Niagara Falls

[jvett77]

Just a five hour drive from Philly. Haven't been up here in decades. The Falls are spectacular and best seen from the Canadian side. Bring your passport.

American Falls


American Falls and Canadian Horseshoe Falls from the US side.


American Falls and Canadian Horseshoe Falls from Canadian side.


Queen Victoria Restaurant and Skylon Tower. Great views from the restaurant. 775 foot Skylon Tower offers an observation deck and revolving restaurant at the top with amazing views of the area. I waited too long to get a dinner reservation. Next time.


Niagara Parkway


Zip Liners


Fallsview Casino and Queen Victoria Restaurant

 

[DonMan]

you don't necessarily need a passport to get to/from Canada. The last time i renewed my drivers licence, I had the option to pay extra for "Real ID", which I will need for commercial air travel within a year or two. I also had the option to pay slightly more for "Enhanced ID", which also allows me to travel to/from Canada. Other states probably have similar arrangements, but might use different terminology.

Taking the Niagara Parkway from the Falls down to Fort Erie is a nice scenic drive. If you like Chinese food, there are a few good restaurants on a stretch in Fort Erie right where the parkway ends. I haven't been there in years but I doubt much has changed. Ming Teh has very good food, but limited seating. Probably a good idea to call ahead for a reservation. Portions are also kind of small for the $. Happy Jack's is larger. I've gone there several times when I was in a group that couldn't get into Ming Teh. As best I recall, the food was good but nothing special.

 

[gob]

you don't necessarily need a passport to get to/from Canada. The last time i renewed my drivers licence, I had the option to pay extra for "Real ID", which I will need for commercial air travel within a year or two. I also had the option to pay slightly more for "Enhanced ID", which also allows me to travel to/from Canada. Other states probably have similar arrangements, but might use different terminology.

Taking the Niagara Parkway from the Falls down to Fort Erie is a nice scenic drive. If you like Chinese food, there are a few good restaurants on a stretch in Fort Erie right where the parkway ends. I haven't been there in years but I doubt much has changed. Ming Teh has very good food, but limited seating. Probably a good idea to call ahead for a reservation. Portions are also kind of small for the $. Happy Jack's is larger. I've gone there several times when I was in a group that couldn't get into Ming Teh. As best I recall, the food was good but nothing special.

I think you can only get the ID to get into Canada if you live in a border state like NY or michigan.

Last time I went was on the way home from a business trip.. Didn't think about stopping there when I was heading out, so I didn't bring my passport. Still cool to see.

 

[jvett77]

you don't necessarily need a passport to get to/from Canada. The last time i renewed my drivers licence, I had the option to pay extra for "Real ID", which I will need for commercial air travel within a year or two. I also had the option to pay slightly more for "Enhanced ID", which also allows me to travel to/from Canada. Other states probably have similar arrangements, but might use different terminology.

Taking the Niagara Parkway from the Falls down to Fort Erie is a nice scenic drive. If you like Chinese food, there are a few good restaurants on a stretch in Fort Erie right where the parkway ends. I haven't been there in years but I doubt much has changed. Ming Teh has very good food, but limited seating. Probably a good idea to call ahead for a reservation. Portions are also kind of small for the $. Happy Jack's is larger. I've gone there several times when I was in a group that couldn't get into Ming Teh. As best I recall, the food was good but nothing special.

An enhanced driver's license is issued by Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. People from other states will need a passport to get to/from Canada.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

This was a long time ago, but I remember a corporate market trip to BUF and ROCH, and we went over to NF and some strip clubs in Toronto and did not show a passport. This was '91 - '92 I think.

Things have changed I'm sure....lol.

 

[gob]

This was a long time ago, but I remember a corporate market trip to BUF and ROCH, and we went over to NF and some strip clubs in Toronto and did not show a passport. This was '91 - '92 I think.

Things have changed I'm sure....lol.

Used to be that way... Not sure when it changed. Maybe after 9/11?

 

[jvett77]

Used to be that way... Not sure when it changed. Maybe after 9/11?

Here's the full story: In 2004, the 9/11 Commission, a group charged with investigating the incidents surrounding the attacks and making recommendations for change, found that U.S. border crossing rules were too lax.

As a result, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative was passed by Congress. It requires a passport for everyone crossing any U.S. border. In subsequent years, the rule was expanded to both land and sea borders as well as those entering by air.