Niagara Falls

[GabachaYucateca 0]

Even with specific travel forums for every corner of the earth, I bow to the collective and wide-ranging wisdom of VJers! Plus, you guys of all people will understand the excitement of my Mexican husband who will get to put his PR card into use for the first time returning from the Canadian side!

Of course, I'm planning this waaayyyy ahead of time, as we are planning to leave tomorrow morning from Rhode Island.

Has anyone every used those bidding sites for hotel rooms? I've heard about them, but don't know how they work and wonder if the time invested in figuring out how to find a deal is worth it, or we should just find any old budget chain motel and use my AAA discount. Opinions? Recommendations for trying to find a good deal?

Or any suggestions on a cool place to stay in Buffalo? Although I haven't looked into it, I can also imagine we might run into higher prices in Buffalo if the colleges there are having their graduation weekend.

I also understand that the NY side is much more about natural beauty wheareas the Canadian side is more about a kitschy vacation experience. But my husband loves the kitsch (although he considers it wonderful and amazing, not kitschy) and isn't the biggest fan of the natural beauty and quietude (which I am).

So can you guys help me out? I'd love your thoughts on these specific questions, but am open to anything that you'd like to share!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I used priceline.com to book a room for our wedding night and two other post-wedding occasions, getting a room with a minimum of functional kitchenette (the one for wedding night actually had a full compact kitchen) each time;

First time I've heard the idea "American side about natural beauty, Canadian side about kitschy experience"--as it is generally accepted that the Canadian side actually has the more spectacular view.

[GabachaYucateca 0]

I guess what I was referring to was the surrounding environment...I understand that on the US side, the area is surrounded by park lands and is less developed whereas the Canadian side is more built up, and that Niagara Falls is right in town on the Canadian side. Of course, this is just what I got from the briefest of research (talking to the owner of a coffeeshop and a quick review of comments on a travel forum) so I could be waay off base.

[*julez* 124]

As a lifelong native of Buffalo NY, its my opinion that the US side is highly under-rated. The great thing about the US side is that it is still a parklike setting and very beautiful. Its a great place where you could pack a picnic and spend the day enjoying the area with out all the touristy stuff. With that said, the Canadian side does offer the better view of the Falls, themselves. I would encourage you to see the Falls from both sides. My British husband has done both, and very much prefers the US experience.

As for hotels, on the Canadian side, I know many people who have stayed at Michales and really liked it. Affordable and close to the Falls. On the US side, you could stay at the Casino hotel right in NF, which is a nice hotel. Staying right in Buffalo, I am sad to say, doesn't offer many opportunities as there is very little to do downtown. Although, they are working on building it back up - but its a slow process. They have a nice marina, and have just today opened a historic district next to the naval pak where they have uncovered the original Erie canal slip. And we have a greta modern art gallery - the Albright Knox, if you like that kind of thing.

[Krikit 1,164]

Oh darnit! You've already left. I was going to tell you to make sure you go on the Maid of the Mist. It's absolutely breathtaking. How was your trip, Gabacha?