HawthorneVillager.com

We are planning a shopping trip with our 3 girls and are trying to figure out WHAT DAY would have the least amount of traffic to cross into the US.

We are just going to Rochester - but due to the fact that March Break starts next week - we could be in for a wait at the Border.

We were thinking of leaving Thursday right after school - so like 4 - 4:15 .... thinking that wait times wouldn't be as bad as if we chose to leave 1st thing Friday morning.

Also not sure where to cross ..... could go right into Niagara Falls and take the Rainbow boarder or go to Lewiston where there's more lines ..... so this would also be a factor.

Thanks in advance

Jo

go on the website for the border crossings...(I can't remember what it is..I'm so sorry..you can google it) It gives you the current wait times at the border when you leave..then take whichever bridge is the least wait. Normally it's the Rainbow bridge...the Lewiston is normally the heaviest wait times.

All the bridges are within a 10 minute drive from each other, so don't worry which one you take, it won't lead you too far off the path of where you are going.

Good Luck!
Jessica

http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/index.asp

Hi Jo

We've been doing the girls weekend in Rochester every November for the past 4 years and have found the Rainbow Bridge to be the easiest pass through into the U.S. The GPS's will take you to Queenston - Lewiston so it's the busiest. I've posted the site I check before we depart. Have fun, we adore Rochester and it's fantastic malls, where are you staying?

Oh and BTW try and time you trip back to arrive at the border at 3 p.m. - shift change - less likely to hassle you.

Laurie

Thing about leaving right after school is you're going hit MAJOR CDN rush hour traffic, which is going to turn that hour drive to the border into 2 to 3 hours. I would say to leave around 7 or so. I've always crossed at Lewiston and the only time I've encountered major delays were this past December because of a major snow storm and this past July but the delay was on the US side coming back into Canada because it was rush hour. Usually the wait is about 10 to 15 mins, but I personally think its a good trade off since Lewiston is the shortest route into the US and I can navigate that area like the back of my hand

As a side note, Lewiston duty free coming back into Canada always has some wicked deals on alcohol.

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C5 http://www.ca.avon.com/PRSuite/eb05.page?LANG_CD=en_CA
Due: Feb 24th

1-800-715-6722

Bridge information line will tell you relative waiting time to get over... call when you are just going through St. Catharines so you can decide which bridge to take

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just lurkin'

If your going to Rochester, your better off going straight to the Fort Erie Bridge. If you take the Queenston/Lewiston bridge, you'll be in local highway traffic to get over to the I90.

I second Fort Erie Bridge (Peace Bridge) going over and coming home.
More lines are open and no or less traffic.

I wouldn't leave during rush hour, IMO I would leave early Friday morning.

Happy Shoppping and Have fun!

I say, stay and shop in Canada!

No offense to anybody intended, but when did this trend of treating the Friday before March break like a wasted day at school start?

I have a limited number of days to cram in all the information that the ministry thinks is important to our students and then parents, for this reason or others (like 'my son/daughter has a hard time getting out of bed'), allow their kids to miss my lessons. And then sometimes it's the same parents that ask me to go an extra 10 yards for their kid when their grade isn't where they want it to be.

Again, I don't mean to hijack the thread and I don't mean to pick on any particular poster... just want to put an idea out there.

Why Rochester? Do you have a family there? Pennsylvania - Grove city might be a better option. No Tax. I think its the same distance. Just thought you'd like to know.

Why Rochester? Do you have a family there? I assume your going to the outlet beside the I90, its not very big.

Pennsylvania - Grove city might be a better option and No Tax. I think its the same distance. Just thought you'd like to know.

http://www.primeoutlets.com/locations/grove-city.aspx

actually now the KJT brought up shopping elsewhere, theres a pretty good outlet mall about 10 mins across the border, exit 22 Fashion Outlets. although I do second Pennsylvania for shopping.

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C5 http://www.ca.avon.com/PRSuite/eb05.page?LANG_CD=en_CA
Due: Feb 24th

you should actually be fine...rush hour doesn't affect the traffice in my experience. I cross the border and back every Friday (take them home) and again Sunday (pick up the new bunch) from June to September picking up kids who billet with us for hockey from the Buffalo airport. I've only had problems on long weekends sometimes...but no real traffic issues due to rush hour/border waits due to rush hour.

I also don't want to hijack the subject....but is there a bus that goes from anywhere around here to the Buffalo airport?? Times/Days/Costs/Website?

Thanks!
Jessica

Forget Rochester...go to Grove City....or even Michigan! Birch Run has some hot deals!

Oh and a couple of shopping tips:
- Visit the website for whichever mall you plan to go to (Prime Outlets for example) and register for the "One Club" card, or other discount card they offer. You'll get a confirmation that you print out and take to Guest Services when you get there. They will give you the card and a list of stores that offer discounts to cardholders. We did this in Florida and received crazy discounts! You may not ALWAYS get a stellar deal, but it's worth a try because it's totally free!
- ANY mall you visit, go to Guest Services and ask if they offer any visitor discounts or visitor discount cards. Same idea as above, but you have to prove that you're actually visiting the region (you need ID to show your address). Usually it's x number of miles from the city you're shoppig in.


Have fun!!!

I haven't seen long queues at the border in ages...with the exception of some long weekends. It's not like it used to be. I wouldn't think you would have any trouble.