Niagara Falls On a Budget
Niagara Falls, Canada
Niagara Falls has a population of about 83,000. The city has a humid continental climate that is influenced by it's proximity to water. The winters are cold, with January highs in the low 30s Fahrenheit and lows around 18 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers are warm. Highs in July are in the low 80s Fahrenheit and lows are in the low 60s Fahrenheit. Rain is relatively even throughout the year.
Sights
You'll likely catch your first glimpse of Niagara Falls at Queen Victoria Park, along the Niagara Falls Parkway. This is a garden that has an evening fireworks display during the summer months.There are several tours and views that you can enjoy while you're in Niagara Falls. The Maid of the Mist is a boat that takes tourists to the foot of the falls. The Journey Behind the Falls is a guided tour that is less crowded than the Maid of the Mist. The White Water Walk is a boardwalk beside the falls and Whirlpool Aero Car is the cable car ride over the falls. Marineland Theme Park is another unique place to visit. It's a water park with dolphins, sea lions, and walrus shows. Skyon Tower offers one of the best views of the falls from the observation deck and revolving restaurant.
Other sights and attractions in the area include the Niagara Skywheel, the Clifton Hill Amusement Area, the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Conservatory, Bird Kingdom, Brick City, Floral clock, Queenston Heights Park, and the IMAX Theatre.
Neighborhoods
Niagara Falls is dominated by the waterfall, which is actually a set of three large waterfalls along Niagara River. The Canadian side of the falls offers the best views of the American and Horseshoe falls. Niagara Parkway and the tourist promenade run along the falls. The area includes observation towers, highrise hotels, casinos, souvenir shops, and much more. As you travel further to the north or south, there are several golf courses and historic sites along the route.Activities
There is no shortage of activities that you can enjoy while you're in the Niagara Falls area. Some of the most interesting include the Winter Festival of Lights, Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours, taking a helicopter tour, visiting a casino, going to a dinner theater, or visiting one of the several amusement parks in the area.Food and Dining
There are plenty of restaurants in the area ranging from budget to high end. Many of the budget restaurants serve cafe or pub style food at a reasonable price. If you're on a particularly tight budget, fast food restaurants are often the cheapest, although not best, options available. For a splurge, head to one of the high end steakhouses in the area.Transportation
On arrival, it is recommended you head to the Visitor Welcome center which is open between the months of June and August. They can give you advice and suggestions on things to see and do, as well as maps and brochures about the area. It's also the place to purchase People Mover bus tickets or the Great Gorge Adventure Pass if you hope to buy these. The People Mover bus system travels along Niagara Parkway stopping at points of interest along the way. It is possible to walk most places, so it is not necessary to ride the bus, but it can be useful to some. You'll find the visitor center at several different locations including, Table Rock Center, the Maid of the Mist, Clifton Hill, and Murray Street.Taxi companies are also readily available and the prices are reasonable. The companies in town include Elite Taxi Ltd, Buffalo Express Taxi, BUF Buffalo Airport Taxi Service, and Niagara Falls Taxi.
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.