If you want to be within walking distance to Niagara Falls, Sheraton at the Falls, located in New York, is a good choice for accommodations. It is literally around the corner from the rapids, and a short walk from Niagara Falls State Park & Observation Deck. Admittedly. there’s not much more on this side of the Falls, however, the hotel is just a few blocks from Rainbow Bridge, which allows you to walk right into Canada.

If you want budget-friendly accommodations, Sheraton at the Falls is also a good choice. While hotels on Canada’s side offer outstanding views of the Falls, they are more expensive than those on the New York side; many of their rates start around $300 per night during peak season. Sheraton on the Falls probably offers the most reasonable rates on the Canada side, but you’ll still pay more there than you will for the same, family-friendly accommodations at Sheraton at the Falls.

Plus, Sheraton at the Falls offers two onsite dining options, an indoor swimming pool, gift shop, laundry facility and fitness center.

To learn more about Sheraton, please visit Sheraton.

Sheraton at the Falls has 391 rooms and suites, all of which accommodate families, and there are three room variations: Double Queen Guestroom, King Size Guestroom and Executive Suite.

Double Queen Guestrooms have two queen beds, and King Size Guestrooms have one king bed. Double Queen Guestrooms are the most popular for families of four, or five with the use of a crib or a rollaway bed. King Size Guestooms are good for a family of three, also with the use of a crib or rollaway bed. Both rollaway beds and cribs are complimentary to guests, and available upon request.

Executive Suites have separate bedrooms with one king bed, but the bedrooms are not private; they are only detached by a small wall. They also have combined living and dining areas, with a sofa bed, refrigerator and microwave.

All of the hotel's rooms and suites are outfitted with Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Beds and 300 thread-count, cotton sheets. Rooms and suites also have 32-inch, flat-screen TV's with cable (including SHOWTIME), cordless phones, safes, coffee makers and irons and ironing boards.

All bathrooms have shower and tub combinations (a plus for families), as well as hairdryers and complimentary soaps, shampoos, conditioners and shaving creams, plus miniature Loofah sponges, razors, cotton balls and Q-tips.

Maid of the Mist and Niagara Falls State Park & Observation Tower, two must-see attractions, are within walking distance from the hotel -- they're less than 10 minutes away. Aquarium of Niagara isn't far either, you can get there within 15 minutes by foot, and about 5 minutes by car.

If you're interested in arranging a local tour, you can consult the tour desk, located in the lobby and operated by Gray Line. Adult rates start at $89.95 and children ages 6 to 11 cost $52.95. Children under age 5 are free of charge.

When you need a break, however, you can relax in the hotel's indoor swimming pool, which is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, year-round. The pool varies in depth, with a 3-foot, 4-foot, 5-foot and 7-foot section; it is also ADA compliant. There is no lifeguard on duty.

You won't find unique, exclusive restaurants at Sheraton at the Falls, but you will find a Starbucks and a TGIFridays, which might be a godsend for families with picky eaters. Plus, TGIFridays has a separate children's menu, with kid-friendly portions and versions of drinks (shakes and juices), appetizers, entrees (burgers, chicken fingers, fish and chips, pizza, hot dogs and pasta) and desserts.

Room service, with food from TGIFriday's, is essentially available 24/7. It's offered from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday, and until 12 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. A limited, late-night menu is offered until 6:30 a.m.

All About the Extras
The hotel has a fairly extensive fitness center, with elliptical machines, treadmills, rowing machines, stationary bikes and free weights. Located on the first floor, it is open 24 hours a day.

There's also a small store -- Cascades Gift Shop -- located across from Starbucks. It sells souvenirs and items you may have forgotten, such as umbrellas and ponchos to use when you visit the Falls.

Other onsite amenities include free Wi-Fi access, a coin-operated laundry facility, valet dry-cleaning services and a business center with private workstations.

The Art of Smart Timing
We visited Niagara Falls, New York on a weekend in September, and found it to be a prime time for families. Albeit one rainy day, we experienced warm temperatures, and there were hardly any crowds around. This is the same case for June; July and August are the area's busiest months with the highest hotel rates. October and April aren't bad either, but the weather is often unpredictable. Winter is obviously cold, though Sheraton at the Falls will offer its lowest rates during this time.

Additionally, Niagara Falls, New York is only an hour and a half from Toronto, so you can easily tack on a visit to the CN Tower and Hockey Hall of Fame.

Getting There
The closest major airport (which is conveniently small in size) is Buffalo Niagara International Airport, about a half hour from the hotel. Taxis are your best bet for transportation to the hotel, but they aren't cheap, we paid about $70 for a one-way trip to Sheraton at the Falls. Some of the cheaper services are AAATaxiTour (from $55 one-way) and Buffalo Airport Express (from $50 one-way; up to four people).

If you're driving to Sheraton at the Falls from anywhere in the U.S., you won't need a passport, since the hotel's address is in New York. If you want to walk into Canada (yes, you can do that -- see below), however, you'll need a passport.

Getting Around
You can easily walk to Maid of the Mist and Niagara Falls State Park & Observation Desk. You can also easily walk to Canada -- arguably the best side to see Niagara Falls -- via Rainbow Bridge, and the walk is only about a quarter mile long. Note: You'll need your passport to cross the bridge -- strict patrolling is enforced, especially when you return to New York from Canada.

If you want to experience Cave of the Winds and Whirlpool Jet Tours, you'll need to get a taxi or arrange a tour, or drive if you brought a car.

Hotel parking is available for $20, plus tax, per night, and valet parking is offered for $30, plus tax, per night.

For Mom and Dad
There's not much in the way of adult fun -- or in general -- around Sheraton at the Falls, except Fallsview Casino and Resort and Casino Resort. Fallsview Casino and Resort is the nicer option, if you like gambling and want to plan a night out. Complimentary shuttle services are offered between the casinos.