What the Canada side of Niagara falls better?

Question

I am thinking of going to Niagara falls for a vacation next year with my husband. We have heard that the Canada side is much better than the U.S. side. We live in the U.S., the hotel we want to stay at is on the U.S. side, has a awesome view, and it has a ton of stuff to do in it, also the area to get on the Maid of the Mist is on the U.S. side. I'm wondering what makes the Canada side better. We do not have pass ports and it would be a waste to get them since we would probably never use them again. We dont travel hardly at all, let alone outside of the U.S. Unless there is something really fabulous about the Canada side, we will probably just stick to the U.S. side.

Answer 1

The Canadian side is cleaner, safer, more relaxed and more modern, than Niagara Falls New York is.



The NY side is a rust belt small town, that lost most of it's industry years ago. Blocks of boarded up stores, and burned out houses are not what I would call attractive. After dark, even the local cops walk in pairs, and they are armed.



Contrast that with the Ontario side, which is a major tourist attraction, and a booming part of the Province, with many beautiful towns and vineyards, and historic places like Niagara on the Lake, and Port Dalousie.



Given your reluctance to get passports, you won't be able to visit the Canadian side, AND of course, to get BACK into the USA, you need to have a US passport, since June of 2009. You are not alone, only 30 percent of Americans have ever had a passport, compared to over 70 percent of Canadians.



Guess who does more international travelling ? Yes Canadians do.



Jim B



Toronto.

Answer 2

It's all about the views. The Niagara river makes a bend right at the falls. When you are on the Canada side you look right at the falls and can see the entire thing. From the US side you can't even see but a small portion of the falls. There are a lot more hotels and restaurants and tourist attractions on the Canada side. You can still have an enjoyable trip on the American side only, but you won't get the full experience.



There is no hotel on the American side with and awesome view of the falls. Pictures and views depicted on websites can be deceiving.



Maid of the Mist has boats that depart from both sides. If you stay on the American side then the Maid of the Mist tour is going to be your only opportunity to get a full view of the falls.



You will need a passport or passport card to go to the Canada side and back.

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

Regarding passports, your attitude afflicts, as one answerer said, 30% of the USA people. Why not join the 21st century? Do you know the USA is the only country it the world that relies on other ID's? For long years now every OTHER traveler in every other country has had a passport uses it constantly and enjoys the memories of their trips while looking at the various stamps made in it when crossing borders. You WILL be MORE LIKELY to plan and actually GO on other trips if you have your passport. lasting 10 years they are a good deal and one of the best ID's you can have. So join the real world and get prepared for a life of travel. There is NO VALUE TODAY as GREAT as travel!

As for Niagara Falls, all the answerers are correct about the features of the Canadian side. bridge crossing is inexpensive and easy so stay in your us hotel. But experience Canada and Canadian hospitality. You can use your credit card so you don't even have to exchange money. Get Canadian cash at your favorite ATM and enjoy, stay a while.

Answer 5

I enjoy both sides. The walk under the Falls on the American side is better. Nice Park and some interesting Museums. The Canadian Casino is nicer and walking around through the Tourist area is nicer. You can arrange Wine Tasting tours and there's lots of other things to see besides the Falls. Great Wolf Lodge is fantastic if You have Kid,s and there's plenty of other things to keep Them occupied. For Adult's especially Honeymooners I would recommend Niagara on the Lake. It's1800s town that She will love. It's funny that on the American side there is totally no mention of what the Canadian side is like and on the Canadian side there is the same. Be smart and visit both sides and have a fantastic time as both sides are worth visiting.

Answer 6

This is the view from the Canada side.

http://www.earthcam.com/canada/niagarafalls/



The USA is to the top and left.



You can enjoy your visit to just New York but are missing an opportunity to visit another country and see it for yourself. You may be pleasantly surprised by what you find on the other side of the Border.



There is much more than just the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls.



http://www.niagaraparks.com/niagara-falls-attractions/niagara-falls-nature-gardens.html



You could walk across for the day if you bring your passport card enhanced drivers license or passport.

http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/index.html



Only 2 hours from the Falls is this little village you may like to see.and explore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKIqlrpn3bs



There are over 100 water falls in the city of Hamilton if you want to see falls.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P57m0U-4zbo



Many Parks on the other side of the Lake too.

http://www.ontarioparks.com/park-locator/



It is a big country not just one tourist attraction.



The City of Niagara Falls Ontario really is much nicer than Niagara Falls New York but there are things on both sides of the Border to keep you busy.



Enjoy your vacation to half of the area.

Answer 7

Niagara Falls is the collective name for three different waterfalls.

Two are on the US side of the border and the third is Canadian.



There's the Horseshoe Falls, otherwise known as the Canadian Falls.

It's the one in all the tourism pictures:

Link - http://www.niagarafallslive.com/images/HorseshoefromSkylon.jpg



Then there's the butt-ugly American Falls and smaller Bridal Veil Falls beside it:

Link - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Niagara_American_Falls.jpg



On the US side, there's some outlet malls and cheap motels.

And a lot of urban decay: boarded up homes, rusting old factories, etc.



On the Canadian side, Niagara Falls Ontario is a thriving international tourist mecca complete with casinos, indoor waterpark, and all sorts of other attractions besides the Falls themselves.

And within a short drive there's Marineland (similar to Sea World), the Niagara Wine Region dotted with quaint B&B's, resorts, orchards and vineyards and wineries (complete with tasting tours), historic War of 1812 battlefields, and picture-postcard towns like Niagara-on-the-Lake:

Link - http://apillowandtoast.com/images/attractions.jpg

Link - http://teardroptravelin.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/just-one-example-of-floral-excess-in-niagara-on-the-lake.jpg?w=640&h=477



Best advice is to google Niagara Region tourism and indulge yourselves.

Passport cards are cheaper than passport books, and acceptable for crossing the border by car.

Answer 8

There is nothing in Niagara Falls NY at all so boring,the Canadian side has way more attractions

museums,motels and hotels 2 casinos,do a search of a list of attractions for Ontario well worth the cost of a passport the NY side is like a ghost town compared to the Canadian side. Fabulous yes

great places to shop,eat,relax,museums,fun houses and much more.

Answer 9

The Canadian side has FAR better views and you can stand just feet from the biggest Falls. there are tons more things to do and the whole area is far more attractive. You can board the Maid of the Mist from either side of the Falls, not just the American side. It is really worth it to go to the Canadian side. You could get passport cards...they are cheaper than a passport book. I have been to the Falls several times, both sides, and the Canadian side is significantly better.

Answer 10

Me. as for accommodation do some research on the Canada side, the last couple of times we stayed at the Casino.



The front on view of the falls is spectacular from the Canadian side, thus why so many of YOU head over to our side.



Why are you asking at all if your do not have intentions of getting passports.