Chicago to Niagra Falls Vacation questions

[Souj]

The other day, I decided to take my girlfriend on vacation to Niagra Falls. We live in Northern Illinois (Dekalb to be exact). We're going to rent a car Friday morning of the 15th and drive there, about an 8hr drive, maybe stopping at a few places along the way and be back home late Sunday night or midday monday.

It'll probably be on the U.S. side because neither of us have passports and I'm not sure if we'll get them in time.
Anyone got any suggestions of stuff to do in the area or places to stop on the way aside from the Falls park itself?

[LinktheDeme]

Canada Wonderland, but it might be too cold for that.


edit: nvm noticed you said on the US side, honestly you should just get your passports and make a real vacation out of it <_< The only place with relevant stops are in Chicago and you live in DeKalb so it's not like it's that far. All the states along the way are poop the only way you could get somewhere to actually stop without a passport is maybe going to NY

[Richybear]

The funniest is lots of the Canadian border people will let US citizens come in w/o a passport and give a 24 or 48 hour permit if it's just a visit thing. However, to get back into the US you need the passport for re-entry into your own country when you go home

[Senji]

NY is still 60 degrees. I'd wait until you have passports and its colder, stay in Canadian high rise and get a hot tub room that faces the winter wonderland frozen falls. Then on the way back/there you could also at least ski the smaller hill resorts like Peak n Peek. Other wise there is nothing between besides rock and roll hall of fame, waffle houses, and firework stores.

[Churchill]

When I was driving from Watertown, NY to Phoenix, AZ I think I did Watertown->OKC in one sitting just because there was nothing to see or do and to get out as fast as possible from nothing to see or do.

Edit: That part of the country is not great and the people are a reflection of that.

[Brill Weave]

When I was driving from Watertown, NY to Phoenix, AZ I think I did Watertown->OKC in one sitting just because there was nothing to see or do and to get out as fast as possible from nothing to see or do.

Edit: That part of the country is not great and the people are a reflection of that.

Niagara Falls is one of the most depressed communities I've seen in a long time. You get a few streets off the main drag and it's white trashville.

[Souj]

Thanks for the advice. Gonna try and rush the passports. Going to see if I can get my birth certificate from my hospital tomorrow, or Monday if that part of the hospital is closed sunday, and then expadite the passports Monday, so I should get them in 3 weeks.

[Darus Grey]

I live in this area Souj, honestly get the passports, the US side of niagara falls is a fucking slum, the Canadian side is like las vegas.

That said, the falls themselves are still beautiful on the American side, and worth visiting if you don't end up getting the passport. Just the city of Niagara Falls itself is a fucking disaster on the American Side due to rampant corruption for 80+yrs that turned the most fucking no-brainier easy tourist destination in the entire damn country into a slum.

On the american side for entertainment you're better off going into the Greater Buffalo area where we have a lot of architectural landmarks, mueseums and art galleries, and really good eateries.

If you need any help feel free to PM me or even drop by when you come.

[Souj]

Alright, thanks. I got birth certificate today, but ordering the passports had to wait because I had to confirm a few questions with my parents and then had work.

[Senji]

Oh, Jan 15th. Weather should be good by then, rush the passports.

[ronin sparthos]

Having planned a trip for the winter there myself, it was a no brainer to do the Canadian side when hotel rates were way cheaper for big name spots than shitty independent inns on the American side. And that's before reading every review which likens the experience to sleeping at the Bates motel.

The whole appeal of the American side seems to be the parks and the close up nature stuff that is mostly shutdown during Winter.

[synistar]

Since the American Dollar is so strong, you'll find shit way cheaper on the Canadian side. Just another reason to stay away from the US side.

[Osede]

The other day, I decided to take my girlfriend on vacation to Niagra Falls. We live in Northern Illinois (Dekalb to be exact). We're going to rent a car Friday morning of the 15th and drive there, about an 8hr drive, maybe stopping at a few places along the way and be back home late Sunday night or midday monday.

It'll probably be on the U.S. side because neither of us have passports and I'm not sure if we'll get them in time.
Anyone got any suggestions of stuff to do in the area or places to stop on the way aside from the Falls park itself?

Unless you can find some place around erie lake to visit around, then you could take the boat tour at day time, I believe last boat end around 2 to 230pm. Then come back night time for another scenery.

But extremely with other, Niagara city on US side just like a dead one.

[Souj]

Passports ordered and expadited. 2-3 weeks.
Time to start looking into hotels.

Can I rent a car in U.S. and bring it to Canada? I know I can drive on U.S. license there, but will I have the proper car identification for a rental car?

[ronin sparthos]

Pretty sure all the major rental companies will allow it though the parking prices around the Falls in Canada is pretty steep from what ive read.

[LinktheDeme]

Pretty sure all the major rental companies will allow it though the parking prices around the Falls in Canada is pretty steep from what ive read.

He's from the chicago area, it'll be severely discounted by comparison. Trust me ._.

[Souj]

Passports came in today, so now I just gotta call and confirm the hotel I booked online a week ago (paranoid about those types of things), get a rental car ready, and call my bank to make sure my cards set up for Canada Land.

[Souj]

Why did no one tell me how amazing Tim Hortons were?

[ronin sparthos]

Why did no one tell me how amazing Tim Hortons were?

Blows Dunkin Donuts out of the water.

[Souj]

Also: poutine is weird.