1

"Niagara."

There is a hostel.
Two more on the Candaian side.

Pretty good, but busy. You may walk a ways.

2

I don't know if you are planning on driving over to the Canadian side (for incomparably better views) but we always park in the Clifton Hill area, off of Victoria Ave. behind the Planet Hollywood. We easily found a spot even on a Saturday in July. If you're looking for free parking then you'll be a ways away. I don't know how it is on the US side...

3

All the best views are on the Canadian side. Most of the best deals are on the US side, which is a motel-with-lawn family friendly location. The Canadian side is not unfriendly to families, it's just more urban and a little more expensive. It also has a lower drinking age so you get to see lot's of young Americans behaving foolishly (not dangerous, just entertaining.)

According to the major hotels website I just checked you can get rooms for under $50 on May 20 on either side.

On the USA side there is something called the "cave of the winds tour." That, or its Canadian equivalent are not to be missed.

Parking at the falls is not terrible, but can sometimes involve a walk from parking to the sites. I recall trying to find a full meal at a cheap price was a little challenging. I had a great steak dinner overlooking the falls on the CAN side, but it wasn't cheap.

I actually took a bus tour while I was there. I usually find those cheesy, but this time it was instructive and interesting. the bus drove down stream on the US side to some bend in the river where there is a awesome whirlpool. If you re on the cheap, a little downstream from the falls each side has an access point where you can climb down some stairs and hike the gorge next to the river. (Worth it!)

Each side has casinos. I have never entered them but those on the CAN side have a reputation for being "classier." The CAN side also has all sorts of water parks and other attractions.

My standard advice is to get a motel on the US side and plan on spending most of your time on the CAN side.

Know that Niagara is really fr from NYC and should not be thought of a s a side-trip from there.

4

$50/night for all 5 people or per person? Even the hostel mentioned above charges $25 for a DORM BED in low season, higher in high season. How far away are you willing to stay?

You can easily go to Kayak.com, type in your dates and see what your options are. Your budget will only get you a motel room and not super close to the falls, and that's before taxes.

5

Actually I was thinking two rooms at $50 each per night.

6

Still too little if you want to be anywhere near the falls. Cheap somewhat dingy motel a 15 min drive away, possibly. But still more than $50 usually after taxes.

7

i found the u.s. relatively inexpensive - but $50 is pretty unreasonable for a decent place. while the views from the u.s. side are not as good, i enjoyed walking around that side too. i found the canadian side quite expensive (and rather tacky). eating out or having a drink there is really expensive. maid of the mist tour is worth the money.

8

Thanks for the replies. I found a couple of places that should be ok. Days Inn at the Falls and Super 8 Niagara Falls.