CA -> US walk/drive; fees? AAA ?

I%26#39;ve looked over all the messages for the past year %26amp; would still like to request a bit of clarification please...

We%26#39;re driving ourselves (from IL), and staying at Sheraton on the Falls at the end of June. From this link, it looks to be the dark windowed building by the bridge?

niagarafallslive.com/Niagara_Falls_Interacti鈥?/a>

Assuming that%26#39;s Rainbow Bridge fairly near the hotel, as seen here?: www.niagarafallslive.com/rainbow_bridge.htm

After much reading %26amp; making budget considerations, I am planning to purchase the Discovery Pass: niagarafallsstatepark.com/PassToTheFalls.aspx

So, one question is, is it feasible to walk to the NY State Park and take the trolley to each attraction (ie: Cave, MOTM, etc...)?

Also, to walk the trails (someone mention 300 stairs?) that access the banks of the rapids?

or

Do we need to plan on driving to the US side in order to take advantage of Cave, Maid %26amp; trails?

CA -%26gt; US walk/drive; fees? AAA ?

Oh, and the AAA... I read earlier that they offer a Pass discount but I%26#39;ve scoured their site and can%26#39;t find anything listed, so I was wondering if it was still available (they%26#39;re closed for the holiday weekend)? Thanks

CA -%26gt; US walk/drive; fees? AAA ?

To the best of my knowledge, the Discovery Pass is only sold at the State Park and there%26#39;s no AAA discount. (Please correct me if you find out otherwise.)

Your plan to leave the car at the hotel is correct. Your Sheraton is adjacent to the Rainbow Bridge. It%26#39;s a 10 minute walk over the bridge (great views!), and the State Park begins at the US end of the bridge. The park is easily navigable by trolley (or on foot, if you%26#39;re reasonably fit), and the various attractions (Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, ';IMAX'; theater, etc.) are quite close together. You can usually do it all in a day, though the Pass is good all summer. Weekdays are more pleasant than weekends and holidays -- this past weekend (Memorial Day) was insane. The crowd is so international, that gas prices are not a factor here.

Not sure exactly what the 300-step rapids walk is.

Niagara Falls Dude has you covered on most of your questions.

With respect to the 300 steps, that is correct! I%26#39;ve not walked into the gorge from the Canadian side but have done so often on the U.S. side -- from Whirlpool State Park. Be aware that the steps are of varying heights and slopes and the walk back up gives one a good workout. Note that once at the base of the gorge, the path is fairly flat with a few boulder fields to cross.

I suspect there would be about the same number of steps on the Canadian side. On the Canadian side there is a location, ';White Water Walk';, about 2.5 miles north of the falls that you can take an elevator down to the rapids. For additional details see: www.niagaraparks.com/nfgg/whitewater.php