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Niagara Falls

RHedman

RHedman

BigRig
I don't post much but read often, and I would like to thank everyone in advance for all the past advise given. This club is a really good source of info. On to the point at hand. My wife and I are planning a long weekend Oct 6th - 10th to Niagara Falls. Looking for any advise on must sees in the area, other than the Falls, places to eat, motorcycle scenic routes, ect. We will be riding from Southwertern Michigan to the Falls. Not sure if the U.S side or the Canadian side?

Thanks again

Roy
 
One place we really enjoyed was the rotating Restaurant that is high in the air overlooking the Falls on the Canadian side.
 
Canadian side is the better side.
Fill up before you arrive.
Be prepared for mass quantities of tackiness.
Enjoy!

2448330799_307020cb98_z.jpg
 
Niagara Falls???? Slowly I turn Step by Step Inch by Inch Sorry, I couldn't help myself :laugh
Seriously, also be prepared for major traffic.
 
Last edited:
Canadian side is much tackier and lively....it's an experience for sure...as for riding you need to get away from the Falls....good riding in NY but not too sure what is around the Canadian side...we headed right over to NY after taking our Kodak moment token shots....tell the guys int he parking booth you are touring and would rather not pay for parking because you are just quickly passing through....

we did that and spent about an hour there and took off...no parking charge!
 
Photo ops of the Falls are way better on Cdn side. IMAX theater is worth taking in on Cdn side too. There is an interesting exhibit at the theater displaying many of the actual barrels used and the bio's of those who both succeeded and died going over the top. Craziest was a guy who tried on a jet-ski. He made the Darwin list.

Link here on some riding in the area: http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?t=47171 posted by other members.

Safe travels
 
Lake View Motel

If you go a few miles west, you'd find the Lake View Motel on NY 18 in Youngstown, NY, a very friendly place to stay. Chris is a motorcyclist and great conversationalist.
 
River Road!

One of the most scenic rides is the one from Fort Erie Ontario to Niagara Falls along River Road then continue on to Niagara on the Lake. It has a nice slow 60 km speed limit that gives you a chance to enjoy the view and the multimillion dollar homes.

On the 10th of October in Smithville Ontario the Niagara BMW Riders meet for breakfast at 9:00 am at the Maple Leaf Pancake House on Highway 20.
We get about 60 riders that meet for Breakfast and the parking lot is full of Beemers!
You can pick up Highway 20 in Niagara Falls and ride to Smithville about 25 miles West then head back to MI.
 
The wineries in the Niagara area are running tours, some have dinners etc. Might be worth a stop. There may be some fall fairs going on, too - it's harvest time!
 
Lots of good advice above. You can avoid most of the tacky by staying off Clifton Hill. There are great roads in the area (I'll check back closer to the time and let you know if I'll be in that area or riding to the Falling Leaf) lots of interesting history, the wineries, the butterfly conservatory, theatre in Niagara on the Lake, etc.
 
You do realize that October the 11th is Thanksgiving Day in Canada, don't you? Bridges between the US and Canada are likely to be crowded that weekend. Expect long lineups.
 
Go East!

The Niagara Frontier has many great riding opportunities and interesting sites. You might like to visit Lethcworth State Park in NY State, especially if the traffic around the boarder is heavy. ItÔÇÖs known as ÔÇ£the grand canyonÔÇØ of the east.

My wife and I enjoyed lunch on the back porch of the Glen Iris Inn which overlooks several "falls" of the Genesee River.
 
RHedman said:
I don't post much but read often, and I would like to thank everyone in advance for all the past advise given. This club is a really good source of info. On to the point at hand. My wife and I are planning a long weekend Oct 6th - 10th to Niagara Falls. Looking for any advise on must sees in the area, other than the Falls, places to eat, motorcycle scenic routes, ect. We will be riding from Southwertern Michigan to the Falls. Not sure if the U.S side or the Canadian side?

Thanks again

Roy
Click to expand...

If you are coming from Michigan on the 6th I would cross at Detroit and go through Ontario taking Hwy 3 instead of the 401. There's spots along the way where Hwy 3 just "doesn't get you there" and you'll need to deak up to the 401 but when the opportunity presents itself get back on Hwy 3.

A nice diversion along the way would be Pt Dover, ON. From Dover I would head to Ft Erie and then take the Niagara River Parkway all the way from Ft Erie down to Niagara on the Lake. The latter is the jewel of the whole trip with trendy shops and great dining. There's the Shaw Festival, Ft George and great hotels and bed & breakfast places.

Frankly, I wouldn't stay in Niagara Falls proper. It is worth a visit to look around at the "tacky" downtown and casino but one gets bored with the hustle and bustle pretty quickly. The butterfly conservatory is worth a look though.

Niagara on the Lake also boasts of many local wineries. It is worth an afternoon to check them out. Anyway, have fun.

cbcK1200S - Colin
 
Holly said:
You do realize that October the 11th is Thanksgiving Day in Canada, don't you? Bridges between the US and Canada are likely to be crowded that weekend. Expect long lineups.
Click to expand...

Thanks Holly, I wasn't aware of the Holiday. I should have researched that. That may change travel dates. Are most places in Canada closed that holiday weekend?

Roy
 
RHedman said:
Thanks Holly, I wasn't aware of the Holiday. I should have researched that. That may change travel dates. Are most places in Canada closed that holiday weekend?

Roy
Click to expand...

No, nothing will be closed especially in and around Niagara Falls as is is a tourist destination. It may be busy so you may want to make reservations.
cbcK1200S - Colin
 
I rode to the Falls today. I'm posting my SPOT track. The first part is the Ridge Road, which was interesting. Once we got to Smithville, I needed to get to the Falls, so took 20 straight in. Also took 20 on the way home as it was getting late. If you are going to meet the BMW riders in Smithville Sunday morning, taking Lundy's Lane (20) will get you straight there. Lundy's Lane continues to be as tacky as ever. Effingham Road (yes it is really called that) is probably more interesting. There is a bit of construction around Turners Corners. Nothing serious and all paved. Enjoy your trip.

1029979468_MjiGG-L.jpg
 
Canada side as mentioned has the best view of the falls. I think it is a bucket list thing to go but it is so tacky and such a tourist trap. We stayed there on a bike trip back in June from South Bend to Quebec. If you for some reason need to stay just over the border check on the Retro Hotel in Chatham, Ontario. The hotel is boutique style and all rooms are themed. It has a great restaurant and a room themed "Easy Rider". It was mainly HD themed but still quite cool and did have a BMW as well as some other brand signage in the room. I know it may sound tacky but quite the opposite. The hotel is very nice and they do have a website for you to check out. Other than that enjoy the sights in Canada and eat some poutine.

http://www.retrosuites.com/

http://www.retrosuites.com/suite_details.php?throw=37
 
I forgot to mention we crossed above Detroit at the Walpole-Algonac ferry crossing. It is $5 bucks and holds about 10 vehicles. The crossing takes 15 - 20 minutes so no big deal or wait. You cross the St. Clair. River which is the bluest river you will ever see. The crossing is mainly locals so customs is a breeze. You will enter Canada there and pass through the Indian Reservation. I will never go over the bridge in Detroit again.

http://www.walpolealgonacferry.com/
 
Whenever my nephew goes home to Chatham to visit his parents, he stays at the Retro Hotel. He speaks highly of it. He stays at the hotel as he has allergies to dog hair and yes, his family has a dog.
 
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