Niagara Falls Hotel Guide

"The Honeymoon Capital of the World," as Niagara Falls is known, is one of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Visitors have flocked here for the past 100 years, cameras in hand, in hopes of capturing some of its splendor.

And although the Falls have become more commercialized over the years with countless tourists and the addition of numerous attractions and hotels, the sparkle of this gem has not been dulled.

So, with the mist spritzing your face as you witness gallon upon gallon of water flow, both Niagara Falls New York and Niagara Falls Ontario never cease to amaze. There are numerous ways to experience the Falls, whether you choose to simply lean over the rails at the water’s edge, stand behind the Falls in the Table Rock Complex or float below in the Maid of the Mist. As a matter of fact, many impetuous souls attempted to experience the Falls firsthand-in a barrel-and didn’t live to tell about it. So leave your barrel at home as the era of the daredevil has ended. Stunts are no longer just frowned upon, they’re illegal.

Niagara Falls is actually two cities -- one in Ontario, Canada, the other in New York -- joined by the bridge across the Niagara River. The Canadian side claims the Horseshoe Falls, aptly named for its curved formation. The American side, slightly higher than the Canadian, runs straight across with Goat and Luna Island separating it from the smallest of the falls, the Bridal Veil.

Niagara Falls hotels abound in both countries, with the favorable exchange on the American dollar, Canadians may opt to stay put and Americans may consider crossing the bridge. That having been said, accommodations are more plentiful on the Canadian side and may be preferable if a view of the falls is imperative--many Ontario hotels offer a falls view.

Most of the well-known hotel chains are represented here, including anything from a simple place to hang your hat to the four-star Marriott Niagara Falls or Hilton overlooking the falls. However, even some of the more modest Niagara Falls motels boast Jacuzzi rooms or fireplaces, capitalizing on Niagara’s image of romance. But these motel rooms cannot be had without a price, particularly in high season.

The area also offers a variety of B&Bs, in Canada and the U.S., serving anyone from the solo traveler to couples looking for a romantic hideaway. New York’s Rainbow House Bed & Breakfast even offers a wedding chapel.

Despite being known as a romantic getaway, Niagara Falls has easily as many draws to entice family and leisure travelers as well. The Falls hotels reflect this, with family suites and offers including "kids eat and stay free" receiving at least as much emphasis as heart-shaped Jacuzzis and honeymoon packages.

Business travelers have less to choose from though there are accommodations that do boast meeting facilities. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, about a 30-minute drive from the cities of Niagara Falls, features more extensive choices for business travelers with the Prince of Wales Hotel, the Pillar & Post Inn, Queen’s Landing Inn & Conference Resort, and the White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa.

The obvious attraction in Niagara Falls is, of course, the Falls. Some ways to experience a more up-close encounter with the Falls are the famous Maid of the Mist, the Cave of the Winds Trip on Goat Island and a visit to the Table Rock Complex. On the Canadian side, Skylon Tower provides views from overhead (800 feet) and the Niagara Spanish Aero Car carries passengers above the Niagara Gorge. Also worth a visit is Marineland, featuring marine shows with killer whales, sea lions and dolphins.

Getting around Niagara Falls either requires a good pair of shoes or a willingness to board the bus. The main thoroughfares in Ontario, the Niagara Parkway and Falls Avenue, run parallel to the Niagara River and see most of the tourist traffic. Clifton Hill, Victoria Avenue and Lundys Lane, three other main streets, see the bulk of the rest. In that light, though parking is available it can be a problem, particularly in the midst of the prime tourist season. Parking on the American side is more readily available with on-street parking and both free and pay lots.

The Niagara Ontario Transit bus service connects all areas of the Canadian city and the Niagara Parks Commission’s People Mover System is a public transportation loop, operating from mid-May to mid-October, which provides buses spaced about 20 minutes apart. If cars are left in the People Mover’s main terminal, for a daily parking fee, all passengers receive free all day transportation on this system. Niagara Falls does have taxi service as well.

In the U.S., the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (Metro) offers bus service within the city and outlying areas, including connections to Lockport and Buffalo. Taxi service is also available.

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