Niagara Falls Travel Forum

Hi,

My boyfriend and I are visiting Niagara falls soon and had a few questions. We are staying on the US side but we were planning on making a trip to the Canada side on foot. How long do you think it would take to cross the rainbow bridge on foot?

Also, we wanted to see the falls illuminated but were concerned with safety after dark. Is there a lot of crime? We would have to walk back to the hotel (Grand Niagara) from the viewing areas. Would this be safe?

Thanks for any information you can give me.

I seem to recall that there was no real hold-up at all - just walked through the immigration, over the bridge, and through the other side.

When I came back though, by bus, it seemed I had lost a piece of paper I got on initial arrival in Newark, so had to pay something to re-enter USA.

The view is much better on the Canadian side, because of the bend in the river. I think there is more night-life there too.

I can only answer re. the Canadian side and I think perhaps you're interested more in info. on walking back ... but the areas where you would view the falls are very busy with people and traffic late into the evening (and are, of course, police-patrolled) so you would be perfectly safe. Just use the usual precautions - no wallets in backpockets or easily accessible bags, etc.

Now, I only read about this in the NY Times a year or two ago; it's not based on personal knowledge.
the NY town of Niagara Falls is pretty much a ghost town, as the more bustling and attractive Canadian side (which I HAVE seen) enjoys the bulk of the flow of tourists. In fact, the NY side was considering opening up its own casino in a Johnny=come-lately attempt to compete with Canada. There's a stretch of the Canadian side which resembles a mini Vegas, complete with huge neon signs, pedestrians, and hotels, which I saw for myself. so naturally i've only seen the Falls from the Canadian, not NY, side. Sorry i cant be more helpful.

If you get to the rainbow bridge crossing, it will take 10 minutes to walk across, based on our experience Easter 07. The promenade on the Canadian side gives a good view of the falls day and night. To walk the length of this will take about an hour but you can get a bus back or to the vegas style sites - it's the only place I have ever been to that reminds me of Blackpool!!

Crime is not an issue as long as you take usual precautions,as above this is a busy place

Has been a few years since I was in Niagara. Stayed on the Canadian side but walked over to the U.S. side and back with ease. And stayed around the horseshoe falls for quite a while into the night before walking back to the hotel.

No problems

Cheers
Col

there is no crime on Canadian side. i have been to niagara with my 2 children many times. the region is quite friendly. however like other have suggested, just be careful with your belongings. there could be a street urchin visiting from a dangerous place too going for your wallet in the back pocket :-)

on special occasions like July 1 fireworks there could be lot of crowd and people over-indulging in drinks. they can be noisy and singing loudly, but totally safe.

Here's the schedule for the fireworks.. Try not to miss them, some of the nicest I've seen.. Walk home afterward will be OK as lots of people moving around.
There is a small casino on the US side too so there are a few more people around now than in the past. Don't worry just take care as usual.

2008 FREE FALLS FIREWORKS
Every Friday, Sunday and Holiday: May 16 - August 31.
Holidays:
Victoria Day, May 19
Memorial Day, May 26
Canada Day, July 1
Independence Day, July 4
Civic Holiday, August 6
PLUS BONUS SHOWS: Every Wednesday in July & August and every Friday from September 5 - October 10, 2008.

Hi everyone!

I actually have a follow-up question:

I'm taking my folks from NYC to Niagara Falls during the weekend of the 4th. However, we're also invited to see fireworks on the 4th in downtown Manhattan. If anyone has seen both...which would be more spectacular? My mum hardly travels, so I want to make the best of it for her...

Thank you all,
Origami

Apologies I can't comment on the fireworks in NYC as I have not seen but given
the size of the city and the number of people in attendance I would say the show
in NYC is going to beat the one at the falls. What I liked about the falls was
that when the fireworks go off over the falls the sound echos up the canyon like
a freight train. A very different experience that you can only see at the falls.
That having been said I think NYC would have the larger show.
Hope this helps. Sorry for late reply.

Origami, I see you're not the original poster and I didn't see your question before today unfortunately ... just a thought, if you've still some time to decide where to go I'd suggest posting your question separately in the forum - it'll likely get more exposure that way and more responses. Sorry, I can't answer your question but I've not seen the firework display at either place.