I would like to take a trip to Niagra this summer. I'm thinking the Tonawanda area may be about as close to the Falls that I can get, but really don't know anything about it. Is anyone familiar with the Niagra River? I've also heard that there are a lot of nice events in the surrounding Buffalo area. Any dates of those events, or just general suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

I don't know a whole lot about the area, I think you would have to go through some locks to get there, not positive tho. I was looking into it a bit as I wanted to take a trip to toronto as well. It looks like Tonawanda is on the east side of Grand Island. The freighters go through the welland canal which goes through St. Catherines, I don't think you can get to Lake Ontario through the niagara river, can you?

You definitely can't get to Lake Ontario without going through the locks -- welland canal. I talked to a couple of people in Buffalo and I'm told you can go from Lake Erie into the Niagara River without going through the locks, and then take the Niagara River close to the falls. There doesn't appear to be any marinas near the falls, but, you can stop in Tonawanda, which is about 15 miles away. Staying in Tonawanda, you can make arrangements to shuttle to the falls.

It looks like a nice trip. Lots of nice stops on the U.S. side. I'm not sure what there is on the Canadian side. There is a new marina in Cleveland behind the rock and roll HOF that gives you access to downtown Cleveland. In Buffalo, I hear Buffalo Place is really nice.

I'm not positive we are going, but it looks like we will. So, I have to find out much more than I know now.

Stevwy!

Look forward to seeing a picture on here of you and the Black Thunder cruising with the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls.

Like others have said, you cannot get to lake Ontario without going through the locks. There are however several options for places to go that are further north and down river then Tonawanda. There is Sandy beach Yacht club on the North tip of Grand Island that is pretty close to the falls, there is also the Niagara sailing club on the east side of Grand Island. There is also Niagara Boating Club on the Canadian side near Niagara falls, that is about as close as you can get to the falls.

Consider doing this in August and participating in the Buffalo Poker Run.

Padraig

Is there something that blocks boats from being able to get too close to the falls? Obviously you wouldn't want to get too close, but is there some kind of physical barrier up?

Some of the river is covered by a barrier kind of cement thing on the Canadian side, however you could easily end up in the rapids if you went around it.

The Buffalo Poker Run is definitely a thought. I exchanged an email with the website and learned it is being scheduled for 8-7 and 8-8. As there always are, I have some time limitations. Lots I would like to do in a short period of time, so, I'm not sure if I can create a schedule that includes the run. It's my preferred option though.

I've done a fair amount of reading and am really surprised there aren't more safeguards to keep tourists clear of the falls. From what I've seen, there are a few signs on the U.S. side and a barrier that can be easily avoided on the Canadian side. As for me; I doubt my wife will let me get within 10 miles of the falls!

I boat in the Niagara River when Lake Erie is too rough for my poor old back. There are some warning buoys about 2 miles from the top of the falls, and that's it. when I give rides, I like to take people on the falls side of the buoys so they can tell their friends they went too far. It's not as exciting as it sounds. The rapids haven't started yet, but you can clearly see the mist from the falls. If you get near the Canadian side, there is a sign that is the master of understatement. It says "Navigation prohibited. Dangerous waters ahead." love it. The barrier on the Canadian side is actually a control mechanism for the power plant. If they see someone in trouble, they have the ability to divert enough water away from the falls where most boats would get stuck before they went over. Never tested that theory, however. The Buffalo Poker Run had 120 boats last year. If you go to Sharkey's website you can see the photos from the last couple of runs, including some in the river.[ATTACH=CONFIG]535353[/ATTACH] If you look closely at the photo, you can see the mist from the falls in the center background. That's as close as I get. Carry plenty of fuel, a good anchor and plenty of line.