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Watertown Forum: Best route from NYC to Watertown- then Niagara Falls

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BuenaVida2
posts: 7
“ Best route from NYC to Watertown- then Niagara Falls ”
12 September 2007, 11:36

My original plan was to drive from NYC to Niagara Falls (staying in U.S. side). However, I seem to have made a promise to my cousin, who is visiting from Colombia, South America, that I would drive him through where his grandfather is buried, Watertown, NY. Is this an extreme detour from my route to niagara falls? Not sure which would be best interstate to take, 81, 87 90??

I will probably try to stay a night in Watertown but there don't seem to be too many hotels. Also, I would like for my roadtrip to be scenic and wondered if I could make Ithica as a drive through the wineries?

Finally, is Niagara Falls really worth visiting if staying on the U.S. side? the only reason I will not cross over to Canada is due to my cousin not having a Canadian traveler's visa.

Any hotel suggestions in Niagara falls or Buffalo are welcome....

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travelus73
NY
posts: 579
reviews: 66
1. Re: Best route from NYC to Watertown- then Niagara Falls
12 September 2007, 13:15

I personally don't think Niagara Falls is such a big deal.

I would say the best way to go is to take the GW Bridge to the Palisades to Rt. 6 to Rt. 17 West. Then around Binghamton you take I-81 North straight to Watertown, NY.

Off I-81 you can find directions to get to Ithaca which has nice wineries and waterfalls. Also if you take I-90 east of Syracuse you can go to Chittenango Falls State Park which is also very nice. I-81 will meet I-90 around Syracuse.

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jcyan13
Houston...
posts: 1
reviews: 8
2. Re: Best route from NYC to Watertown- then Niagara Falls
04 December 2007, 15:26

NYC to Watertown

I would recommend the 81 up from NYC to Watertown. Be careful though. The 81 has a lot of nooks and crannies where the police hide. I have 3 speeding tickets all on the same area of the 81 outside of Watertown and I'm not even from NY and have never gotten a ticket anywhere else.

Hotel in Watertown

There are really no nice hotels in this area. There are lots of little motels that run from $50-$100, and then some bigger chains. Book ahead because every once in a while the military is doing something and the hotels fill up with soldiers and army families. I always stay at the Microtel, which is in Calcium, just north of Watertown and near Ft Drum. It's cheap (about $70) and clean and reliable.

Watertown to Niagara

If you've never been to Niagara Falls, it's still worth going I think. I've been there about 50 times since I grew up nearby and it never grows old. In the winter, the falls are really beautfiul with the ice and snow. And of course, you don't feel the cold in the casinos! The best route probably is to take the 81 back from Watertown to Syracuse and take the 90 West to Buffalo.

Have a great trip!

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3. Re: Best route from NYC to Watertown- then Niagara Falls
15 September 2009, 9:16

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