toronto and niagra falls

niamh1975

hi,
Have a wedding at niagra falls later in the year but have decided to go to toronto first for a few days as it is so close . Anyone have any ideas what to see and do in toronto and the falls areas. Also as we are flying into toronto do we have to get visas when going into the states? Any hotel recommendations for Toronto would be helpful also

lodgepole

There's lots of hotels in Toronto, but if you're going in peak season I recomend booking early. There's a Holiday Inn on Queen Street, just east of Spadina which is nice and very well located.

There's the usual to see in the city, the CN tower, some very good museums... If the weather is nice get the ferry out to the island, a nice way to spend a day. I suggest you track down some of the ethnic areas like Chinatown, Little Italy and Greektown. Also, an area just beside Chinatown called Kensington Market is like a mini Camden Town.

Queen Street is where a lot of the shops are, and quite a few decent restaurants. A great place for restaurants is the relatively unknown Baldwin Village, which is on Baldwin St, east of Spadina. This will make more sense when you're actually there, but if you walk down the street that the LCBO in Chinatown is on, you'll get there.

Once you get to Niagara, try to visit Niagara on the Lake. It's a nice little area with vineyards and such. Niagara Falls itself is like Blackpool except it's full of American college students taking advantage of the laxer drinking age. There's a decent casino there though, and that makes for a good night.

To cross into the US you'll need to pay a dollar sum, something like $7, and fill in one of those green forms that gets stapled into your passport.

Nina_Angelica

niamh1975 wrote:

hi,
Have a wedding at niagra falls later in the year but have decided to go to toronto first for a few days as it is so close . Anyone have any ideas what to see and do in toronto and the falls areas. Also as we are flying into toronto do we have to get visas when going into the states? Any hotel recommendations for Toronto would be helpful also

I'm not sure about the Visa into US or how it works, your best bet would be to contact the American Embassy to find out. My fiance finally received permanent residence in Canada but in order for us to have him 'landed' we had to cross the border into USA. When we crossed he had to go inside the Immigration room at the border and pay $6 US for a stamp in his p/port to cross over w/ an Irish passport. So, you may need the same stamp or it may be that you can organize that before hand. Not sure!

Mrs. MacGyver

Lodgepole wrote:

There's lots of hotels in Toronto, but if you're going in peak season I recomend booking early. There's a Holiday Inn on Queen Street, just east of Spadina which is nice and very well located.

There's the usual to see in the city, the CN tower, some very good museums... If the weather is nice get the ferry out to the island, a nice way to spend a day. I suggest you track down some of the ethnic areas like Chinatown, Little Italy and Greektown. Also, an area just beside Chinatown called Kensington Market is like a mini Camden Town.

Queen Street is where a lot of the shops are, and quite a few decent restaurants. A great place for restaurants is the relatively unknown Baldwin Village, which is on Baldwin St, east of Spadina. This will make more sense when you're actually there, but if you walk down the street that the LCBO in Chinatown is on, you'll get there.

Once you get to Niagara, try to visit Niagara on the Lake. It's a nice little area with vineyards and such. Niagara Falls itself is like Blackpool except it's full of American college students taking advantage of the laxer drinking age. There's a decent casino there though, and that makes for a good night.

To cross into the US you'll need to pay a dollar sum, something like $7, and fill in one of those green forms that gets stapled into your passport.

I agree went there last year, fell in love with Canada. Yuo have to go to Niagra on the lake and get a tour of the vineyards and try ice wine (seriously yummy stuff!). The place is like something out of Anne of green gables with the little wooden shops/houses and the people are so nice!

niamh1975

Thanks everyone. I cant wait to get over there!

lushballs

Yes agree with Niagra on the Lake visit.
Would strongly recommend doing the 'Maid of the Mist' boat tour beneath the falls. Despite the line ups it moves pretty fast. It is great craic and you feel like you will acually go under the falls! They give you rain coats so you don't get wet.

beanyb

If you're in any way into theme parks you should go to Canada's Wonderland. It's about an hours drive from Toronto and is absolutely brilliant.

I personally loved Yorkville. It's a little shopping district with really cute little boutiques and the likes. It's just off Bloor - between Queen's Park and Yonge I think. It can be a bit poncy, but it's gorgeous. Queen West is also great for shopping.

The CN tower isnt that great, but it's kind of one of those things you have to do when you're there. And if you'll be there in the summer the islands and the harbourfront are lovely. The area around U of T (near Bloor and Spadina) is really pretty too.

I'm totally just using this to reminisce about my summer... aw Toronto how I miss you.

copacetic

I wouldn't bother with the CN tower myself but I would go to the harbour and take the boat over to the islands for a day trip as mentioned above. Bring a picnic etc and make a day of it.

Mrs. MacGyver

Ah no, you would have to see the CN Tower... The islands are ok but the weather was a bid dodgy last year so not as enjoyable as i hoped. Yuo should catch an argonauts american footbal game or see the bluejays in baseball....brilliant atmosphere....i;m a girly and loved it!

ffocused

Toronto Zoo is nice, you need a whole day to see it all though. In Niagara the helicopter ride over the falls is amazing and it only costs about 50/60 euro.