Where to stay

Visitors to Niagara Falls are most likely interested in exploring the thundering and awe-inspiring falls. Hotels in Niagara Falls, U.S., are close to several great spots for peacefully enjoying the falls as well as the Niagara River. These spots include Goat Island, Niagara Falls State Park and the Niagara Gorge Hiking Trail. Wheatfield, Nashville and Hoffman are east of the river, but a hotel in any of these small towns is only a 30-minute drive from both Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, providing opportunities to explore some of the shoreline of these two Great Lakes. If you decide to view Horseshoe Falls, cross the Rainbow Bridge over to the Ontario side of Niagara Falls. You are likely to need a passport or visa, so plan ahead for the paperwork and time required.

When staying in Niagara Falls, there's more to do than simply viewing the rushing water. Be sure to do other kid-friendly activities, including riding a scenic trolley and experiencing mist from the waterfall on a boat or in a cave. Book a hotel in Raymond, centrally located for viewing the falls one day and enjoying the giant theme park in Batavia to the east another. Raymond is also close to tours on the Erie Canal in Lockport. Stay in Lewiston to show kids how the great energy of the falls is harnessed to create hydroelectric power at the Robert Moses Niagara Hydroelectric Power Station. The Lewiston neighborhood is also the best spot to catch a ride on a river jet boat or paddle wheeler.

North and downriver from Niagara Falls, Lewiston is a good place to stay to explore history via its monuments, which commemorate Native Americans, the War of 1812 and slaves making a river crossing to freedom via the Underground Railroad. Drive about 15 minutes north of Lewiston to visit Old Fort Niagara. If you want to see a performance at the Shaw Festival across the Niagara River from the fort in Ontario's Niagara-on-the-Lake, you're likely to need a passport or visa to travel to Canada. Make the crossing in Lewiston. Stay in North Tonawanda, which has several performing arts theaters and art centers. Here, a museum built in an old carousel factory offers rides on two historic carousels.