Trip to Niagara Falls

[PERSonalTime]

I'm planning to drive from New York City to Niagara Falls and was wondering if anyone knew of any sites to see along the way? I think I will take a route which will take me through Scranton Pennsylvania and up through Buffalo New York.

 

[Aerides]

I can't help with the route, but do plan to visit from the Canadian side (view is far better there).

 

[sanfanciscotreat]

The town near the falls is practically deserted.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

Cooperstown ... The Corning Glass museum in Corning ... Mark Twain House in Elmira ... Seneca Falls is a historical town with several museums.

 

[mystang52]

Not too far from Niagara Falls: Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises | Lockport Canalside Weddings, Banquets, Parties DW and I enjoyed this.

 

[6miths]

I have been through Corning a few times and have always wanted to go to the Glass Museum but have not made it yet. Definitely agree that you want to take your passport and go to the Canadian side in Niagara Falls. There is much, much more tourist infrastructure on the Canadian side and views of both the Horseshoe (Canadian) and American Falls are much better.

 

[simple girl]

If you modify your route slightly you could take in the Grand Canyon of PA. We enjoyed biking the trail there. We also saw people rafting and canoeing and riding in a horsedrawn carriage (some kind of tour).

Quite beautiful.

PA Grand Canyon Attractions. What to Do at the PA Grand Canyon

 

[Danmar]

Niagara Falls (both cities) are the tackiest places I know. Drive in, see the falls, maybe have lunch, then get the heck out to somewhere nicer.

 

[MichaelB]

I'm planning to drive from New York City to Niagara Falls and was wondering if anyone knew of any sites to see along the way? I think I will take a route which will take me through Scranton Pennsylvania and up through Buffalo New York.

When we drove up we spent a couple of very enjoyable days in Toronto. Agree with seeing Niagara on the Canadian side.

 

[Midpack]

Definitely agree that you want to take your passport and go to the Canadian side in Niagara Falls. There is much, much more tourist infrastructure on the Canadian side and views of both the Horseshoe (Canadian) and American Falls are much better.

Niagara Falls (both cities) are the tackiest places I know. Drive in, see the falls, maybe have lunch, then get the heck out to somewhere nicer.

When we drove up we spent a couple of very enjoyable days in Toronto. Agree with seeing Niagara on the Canadian side.

+3. It's well worth the drive to view it in person (pictures don't begin to do it justice), but there's not much else there of interest. You MUST see if from the Canadian side, the US side, view and town, is pretty awful. And we drove over from Toronto (Guelph actually), had lunch, took in the sites and rode the Maid of the Mist, and left.

 

[Just_Steve]

CN Tower is pretty cool.

Intro - CN Tower

 

[simple girl]

If you do go to the Canadian side, you may enjoy a drive up to visit Niagra on the Lake.

https://www.niagaraonthelake.com/

 

[nun]

I rode from Boston to Niagara Falls along the Erie canal a few years ago. Seneca Falls is a good place to visit, there's the LDS museum in Palmyra, Fort Stanwix in Rome, and definitely see the Falls from the Canadian side.

 

[Meadbh]

Niagara Falls (both cities) are the tackiest places I know. Drive in, see the falls, maybe have lunch, then get the heck out to somewhere nicer.

The falls themselves are pretty majestic: power of nature, etc, etc. Definitely wirth seeing IMHO, especially the tunnel behind the falls and getting drenched on the Maid of the Mist. Just ignore all that other touristy crap and go see a play at Niagara on the Lake.

 

[Dash man]

Agree with staying on the Canadian side. I also recommend visiting the wineries in the area. We really enjoyed them and their product!

 

[Nemo2]

Niagara Falls (both cities) are the tackiest places I know. Drive in, see the falls, maybe have lunch, then get the heck out to somewhere nicer.

+1

 

[Koogie]

All very good suggestions so far.

- try the original Buffalo wings at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo
- if you like boxing, the International Boxing Hall of Fame is in Canastota, NY
It is not a patch on Cooperstown but if you like boxing, you will like it. (I got to meet a former world champion on an induction weekend)
- I've biked the Erie Canal as well. If you like that sort of thing, rent a bike and do a section. It is picturesque.
- the Fenimore museum in Cooperstown is good as well, if you are stopping there anyway. Also, avoid Cooperstown at all costs when they have their induction weekends. It is a madhouse.
- the Finger Lakes area is really nice too. We have spent a couple of really nice long summer weekends tooling around Ithaca, at Cornell, etc..

 

[Fedup]

The falls themselves are pretty majestic: power of nature, etc, etc. Definitely wirth seeing IMHO, especially the tunnel behind the falls and getting drenched on the Maid of the Mist. Just ignore all that other touristy crap and go see a play at Niagara on the Lake.

I like the falls on the Canadian side. Maybe I like tackiness.

 

[nun]

I like the falls on the Canadian side. Maybe I like tackiness.

There isn't much on the US side. The park is quite small, the shopping is bad as so are the views of the falls. The Canadian side is a lot more built up. The parks and gardens are far nicer than on the US side and you have the option of all the casinos etc which might be tacky, but they don't feel run down like the US side........of a helicopter ride over the falls is awesome, but expensive.

 

[Danmar]

I like the falls on the Canadian side. Maybe I like tackiness.

Nothing wrong with the actual falls, they are well worth a trip. The actual cities and what's in them is the tacky part.

 

[MichaelB]

Niagara Falls (both cities) are the tackiest places I know. Drive in, see the falls, maybe have lunch, then get the heck out to somewhere nicer.

Nothing wrong with the actual falls, they are well worth a trip. The actual cities and what's in them is the tacky part.

If anything, I think Danmar is being polite when he says "tacky".

 

[Koogie]

Nothing wrong with the actual falls, they are well worth a trip. The actual cities and what's in them is the tacky part.

Sorry but that is far to sweeping a generalization and does them a disservice. My sister lives in Niagara Falls, ON and there are some great neighbourhoods in that city, some great amenities and lots to do.

The tackiness you are referring to is generally restricted to the tourist area on Clifton Hill and Lundys Lane. There is a lot more to Niagara and area than just that.

 

[MRG]

I agree with the finger lakes area. Good winery's in the area.

Nobody has mentioned Scranton!

 

[CRLLS]

Finger lakes is a nice area. Slightly further west is Letchworth State Park. I have not been there for many decades. I do remember it as a nice, calming, low key place. According to their website

In 2015, Letchworth*won the USA TODAY Readers' Choice Award for Best State Park in the United States!

 

[Fedup]

I had to google Clifton to remind me how tacky Niagara Falls. I don't remember that's what saw, but if that's what it is, the it's definitely tacky.