Community Forums

StevL · 09-01-2018, 08:21 PM

Just beginning the planning of a trip leaving from central SC headed ng to Niagra Falls then over to Alexandria NY. Will leave Alexandria heading back to SC.

Suggestions for best routes?
Stops along the way?
RV park suggestions for overnight stop overs, Niagra Falls & Alexandria?

I would like your experience traveling through these areas.

Thx,
Steve

Rodneykrantz · 09-01-2018, 08:38 PM

I think we met you at Costco a couple of months ago. Let us know how this trip goes wife wants to go to Niagara falls also

sam-3 · 09-01-2018, 08:55 PM

Plan on two days at the actual (water) Niagara Falls. Once in the actual state park you can buy a pass for all the attractions. A trolly will take you all around the park and you get on and off at stops of interest. I uasually recomend Four Mile State campsite. Sites have electric and spots to fill water before you get at your site. Dump station is available. Reserve at 1-800-camp or www.Reserve America.com Four Mile Creek State campground. Shouldn't need reservation as this is the shoulder season. Your campsite pass allows free parking at Niagara Falls and the near by Fort Niagara. So much to see and do in the area you could be here for six months. Other more expensive campsites are available in the area. PM me if you need more information.

lrsses · 09-01-2018, 08:59 PM

We are on track to visit
Niagara Falls End Of September for Three Days staying Four Mile Creek Youngstown,Ny we are gone the long way around DC Philadelphia NJ Boston and across Massachusetts NewYork, some I95 I81 you want fast or do you wish to See the sights

Winemaker2 · 09-02-2018, 10:03 AM

If you like boats don't miss the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton 1/2 to full day well worthwhile.
Tours in Alex Bay to Boldt & Singer Castles. Boldt has a separate tour of the boat house that is interesting. You can't appreciate the beauty of the area unless you get out on the water.
The Adirondack Museum in Blue Mtn Lake is another day well spent.
Fron there you are nor all that far from Lake Placid and the winter olympic sites.

StevL · 09-02-2018, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodneykrantz

I think we met you at Costco a couple of months ago. Let us know how this trip goes wife wants to go to Niagara falls also

I remember that, come join us on this trip. Thinking late May

Steve

StevL · 09-02-2018, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winemaker2

If you like boats don't miss the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton 1/2 to full day well worthwhile.
Tours in Alex Bay to Boldt & Singer Castles. Boldt has a separate tour of the boat house that is interesting. You can't appreciate the beauty of the area unless you get out on the water.
The Adirondack Museum in Blue Mtn Lake is another day well spent.
Fron there you are nor all that far from Lake Placid and the winter olympic sites.

Thx, we will not miss the museum nor the castles. I would like to rent a boat for a couple days to do our own exploring as well.

Thx,
Steve

Winemaker2 · 09-03-2018, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevL

Thx, we will not miss the museum nor the castles. I would like to rent a boat for a couple days to do our own exploring as well.

Thx,
Steve

If you rent a boat to tour make sure to have charts. There are many more than 1,000 Is there... except they are just under the water. The area is spectacular and can only be appreciated from the water.
Talk to some local boaters to find out their favorite spots.

GaryKD · 09-03-2018, 06:48 AM

Hi,
Consider Swan Bay as your CG for the Alex Bay stop. They are at https://www.swanbayresort.com/ A bit expensive, but very clean and well kept.

StevL · 09-03-2018, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Hi,
Consider Swan Bay as your CG for the Alex Bay stop. They are at https://www.swanbayresort.com/ A bit expensive, but very clean and well kept.

I already have a tentative reservation there, they will not confirm until December. Glad I may have made a good decision.

Thx,
Steve

PanJH · 09-03-2018, 07:36 AM

Letchworth State Park might be a place for you to visit after seeing the falls. There are 3 pretty large waterfalls in this park. RV sites are huge , but electric only ( 50 amp) . Association Island is also a pretty nice CG to stop at before getting over to Alex bay. I see you are planning on Swan Bay, but of that falls through for some reason, look into Mary Knoll in Clayton. Nice family owned park.

Air Conditioned Gypsy · 09-03-2018, 06:50 PM

We made a very similar trip in August: Charleston, SC to Niagara falls. But we headed through mid-NY instead of hugging the coast of Lake Ontario, as it looks like you will do on the way to Alexandria. We went to the finger lakes (wine country) and cooperstown (baseball hof).

We started on I-26 W from CHS to Columbia. Caught 321 from Columbia to Hickory NC. Then 40 East to Statesville, then I-77 to Beckly WVA. At Beckly, we exited to US-19 north and then caught I-79 north through Pittsburgh and on to Erie PA. From there, I-90 east for a few miles until we entered NY. Before the tolls on I-90, we hit NY-5 which parallels 90 and hugs the shore of Lake Erie, and took that to Buffalo. Then I-190 through town and then The Niagara Scenic Parkway to Four Mile Creek state park.

Boondocked in NC, KOA in WVA, boondocked in PA, then we spent 4 days at 4 Mile.

When we left Niagara, we used NY-18, which hugs the coast of Lake Ontario, before cutting south to head to the finger lakes.

Hope this helps. I got some input from others on this forum about places to stay and also about using the byways in NY (not only to avoid the tolls but for the scenery.)

Regards.

Chuck

Air Conditioned Gypsy · 09-04-2018, 08:35 AM

PS - While in Niagara Falls, go to the town of Niagara Falls, to a section called Little Italy. Grab breakfast at the Marketside Cafe and get the "Sal Maglie." Named for "The Barber" (gave close shaves....) himself, who was from NF and frequented Marketside in retirement. Great place, spent some time talking with the owner and really enjoyed the food. Also, right around the corner is DiCamillo Bakery - another hole in the wall, but great breads and pastries.

Regards.

Chuck

StevL · 09-04-2018, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Air Conditioned Gypsy

PS - While in Niagara Falls, go to the town of Niagara Falls, to a section called Little Italy. Grab breakfast at the Marketside Cafe and get the "Sal Maglie." Named for "The Barber" (gave close shaves....) himself, who was from NF and frequented Marketside in retirement. Great place, spent some time talking with the owner and really enjoyed the food. Also, right around the corner is DiCamillo Bakery - another hole in the wall, but great breads and pastries.

Regards.

Chuck

Thanks for the heads up, we love the hidden gems.

Steve