After a few failed bids on priceline.com we finally secured a room at the Double Tree the day before we left (the beauty of being flexible).
We checked into the hotel shortly before 3pm on Sunday and ventured out in the cold to tour around by foot. Our first stop was Clifton Hill a tacky but very fun street. After our cruise down the hill we stopped for some pics in front of the Falls. Jacob's first reaction when he saw them from the car when we arrived in Niagara Falls was "woah...big water"! The kids loved seeing them in person and kept peeking through the railing to see them. They waved at them, screamed hello and kept saying Niagara Falls...Niagara Falls! After a few pics we decided to continue our adventure back up the other side of the street at Clifton Hill. We then walked over to the Fallsview Casino and spent some time walking around the lobby / shopping area. I took a quick peek in the casino while D stayed with the kids (no one under 19 is allowed in). I contemplated playing a few slots but held back being the "responsible" gambler that I am ;) We walked back to the hotel and enjoyed some time in our room before heading out for dinner at an Italian restaurant. After dinner we ventured back to the room, got into our PJs and got ready for our "family slumber party". Charlotte and Jacob took a bit to settle but loved sleeping in the "big bed" (they shared one of the queen beds). Oliver enjoyed his first sleep in his pack and play we brought from home. We rose bright and early and were at the hotel pool by 8:20 (it opened at 8am)....the kids love the water and after an hour of swimming we had to drag them out and back up to the room so we could "start" our day. Thanks to the frigid weather we decided the Butterfly Conservatory would be a great place to visit so...away we went. Never would we have imagined that our visit there would traumatize Charlotte and Jacob. At first they seemed interested in the butterflies but as more and more flew by they did not like it in the conservatory and began to cry...they couldn't get out of their fast enough! After the conservatory we picked up subway subs and headed back to the room for a picnic on the floor and nap time. The first thing C and J did when they woke from their nap was grab their swim suits and asked to go to the "pool" so...back to the water we went. After another hour in the pool we headed back up to the room to get ready for dinner at the Outback (yummy bloomin' onion). We were finished dinner and back in the room by 6:20 p.m. (yup we Browns are party animals) for our second night of "family slumber party". After a full night of sleep we were back at the pool bright and early the next day for another hour of swim time. We checked out of the hotel at 10:30 a.m. grabbed our passports and headed for the border! No trip to Niagara would be complete without a visit to Buffalo for a little shopping. We crossed before 11 a.m. were at TJ Maxx by 11:15, Target by 11:30, the Olive Garden (mmm endless salad and warm garlic bread sticks) at noon and back at the border by 1 p.m. It was a whirlwind adventure that ended with some new clothes and diapers for the kids (sadly nothing for us) and gas for the car!
We really enjoyed our mini vacation and have already started planning our next visit to Niagara likely at the end of May / early June.
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| Clifton Hill...super tacky but super fun too ; |
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| Top of Clifton Hill look down the street.... |
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| Charlotte mesmerized by the Falls...Oliver all bundled up! |
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| Horseshoe Falls |
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| American side of the Falls |
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| Mommy and Charlotte |
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| Daddy and Jacob.... |
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| Butterfly in the Conservatory |
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| Peeking at the fish... |
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| Family (minus Oliver who was asleep in the stroller) pic at the conservatory |
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| Best...picture...ever! |
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| Hot tub (bubble pool) fun.... |
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| View from our room....thanks for the fun Niagara we'll be back! |
Great post. You are right in everything you say about Niagara Falls; it truly is a wonderful place. My family and I have been there a few times and always had a good time. After reading this post I really want to go to some of the surrounding wineries. The hotels are great and there is even an indoor water park at Niagara Falls as well.
ReplyDeleteVery nice family!!These pictures are really beautiful.These experiences are awesome and unforgettable. Lovely vacation with family..
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