Niagara Falls Suggestions?

They'll love the Maid of the Mist!
I'm not sure the Cave of the Winds would be good for their age - it can get a bit slippery.
Fort Niagara is on the American side of the river up where it flows into Lake Ontario - it's a lot of walking.
If you all have passports (they are required since about 5 yrs ago) be sure to visit the Canadian side - there's a lot more to do over there and the view of the falls really is better.
They have a great Butterfly Conservatory, a huge ferris wheel, a cable car ride out over the whirlpool, and Marineland is an all day thing - lot's of walking so rent a stroller (it'll seat 2).
If you're inclined to take the drive up to Toronto (roughly a 2 hr drive up there), they have African Lion Safari, the Toronto Zoo (it's huge - lot's of walking) and the Ontario Science Centere is always a lot of fun.
We've been up to visit family every few years and we'll be there again in a few weeks.

We just visited Niagara Falls last month - we drove across the border with passports for my husband and me and a birth certificate for my daughter and had no problems. Our 6-year-old enjoyed the Maid of the Mist, and I think a 5-year-old probably would too, though I'm not sure about the 3-year-old. We also went to the Journey Behind the Falls; the IMAX movie about the history of Niagara Falls and people going over it in barrels, etc.; some of the Clifton Hill attractions (e.g., Guinness World Records museum - kitschy but fun); the indoor water park located (if I recall correctly) inside the Sheraton; and the African Lion Safari (this one is an hour-plus drive away in the Hamilton area). We had also planned to spend a day at Marineland, but it turned out to be too rainy that day. Our daughter also liked the small indoor pool at the Hampton Inn on Victoria Avenue, where we stayed in a two-room family suite.

There were actually lots more things we could have done if we had more time there; the only problem was that everything was quite pricey, but I guess that's to be expected in a touristy place like Niagara Falls. At any rate, we had a good time.

Kids only need passports to get in & out of Canada by air. If you're driving and they're under 16, they only need to have an original copy of the birth certificate. This was true when we travelled to NY through Ontario about 4 years ago and I have recently confirmed this as we will be repeating that trip next month.

http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/index.html
http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_sa.html

Let me know how you like the falls! We are planning on stopping there for the first time in August.

We went last year.

To the best of my knowledge all of you will need passports to enter Canada, I know the adults definitely will. It's not worth the trip unless you go into Canada. If you decide to stay in the US, you may want to consider walking into Canada, it was so much easier than driving and having to wait in the long lines.

IMO the Cave is not good for little ones. I would never take a 3 yo, the force of the water is just too dangerous.

We did not do the Maid of the Mist.

I think Niagara is a fantastic place for a family vacation, however, I would wait for a few more years.

Everyone needs passports no matter age Canada side is the place to stay maid of the mist would b a waste with young kids. (Went last ur with a 3 ur old) butterfly garden is nice. Niagara on the lake is a short drive. Best hotel is Hilton hotel n suites falls view espensive but amazing

yup, the canadian side is better. go to the butterfly garden! but it's all pretty wonderful. definitely do the maid of the mist! i still remember being in that terrific roar and rainbow-hued mist and tearing up when the the guide said 'ladies and gentlemen....THIS is niagara!'
i sure wish they hadn't put colored lights behind the falls. they need no artificial enhancement. i was also saddened at the endless clatter of helicopters overhead, and that ambient light has destroyed the 'moonbows.'
but despite humans' determined quest to cheapen and commercialize niagara, those falls remain one of the true wonders of the world. i'm so glad we took our boys!
:) khairete
S.