My Memorable Trip to Niagara Falls- With pictures!!

Dear all,

Sure, many of us would have visited Niagara Falls in USA & Canada.

Each of our experience would have been unique, memorable and cherished forever. It will be permanently etched in our memory.

Some may have been fortunate enough to have visited this great “Natural Wonder” many times. Others, might be planning for a trip to see the falls this Spring/Summer.

I noticed that many IL’ites had asked for information about the visit to Niagara falls, hotels to stay, Indian restaurants, attraction to see, deals on tickets etc. Instead of giving itsy-bitsy informations here and there, I thought that I would share my trip to “Niagara Falls”.

We visited this "Great Natural Wonder" last summer in August 2007. It was one mind blowing and refreshing journey. We had decided to drive down the whole way just for a change. And I should say, we did not regret it one bit.
Initially, I felt going by flight with the kids will be much convenient, but thinking of the long lines at the airport and the invariable delay @ the NY airports,not to mention the exhorbitant flight tickets, made me reconsider this.

Driving down to Niagara was quite adventurous and enjoyable. Most of all, my kids loved it and are now more than ready to go for long long drives.

My narration is quite longggg,(like Hanumar Vaal- meaning Hanuman’s tail) but loaded with lots of information too. In between I have included some tips too !
We had also taken so many pictures & Video in this trip. I will also share some pictures that we had taken.
Hope you can all take a walk/ride/swim through the memory lane with me.
In fact, this memory brings a broad smile to my face and I feel excited to share this with all of you.

Now for the details about the trip…

Niagara Falls Trip- 1
We left on Aug16^th ‘07, Thursday evening and came back on Sunday,
Aug19th night. The whole trip was really awesome and fabulous!

On Aug 16th, we left home @ around 6:30pm. Just as soon as we started driving on the freeway, there was a big storm..with thunder &lightning and we could not see the way @ all!! Many cars had stopped over the shoulder with flashers on and waited till the heavy rain subsided. We also stopped. After about 10mts, we resumed the journey. Meanwhile, we were saying Arjuna...arjuna...Baba..baba...because the lightning was terrible!! What a start !!

{Tip 1- Even if GPS is installed in your car, it is wise to carry printouts of maps from google/mapquest/yahoo etc. Always carry umbrellas, rain coats etc. Be prepared for changing weather. }

Anyway...after that the ride was quite smooth and we stopped for dinner @ around 8:30pm..had our idlis, curd rice with aloo curry and mango thokku ( usual menu for our rides!!) Since chapattis and pooris change texture after sometime...kids prefer idlis & curd rice only...or given a choice...they would prefer eating out. Since we were going to eat out for the next 3days..decided to pack dinner.

Later, after an hrs drive...we reached Hagerstown, a small city in Maryland state. We stayed there for the night at Comforts Inn. We booked a room for the night in this inn 2 days before our journey. Since we had decided to take a break in between, we felt this would be the best choice.

Next day morning, (Friday)...had a so so…breakfast at the hotel..(cereal, bagels etc) and resumed our driving @ 9am. Then stopped @ Pittsburgh for lunch @ Taco bell and gas.
There was a 30min delay from the freeway here called “Penna turnpike” because of some accident. From Virginia, we need to cross the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania and finally come to New York state.

At last we reached the city of “Niagara Falls” @ around 6:30pm..fri evening. So, it had taken us 13 hours drive. (excluding the night stay & including stops for food/rest area)
"Niagara falls" is a city in the State of New York. There is also the city of NY which is at the southeastern tip of NY state. Niagara falls is located at the North west part of NY state above the Buffalo city.


Attached some pics...

Will continue with our journey...please join me friends...

Cheers
pic(1)- Buffalo, NY
pic(2)- Peace Bridge, Buffalo, NY
pic(3)- Downtown Buffalo
pic(4)- Tunnel thru Maryland
pic(5)-Sign board for American Falls

Niagara Falls Trip -2

Before our trip, I had collected all the information about the falls, tickets, Indian restaurants and star bucks around the area.
We stayed at “Fallside Hotel & Conference Center” which is about a couple of blocks from the falls. We booked this just 2 weeks before the trip through hotels.com. We were lucky to get reservation here for just $99/day for a room with 2 queen size beds. They had provided microwave & refrigerator in the room too.

{Tip 2:
Now, here I have to mention that we got a good deal , but the regular rate for the rooms during the peak season is $250 per day. There is no rhyme or reason as to why/how we got for a low rate during the peak season. It is better to keep checking online through various sites till we get a good rate. If the booking is done online/thru phone, please take a print out of the reference no., address & phone number of the hotel you are planning to stay in. Also, please confirm the booking just before you leave for the trip.}

Now I continue with the journey….
After we checked into the hotel, we refreshed and went to star bucks for coffee (walking distance from hotel) . Then we walked to Downtown Niagara Falls, had a look around, searched for the Indian restaurants (listed online). Some of them were closed for good !

{Tip 3- When we visit any Indian stores/restaurants, it is a good idea to call & check whether they really exist or still have business in that address.}

Later, thankfully, we found the Indian restaurant called “Kohinoor”. We had dinner here. The taste was alright…please go here without any high expectations.

Since there was fireworks and illumination of falls that night, we decided to walk to the falls which was a couple of blocks away. Also after the long drive...we needed that walking.
My sons were also in a cheerful mood. But the weather was really very very cold..it was a big change from the weather in Glen allen, VA!! Abt 30 degress less!! Imagine...much colder. If the summers were this cold here @ night...then definitely winters wouldd be really harsh in these areas.

{Tip-4 Please carry jackets/sweaters/umbrellas/raincoats even you visit during the summer. If you are not used to cold weather, this place will surely make you aware of that !}

When we were walking..we were surprised to see so many Indians and Indian restaurants all along the way....one hotel...serving,…“South Indian” items...it was sooo crowded...we immediately felt “Adada” we could have come there. (Uh Oh..missed it !)..This hotel was not listed on the internet...and we decided we should go there the next day. (All the time thinking of food, even when we go for sight seeing)

{Tip 5- Please look/ask around if you are particular to have our Indian food, because some of them may not be listed online.}


Will continue...please walk with me...


Cheers

pic(1)- Casino cum Plaza opp. Starbucks
pic (2)- Niagara Falls Tour Bus
pic(3)- Another view of shopping plaza opp. starbucks
pic(4)- Fallside Hotel & Conference Center

Dear Krithi,

Am I getting too early?

I searched you in the pictures....Haven't read yet...

Hi Oviya,

Thanks for your reply !

Are you asking whether I am there in the pictures?

I am posting only the general pictures (meaning without the 4 of us).

No, friend, you are not early..you are welcome to join me in the journey any time...!

Cheers
Krithika

Hi Krithika,

I think your family had a very wonderful long ride journey.. you described very well about the places and also added tips which are very useful.. Your pictures are also very nice..

we are also planning to go in this summer ..

regards,
ramyaganesh

Hi Ramyaganesh,

Thanks for your FB.

Stay tuned...I am not yet finished with the narration...still have lots more to write about the attractions in details, what tickets we got etc.

Please join me in this walk down the memory lane....... and sure you will have more tips coming...

Cheers
Krithika

Niagara Falls Trip - 3

We continued walking to the falls..the closer we got...we could hear the roaring sound!! There was big crowd gathered around for illumination and fireworks...inspite of such cold and windy weather! We could view the falls from the “Prospect point” in the NY state park.

We saw the Niagara falls for the first time @night with all the lights @ around 9pm......it was really BEAUTIFUL and DELIGHTFUL!!
I mean...nothing can prepare you for this wonderful sight..even if we had seen it in movies or pictures....it makes you breathless! It was so colorful and we took some pictures. We could also see Canada on the other side..their buildings and cars. It was kind of cute and nice to see Canada from USA!! It is the state of Ontario. They also have the city “Niagara falls” in Ontario, Canada. So it is called the “twin cities” since it is situated in both the countries!! Has a nice ring to it !

There were lots and lots of Indians and Chinese.....the whole trip..I should mention we could see 80% Indians with their moms, dads or in-laws from India...or couples with kids like us. For the whole time we felt as if we were in India!! Especially lots of south Indians...all the more Tamilians...idhu eppadi irrukku?? Romba jaagridhaya pesa vendi irundhadhu...!! (Meaning we had to talk carefully !)

After some time, we walked up to the “Observation deck” which gave a better view of the falls. Fireworks started at around 10pm and lasted for about 10-15mts only. Illumination continues till midnight. It was very very cold....and windy...because of which we were sprayed with water near the falls. Stayed for sometime taking pictures and walked back to the hotel.
Eagerly waited for the next day to see all the attractions.

pic(1)- Illuminated Niagara Falls
pic (2)- Illuminated Niagara Falls- Closeup
pic (3)- Night View of Canada from USA
pic (4)- Fireworks near Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls Trip - 4

Next day @ around 8:30am we left the hotel and had south Indian breakfast @ "Taste of India"...my DH, first son and me had idli vada sambar and little son had dosa sambar....romba romba summaarrr..(the taste was not great) but something better than nothing...! Aasai Aasaiyai odi vandhom inge..aanaal..nalla bulb ( literal English translation- we came with full expectation but were disappointed! )

The highlight was, in the "Menu board", they had mentioned South Indian filter coffee. Both me and my dh were eagerly waiting for our coffees. Later, when I saw the coffee it was almost in white color, so I went and asked for decoction. The lady in the counter/kitchen could not understand at first, and then I told her I wanted the coffee to be a little more dark.

Very casually, she brought the Bru instant powder ( to my shock) and started mixing it with milk. When I enquired, she said this was how they prepared & served the coffee. Then I requested her to correct the name on the board to Instant coffee and not mislead the customers.

Now, without further ado, let me get back to my narration..(or I will go on and on about how I was duped for my coffee !)

This time we drove to the falls, parked the car near the information center. They charged about $10 for parking.

Then we walked down to the visitor center. We got the tickets called “Passport to the Falls” which offers us one low price for all the main attractions..otherwise..we would end up paying more separately...( my idea...since I already researched about this online)

The main attractions are :

Cave of the winds
Maid of the mist
Adventure Theatre
Niagara Aquarium
Niagara Discovery Center
Observation Tower
Niagara Scenic Trolley

The total cost of this ticket was $30 for adults and for children between 6-12 it is $23.

Now, here I have to mention about the "Niagara falls" as such. It consists of a group of falls, called American falls, Bridal veil falls(these 2 falls are just next to each other and close to USA) and the Horse Shoe Falls ( this is closer to the Canadian side and biggest fall). The Canadian side have a better view of this Horse Shoe falls.

One-fifth of the world’s fresh water lies in the Upper Great Lakes - Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, & Lake Erie. All the outflow empties into the Niagara River and it cascades over the falls. This water travels over many gorges and reaches the fifth Great Lake- Lake Ontario.

On the drive here, we could see the Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
After purchasing the tickets, we took some pictures and waited for the trolley. The NY state park is huge and we need to take the trolley to c each attraction ( or walk) we waited for the trolley called the "Niagara Scenic Trolley" and went to attraction "Cave of the Winds". Since we had already paid for all attractions, we didn't need to pay for the tickets inside the trolley. Some people also prefer to walk to all the attractions since all of them are located within the NY state park.

Once we reached entrance of the "Cave of the Winds" we were given rain Ponchos and sandals since we would get totally drenched during this. We need to put them on over our dress, remove our shoes and wear the sandals. They also provide us with plastic bags to carry our stuff !


{Tip 6- Please carry a couple of plastic bags to cover your digicam/vdo cameras because we are sure to get drenched during this. }


We go down an elevator (abt 175feet) and reach the bottom of the falls. There is a small pathway and we go near the falls.

In this place, they have constructed wooden decks and steps just below the Bridal Veil falls called the Hurricane Deck. We come ssssooooooooooooooo close to the falls, touch it, feel it and get totally soaked. Took pics and video here too!! We keep climbing up and down and finally reach Hurricane Deck where we feel the plunge ...a little... that itself...is soooo fierce!! Especially on the deck, we feel like we are in the middle of a Hurricane...hence the name!! This was a wonderful experience and we got fully wet.

After we came out...there was a big queue for this...we were lucky since we came earlier!! Took some pics....


When we come out, they have provided a bin to donate the used Ponchos & Sandals. We can donate them or carry them back with us.


There is an observation area here too and we can go much closer to the falls from the top. We get an awesome view of the lakes joining and coming down as Niagara falls...becoming the Niagara river....took pictures of the Hurricane deck from above....was quite scary...to see that is where we were few mins back!! Relaxed for sometime here and took more vdo and pics.


My children had their lunch here...veggie burger and fries...they really loved it!!


Since the time was already 1:30pm, we (for me & my DH) decided to go back to "Taste of India" for lunch. So caught the trolley back to the visitor center and went out. It is just opposite the park area and so we walked down there. Since my kids already had burgers...they had ice cream and juice here. My Dh and me went for buffet...(north indian only) rice,chapathis and some sabjis like navrattan kurma,dhal makhani,mutter panneer etc. Since we were sooo hungry, everything tasted delicious !


After lunch, we went to see other attractions...


Will continue....


Cheers

pic (1)- Cave of the Winds (changing area for Ponchos & Sandals)
pic (2)- Gushing Bridal Veils
pic (3)- Hurricane Deck (Near Bridal Veil Falls)
pic (4)- View of Horse shoe falls from Hurricane deck
pic (5)- View of Hurricane Deck from Top !!

Jithiks..wonderfull narration.This will be great help to plan for Niagara trip.Thank you and hats off for u r effort.

Hi Supriya,

Glad you liked the narration of my trip !

Still more to come, friend, in the process of writing the post...so please stay tuned !
I am yet to get back to the narration after we had lunch !

Cheers
Krithika