<p>Was just there last October. Was on the US side. It was ok. Just ok.</p>
<p>You guys are so helpful. Don’t know what I’d do without you. Googling just didn’t help much. Will book the hotel, Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds as soon as I get them to commit to a weekend.</p>
<p>Prices for now vs May are much different. Too bad we can’t do it in April. Part of this gift is that I watch the baby for the weekend and I’m committed for this month. </p>
<p>Oh…and any suggestions for how to get the best price once I settle on a hotel and date?</p>
<p>I should add, it was the last day the restaurant was open for the season. The falls are still striking, and the rainbows are beautiful.</p>
<p>3bm, I’d check with the hotel first to see what their best price is, both online and by phone, then check the travel sites to see if they can give you a better price. In my experience, booking with the hotel directly is usually the best way to get a good price and the kind of room you want, but that may be because I’m picky and also may be due to the dates we chose. NOTL is very popular once the Festival season begins so I’d see if you can confirm dates soon! If they are interested in seeing a play, there are always theatre/hotel packages available. They’ll have a great weekend, I’m sure. We live only an hour or so away and often go down to NOTL for an afternoon, for lunch, and several times during the Festival season go to see our actor friends in shows there. The upcoming season is going to be a great one.</p>
<p>p.s. Because I’ve seen this in a couple of posts here, it’s the Prince of Wales Hotel. No <em>H</em>. :)</p>
<p>^^Haha. I didn’t even notice that although I spelled it right. Makes a big difference, doesn’t it?</p>
<p>When does the season start?</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.shawfest.com/”>http://www.shawfest.com/</a></p>
<p>This week! </p>
<p>As others have said, there is nothing wrong with staying in Niagara Falls proper (on the Canadian side) if you know what you’re getting. It is a true honky-tonk tourist town with the extra added attraction of one of the wonders of the world and a bunch of casinos. There is not much to see/do except the Falls, Maid of the Mist and a bunch of attractions along the lines of Ripley’s Believe It or Not and Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. Trust me, my family was in the tourist business in NF for over 50 years. If your S and DIL are looking for a romantic weekend with the added benefit of seeing the Falls, NOTL is the answer. The Prince of Wales is right on Queen Street (the main drag), walking distance to everything mentioned above except the wineries and the Falls. If there’s no availability, try the Pillar and the Post. It’s off the main street, but walking distance to everything and they have an incredible spa. It’s owned by the same people as the Prince of Wales. Some of the local wineries (within 15 minute drive) have amazing restaurants, and there are some great farm-to-table restaurants nearby as well. One I wanted to try last year has just moved to Queen Street (Treadwell Farm-to-Table). I’d avoid the restaurants in the hotels for the most part. My kids have loved the fudge shop since they were small and the bakeries along Queen have wonderful scones…The alternate theatre venues, like the Court House and the Royal George, are fabulous, intimate venues while the Festival Theatre is the main stage, so to speak. Remember the exchange rate if you book directly…prices will be quoted in Canadian dollars and the exchange rate right now is about US$1/CND $1.10.</p>
<p>I am so glad you posted this. We have been wanting to take this trip, too, and now I realize I would have done it all wrong. </p>
<p>^^^ Yup. I love this place.</p>
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<p>When you are in Niagara Falls, the distance between the American side and the Canadian side amounts to a few hundred feet of bridge and a fairly summary immigration dialogue. Being on one side or the other does not determine where else you can visit.</p>
<p>Back in the day we would park in the US and walk over to Canada for a dime. The bridge provided the best view of the illuminated falls at night.</p>
<p>Yes yes yes. Canadian side NOTL. </p>
<p>I LOVED NF…and I usually hate all touristy stuff. It’s amazing. </p>
<p>We stayed at the Marriott on the Canadian side with a balcony view of the falls. It was relatively nice, but two nights there were more than enough. Can highly recommend eating at AG restaurant for a romantic dinner just outside of the tourist area and having an ice wine slushie at The Ice House Winery in NOTL.</p>
<p>What is the AG restaurant?</p>
<p>They gave me some dates and I will be looking today to see which have availability. Hoping to find a way to prepay a couple of meals and maybe a spa treatment too.</p>
<p>We have been multiple times – we usually stay outside Buffalo, because it’s cheaper and the drive to Niagara is short. The Canadian side’s biggest plus, imho, is the go-behind-the-falls trip. Very cool to feel the vibration of the water through the solid rock! Otherwise, getting passports is a hassle if you don’t already have them. </p>
<p>Amerian side is fine, especially if you go over the bridge (to the Tesla monument), and walk the entire way out to the end. You’ll be looking straight down at the Horseshoe, with many fewer crowds. There’s a restaurant but it’s pretty awful. Cave of the Winds line takes forever and is a little anticlimactic but then again, there’s nothing like it. But we have never done that and don’t feel we’ve missed a thing. </p>
<p>Also, the overlook bridge? Where you catch the Maid of the Mist? You can go down the elevator and walk around for free, which also is access to the stairs that walk up the side of the US falls. Very, very cool. </p>
<p>In Buffalo, there is a fabulous art museum, a really sweet zoo, a Frank Lloyd Wright house and a naval ship to tour. Lots of shopping on the outskirts. If the trip is just for fun, the hotel may matter less than the fact you are giving them a weekend to do as they wish, so you might want to not obligate them into particular venues. </p>
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<p>Yes, but the OP’s stated wish is for another grandchild, so the hotel may be key. 
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<p>Just saw this on travelzoo. Thought it might be of interest. <a href=“http://www.travelzoo.com/local-deals/Canada/Getaway/110742?tz_adid=1725553”>http://www.travelzoo.com/local-deals/Canada/Getaway/110742?tz_adid=1725553</a></p>
<p>Buffalo actually has a number of Frank Lloyd Wright houses; he worked there steadily in the early part of his career, and built some office buildings there, too, that have since been torn down. Only one of the houses is open to the public as a museum, though. Some have people living in them.</p>
<p>Thanks Deb. That would have been a good deal but the weekend they want was not available.</p>
<p>I called the Prince of Wales hotel and spoke to a very helpful person who helped me choose between their options. I booked them two nights in May with wine and appetizers on Friday, a three course dinner and breakfast both mornings. I decided not to do the spa package but will ask the kids when I give it to her because I wasn’t sure if they would want it. I can make any changes up to three days ahead so this was perfect. I think they are both going to be thrilled and I am also very happy.</p>
<p>You guys have been so helpful. My future grandchild thanks you 
Oh, and the present one that gets a weekend with grandma.</p>