Buffalo and surrounding area

Six Flags Darien Lakes, Niagara Falls, Aquarim of Niagara, Martins Fantasy Island theme Park, & Midway Park. Shopping is great! The best of city shopping can be found along the length of Elmwood Avenue, a strip of shops, boutiques and restaurants just a short ride from downtown Buffalo. Other area shopping centers include the Walden Galleria, featuring more than 200 stores in suburban Cheektowaga; Prime Outlets, with 150 name brand manufacturers in Niagara Falls, USA; the Boulevard Mall, with over 100 specialty shops, restaurants and services in nearby Amherst; and Eastern Hills Mall in Williamsville.

Quick Tips:

Go to the theme Park during the week Monday-Thurday, the lines are shorter. Even in the summer, take a jacket to Niagara Falls. Wear good walking shoes.

Best Way To Get Around:

A car is best. For Niagara Falls, park on the New York side and walk over the Rainbow Bridge to the Canadian side, then get a people mover pass.

Best Things Nearby:
Lake Erie, Buffalo, Niagara Falls

Best Things About the Resort:
Spacious, lots to do there and in surrounding area. Great place to go year round.

Resort Experience:
North Shore at Chautauqua is located on the grounds of Chatauqua Institution, along the shores of Lake Chautauqua. The two-bedroom has one queen bed in the master bedroom and two twins in the second bedroom. It had 2 1/2 baths, one with a whirlpool and a full kitchen with dishwasher and microwave. Each unit has a fireplace and two TVs and VCRs.

Hike, bike or ride on many natural trails. In the summertime, there are several water activities, such as: sailing, water skiing, fishing, or just sunning on the shore. Come in the fall and see beautiful fall foliage, go hiking, antiquing, or take a winery tour. In the winter there is skiing. There is an open-air amphitheater at Chautauqua Institution, where you could take in a show or play. Buffalo and Niagara Falls are only a short drive.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

This is a smaller not as well known park. It is very clean and you won't have the long lines and high price of the major theme parks. It has over 100 rides, shows, and attractions. The shows are Wild West Shoot out in a Western town setting, an old-fashioned Western musical, a children's puppet show and a '60s/'70s music show. They have a water area, featuring: 'Catch a Wave' wave pool and giant slides, just for the kids they have an elephant wading pool with mini slides. Some of my favorite rides: Chaos (takes you round and round), Dare Devil (a drop ride), Sea Ray (a pendulum ride), Silver Bullet (a 82 ft high wooden roller coaster), Wild Cat (a steel roller coaster), and the Log Flume ride. There are also many kiddie rides and a petting zoo. Admission includes parking!

We parked at Niagara Falls State Park on the US side. Then we walked around the New York side. We went to Goat Island and then crossed a small bridge over the rapids to Luna Island. Both offer a great view of the American and Bridal Veil Falls. From Goat Island, we walked to Three Sister's Island -- it offers a great view of the upper rapids that cascade over the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Terrapin Point is a great location to view the Canadian Horseshoe Falls! Dine at the Top of the Falls Restaurant. Go to the Discovery Center or visit The Aquarium of Niagara. Then onto Prospect Point -- stand within inches of the American Falls for a great view of the Horseshoe Falls.

Then we walked over the Rainbow Bridge to the Canadian Side. Remember your proof of citizenship. Once on the Canadian side, we purchased a people Mover Pass. A People Mover Pass is an all-day hop-on hop-off bus pass. Take the People Mover to the Maid of the Mist. The boat leaves every 30 minutes, and takes you up close to both the Canadian and American Falls. A raincoat is provided. Prices: adult $10.50 / children 6-12 $6.25 and under 5 free. Then we did Journey Behind the Falls. Walk the trail behind the falls. A raincoat is provided. Prices: adult $7.50/ children 6-12 $3.75 and under 5 free. View the falls from Table Rock. Then take the People Mover to the Botanical Gardens and see the Floral Clock. Try the Spanish Aero Car. It is a cable car that holds 40 standing passengers and riders can see the rapids, whirlpool, the gorge, and the hydroelectric plants. Take a jacket and good walking shoes. At night, the falls are illuminated.

The roller coasters are my favorite and Six Flag Darien Lake has five! Superman Ride of Steel, is a steel coaster that reaches the speed of 70 mph. There is a 208-foot hill that drops you into a mist at a 70-degree angle! Boomerang starts by lifting you straight up then dropping into loops and spirals, and then does it again backwards! Predator is a wooden coaster that has 12 drops! The Mind Eraser is a steel suspended looping coaster. Viper is a steel coaster that has five loops and a 75 ft drop!

Some of the other thrill rides include: Silver Bullet, an up-and-over spinning ride; Pirate, a swinging pirate ship; and Sleigh Ride, which goes up and down snowy hills. Get wet on Grizzly Run, a whitewater-canyon-like ride; Poland Springs Plunge, a log ride with two drops; and Shipwreck Falls, a 50-foot waterfall that causes a 20-foot wave.

The kiddy area is Looney Toons Seaport. It has 10 kiddy rides and children may be greeted by the Looney Toons characters. See Batman’s Thrill Spectacular and meet Batman after the show.

The water park has Hook's Lagoon, the kiddy area featuring Hook's Hideout, Tiger Lily Bay and SS Crocodile, with kiddy slides, water cannons, and much more. Crocodile Isle is a giant wave pool and Barracuda Bay has five water slides.