Any specific reason for doing the falls before the conf? Like, in the weekend there are more tourists in the area, or what?
It'll be crowded any day of the week, at that time of year, but weekends will certainly be crazy. My main reason for keeping the weekend free is that I am *guessing* that most conference goers will not be doing the Niagara trip because it's a long ways out and people who are only coming for a couple days extra (unlike you and I) will want to spend that time doing "many things" in Toronto, rather than one thing travelling to the falls.
I found these organised tours, which are supposedly pretty good: http://www.toursinniagara.com/tour_info.html
But also, Barbara (the woman of my bed and breakfast) also does a niagara falls tour, we get more input in the program (we can stay longer in the evening, eat where we want, etc). If you want, I can forward you some mails with more info.
There's also a dude who did some further recommendations for things to do at the Falls (such as "create your own trip"), see the comments at http://dieter.plaetinck.be/off_to_toronto_july_14-28_Archcon
If it were up to me I think I would take Barbara's tour, but surely you guys know the area better (Loui and Ricardo reading?), so I want your input!
I've been to the falls twice (I love it there, that's why I'll go back with you :-D), once a friend drove my sister and I down there, and the second time, some friends and I went down on the Greyhound (bus service). It hadn't crossed my mind to do a tour, however, Greyhound tickets are $20-$30 one way, and don't include any of the attractions in Niagara or a city bus pass or taxi fare from the Greyhound station to the falls, so $60 or so for a tour is a good deal. So I agree that Barbara's tour might be the best way to go. Would be fairly relaxed, and we'll probably see more stuff that way. So, summary, my votes: * You and I attending for sure, not sure if anyone else would join us * sometime before the conference, rather than on the weekend after * barbara's tour sounds good. Dusty