AmishRifle Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 Hey folks, I’ve been tasked to plan a trip for our Boy Scout Troop from Hamden Township, PA to Niagara Falls in June. We have two days and three nights planned for the stay in the area. Can anyone offer some camping site or itinerary advice? Appreciate any responses. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misterbluesky Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 The experience is much better on the Canadian side,so the kids will need passports and permission slips from a parent.As far as a campground is concerned...there is a KOA in Lewiston,Branch of Niagara is another nice one...just keep in mind,if your planning on a June trip,you better book ASAP or you'll be out of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmishRifle Posted December 8, 2018 Author Share Posted December 8, 2018 Thanks @Misterbluesky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocemur Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 Fort Niagara might be worth a visit depending on the kids ages/interests. I imagine a nearby musket shot might get a kid to look up from his phone for a second or two. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misterbluesky Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 (edited) 8 minutes ago, ocemur said: Fort Niagara might be worth a visit depending on the kids ages/interests. I imagine a nearby musket shot might get a kid to look up from his phone for a second or two. Excellent idea! I forgot about Marineland and they have a campground. Edited December 8, 2018 by Misterbluesky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 55 minutes ago, ocemur said: Fort Niagara might be worth a visit depending on the kids ages/interests. I imagine a nearby musket shot might get a kid to look up from his phone for a second or two. Wow! I think I went there as a kid, and that sticks with me. Of course, that was a LONG time ago, the fort was still active, I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 3 minutes ago, Augie said: Wow! I think I went there as a kid, and that sticks with me. Of course, that was a LONG time ago, the fort was still active, I believe. Was that when the French surrendered it? FWIW... The French flag of the period was all white. Why they fly that flag over the Fort. LoL... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 1 minute ago, ExiledInIllinois said: Was that when the French surrendered it? FWIW... The French flag of the period was all white. Why they fly that flag over the Fort. LoL... Oui. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misterbluesky Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 11 minutes ago, Augie said: Wow! I think I went there as a kid, and that sticks with me. Of course, that was a LONG time ago, the fort was still active, I believe. My dad took us on the trail that went to the sand dunes....there must have been a few hundred sandpipers working the shoreline...it was truly something to witness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmishRifle Posted December 8, 2018 Author Share Posted December 8, 2018 Fort Niagara is a great idea. Keep ‘em coming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 49 minutes ago, Misterbluesky said: My dad took us on the trail that went to the sand dunes....there must have been a few hundred sandpipers working the shoreline...it was truly something to witness. I’m vague on the details, but my visit was on a school field trip. I’m pretty sure that must have been the place. A cool, but fuzzy memory from my childhood. I had some of those from college too, but they were fuzzy the very next day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaoulDuke79 Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamrock Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 2 hours ago, ocemur said: Fort Niagara might be worth a visit depending on the kids ages/interests. I imagine a nearby musket shot might get a kid to look up from his phone for a second or two. Fort Niagara is a good place, enjoyed it, as well as crossing over to the Canadian side to old Fort Eerie(?). 2 different designs of forts in close proximity, but I’m a sucker for history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewaycynic2013 Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 (edited) 12 hours ago, Shamrock said: Fort Niagara is a good place, enjoyed it, as well as crossing over to the Canadian side to old Fort Eerie(?). 2 different designs of forts in close proximity, but I’m a sucker for history. The fort at Niagara on the Lake, Ontario is Fort George. That is the Fort in proximity to Fort Niagara on the U.S.side. Fort Erie is across the Niagara River from Buffalo, N.Y. * * The NewYork Power Vista Visitor Center in Lewiston was revamped some years ago. Recent reviews give it good ratings, I remember it from a visit in the late 60s. The hows and whys of the building of the hydroelectric power generating project on the U.S. side. Edited December 9, 2018 by Ridgewaycynic2013 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 Not sure if you would want to do this, and even if it is legal. But we used to camp overnight in the gorge, lots of nice spots between the Whirlpool and the Power Vista.Visit Devils Hole State Park for details, trail maps etchttps://www.parks.ny.gov/parks/42/. Even if you do not camp, a nice short hike between the two points..from top to bottom back up to top prolly a 90 minute hike.Great views, close but too close to the water..lots of fun for kids to climb on rocks etc. If you want to do Fort Niagara, and i absolutely would, this is a decent campground near there. https://parks.ny.gov/parks/6/details.aspx Lots of good fishing near the campground, as well as the @ the Power Vista ..if fishing is an option. Maid of the Mist , Cave of the Winds are must do with kids ..and both accessible from the US side. I am assuming a bunch of kids will not have passports, so think that will be important. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 What’s the name of that strip club up by the Falls?????? THAT would be a learning experience! Don’t worry, I was probably headed to Hell already. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Hammersticks Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 Sundowner is a must, IMHO. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo_Gal Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 Have you contacted the local BSA office to see if they have any ideas for you? They are very willing to help, have lists of ideas, etc (well, at least they were... my son is an Eagle and they were helpful back when he was in scouting). Niagara Discovery Center, Schoellkopf Power Plant Ruins & Hiking Trails 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmishRifle Posted December 9, 2018 Author Share Posted December 9, 2018 2 hours ago, plenzmd1 said: Not sure if you would want to do this, and even if it is legal. But we used to camp overnight in the gorge, lots of nice spots between the Whirlpool and the Power Vista.Visit Devils Hole State Park for details, trail maps etchttps://www.parks.ny.gov/parks/42/. Even if you do not camp, a nice short hike between the two points..from top to bottom back up to top prolly a 90 minute hike.Great views, close but too close to the water..lots of fun for kids to climb on rocks etc. If you want to do Fort Niagara, and i absolutely would, this is a decent campground near there. https://parks.ny.gov/parks/6/details.aspx Lots of good fishing near the campground, as well as the @ the Power Vista ..if fishing is an option. Maid of the Mist , Cave of the Winds are must do with kids ..and both accessible from the US side. I am assuming a bunch of kids will not have passports, so think that will be important. Thanks for this! 1 hour ago, Buffalo_Gal said: Have you contacted the local BSA office to see if they have any ideas for you? They are very willing to help, have lists of ideas, etc (well, at least they were... my son is an Eagle and they were helpful back when he was in scouting). Niagara Discovery Center, Schoellkopf Power Plant Ruins & Hiking Trails Great idea! Thank you!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 2 hours ago, Johnny Hammersticks said: Sundowner is a must, IMHO. At the very least, it’s a Plan B if the weather is bad. You can’t take mere children out into bad weather! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv's Neighbor Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 5 hours ago, Augie said: Wow! I think I went there as a kid, and that sticks with me. Of course, that was a LONG time ago, the fort was still active, I believe. Was that when the British or the French were there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 1 minute ago, Marv's Neighbor said: Was that when the British or the French were there? I lean toward butter and wine over warm beer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misterbluesky Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 20 minutes ago, Augie said: At the very least, it’s a Plan B if the weather is bad. You can’t take mere children out into bad weather! You don't sound like a St.Joe's grad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 4 minutes ago, Misterbluesky said: You don't sound like a St.Joe's grad. I went there almost daily for quite a while! I think I graduated..... but that was along time ago. Sister Jeanne would be ashamed of me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misterbluesky Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 2 minutes ago, Augie said: I went there almost daily for quite a while! I think I graduated..... but that was along time ago. Sister Jeanne would be ashamed of me. Go to mass with your wife tomorrow...7am. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 5 minutes ago, Misterbluesky said: Go to mass with your wife tomorrow...7am. She knows I’m down with 10:30 every week. So she goes to 7:15. ? Whatever makes her happy. She’s a saint. (Who gets up about 4-5:00am, and 7:15 is almost midday to her.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another Fan Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 (edited) The Buffalo Zoo is nice. There’s a Frank Lloyd Wright building up the street, the Darwin Martin house. Though don’t think kids would be interested in the later Edited December 9, 2018 by Another Fan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 7 hours ago, Misterbluesky said: Go to mass with your wife tomorrow...7am. @Augie wife does not go to mass. She has special dispensation and a direct entry into heaven for being married to him and not commitimh any heinous crimes against his person. Takes a special woman, God knows that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 I recommend Ten Thousand Buddhas Sarira Stupa Temple (Cham Shan Buddhist Temple) https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g154998-d3547891-Reviews-Cham_Shan_Temple-Niagara_Falls_Ontario.html It does not cost anything, not far from the falls and nice break spot. 3 hours ago, plenzmd1 said: @Augie wife does not go to mass. She has special dispensation and a direct entry into heaven for being married to him and not commitimh any heinous crimes against his person. Takes a special woman, God knows that. Hell in life and Heaven after life? I sort of would want the opposite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 5 hours ago, plenzmd1 said: @Augie wife does not go to mass. She has special dispensation and a direct entry into heaven for being married to him and not commitimh any heinous crimes against his person. Takes a special woman, God knows that. She used to commit heinous crimes against my person. She stopped when she realized how much I liked it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted December 13, 2018 Share Posted December 13, 2018 If in Buffalo. Go to the foot of Ferry Street on the West Side, off of Niagara Street. Do a hike on Bird Island Pier. Go all the way out into mouth of Lake. Heck, Serviceman's Park, the submarine USS Croaker, Little Rock and Fighting Sullivan's tour? Then head to Falls. When I was a Scout in early 1980s... We camped out on the destroyer USS Little Rock. Not sure if they still do that. ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmishRifle Posted December 13, 2018 Author Share Posted December 13, 2018 3 hours ago, ExiledInIllinois said: If in Buffalo. Go to the foot of Ferry Street on the West Side, off of Niagara Street. Do a hike on Bird Island Pier. Go all the way out into mouth of Lake. Heck, Serviceman's Park, the submarine USS Croaker, Little Rock and Fighting Sullivan's tour? Then head to Falls. When I was a Scout in early 1980s... We camped out on the destroyer USS Little Rock. Not sure if they still do that. ?? Thanks! I checked, they do offer the overnights on the ships still. Great idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted December 13, 2018 Share Posted December 13, 2018 4 hours ago, AmishRifle said: Thanks! I checked, they do offer the overnights on the ships still. Great idea! Awesome. We were one of the first groups ever. They forgot, didn't cordon off parts of ship... Had the whole destroyer, and cruisers Sullivan's... LoL... We opened up every hatch and bulkhead there were! Ran about the place. Battle ships make great hide and go seek venues! Boy did we get in trouble!!!! LoL... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewaycynic2013 Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 With all the talk about the Army Corps of Engineers in the Great Lakes water flow / diversion thread, would it be possible to visit the Black Rock lock, that lets larger boats navigate safely that stretch of swift river from the Peace Bridge to the International Railroad Bridge? If the troop does go to Canada, the museum at Lock 3 on the Welland Canal is excellent. If you stay stateside, EII might be able to advise if you can arrange a visit to the Corps’ Buffalo office. The maritime heritage of Buffalo can be viewed from different tours that traverse the Buffalo River, which vary from year to year. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 On 12/13/2018 at 4:34 AM, AmishRifle said: Thanks! I checked, they do offer the overnights on the ships still. Great idea! That would be the coolest of the cool!!!But dont tell @ExiledInIllinois he came up with a good idea..we will never hear the end of it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 1 hour ago, plenzmd1 said: That would be the coolest of the cool!!!But dont tell @ExiledInIllinois he came up with a good idea..we will never hear the end of it. It was cool in the early 1980s too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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