Challenge: Niagara Falls, ON

The Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada is a beautiful place. It was designated as a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice® 2011 Winner (Destination and Family Categories).  Since this is only a 6hr drive from Columbus, it makes an easy weekend trip.  There are many things to do in the area besides view the Falls.  Please remember that you now need a passport to travel to Canada.  (For questions about passports go to the US Dept of State's website.)   
While some items are priced in US Dollars (USD) and others are in Canadian Dollars (CAD) the exchange rate is currently very close to even, so I did not bother to adjust Canadian dollars into US dollars.  All prices are US dollars unless otherwise noted.

This photo of Niagara Falls is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Criteria:  Close to the falls and other activities.

Needs/Wants: Variety of activities beside seeing the Niagara Falls.

Time Frame:  Long weekend - prices based on May 10-13 (3nights/4days)

Budget:  #1 $1500 / #2 $1000 / #3 $600 TL for 2 people

Option #1: Niagara Fall - Fallsview

Hotel: The Tower Hotel - Standard 1Q Fallsview @ 20% for 3nt-rate (no breakfast); mostly positive TripAdvisor reviews   $622.92 TL

Car/Gas: 352 miles each way (~6hr); round trip 704 miles with 22mpg at $3.50/gal  $112.00 TL

Parking:  Valet Parking $15/day  $45

Transportation: Walking distance  $0 TL

Food: Breakfast (B): $10/day ($30); Lunch (L): $35/day ($105); Dinner (D): $60/day ($180); Drinks (Dr): $20/day ($60)  ~$375TL (for two people)
Based on Day 1 (D/Dr), Day 2 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 3 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 4 (B/L)

Activities: Maid of the Mist Tour $16.50CADpp; Niagara Wine Trail $0 OR use the Vino Visa Passport $25pp (Worth the money if you plan to visit multiple wineries for free tastings); Fallsview Casino $0 (unless you gamble); Niagara Sky Wheel $8.99pp (with $1off coupon on website); Butterfly Conservatory $12.25pp; Botanical Gardens $0; Niagara Helicopter Rides $132pp; Crystal Beach $0  $390 TL 

Trip Total:  $1544.92 TL

Option #2: Niagara Falls - B&B

Hotel: Greystone Manor Bed and Breakfast - Topaz Guest Room 1Q @ TripAdvisor 15% off-rate (must pay in cash to received discount); private entrance; breakfast; mini-fridge and microwave; ranked as #1 B&B by the Niagara Falls on TripAdvisor  $300CAD + 13% tax = $339CAD TL

Car/Gas: 352 miles each way (~6hr); round trip 704 miles with 22mpg at $3.50/gal  $112.00 TL

Parking:  Complimentary Off Street Parking  $0

Transportation: Walking $0 OR PeopleMover Buses  $8.85pp/day  $84 TL

Food: Breakfast (included): $0/day (0); Lunch: $30/day ($90); Dinner: $50/day ($150); Drinks: $15/day ($45)  ~$285TL (for two people)
Based on Day 1 (D/Dr), Day 2 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 3 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 4 (B/L)

Activities: Maid of the Mist Tour $16.50CADpp; Niagara Wine Trail $0 OR use the Vino Visa Passport $25pp (Worth the money if you plan to visit multiple wineries for free tastings); Fallsview Casino $0; Niagara Sky Wheel $8.99pp (with $1off coupon on website); Butterfly Conservatory $12.25pp; Botanical Gardens $0; Crystal Beach $0  $125 TL

Trip Total:  $915 TL

Option #3: Niagara Falls - Near Falls 

(may include long walk or very short drive)

Hotel: The Rex Motel - 1Q @ regular-rate; breakfast; mini-fridge and microwave; good value based on TripAdvisor reviews   $215CAD + 13% tax = $242.95CAD TL

Car/Gas: 352 miles each way (~6hr); round trip 704 miles with 22mpg at $3.50/gal  $112.00 TL

Parking:  Complimentary Parking  $0

Transportation: For parking if you do not feel like walking  $25 TL

Food: Breakfast (B): $5/day ($15); Lunch (L): $20/day ($60); Dinner (D): $40/day ($120); Drinks (Dr): $0/day (0)  ~$205TL (for two people)
Based on Day 1 (D), Day 2 (B/L/D), Day 3 (B/L/D), Day 4 (B/L)

Activities: Maid of the Mist Tour $16.50CADpp; Niagara Wine Trail $0; Fallsview Casino $0; Niagara Sky Wheel $8.99pp (with $1off coupon on website); Botanical Gardens $0; Crystal Beach $0  $75 TL 

Trip Total:  $605.45 TL