First time Chicago to Buffalo and Niagara ON

[Jjs mom]

Hi everyone. First timer here. Planning a trip next week with my family. We are leaving Chicago to Buffalo and staying in Niagara ON. Just looking for some tips.
How early should we get to the train station? Train leaves at 930PM. It says we have access to the Metropolitan Lounge. What all does that offer? I see mentions about it but no idea what it is.
I was supposed to have a private shuttle from Buffalo to our hotel but that was cancelled by Amtrak as they don't have that anymore. Looks like I need to Uber to the Rainbow Bridge then ??? I'm not sure.
Any recommendations for other things to do in ON while we are there other then the falls?
Thank you for your suggestions!

 

[zephyr17]

1. You ought to be at CUS at least 30 minutes early (the train will start boarding about then, and they will have called the Lake Shore in the Met Lounge around then). The boarding gates at Chicago close 5 minutes before departure.
2. The Chicago Metropolitan Lounge offers comfortable seating on two levels, a child's play area, luggage storage and some snacks. The portable bar that is there in the afternoons probably won't be there/open for the Lake Shore's evening departure.
3. Amtrak itself never offered a private shuttle to the Falls or hotels from Buffalo/Depew. You might have booked that through Amtrak Vacations, a third party travel agency that licenses the Amtrak name but is independent and unaffiliated with Amtrak. Uber to the Rainbow Bridge is as good an idea as any. Amtrak Vacations is to be avoided generally for a number of reasons. You just hit one.
3. Niagara Falls, ON is probably the biggest tourist trap in eastern North America north of Orlando. There's all sorts of stuff there, like a Ripley's Believe or Not.

 

[AmtrakMaineiac]

Niagara Falls, ON is probably the biggest tourist trap in eastern North America north of Orlando.

Even though a tourist trap, the Falls are still spectacular, especially on the Canadian side.

 

[zephyr17]

Even though a tourist trap, the Falls are still spectacular, especially on the Canadian side.

Agreed, but there is a lot of very touristy stuff at NF. It reminded me of I Drive in Orlando. I was responding Jsmoms's question about other stuff to do besides the Falls. There's bunches of touristy stuff on the Canadian side.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Hi everyone. First timer here. Planning a trip next week with my family. We are leaving Chicago to Buffalo and staying in Niagara ON. Just looking for some tips.
How early should we get to the train station? Train leaves at 930PM. It says we have access to the Metropolitan Lounge. What all does that offer? I see mentions about it but no idea what it is.
I was supposed to have a private shuttle from Buffalo to our hotel but that was cancelled by Amtrak as they don't have that anymore. Looks like I need to Uber to the Rainbow Bridge then ??? I'm not sure.
Any recommendations for other things to do in ON while we are there other then the falls?
Thank you for your suggestions!

AS was said, it's very Touristy with lots of Kitchsy stuff, but it's a Must see!

On the Ontario side don't overlook the Butterfly Conservatory, it's offered as part of the many "Package Deals" for Tourists that includes The Maid of the Mist Boat Trip, and the Elevator Ride down to Behind the Falls.

There is a Tourist Bus that runs up and down next to the River and Falls,( takes you to the Butterfly Conservatory) and most of the other Touristy stuff is up on a Steep Hill behind the River, including the Vegas Style Casino.

In comparison, the New York side of the River and Falls Sucks!

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

The Welland Canal had a visitor centre at one time - though that might be too far out of your way if you aren't driving.