Niagara Falls
DIRECTIONS
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
& PARKING
The two most stressful things that any first time
visitor to Niagara Falls experiences, are how to get there and how to find your way around
once you arrive.
You can get to Niagara Falls from where ever you are
because all roads do lead to Niagara Falls.
Once you arrive in Niagara Falls, visitors will find
it quite easy in reaching the sites, attractions and accommodations of their choice.
For International visitors, learn about the Customs
Regulations that visitors should know about entering or exiting Canada/USA.
Index
Directions to Niagara Falls
Customs
Regulations
Finding
Your Way Around Niagara Falls
Parking in Niagara
Falls
The following locations and facts about them are but
a few of many famous sites & attractions to be found in Niagara Falls. The best of it
is FREE to see...so think of Niagara Falls when planning your next vacation. If you have
questions of a current or historical nature about the Niagara Falls area or suggestions
feel free to e-mail Rick at
niagarahistory@gmail.com
Directions To
Niagara Falls
A view of the Horseshoe
Falls
Geographic Co-ordinates of Niagara Falls are:
43:05:00N
79:04:15W
Elevation 618 feet above sea level
From:
New York State
Along the Niagara River there are
4
International Bridges. They are:
1) The International Peace
Bridge located between
Buffalo, N.Y. and Fort Erie, Ontario
2) The Rainbow International Bridge located between Niagara Falls, N.Y. and Niagara Falls, Ontario
3) The Whirlpool International Bridge located between Niagara Falls, N.Y. and Niagara
Falls, Ontario
4) The
Lewiston - Queenston International Bridge located between
Lewiston, N.Y. and Queenston, Ontario
All Bridges are accessible from Interstate Hwy. #90
South, Interstate Hwy. #90 East, Interstate Hwy. # 190 and Interstate Hwy. #290. Signs
directing visitors to Bridge crossings in Buffalo New York , Niagara Falls New York and
Lewiston New York are numerous.
From:
Detroit Michigan
Western
Ontario
Eastern
Ontario
Northern
Ontario
The major West - East routes are:
Highway # 3 between Windsor and Fort Erie.
Highway #401 from Western Ontario, Eastern Ontario
and Northern Ontario to Highway # 403 (southbound) or Highway #427 (southbound) to the
Queen Elizabeth Highway (Niagara bound).
Highway #401 from Windsor to Highway #6 (southbound)
to Highway #403 (eastbound) to Queen Elizabeth Highway (Niagara bound)
The main route to Niagara Falls
from Western Ontario, Michigan USA, and Northern Ontario is Highway #401 and the Queen
Elizabeth Highway (QEW).
Whether you are traveling southbound towards Buffalo
or traveling northbound towards Toronto,
there
are five (5) highway interchanges to get to Niagara Falls. They are (in order from north to south):
Mountain Road exit -
is located in the north end of Niagara Falls and
runs east - west in direction. Drive eastbound on Mountain Road to St. Paul Avenue. Turn
right (south) on St. Paul Avenue. St. Paul Avenue turns into Portage Road as you get
closer to the City center. Continue southbound on Portage Road to Thorold Stone Road. Turn
left (eastbound) on Thorold Stone Road. Thorold Stone Road leads directly to Stanley
Avenue which is one of the main north - south commercial routes through Niagara
Falls. To
get to Niagara Falls (the water falls) turn left onto either Roberts Street (Hwy#420), or
Ferry Street or Murray Street.
Thorold Stone Road exit -
is located in the north end of Niagara Falls and
runs east - west in direction. Drive eastbound on Thorold Stone Road. Continue to follow
without turning. Thorold Stone Road turns into Stanley Avenue as the roadway heads
southbound. Stanley Avenue is a main north - south commercial route through Niagara Falls.
To get to Niagara Falls (the water falls) turn left onto either Roberts Street (Hwy #420),
or Ferry Street or Murray Street.
Highway #420 exit -
is located in the central part of Niagara Falls and
runs east - west in direction from the Queen Elizabeth Highway. This exit is the main
route to the Falls and all other attractions. Drive eastbound on Hwy#420 and just follow
the signs. Watch Your Speed!
Hwy #420 turns into Roberts Street at the intersection of
Stanley Avenue. Continue eastbound on Roberts Street (Hwy#420) which will lead directly to
the Rainbow International Bridge, Casino Niagara and the Falls.
McLeod Road exit -
is located in the south end of Niagara Falls and
runs in an east - west direction. Drive eastbound on McLeod Road and it will lead directly
to Marineland. To get back to the center of the city turn left (north bound) on Stanley
Avenue.
Lyons Creek Road exit -
located in the extreme south end of the City of
Niagara Falls and runs in an east - west direction.
Drive eastbound on Lyons Creek
Road. To go to the center of Niagara Falls turn left (northbound) on Stanley Avenue. To go
to the Niagara River and the Village of Chippawa continue eastbound on Lyons Creek Road.
Once in Chippawa, Lyons Creek Road turns into Main Street. To continue eastbound at the
intersection of Portage Road will take the traveler along the Niagara River Parkway
(southbound towards Fort Erie). Turn left (northbound) onto Portage Road and go to the
City Center and Marineland. Turn left onto Portage Road, cross the bridge and take the
first road on the right and follow the Niagara River Parkway (northbound) to the Falls.
Other Routes:
A view of the American
Falls
From Highway #3 - follow eastbound to QEW - drive northbound on QEW (Toronto
bound) and look for Niagara Falls interchanges.
From Highway #20 - follow eastbound. At Niagara Falls City - Western limits
Hwy #20 turns into Lundy's Lane which is the main east - west commercial route to the
center of the City and all attractions.
From the Queenston-Lewiston International
Bridge - drive north on Highway #405
to Stanley Avenue. Exit at Stanley Avenue. Drive north (turn right) along
Portage Road to Niagara River Parkway. Drive south (turn left on Stanley Avenue
and follow to Thorold Stone Road. Follow signs to Falls.
From the Whirlpool International Bridge (NEXUS
ONLY) - drive north on Niagara River Parkway to Niagara on the
Lake. Drive southbound on the Niagara River Parkway to the Falls and to Fort Erie.
From the Rainbow International Bridge - turn right (northbound) to the Falls, Clifton Hill and
Niagara River Parkway. Turn right (northbound) to Hwy #420 and QEW.
Contacts:
Rainbow Bridge (905) 354-5641
Whirlpool Rapids Bridge (905) 354-5641
Queenston - Lewiston Bridge (905) 354-5641
USA - Canada
Customs
Regulations
A view of the Rainbow
International Bridge
PASSPORTS REQUIRED
ENTERING CANADA
Visitors entering Canada may be asked to verify their citizenship by producing
documentation such as valid passport, birth certificate plus photo identification.
Naturalized citizens should carry naturalization
certificates plus photo identification. Permanent US residents who are not citizens are advised to bring their Alien
Registration Receipt Card plus photo identification.
Citizens of other countries will need to bring valid
passports. Exceptions to this rule are citizens of Greenland and residents of St. Pierre
and Miquelon.
ENTERING USA
All persons (including American citizens) entering
the USA from Canada are required to produce a valid passport or
pre-approved screening card such as a Nexus Card or EZPass.
Children under the age of 16 do NOT require a
passport and may use an ORIGINAL birth certificate if they are born in
Canada or the United States.
This is a copy of the information from the CBP website:
Children:
Beginning June 1, 2009, U.S. and Canadian citizen
children under age 16 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory
may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a
Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a
Canadian Citizenship Card.
Travelers under the age of 18 years and
unaccompanied by a parent need a letter of permission to travel in Canada from a parent or
guardian.
As a non-resident of Canada visiting Ontario, you
are allowed to bring in any reasonable amount of personal effects, a reasonable supply of
food and a full tank of gasoline. Certain agricultural and quota restrictions apply.
No Handguns, Restricted Firearms and/or Prohibited
Weapons are allowed.
Trying to smuggle an undeclared firearm will result
in your arrest and charges being laid against you.
Firearms manufactured as fully automatic are
prohibited entry, regardless of any conversion, and no firearm less than 66 cm (26 inches)
in length or with a barrel less than 46 cm (18.5 inches) are allowed, unless they are
being imported for an approved shoot, at which time a temporary permit is required in
advance from a local police agency.
Exceptions are if you are 18 years old and over, you
may bring a hunting rifle or shotgun into Ontario as a visitor for hunting or competition
purposes plus 200 rounds of ammunition for hunting or 1,500 rounds for use at a recognized
meet, and tax free up to a total of 5,000 rounds. All firearms must be declared.
Visitors arriving in Ontario who are 19 years of age
or over are allowed to import duty and tax free, 1.1 litres (40 ounces) of liquor or wine
or 24 X 355 ml
(12 ounce) cans or bottles of beer.
Visitors can import up to 45 litres (11.9 US
gallons) of liquor or wine if they are willing to pay the Ontario fees and taxes in
addition to the duty which applies.
Visitors arriving in Ontario who are 19 years old
and over may import duty and tax free 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 400 grams (14 ounces) of
manufactured tobacco and 400 tobacco sticks.
US residents returning to the USA after 48 hours can
take back $400 worth of merchandise duty free every six months. This may include one litre
of alcohol, 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars that are not of Cuban origin.
After a visit of 72 hours or more, if the $400
exemption has already been claimed during the last six months, an exemption of $100 is
allowed.
After less than 48 hours, an exemption of $25 is
allowed.
Visitors to Ontario can send gifts to friends or
relatives in Canada or can bring gifts with them and no duties will apply provided that
the value of each gift does not exceed $60 and they do not consist of tobacco products,
alcoholic beverages or advertising material. Gift packages sent by mail should be plainly
marked "UNSOLICITED GIFT" and the value should be indicated. Gifts of a value of
more than $60 are subject to duties on the excess amount.
As a visitor to Canada, you can claim a refund for
some of the tax you pay on accommodations, as long as you stay less than one month in that
accommodation. You can also claim a refund for the tax paid on most goods you take home.
In order to qualify for a tax refund, the goods must be taken outside Canada within 60
days after they were delivered to you. Eligible visitors include tourists and non-resident
businesses. Non-resident businesses can apply for a refund of tax on short term
accommodation for their non-resident employees traveling on business anywhere in Canada.
Finding Your Way Around
Niagara
Falls
A view of Oakes Gardens
amphitheatre and Casino Niagara
Navigating your way around Niagara Falls is easy if
you keep the following facts in mind:
All Street and Roads in the City of Niagara Falls
run in either a north - south direction or an east - west direction.
All house numbers are
in a grid system so that if you find a house number on one street the same number can be
located in relatively the same location on any other street running in the same direction
anywhere in Niagara Falls.
House numbers run from east (low) to west (high) and from north
(low) to south (high).
The main north/south City Streets in Niagara Falls
beginning at the Niagara River are:
- River Road (Niagara River Parkway)
- Falls Avenue
- Victoria Avenue
- Stanley Avenue
- Portage Road (Main Street)
- Drummond Road
- Dorchester Road
- Montrose Road
- Kalar Road
- Garner Road
- Beechwood Road
- Thorold Town Line Road
The main east/west City Streets in Niagara Falls
beginning at Mountain Road in the north end are:
- Mountain Road
- Thorold Stone Road
- Bridge Street
- Queen Street
- Morrison Street
- Valleyway
- Hwy #420 (Roberts Street)
- Clifton Hill
- Center Street
- Ferry Street
- Lundy's Lane
- Robinson Street
- Murray Street
- Dunn Street
- McLeod Road
- Lyons Creek Road
- Main Street (Chippawa)
If you get disorientated.... please remember all
streets in Niagara Falls are basic squares. If you go east too far you run into the
Niagara River. If You go west too far you run into the Welland Ship Canal.
Tourism/Commercial routes include Clifton Hill,
Center Street, Victoria Avenue, Falls Avenue, Ferry Street, Lundy's Lane, Stanley Avenue
and the Niagara River Parkway. These routes are always the most congested. Please be
patient and courteous to other drivers as they may be visiting Niagara Falls for the first
time and may be unsure as to where they are going.
Parking In Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls - Parking Lot Index
Parking in Niagara Falls is abundant. Both commercial and
private parking lots are available however for the most part it is not free. It
is a lesson in supply and demand. During the primary tourist season
(May-September) premium prices are sought for parking. For some parking lots
these rates fluctuate daily. The closer to an attraction the higher price is
sought. The farther away from an attraction the cheaper the rates.
Free parking is rare. Many parking lots vary in prices
from day to day and from month to month. The major parking lots are as
follows:
Commercial Parking Lots
Table Rock parking - Niagara Parks Commission - a fee
Rapids View parking - Niagara Parks Commission - a fee
Greenhouse parking - Niagara Parks Commission - a fee
Kingsbridge Park parking - Niagara Parks Commission - free
Botanical Gardens parking - Niagara Parks Commission - free
Niagara Glen parking - Niagara Parks Commission - free
Spanish Aero Car parking - Niagara Parks Commission - free
Queenston Heights parking - Niagara Parks Commission - free
Casino Niagara parking - Bender Street - a fee
Skylon Tower parking - Robinson Street "A" lot - a fee
Skylon Tower parking - Robinson Street "B" lot - a fee
Hoco Clifton Hill parking - a fee
City of Niagara Falls street parking & lot parking - a fee
In many cases, parking on City of Niagara Falls streets at paid meters
are cheaper than most commercial parking lots. Most commercial parking lots
charge approximately $7 to $10 CAN. Many city owned and operated lots charge
approximately $5 for 8 hours. The choices are endless and it is your choice. You
will pay for convenience. Hotels/Motels provide free parking for patrons.
Many small privately owned lots are available throughout the tourist
district. They are relatively small and charge a dollar or two less than the
commercial lots however they are often located several blocks away from the
primary commercial lots thus much more walking is involved getting to where you
want to go.
In Niagara Falls, there are four primary parking lots.
They are:
Commercial Parking Lots
Niagara Reservation parking - New York State Park - a fee
Goat Island parking (west lot)- New York State Park - a fee
Goat Island parking (east lot) - New York State Park - a fee
Rainbow Plaza Parking Garage - Niagara Falls Blvd. - a fee
