nyc: I will be traveling with a tour group from the midwest to NYC this summer. The tour includes many things and some free time. I want to go to Niagara Falls but am not sure what's the best way to go about it? Find a tour to pick me up and bring me back to hotel, rent a car and drive or just what. Any suggestions? Also, about how far is it?|||Its about a 390 mile drive and the good side is on the canadian side....So you have to deal with that as well. If i were you I may want to book a seperate trip to go to the falls. But you can fly jet blue for about 100 each way but its still more than a day trip. As a side note, you do not need a passport to go to canada by car until 2007.|||Um, it's about an 8 hour drive from NYC, so I would suggest flying to either Toronto (Canada) or Buffalo, NY, and then taking a cab or car service from the airport to the falls.|||Amtrak can get you there in about 9 hours for about $ 120.00 round trip pp Amtrak goes to both the American side and the Canadian side of the falls - The Canadian side is nicer. The American side is really nice providing that you stay within a mile or so of the falls then it rapidly deteriorates into a past-it's- prime old industrial town However the old town does have one saving grace: Como's Italian restaurant-really good food . You can drive it in about 8 hours it's around 425 mi and there are several different routing's.|||Depending on how much time you'll be spending with your tour group, just getting to Niagara Falls from NYC is a day trip of its own and may not be worth it if your time is limited! Driving time (counting rest stops, getting gas, etc.) is about 8 hours one way, since you are talking from one side of New York State to the other (and New York is a pretty big state!). Add some extra time going into Canada (going through customs...you NEED a passport now) since there are more tourists and action going on the Canadian side. If you have that type of time, then it's really up to you on how you want to do this (train, bus, driving). But if you are talking limited time, then the trip and time to get there and then back to NYC isn't worth it. Niagara Falls could be a future trip in itself with a tour :)|||well it is about 426 miles between the 2 some people it takes about 6 hours to drive it and others it takes up to 9 hrs. i have done the drive many times i am from buffalo which is the city just below the falls. if you want a fast way though get a round trip ticket with jet blue and it will only cost $49 each way.|||It's a really far drive. I would suggest catching a flight into Buffalo and then renting a car. You should be able to catch a cheap flight on one of the discount airlines. Check which airlines fly out of JFK or LaGuardia. You should be able to catch a flight out of JFK on Southwest for about $110 round trip. Realistically this is not something that you will be able to do in one day and actaully enjoy it. Especially without breaking the bank. I have some other ideas that would take you out of NYC and aren't quite so far. You can rent a car and make it to Saratoga in less than four hours. And it's a straight drive. Just take 87 all the way up. Depending on when you are here the horse track might be in season. It is a lot of fun. There is also a beautiful state park, a spa, etc. It's a quaint city with tons of things to do, places to eat, etc. Oh lest I forget they have a great carosel in the city park. A little bit closer is the village of Woodstock. You can drive to this little bohemian town in about two hours. Again it's a straight ride up 87. It is not the site of the concert, but a small town full of shops, psychics and interesting locals! If you did this you could also make it to Hyde Park on the same day. The Vanderbuilt home is there as well as FDR's home. Both are interesting places to go to. There is also the Mohonk mountain house near by. Another fun thing to do in this area is go fruit picking in the summer. All along the more rural roads there are tons of farms. If you are travelling with children they love this. Generally there are little animal farms on the orchards. Depending on your love of gambling there are a few casino's in Connecticut that are close by and Atlantic City. AC is nothing like Vegas, but you can gamble. If you plan enough in advance there should be bus trips. If you like theme parks there is a six flags close by as well. Also, consider going out to Long Island. You can pretend your one of the rich and famous in the Hamptons. There is a bus that goes out there, I haven't been in a while, but I believe it is called the Jitney. If you would like to star gaze (of the constellation and lifestyle types both) this is the place to be. It's really great that you are trying to see more of NY than just the city. I have lived in NYC and upstate NY among other places. Niagra falls is just really far. It also tends to be cold, wet and full of tourists. By the way when you are in NYC make sure that you go to El Malecon for a cheap delicious meal. Take the 1, 2, 3, or 9 train to 96th street. All of these trains are available at 34th or 42nd street stations. The 1 & 9 are local trains so it will take you a little bit longer to get there. There are two exits at this stop, but don't be confused. Just walk to 96th street. Then walk up the hill towards Amsterdam Ave. Then take a left. About a block and a half down is El Malecon. There are tons of roasted chickens in the window. If you get confused anyone in the neighborhood will be able to tell you where it is! Get the roasted chicken with a side. If your adventurous try the tostones! Yummy. If not just go with rice and beans or french fries. If you are going with a group of people, get one chicken dinner, a cuban sandwich and one of the dishes that they have freshly prepared that morning. Mix it all up. Oh and definitely order a babida. A yummy milkshake made with the fresh tropical fruit of your choice. You can eat it in there, but I recommend either walking down to riverside park (back down the hill) or central park (the opposit way). Disclaimer: A lot of the staff does not speak English. But just point and remember your are going to have a great meal! If you need other help with this vacation I can help you.