Free Things in Niagara Falls

amother

Mon, Aug 26 2024, 7:46 am

I'm taking my family (baby to high schooler) to Niagara Falls for the first time. We are on a very tight budget. Any ideas how to fill up 2 days without spending much? We'll cross the border on the Rainbow Bridge. We can do the fireworks at night..... any other ideas?

amother

Petunia

Mon, Aug 26 2024, 7:56 am

Walk around. The American side is a big park, there’s a tram that is a couple floats per person and you can go on and off. Canadian side you can walk around, you can go one side on each country. But it’s hard to find free parking on Canadian side. I think American side might also charge for parking but there’s street parking if you’re lucky or you can pay to park in random parking spots.

amother

Almond

Mon, Aug 26 2024, 10:34 am

It's been a few years, but when I was there you could take the elevator down t to the maid of the mist for a dollar and instead of going on the boat, walk around near the falls and get plenty wet. Bring your own ponchos from the dollar store.
It was also fun to walk the rainbow Bridge.

amother

↑ Goldenrod

Mon, Aug 26 2024, 10:36 am

amother Almond wrote:

Good to know.
I found this info on American side
The elevator and deck are open to all visitors ($1.25 fee).

Chana Miriam S ↓

Mon, Aug 26 2024, 10:56 am

Minyans at Chabad are free 😀

There are lots of pretty promenades on the Canadian side. I was there last week and we were killing time before our reservation at the meat restaurant when we found an empty ( not open) bar in the embassy suites which would be perfect for a picnic indoors ( actually there’s also a patio but it had just rained) with bathrooms next door.

No one bothered us and there’s enough frum people who stay there that you would not look odd eating there. Bathrooms adjacent too.

We walked from there down the street to a promenade that took us to the garden of the casino. We went into the casino after that because we needed to get back up to Chabad but could have continued down. There is a fun fountain there but fur whatever reason it was shut down.

The Oakes garden theatre is pretty.

I agree walking across the border is fun.

There are plenty of parks in the area and the niagara parkway is pretty for walking. You can look at the city of Niagara Falls and see if there’s free splash pads in the city parks. Many Ontario cities have them and they’re free.

Parking at the casino is reasonable but I actually think that Chabad doesn’t charge.

I just want to add that I never get sick of the falls. Ever. I could watch them from different vantage points forever and have felt that way since I was a kid.

amother

Violet

Mon, Aug 26 2024, 1:37 pm

Chana Miriam S wrote:

You mentioned reservations to the meat restaurant. Is it by reservation only? How was the food? We're planning the go eat there tonight but didn't think we needed reservations.

↑ Chana Miriam S ↓

Mon, Aug 26 2024, 3:58 pm

amother Violet wrote:

You mentioned reservations to the meat restaurant. Is it by reservation only? How was the food? We're planning the go eat there tonight but didn't think we needed reservations.

It’s better to have reservations if you want to avoid the wait.

We’ve been eating there at least once a year ( we live a hour away) since the current management took over ( except Covid years) and they do a great job.

We were there a week ago last Sunday and it was excellent as usual.

Chabad Niagara is the best place to get tickets for attractions as well.