Based on some queries we have received here at Niagara Falls Visitors Guide about currency, I thought that I would let the readers of this blog in on some tips and recommendations for currency conversion in Niagara Falls Canada. Generally U.S. Dollars are accepted at most attractions, restaurants and souvenir stores. The question is, should you exchange your money before crossing the border at your local bank? If the U.S. dollar was worth more I would generally have to recommend that you exchange your currency before entering Canada, but due to the current exchange rate, it is not really that important. I will update this post if & when the currency rates swing back in the favor of the American Tourist in Niagara Falls.

Why exchange before you come to Niagara Falls on your vacation? I have noticed, on my frequent trips to local souvenir stores in Canada that most of the shops will give a poor exchange rate. I have seen as much as 5o to 75 cents on the dollar over what you could get at your local bank before your even go on your vacation. There are plenty of banks in Niagara Falls USA where you can exchange your money before heading over the border to Canada.

Here is another tip – watch your credit and debit card purchases while in Canada if your issuing bank is in the United States. Most banks charge anywhere between $2 and $5 as a currency conversion rate fee. Check with your card issuer before going hog wild with your credit card on vacation in Canada as you can end up spending a lot more money then originally intended.

What: Maid of the Mist
Where: Niagara Falls New York & Niagara Falls Canada
How Much: Adults $12.50 (US) / $14.50 (Can) Children $7.30 (US) / $8.90 (Can)
Hours: Open 9am daily. Closing times vary.
Phone: 716.284.8897 / 905.358.5781
Website: http://www.maidofthemist.com

If anything in Niagara Falls is a “must do”, then the Maid of the Mist is that Niagara Falls Attraction. Put your fears of water aside. Don’t worry about getting your hair wet. Don’t worry about what you look like. Just let loose and enjoy something you will most likely never experience again (unless you come to Niagara Falls again, that is). You can enter the Maid on either side of the border. We recommend you do the Maid of the Mist on the U.S. side of the border - there is rarely a large line to get on the boat, and this can sometimes save you hours over boarding on the Canadian side. They are the exact same ride, the exact same company - so don’t worry.

The maid starts simple enough - on the American side of the border, you enter at the Observation Tower in the New York State Park and take an elevator ride down to the bottom of the gorge. A guide gives you some information on your ride down. You pick up your rain slickers which you can keep, but really, they aren’t very good at keeping you dry. You then board the Maid of the Mist and take your ride out on to the water. We’ve been going here every year since I was a child at least once per year. If you are worried about what you look like after you get off the Maid, well, you’ll be wet. Make this the first of last thing you do during the day or as a cool off on a hot summer day.

The Maid of the Mist runs April through October. Opening day in April depends on ice conditions at the bottom of the falls, of course. Keep an eye out here for opening, we’ll post the day the Maid Launches!

We’d love to hear your experiences with the Maid of the Mist. Please feel free to post a comment or a tip you would like to share with other readers of this blog.

What: Old Fort Niagara State Park
Where: Youngstown, New York
How Much: Adults $10  Children $6
Hours: Open 9am daily. Closing times vary.
Phone: 716.745.7611
Website: http://www.oldfortniagara.org 

About a 20 minute leisurely ride up the Robert Moses Parkway North brings you to Old Fort Niagara, since 1726. A national historic landmark, you’ll find original military architecture and fortifications from the 18th Century and the 19th Century. The fort offers living history events and programs, historical exhibits and collections, archaeology, and education.

The scenery is fantastic, with views out on to Lake Ontario and Canadian neighbor Niagara-on-The Lake. If you are here during the summer months, check out the Fort’s website and see if there is an encampment going on while you are here. They are really fun to see with muskets and cannons galore! Feel free to post your comments and experiences about Fort Niagara!

6300 Fallsview Blvd
Niagara Falls, ON L2G 1A1, Canada
(866) 916-3385

Wolfgang Puck is one of our favorite celebrity chefs. Serving up lunch & dinner. We have yet to visit the Grand Cafe in Niagara Falls, located right across the street from the Fallsview Casino resort; but if it is anything like the Wolfgang Puck in Vegas, you are in for a treat. Our online preview of the menu seemed similar to the Spago in Vegas, which was delicious. We’ll update this post just as soon as we get a chance to sample the fare. In the meantime, you are more then welcome to post your review in the comments section.

This is an expansion of our post “10 Smart Niagara Falls Travel Tips”. In our Niagara Falls travel tips blog posting, we advise you to bring the proper clothing. We thought we’d expand on that section and give you a little more information!

Visting Niagara Falls In Winter – Make sure you bring plenty of warm clothes – sweaters, gloves, hats and ear muffs to be exact. Our temperatures in the winter season can get very cold with days at a time often below freezing. The Niagara Falls area is notorious for wind that whips off the lakes surrounding the falls – which produces a nasty wind chill of below zero, yes – below zero temperatures . You’ll want to make sure if you are visiting in the winter time that you plan your outdoor activities according to the warmest part of the day.

Visiting Niagara Falls in Spring – Ahh, the melting snow, the launch of the Maid of the Mist. It’s spring in Niagara Falls. Not just shorts weather yet – and make sure you bring your lightweight jacket. Weather tends to be sunny with rainy periods and with highs in the 50s to mid 60s. Flowers bloom, birds chirp.

Visiting Niagara Falls in Summer – Up and down, hot and humid. July and August can reach highs in the upper 80s to mid 90s with very high humidity, well just because we are around so much water. Bring your sun block solution and shades – you’ll need ‘em.

Visiting Niagara Falls In Autumn – Fall- Our favorite time of year. Crisp, cool and comfortable. Pack jeans and your lightweight jackets to enjoy the outdoors and changing of the leaves.

Generally while on your Niagara Falls vacation casual is the order of the day. There are fine dining restaurants, however, at most upscale restaurants, business casual is the order of the day. Pack a paid of khakis and a polo shirt and you can’t go wrong.