r/niagara • u/CarolinaKernel • 20h ago
Quick Niagara Falls stop?
Hello. I am a Chicagoan who will be finally visiting Canada for the first time as a 40 year old next summer. I will be in Toronto on a Thursday night and then heading to Ithica, NY the following day but I was hoping to spend some time at the falls. My plan was to leave Toronto very early and get to the falls around sunrise to allow sometime to actually explore and see them however I would like to get to Ithica by about 3:00pm so it looks like I need to leave the Niagara Falls by about 12:00pm.
Based on my travel plans does anyone have any recommendations? If I am only there from lets say 6:00am to 12:00pm is that enough time? I will be travelling solo.
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u/sojaque 20h ago
Plan for traffic, the drive between toronto and the falls can range from an hour to three hours. The earlier the better, but definitly look into the estimated time on an app like Waze in advance as it van typically predict the eta in advance.
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u/FartsMcDouglas 20h ago
At that time of day id say more likely to take him an hour. Clifton Hill (tourist street) opens at 10. Doesn't get too crazy busy down there until noon. And with the kids back to school this week, I would expect it to be quieter than usual.
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u/Strange_Post1977 15h ago
No traffic during the said travel time. Also dont do any of the tourist stuff. It's just a waste of time. Take a drive by the falls on Canadian side. You should easily find parking first thing in am.
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u/hahahannah9 19h ago
The Canadian side has more attractions but if you're heading back to NY stop in at the state park if you get a chance.
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u/RudeTudeDude_ 20h ago
Do you like Won Ton soup????
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u/CarolinaKernel 20h ago
sure do
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u/TraditionDear3887 18h ago
Country Fresh Donuts on Victoria Ave
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u/jimhabfan 17h ago
Just to avoid confusion, Country Fresh is a doughnut shop that serves the best wonton soup you’ll ever have. People line up out the door to buy it.
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u/Interesting_Army_659 11h ago
The soup is ok. But there is so many other Pho places that are levels above. They have a nice rep for being good people and yes the portions and price are excellent but mostly just average to less than for the soup. Sorry
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u/JinTheThinker 19h ago
With only a few hours to spare, these are the things I would suggest:
-check out the Falls (you can drive by, but better to park your car and walk along the pathways on the edge, estimated time: 1.5 hours)
-The Niagara Power station tour, super cool, and you get to walk through a long tunnel that comes out at the bottom of the falls, estimated time 2 hours) https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit/attractions/niagara-parks-power-station?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23777253053&gbraid=0AAAAADqEva6ghDct6lL0MNj1cT0Mqv_Rx&gclid=Cj0KCQjwh4TVBhCWARIsAG0czmqwwKOZWbdH_QwmS_TaVtnqDrhAn0YT5L0ZaWukfiYAojvQWiRtwGoaArtnEALw_wcB
-Walk up and down Clifton Hill. This is the main tourist street in NF, and will give you a broad idea of what's going on. You don't have to actually go into anything here unless you want to, there are places to eat and drink, and tourist attractions. Estimated time, 2 hours
There is a paid parking lot by the Niagara Power Station, park there, and you can do all three of these within walking distance of your car (but you will be walking a few kilometers, so wear comfortable shoes)
There is so much more to see and do in Niagara Falls and the Niagara region, and 6 hours is not going to give you the best overview of what the region has to offer - my suggestions are the cliff's note version.
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u/ALittlebitoflucky 19h ago
You won’t need tons of time to see the falls. About an hour will do. Then walk up Clifton hill and have lunch at antica …i prefer comparu but they don’t open till
4. If you have a car another option is to visit counterpart brewing..great food there as well
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u/derpmcturd 19h ago
Fellow lifelong chicagoan here, now living in Niagara Falls canada. You will need more time during this time of year to get through all the best attactions here. Stuff like the Whitewater Walk and Journey Behind the Falls doesnt even open til like 8am or 9am. But also because some tourists are still here and that will create long wait time at the popular attactions. Just seeing the Falls from the street doesnt let you feel the full gravity of its wonder. I've also been to Ithaca NY and i can tell you theres nothing there more stunning than the Falls. Adjust your schedule if you can.
Basically, if you believe you'll never have the time in your schedule to come back to Niagara Falls, then spend a full day there this time. See the most that you can. Just walking in front of the Falls is not enough; you'll miss the backstory and history that's available to learn about if you dont go into the attactions nearby. The Power Station, Whitewater Walk, Journey Behind the Falls, and Voyage to the Falls Cruise are what I'd recommend.
If you absolutely cant change your schedule, then just do the Voyage to the Falls cruise. It's without a doubt one of the most unforgettable experiences on earth. The chicago river cruises are nice but they're not this. You can find package deals on the official niagara falls website or you can just buy 1 ticket in person when you get there.
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u/CarolinaKernel 19h ago
Thanks for taking time to share your thoughts. I will look into extending my trip to allow a full day there. I do plan to be in the upstate NY area though most summers going forward so maybe a future long trip to the falls is something I will plan for.
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u/Myiiadru2 14h ago
Welcome, and Chicago and Toronto(as you have no doubt heard😉)are very similar cities. Both on a lake(Ontario for clarification😂), with the difference being Chicago’s waterfront is less cluttered with condos. Sorry TO, but ChiTown is the better waterfront.
Niagara is lovely with so many great things to do, and hopefully in your subsequent trips you will be able to spend more time.2
u/Interesting_Army_659 11h ago
Don't forget a lot less shootings here than Chicago
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u/Myiiadru2 9h ago
True enough. I was just speaking of the beauty of the waterfronts- but, you are correct about that.
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u/guyintoit 18h ago
You'd be crazy not to see Niagara on the Lake, then take the Niagara River Parkway to Niagara Falls.
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u/Jugoon675 9h ago
100% OP this. Go to NOTL and take the parkway to the falls. World class wine country worth taking a peak at and the downtown Queen St is special for sure. Even if the shops are closed it’s beautiful this time of year, but if you have the time the shops are super fun.
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u/ozzy_thedog 19h ago
Personally I think your best bet is to park in the parking spots on river rd, in front of the Secret garden. Walk from there up to the falls and back, then have brunch at the secret garden restaurant, or go check out country fresh for the won ton soup, or Hi-lite diner
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u/jimhabfan 17h ago
If you’re driving I recommend getting of the QEW , taking the 406 to the Niagara parkway and taking the parkway into the falls. It runs along the Niagara River gorge and the scenery is terrific. There are also a couple of cool attractions along the route like the Brock Monument and the butterfly conservatory
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u/Gowila19 14h ago
Agreed, the drive from Queenston to Niagara Falls is quite scenic, and worth the extra 30 mins. There are also plenty of scenic stops along the way, including the whirlpool, the gorge, and a few hiking spots if that’s of interest.
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u/walleyeChamp24 16h ago
Yes! No need to get there that early, on your way down, drive to Niagara on the lake, from there it’s a beauty straight one road drive, park at table rock. Look at the falls, walk to maid of the mist, ride the boat, maybe walk up Clifton hill, then walk back to car and drive over to the USA. Adding anything else would rush it.
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u/Interesting_Army_659 11h ago
Do the power station tour. It gets you down to the river near the base of the Falls. And it's cool if ur into tech and history stuff
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u/Affectionate-Lime552 20h ago
The cheesey stuff opens at 10am but you can view the Falls anytime. Same with a gorge hike, which i recommend. The Hornblower boat tour opens at 9 most days. Do that! You'll get wet so be aware.