TRIP - Niagara Falls and Shopping in US

As we were doing nothing at home for the holidays, we decided to take advantage of Oakes Hotel's Gourment Package deal and took a 2-Day-1-Night trip to Niagara Falls and some shopping in U.S. for the baby.

Generously, the Gourment Getaway package includes quite a few things, for $99

• A room at The Oakes Hotel Overlooking the Falls (1 room, double occupancy)  
• Bonus: FREE Wireless internet access
• An elegant gourmet dinner for two at the award winning Remington’s of Niagara (includes appetizer, main entrée, and coffee or tea)
• Appetizer options - Caesar Salad, Simple Salad or Remington’s Signature Prime Rib Soup
• Entrée options - Prime Rib, New York Striploin, Filet of Salmon, Stuffed Chicken Supreme, Penne Rustica or Veal Parmesan
• A full, hot, made to order breakfast for two each morning of your stay our on-site Applebee's Grill & Bar
• VIP Wine Tasting at Inniskillin Estates Winery - enjoy 2 VQA Inniskillin Table Wines and their world renowned Vidal Ice wine per person
• VIP Wine Tasting at Peller Estates Winery
• VIP Wine Tasting at Hillebrand Winery
• VIP Wine Tasting at Jackson Triggs Winery

Jan 2, 2011

• McDonald breakfast - 2 can dine coupon
• Shopping at IKEA Burlington - $100
• Canada One Factory Outlet at Lundy's Lane - Deals suck there, full parking lot
• Check-in at Oakes Hotel Niagara Falls - no upgrade for our wedding anniversary :( Got a FALLSIDE room on 5th floor, with obstructed view (trees) of the Falls
• VIP Wine Tasting at Inniskillin, then Peller Estates - Inniskilln (2 icewine/person!!) over Pell Estates any day
• Dinner at Remington restaurant - Prime Rib was awesome, Singing waitresses awesome too!
• Magic Show at Greg Frewin Theatre - $15 per person, sat at first row to see Lion, Tiger, Baby Tigers!!

Jan 3, 2011

• Breakfast at Applebee's - Stuffed with Pancake and French Toast, but blend overall
• US Custom - Almost wouldn't let Wendy enter with her 36-weeks belly, but reluctantly did after asking my OBGYN info. Every time I see them, I am thankful for holding a Canadian Passport
• Fashion Outlet - $50 - Old Navy & Gap
• Walmart Supercenter - $75 - quite a place to shop for everything
• Walden Galeria - $25 - Old Navy
• Dinner (Happy Hours daily 3-6 pm) at P.F. Cheng - $38, best deal of this trip with great food
• CANADIAN Custom - Asked for receipts to show $150 purchased, opened trunk for inspection before letting us go
• Lastly... grocery shopping at T&T Mississauga before heading back to Waterloo

Conclusion

• The trip was worthwhile (we did buy a lot for Ella, but at cheaper prices than Canada at least), and the Happy Hours at P.F. Chang was certainly a great surprise to end the trip.
• My review on RFD
• Every baby product we look for is much cheaper in U.S. (from 50% to 30% cheaper) where selections are usually better also (Old Navy, Gap, Walmart Supercenter). We bought $150 worth of baby stuff, on top of IKEA = it was a money-spending and money-saving trip ^_^