October 5-7 2006
 

Anybody know what's going on in NF over the period of October 5-7? I'm looking into booking some reward nights at a Hilton property and they come up with limited availability over that period. I could probably go through the Diamond Desk and still get a room, but if the hotels are going to be very full my upgrade chances might stink.

Niagara Airbus offers regular service to Niagara Falls from YYZ & BUF, and downtown Toronto. When you're at the falls, there is a free bus service that takes you up and down Niagara Falls boulevard to all the different sights, though most of the hotels and attractions are within walking distance of the falls.

Yes, but $144 round trip for 2 passengers on a shuttle bus from BUF to Niagara Falls, Ontario?

Quick comment about the free parking at the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort parking garage. We were down there today, and the gates to the entrance to the parking garage were open, so no ticket required. But when you exit the parking garage, the booths were manned, although there was no charge for those with a players card. So if you don't have a players card from the casino, you'll probably have to pay. Haven't seen them do that in months, it may be because there's a show this evening (LeAnn Rimes in the showroom tonight and tomorrow). Still to be safe, if you plan on parking at the casino, be sure to sign up for their players club card, so as not to need to pay for the parking as you leave the garage. Card is free, and you can get it from the players club booth which is just to the left of the main entrance to the casino floor.

pdhenry, Monday, October 9 is Thanksgiving Day in Canada, so the week before and after that date may be busier at the hotels in the area, as Canadians make the most of the long weekend. I don't have the show schedule for the casino for October, so I don't know who's appearing there that weekend, but they'll probably have entertainment scheduled in the show room, which will add to the crowds.

Renting a car may be the least expensive way to get from the Toronto area to NF and Niagara-On-The-Lake, or, if you're able to get seniors rates on VIA rail, they have good seniors fares from Toronto, and several trains a day each way. Travel time by rail or car is about an hour and fifteen minutes to an hour and a half, over good highways (except at rush hours where you can add 30 minutes each way).

bj-21.

Yeah, if 2 or more people are travelling, you *might* save a few dollars splitting a taxi fare from BUF, considering the distance being travelled and the hassle of crossing the border. If you're alone, then the savings are more evident taking a service like Niagara Airbus, especially if they are driving a longer distance. SkyTeam777 did not mention how many are in his/her party.

Thanks for that. :)

Our anniversary is the 10th, but I don't get US Columbus Day off at work so I always forget that it's a holiday weekend in both the US and Canada.

FWIW, lots of availability at the Hilton hotels for arrival on Sunday the 8th...

I was able to take a Greyhound bus from Toronto to NF for CAD 24.06, one way. It takes about 1.5 hours. Buses run pretty much all day.

Don't miss Niagara Glen
 

This is a free attraction. If you are at all interested in walking and seeing the natural beauty of the area, you should go to Niagara Glen. This involves a walk down the sides of the gorge north on the falls to the banks of the whirlpool section of the river. You get an appreciation of the geology, splendid scenery, and isolation by the river. Park off Niagara Parkway south of the floral clock across from the golf course. Wear running shoes or hiking shoes. You begin by going down a set of stairs inside a metal structure to get down the cliff. Then there is a maze of trails to the bottom. There are a lot of rock climbers whose chalk messes up the boulders but otherwise its shady and quiet. It's a highlight all year. There are maps available at the shop at the top. You can go under the tourist attraction Spanish Aero Car (the cable car),which does not cross the gorge, just a portion of the glen. When you see what it does cross it seems less thrilling.

1way car rental from I believe Alamo (been almost a year so I dont remember the exact company) cost $170 for "underage" (24yr old) driver for a one way to Toronto (pickup bufflao, drop in Toronto). Anybody 25 and over would have paid $100-120ish (or was it $80-90) for the one way. Just an idea if theres 4-5people that want to get to toronto at the last minute right from the airport and stop in Niagara falls for a while as well, since the rental is 24hrs.

If you're looking for a nice place to eat, I unequivocally can recommend the dining room at the Prince of Wales Hotel in NOTL. Superb.

Via Rail from Union station - Supersaver fare, round trip $42.40 including taxes. You will need a short taxi ride to get to the falls from the train station. This fare is not always available - http://www.viarail.ca/en_index.html and needs advance booking. You can do a day trip from Toronto.

For economy, make sure one of the passengers is a Senior - defined as 60 or over. Each Senior can get another free ticket for a companion.

The train is more pleasant than a bus, and parking is easy. :)