Passports are a good idea in all high-security areas. You may want to double-check it, but if you have passports, please bring them.

Living in the NYC area, we are used to this. I can't go into any large event without a patdown and someone going through my (small) purse.

If you are a US citizen and driving or cruising into Canada you will have to present proof of your US citizenship. A valid passport, passport card or your original birth certificate (not birth registration or the one from the hospital with the little feet on it!) along with government issued photo i.d. such as a photo driver's license.

If you are flying into Canada then you will need a passport.

Drats. But thanks! I hadn't heard of the passport cards, which are half as expensive as a passport (best I can tell). I've already bought our Cincinnati Reds game tickets online this morning. Ka-ching!$!$!$ - and we haven't even left the driveway.
:-)

The passport requirement for land travel takes effect in the spring of 2009. BTW the passport requirement is not to enter Canada it's for entering BACK into the USA from Canada at US customs. The cheaper alternative than a passport is called a Nexus (Nexxus?) card. There are dedicated car lanes at the border crossing for those with Nexus cards only, Everyone in the car must possess one to use those lanes, if they don't, you have to use the regular lanes. Here's the link

Here is a link that might be useful: Nexus

We may just forget going into Canada. While it offers the best view (IMO), we may do the Maid of the Mist instead. DH will enjoy it just as much, I think, and I will try to surpress my fear of drowning and "live a little" instead.
:-)

Rita, as long as you are driving, before 2009, just bring your drivers licenses and birth certificates. You only need a passport if you fly or take the train.

If you are going to Cincinnati, and are going north by st rt 71, email me!!!! I am near, but not in, Cleveland, and Mickey15 isn't far, either! We would love to meet you.

Tami

When are you planning on visiting? I just renewed my passport and it only took 3 weeks. The web site for the State Department is estimating a 4 week turnaround for a new application and you can even apply at many post offices.

Have you thought about getting a passport to use as a second means of identification or in case you hit the lottery and decide to visit Katmandu on a whim? Here in NJ our Motor Vehicle Department requires multiple government issued ID's in order to renew a driver's license. My passport has come in handly several times just as an extra ID.

I'm still hoping to use it for some exotic travel destination.

Yes, Rita, I would love to meet you too! Let us know!

No Rita, you don't need a passport to go to Niagara Falls, but you do need one if you go out of the country, or rather, you need one to come back in.

It has been that way for a while now.

Living in the "middle", like we do, we sometime forget such matters. :)

Moni

I grew up in western NY. I remember when you could just walk across the footbridge and no one questioned you. You could drive across and just answer a few questions. Now you need a US birth cert and current picture identification, like a drivers license. I got a passport last year and it was well worth the money. I can go to Canada the next time I go to visit my Mom. No problem. Better safe than sorry, eh?

every grownup should probably have a passport.

For one thing, you can use it to prove employability if you get a new job.

I agree, passports are the way to go. It is not Canada requiring all this stuff, but US and every border is differnt, depending on the """NICE""" person at that border. I have seen some really nice and others, mostly women that can be a pill!
Attitude!

Oh yes, if you are going to Niagara Falls, don't miss Niagara by the Sea. It is a neat town, that looks and has so much stuff from England. High tea, neat cottages, great gifts shops and yes spendy.

This area is such a great vacation area. So much to choose from! If you guys are baseball fans, and I assume you are to some degree if you are going to a reds game, you might want to consider going to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Cooperstown is only about 200 miles from Niagara Falls. We've been two or three times, but we are avid baseball fans. The town is quaint, with lots of neat shops and places to have lunch.

If you do get passports, another fun place to go is Toronto. A short drive from Niagara Falls, and a beautiful city. We walked and walked just taking it all in.

Another thing in that part of the country that we have enjoyed is touring the Hyde Park home of FDR. And we usually allow several days to drive up to Maine to take in the seashore and lobster!!

Now I'm really wanting to plan another vacation in that direction! Have fun!

Just checking in - thanks for all of the great replies!

Our destination is Maine. We'll be going "up" the east coast and doing the NY/Ohio stuff on the way home. We DO plan to visit Cooperstown, Shea!

I'll probably just take along birth certificates and IDs in case we go across, but I'll skip the passports.

Tami and Mickey, the Reds game is June 19. You two email me at rita @ ritahess dot com. :-)

moni,

i was there last year, with my niece.

i have a passport, but wouldn't you know it, left it on the dining room table with some other things and realized it halfway into the trip. all i had was a driver's license. although a few times crossing over i was given a hard time, i still got in and out. my niece had her original birth certificate and a state issued ID.

i think as long as you have your birth certificates and picture ID's you will be fine, coming and going. sometimes they ask a lot of questions, sometimes they just check it and let you through - walking or driving across.

enjoy your trip!
maryanne