NIAGARA FALLS, NY PROPER/ MUST SEE/DO THE FALLS UP CLOSE —Plan on spending

an entire day exploring (right side of the river is New York)

If everyone has passports, you could cross into Canada and explore over there too

● You can pack a cooler and eat at picnic tables near the parking lot

● There is an affordable tram you ride throughout the park and get off/on as much as you

want....or you can walk the whole time if everyone is up to it

MUST DO: Cave of the Winds, Maid of the Mist, Hike Devils Hole into Gorge; Fireworks

nightly in NF at dusk; The Falls lit up at night

● Might consider: Jet Boat ride in gorge, make sure to check height requirements for kids

NIAGARA FALLS AREA—-could see/if need filler day

● Beaver Island State Park, Grand Island, NY —nice swimming beach on the river/

pack a lunch enjoy the park all day

● Old Ft. Niagara–Youngstown, NY historic site at the end of the river where you

will be at Lake Ontario

● If you make it up to Youngstown, stay for the sunset

● Adventure Landing, Tonawanda, NY —18 hole miniature golf, check out

GROUPON for discount admission for families

ERIE COUNTY FAIR (will be open while you are here; it’s a very large fair)-----also a filler WHOLE day if you need one

● 8/15 are ride discounted tickets

● Numerous FREE shows/entertainment all through the fairgrounds all day

● 4-H barns galore

BUFFALO, NY (Any of these would be good to see/do)

● Buffalo Harbor Cruise/Miss Buffalo—2 hr narrated tour Niagara River/Locks/Lake

(admission fee)

● Buffalo Naval Park—(admission fee) self-guided walking tour through a naval destroyer (

the USS Sullivan—named after the Sullivan brothers from Cedar Rapids, IA! ) and the

submarine tour too

● Rent kayaks, or water bicycles explore on the water

● Moondance Catamaran sail on Lake Erie 1 hr 45 min everyday departures $26 adult/ 1⁄2

price for kids– MUST DO if you like the water/boats!

● Walk around canalside/ ride the HERSCHELL CARROUSEL (historic) fun for adults &

kids

● Explore and More Museum ( it’s new, but I heard it was nice!) If you need a day out of

the sun

● WED 8/14 Free Live Music @ Larkinville ( downtown Buffalo); free parking and

admission; COVER BAND for CCR. Food trucks, wine/beer, family atmosphere

● Self-guided walking tours of MURALS

LAKE ERIE BEACH DAY

● Evan Angola State Park, Angola, NY: pack a lunch/nice guarded swim beach; very

large park to explore. $7 per car to get in for the day

● Sunset Bay, Irving, NY —super nice beach with restaurants right on site; can be more of

a partying atmosphere, but still fun for all

LOCAL HIKING SPOTS

● Chestnut Ridge Park, Orchard Park, NY ( close to our house); ETERNAL FLAME hike

is super cool, and the park has a huge hill where you can see downtown Buffalo, and a

clear day see Niagara Falls, too

● Reinstein Woods Nature Center–easy hiking, and nature center ( check on hours)

● Tift Nature Preserve –easy hiking near city

OUR HOUSE

● Above ground swimming pool and creek to explore

● We will be busy, but you are welcome to hang at the house/pool if you need a day of rest