We will be in Niagara on the Lake in Sept. It is a very charming and lovely area and only a few miles from where you will be visiting. It is well worth seeing. There is a wonderful bike path along the Canadian side of the water. You come at Horseshoe Falls from the path and almost no one ever sees it from that view. It is amazing from the pics I have seen . We will be doing the whole 30 mile bike but you and your DD's could just do the part from Ft Erie down a ways and see the views and enjoy time together.

We will be staying with family, DIL's parents , in NOTL . I don't have any other suggestions for the area. I hope you have a wonderful time. We too will be driving...all the way from AL !! c

I grew up in WNY. I would recommend staying on the Canadian side as well. There are more hotels. You get a great view of the falls on the Canadian side, but do come over to the American side because you can actually get closer to the falls. The park is really nice, but the rest of Niagara Falls NY there isn't much to do. The area has been economically depressed for years, but it is turning around.

Take the Maid of the Mist or do the Cave of the Winds. This is available on both sides.

Just this week Melissa McCarthy, Kathy Bates, Susan Sarandon, and Sandra Oh were filming at Niagara Falls.

I LOVE Niagara on the Lake, and you might want to stay there. Definitely check it out.

You need passports for Canada, so be sure everyone has one.

When we went there was a light show on the falls at night. We loved Rippley's believe it or not(hubby collects the books) and the Wax museum. Canada side. We have never been to the American side.

If you like history

Here is a link that might be useful: Niagara Parks Heritage Trail

Here is part1 of a wonderful write up of the area and the bike trail. A must do I think:) c

Here is a link that might be useful: NOTL bike trail along falls

Trail, we had planned on doing a bike tour. I have looked the bike and wine tours--not sure that is a good combination but at least we won't care if our rears hurt! We may have to tow hubby, he's not as active as us.

Keep the recommendations coming!

In Toronto, a visit to Casa Loma is always fun. On the way back to Mich, stop in Stratford for some Shakespearean and other theater. I've never seen a bad performance there. I'd recommending coming back over the Ambassador Bridge because the view is good. In Detroit, if you a baseball fans, take in a Tigers game. Also in the Detroit area, in Dearborn specifically, Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum are good for a couple of days. we've also done a tour of the Ford Rouge plant, a very environmentally car assembly factory - that was really interesting and was a great visual showing how people don't make cars any more.

I hope this helps.

Have DH drive to the wineries and ya'll ride...he can carry what you don't drink :) Have fun !! c

There used to be a beautiful indoor butterfly garden just a mile or so from the falls on the Canadian side.
You can tour Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin Martin house in Buffalo. These tours used to be by advance ticket only, so if you are interested in that check the website. I took this tour when the house was in the initial stage of restoration ans the guide was fantastic.
A trip to the Anchor Bar for some of the original Buffalo Chicken wings is also fun.
One last thing-stop in a candy store or even a Wegmans or Tops supermarket to pick up some sponge candy-I always do when I'm in western New York.

Just wanted to add that, although I also think staying on the Canadian side is nicer, you should try to visit both sides. The scenery is great on both sides, but more panoramic from the Canadian. To me the Canadian side has a old-fashioned/seaside kind of vibe, while the American side is very state-parky. The American side has a lot of trails to Goat Island and other spots with alternate views and some nice shade. Can you tell I love Niagara Falls? A trip there feels like the vacations my family took when I was a kid.

I was in Niagara 44 years ago for our honeymoon and again about 25 years ago when we took our two daughters there. We stayed in Chippewa for our honeymoon and don't remember where we stayed with the kids. We loved Niagara on the Lake. We also stayed a couple of nights in Watkins Glen which was wonderful. I remember going to a place in Niagara called Dufferin Islands but don't know exactly where it was. Have a wonderful trip. Satine

I purchased tickets to Second City in Toronto last night. .Decades ago (cough um really decades?) I went to the Chicago venue. I think we will all have fun. DD2 discovered there is a bar in Niagara that shares her name. She thinks we need to visit it.

Keep the ideas coming!

We are doing a big tour of New England and Canada, and we will be going to NOTL (based on advice from here) in late July.

I didn't read all the posts, but fwiw we are staying at the Prince of Wales hotel, and my notes include:

NF fireworks, 9pm, from restaurant
Jet Boat tour
Shaw Festival

Have fun1

I found the old post where someone recommended seeing the Falls fireworks from dinner, it was at the Fallsview Casino

The American side state park just got a face lift. Haven't been there since last year to see the Wallenda walk. The American side has more natural aspects. Sorry but the Canadian side is too commercial for me. Have fun!