Trip to USA then Canada then USA again

[ladyalex]

We are fortunate enough to be able to go to the USA in September for about 3 weeks. We are going to New England and would very much like to include a trip to Canada (Niagara Falls) during our stay. We will be borrowing a car from relatives to do the trip and will make sure that we are insured for Canada as well as the US.
We have ESTAs for the US and of course will have our return air tickets.
Is it likely that we could run into any trouble getting back into the US after our few days in Canada? If so, is there anything we can do now to get round this.
Also, has anyone any advice etc re visiting Niagara Falls ?
Thank you.

[MarkRae]

> Is it likely that we could run into any trouble getting back into the US

I can't see how...


> Also, has anyone any advice etc re visiting Niagara Falls?

Allow about twice as long as you originally thought.

[ladyalex]

Thank you Mark.

I thought that we should not have any problems, but the immigration people can be a bit intimidating and I really wouldn't want to cross them .

Are the queues very long for Niagara, or is there just so much to see ?

[MarkRae]

There were no queues when I was there, though that was about ten years ago...

[ladyalex]

So does that mean we should allow twice as long as we think because there's so much to see/do ?

[MarkRae]

Yes. Make sure you go down behind the water - you can get to within about 10 metres of it...

[ladyalex]

Will do, Mark.
I have wanted to see Niagara since I was a child , so now I have the opportunity, I want to see all of it.
Thanks.
:-))

[MarkRae]

You won't be disappointed!

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=21bkrvs&s=7

[pink-kittens]

just see the falls from the US side?

[fbg40]

Ladyalex
If you have the time, head towards Niagara on the Lake after viewing the falls, it's a lovely town, well worth the visit. As far as the Falls go, it is very impressive but also very commercialised, as you would perhaps expect - but still well worth seeing. Enjoy !
FBG40

[ladyalex]

Thank you for the photo, Mark. I'm really looking forward to it.

Pink-kittens, I really want to see all of the Falls and I understand that the view is more spectacular from teh Canadian side. Plus we want to do some more sight-seeing in Canada as well as Niagara.

Thanks for the tip, fbg40. I'm sure we'll love Niagara village too.
Thanks all for your answers.
:-))

[Eve]

I was quite suprised how commercial Niagara is, I imagined it to be in more of a natural setting I guess (probably me being dim). I was warned before I went that it's a bit Blackpool but I can't say it was that bad.

Definitely do the Maid of the Mist, the boat which takes you out on the water, just incredible! You get a waterproof but prepare to get a bit wet, even just stood by the viewing edge generally due to the mist from the power of the falls.

I did the Behind the Falls thing and although I was a little disappointed in the viewing "hole in the wall" actually behind the falls themselves, there is a two storey platform which takes you out right by the bottom of one of the falls at the beginning, amazing sight!

If you want to take photos then waterproofing your camera as best you can is wise as there is a lot of water on the attractions and spray near the falls generally. My cousin's camera was damaged after going on the Maid of the Mist.

No big queues when I went either though it was a weekday in September.

[ladyalex]

Thank you Jenna..I cannot wait to go .

:-))

[Bummle]

I'm sure that there was a story in one of the papers last weekend about some couple who left US to visit Canada and ended up in prison because their visa was deemed to have lapsed so they were arrested on re-entry. I will try to find it as I would hate for it to happen to someone else.

[Bummle]

see this article and take care

http://thescotsman.sc...n-in-Texas.6789097.jp

[ladyalex]

Thanks, Bummle. That article was scary.
However, we will only be there for 3 weeks, so I think we should be OK.
If I'm gone for longer, contact the Consulate for me!

:-))

[dzug2]

<,I'm sure that there was a story in one of the papers last weekend about some couple who left US to visit Canada and ended up in prison because their visa was deemed to have lapsed so they were arrested on re-entry. I will try to find it as I would hate for it to happen to someone else.>>

That's coz they stayed far too long - not the slightest problem on a 3 week visit.

<<We will be borrowing a car from relatives to do the trip and will make sure that we are insured for Canada as well as the US.>>

Do check this out very carefully - you may for example need a letter of permission from them to do so as well as sorting out insurance..

[piggynose]

i was there about 20 years ago. all i remeber was jumping on a london red bus for a couple of stops, and seeing an eagle, which was flying quite low. oh and of course the maid of the mist. quite spectacular

[ladyalex]

Thank you dzug2 I'll certainly be able to do that.


Thanks to piggynose too.

:-))

[KARL]

In principle, this is not supposed to be an issue at all (exiting and re-entering). However, I know of a couple who drove out of the USA into Canada and some days later back to the border intending to re-enter the USA. They had some awful hassle at that stage because at least one of them did not have an exit stamp in their passport from the previous crossing of the border. Although I believe the matter was eventually resolved, it took hours to sort it out and much nervous energy was expended. When leaving the US I suggest you make certain you are able to re-enter without complications by discussing your plans with immigration as you exit. For good measure, make careful note of where and when you cross the border and the badge details of the immigration official you deal with. The point is that in addition to a puritan private enterprise ethic (you are on your own) the USA operates on the principle of accountability and blame, and therefore blame avoidance - keeping a job is as important as staying alive (the two are inextricably linked). As a result, their officials are inclined to be bureaucratic plus looking for an opportunity to look good - A-cover plus brownie points.

[bookbinder]

My wife and I visited Niagara Falls in 1989, so I can tell you something of our experience. We were on the USA side only, and we had an interesting time, but it was obvious to us that the best view of the falls is from the Canada side. We had a rented car, but we didn't go into Canada. Anyway, this is what we did, and you might care to put these experiences on your list.
1. Helicopter flight over the falls. Recommended. Take a good camera.
2. Visit to folk art museum in Niagara town. Watched native dances, which included a dancer passing one of his legs through the flame from some kind of burner. Very interesting.
3. Sailed right up to, and through the spray, of falls in Maid of the Mist. Recommended.You are given a rain cape (full length, with a hood) under which you should hold your camera whilst sailing through the mist. Wear footwear that will stand getting wet (or take your shoes off on the boat) because the cape won't protect your feet.
4. Went right up to the base of the falls, on river bank footpath. That was called "The Cave of the Winds" visit. There was a wooden "bridge", called the Hurricane Deck, which allows you to get really close (and wet) to some of the smaller, side falls (not the main ones). You are given a rain cape, plus you wear "shoes" made of carpeting, tied on with tapes, and leave your proper footwear in a locker room. Recommended.
NB. We did all that in one day, and all on the USA side, but we went just before the season started, so you should allow at least two days for a Niagara Falls visit. I hope that you have a good time.