Niagara Falls - You HAVE to see it to believe it!

I stayed here using points, so my accommodations were free. At the last minute my plans changed, so I requested 1 king-size bed instead of the two double beds I had reserved. I was no problem; I was readily accommodated.

The room was clean and held a king-size bed, two night stands, a desk, a dresser, and an armorie. There was no fridge, but it did have a coffeemaker.

The serve breakfast in the lobby in the morning and give you the morning paper. The breakfast options were cereal, bagels, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk, and coffee. In fact, they have coffee available 24/7.

It is about a 1-mile walk to the Falls down an uncrowded road.

The hotel also has an indoor pool, and they offer free parking.

What I would like to stress the most is that is was CLEAN and the staff was wonderful!

We found this place simply by accident. It is a few miles (about 6) from the Falls but worth the drive. The prices were so reasonable! When you walk inside it is decorated like a log cabin; they even have antler chandeliers. The entire restaurant is nonsmoking.

So you want to know about the food?? How does this sound? Appetizers like a Paul Bunyan onion, mozzarella sticks, shrimp (fried or grilled), “Bear Paws” (mushrooms), and “potato canoes,” or wings (hey, you are close to Buffalo). Most appetizers were in the range of $5.99 to $7.99.

The entrees come with a choice of soup or salad and potato or vegetable, and they serve a basket of honey-baked bread with your soup or salad.

Thirsty? They have a full bar menu and specialty martinis and micro-brewed beer.

Their steak menu, as you might suspect, is huge! Here are some examples: Prime Rib $13.99 for a ½ pound, $16.99 for ¾ pound, or $19.99 for a full pound! Fillet Mignon $19.99 Porterhouse 20 oz just $22.99 The sirloin was only $14, and it is a very thick cut (about 2 inches); it looks more like a fillet. You can add toppings for your steak for only $2. Toppings include blue cheese, Bearnaise sauce, horseradish, peppercorns, fried onions, mushrooms, or even bacon. The mushrooms came in a separate dish and were a very generous serving.

If beef is not your thing (what are you doing at a steakhouse?), they also offer chicken, pasta, and seafood. How about a “field and stream” combo? It is a grilled pork chop and walleye fillet. You can also add on seafood to any meal.

If you are still hungry, they have a dessert menu. I saw apple crisp, cheesecake, and a Brownie Blast.

Reservations are accepted but not always needed. Call Ahead Seating is available.

The name is a bit of a misnomer. In fact, there is no cave at all. This was by far my favorite adventure of the trip.

After you purchase your ticket, you are directed to an area to pick up a raincoat and free sandals, which are required to be worn during the trip to the falls. Be sure to know your shoe size because there are signs all over that say "NO EXCHANGES."

After donning your new foul-weather gear, you stand in line waiting for the elevator that takes you 175 feet down to the bottom of the falls. From here you are guided along a wooden walkway, which is torn down and rebuilt every year. (This is an amazing feat in itself, as the wind and water are constantly hitting the walkway.) This walkway winds its way along the rocks near the bottom of the falls.

The highlight of the trip is the aptly named Hurricane Deck. You are only 20 feet from the bottom of the falls. Imagine standing on the splash/observation bridge at an amusement park watching the plume ride. That is about how wet you get if you want to. If wet it not your thing, just stay on the outer walkway and avoid the deck. There are no guarantees you won’t get wet!

Also, be sure there are no rips in your raincoat. The man in front of me in had a small tear around the neck of his raincoat and his shirt was SOAKED! There is no way to accurately describe this adventure – you just have to try it for yourself! They also offer a tour at night to see the Falls illuminated.

It is dubbed the FUN Street. This street is right off of Niagara Parkway. The street climbs up a steep hill, and you can see the falls from it. Both sides of the street have attractions.

If you have kids and don’t want to spend a fortune, steer clear of this street. It is lined with gimmicky tourist traps, one after another after another. You will find several wax museums, Dino Island 3D The Ride, Mystery Maze, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum, a haunted house, a midway, and even Dinosaur Park Indoor Miniature Golf! If you are desperate to entertain the tykes, this just might be the place for you. You could easily spend a day on this street alone.

Did I mention that the Rainforest Café is located on this street?