Traveling. Got any tips?

[alek]

We'll be traveling to Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Niagara Falls in a month or so. Does anyone have any tips/tricks/advice for having a good time at either place?

@mouse, aren't you in Buffalo/upstate NY? Have you been to Niagara? Anything to make sure we do/see?

[PuddingFace]

We'll be traveling to Cuyahoga Falls National Park and Niagara Falls in a month or so. Does anyone have any tips/tricks/advice for having a good time at either place?

, aren't you in Buffalo/upstate NY? Have you been to Niagara? Anything to make sure we do/see?

Go to Canada to see the falls, the view is better. And go in the evening if possible.

[alek]

We'll be traveling to Cuyahoga Falls National Park and Niagara Falls in a month or so. Does anyone have any tips/tricks/advice for having a good time at either place?

, aren't you in Buffalo/upstate NY? Have you been to Niagara? Anything to make sure we do/see?

Go to Canada to see the falls, the view is better. And go in the evening if possible.

Cool. Thanks.

I'm actually in the process of getting our passports renewed as I type this. It's unlikely we'll have them back in time, but we are going to Big Bend National Park in October. I'm hoping we have them by then--we're doing expedited application--so that we go across the Rio Grande into Mexico to the village that people visit while they're at the park.

[omaniphil]

We'll be traveling to Cuyahoga Falls National Park and Niagara Falls in a month or so. Does anyone have any tips/tricks/advice for having a good time at either place?

Cuyahoga Valley National Park? Its ok - I live about 20 minutes from the northern portion of the park, and regularly bike the tow path. There are a few hiking trails (Brandywine Falls (which I think is currently closed), and the Ledges), but honestly its kind of meh. One option would be to park in Peninsula, rent some bikes at Century Cycle and bike north. I think there are some trailheads off the tow path that might be interesting.

Not sure if you're stopping in Cleveland too, but we always take visitors to see Lakeview Cemetery and the Cleveland Museum of Art, which is both stunning, and free. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is nice, but pricey.

[alek]

We'll be traveling to Cuyahoga Falls National Park and Niagara Falls in a month or so. Does anyone have any tips/tricks/advice for having a good time at either place?

Cuyahoga Valley National Park?

Ah, yes...

Its ok - I live about 20 minutes from the northern portion of the park, and regularly bike the tow path. There are a few hiking trails (Brandywine Falls (which I think is currently closed), and the Ledges), but honestly its kind of meh. One option would be to park in Peninsula, rent some bikes at Century Cycle and bike north. I think there are some trailheads off the tow path that might be interesting.

Cool. Thanks.

Not sure if you're stopping in Cleveland too, but we always take visitors to see Lakeview Cemetery and the Cleveland Museum of Art, which is both stunning, and free. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is nice, but pricey.

We'll probably be driving through Cleveland from Buffalo, which is where we're flying in. My wife got some unexpected time where we could travel in late August, so I looked for cheap flights on Southwest. Buffalo it is; what can we do? Since Cuyahoga is about 3 hours from Buffalo, and we're trying to see all the National Parks, it was a must for my wife. We'll be staying with friends and hanging out a couple days.

[mouse]

mouse, aren't you in Buffalo/upstate NY? Have you been to Niagara? Anything to make sure we do/see?

A bit closer to Rochester these days but yes western NY born and raised. Been to Niagara enough times that I don't appreciate the grandeur anymore hahaha...

Haven't been there in a few years pre-wuhan insanity when we took the boys to Clifton Hill, but my #1 piece of advice is go to Canada. Their side is more developed in terms of stuff to do... (edit: I see somebody covered that and you might not have your passport yet... so...)

American side has Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds if you want to do that though... beyond that I know theres some trails, Devils Hole is on our side... Canada just has more in terms of casinos and restaurants etc.

If you're flying in to Buffalo make sure you go to Bar Bill NORTH and grab some beer and wings before you leave. It's literally like 10 minutes from the airport...

[alek]

mouse, aren't you in Buffalo/upstate NY? Have you been to Niagara? Anything to make sure we do/see?

A bit closer to Rochester these days but yes western NY born and raised. Been to Niagara enough times that I don't appreciate the grandeur anymore hahaha...

Haven't been there in a few years pre-wuhan insanity when we took the boys to Clifton Hill, but my #1 piece of advice is go to Canada. Their side is more developed in terms of stuff to do... (edit: I see somebody covered that and you might not have your passport yet... so...)

American side has Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds if you want to do that though... beyond that I know theres some trails, Devils Hole is on our side... Canada just has more in terms of casinos and restaurants etc.

If you're flying in to Buffalo make sure you go to Bar Bill NORTH and grab some beer and wings before you leave. It's literally like 10 minutes from the airport...

Cool. Thanks! I’ll definitely get some wings!

[brkriete]

My wife and I went to Niagara Falls last Novemberish, right after tourist stuff shut down. We still had a nice visit.

We had a fantastic meal at https://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/nfci/sav ... e%20guests.

and stopped at Dinosaur BBQ in Syracuse coming and going where my wife said she had the best chicken sandwich she's ever had.

[Hardartery]

We'll be traveling to Cuyahoga Falls National Park and Niagara Falls in a month or so. Does anyone have any tips/tricks/advice for having a good time at either place?

, aren't you in Buffalo/upstate NY? Have you been to Niagara? Anything to make sure we do/see?

Go to Canada to see the falls, the view is better. And go in the evening if possible.

Cool. Thanks.

I'm actually in the process of getting our passports renewed as I type this. It's unlikely we'll have them back in time, but we are going to Big Bend National Park in October. I'm hoping we have them by then--we're doing expedited application--so that we go across the Rio Grande into Mexico to the village that people visit while they're at the park.

The passport should be no issue if you are expediting. The last time I did my US passport it took about a week that way. Consider the add-on passport card. It looks like a driver's license but it's good for land crossings to Canada and Mexico and waterproof. It also costs a lot less to replace if you lose it. My family is all within 45 mins of Buffalo, on the Canadian side, but I think the other guys have covered it. Get a Poutine somewhere if you go to the Canadian side, not at a fast food place look for a non-chain place if possible. The Falls are coolest after dark in the middle of winter when they put the laser show on the ice - but that doesn't help you when you're going.

[PuddingFace]

We'll be traveling to Cuyahoga Falls National Park and Niagara Falls in a month or so. Does anyone have any tips/tricks/advice for having a good time at either place?

, aren't you in Buffalo/upstate NY? Have you been to Niagara? Anything to make sure we do/see?

Go to Canada to see the falls, the view is better. And go in the evening if possible.

Cool. Thanks.

I'm actually in the process of getting our passports renewed as I type this. It's unlikely we'll have them back in time, but we are going to Big Bend National Park in October. I'm hoping we have them by then--we're doing expedited application--so that we go across the Rio Grande into Mexico to the village that people visit while they're at the park.

The passport should be no issue if you are expediting. The last time I did my US passport it took about a week that way. Consider the add-on passport card. It looks like a driver's license but it's good for land crossings to Canada and Mexico and waterproof. It also costs a lot less to replace if you lose it. My family is all within 45 mins of Buffalo, on the Canadian side, but I think the other guys have covered it. Get a Poutine somewhere if you go to the Canadian side, not at a fast food place look for a non-chain place if possible. The Falls are coolest after dark in the middle of winter when they put the laser show on the ice - but that doesn't help you when you're going.

Passport card makes coming back into the US from Mexico much faster, FYI, you can use different lanes. From TJ anyway, worth getting for maybe a nominal charge. Not seen a difference from our neighbors to the north.