most of the way.

Yes, the Canadian side is where most of the action is, shops, better hotels, the main attractions like the Maid of the Mist. You will need your passport to cross the border and depending upon what time of year, it could be very crowded. Last time we were there, mid August, I have never seen so many people crowded into a 2 mile area EVER. No where to park, driving was impossible. We just turned around and went back to the American side. In September and later the crowds are much less.

There are several 'deals' on sites like Groupon for hotels, which give you a room, money to gamble (lots of new casinos in the area), money for meals and shuttles to the Falls. I would leave about 3-4 days to fully enjoy the Falls and the area.

We love the area and the Falls are spectacular.

Cheers

Len

You can get a flight into Buffalo from JFK on Jet Blue for around $217pp. The fares are always changing. Yes, the Canadian side of the Falls is beautiful with lots of restaurants, shops and sightseeing. The New York side has a long way to go to even come close to the activities on the Canadian side.

Excellent suggestion about Groupon - they always have good deals for Niagara Falls hotels. Be careful, you might not want the rooms offered at the discounted prices. Friends of ours recently booked a room using the Groupon promotion. They were offered a room on the side of the hotel on the ground floor - windows overlooking a parking lot. You can upgrade for around $30 a night for a much better room overlooking the Falls. We live about 1/2 an hour from Niagara Falls and we have cruise friends from Australia who will be visiting Buffalo and Canada next month and will be renting a car in Buffalo at the airport.

Marion

Yes, the Canadian side is where most of the action is, shops, better hotels, the main attractions like the Maid of the Mist.

Actually, you can only get the Maid of the Mist from the American side now. The boats that go to the falls from the Canadian side are now run by Hornblower Cruises.

That said, you can't actually see much of the falls from the American side. If you're not staying in a Canadian hotel, it's often faster to park on the American side of the bridge and walk than it is to drive.

Actually, you can only get the Maid of the Mist from the American side now. The boats that go to the falls from the Canadian side are now run by Hornblower Cruises.

very interesting. Thanks for the update.

And what is it called on the Canadian side now (the boat ride, I mean?)

Cheers

Len

very interesting. Thanks for the update.

 

And what is it called on the Canadian side now (the boat ride, I mean?)

 

Cheers

 

Len

Voyage to the Falls

http://www.niagaracruises.com/tour-options