lvk

Vague enough for you? Here's my new project. My Mother-in-law visits us from Germany every year (we live in Southern California), and we generally take her on a one-week trip. Next year (summer of 2007), she said she would like to see "the Great Lakes Region". All-righty then. ??? I don't think she realizes how vast this area is.

So, I am coming to the fodorites for help. We are going to Germany in a couple of weeks, and I would like to have a few itineraries to suggest to her. I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

My initial thoughts were to take her to Niagara Falls, and then what? She likes flora and fauna, is not really into big cities, shopping, etc. I realize NF is a very commercial area, so I would probably like to balance it with an out-of-the-way lakeside resort somewhere.

We will also be traveling with our two kids who will be 14 and 12 at that time, so we need something to entertain them as well.

Any suggestions at all would be welcome, as I am unfamiliar with this entire area, and am busy getting ready for our 3 weeks in Germany/Austria/Italy.

Thanks!

pavfec

Ah, Europeans! They really <i>don't</i> know how big North America is...

I assume you're going to be flying and renting a car rather than driving over and back. I haven't seen all the great lakes (I grew up near two of them), but I'd have to say that Lake Huron and Georgian Bay were my favourites. It's a really beautiful area up there. Lake Ontario is lined with cities, particularly from Hamilton to Oshawa. It's almost all concrete, lots of traffic, and if you say your MIL doesn't like big cities and shopping, you'd probably want to skip that.

What might be interesting is Niagara-on-the-Lake, which is not Niagara Falls, but a beautiful, charming town with lots of B&amp;Bs and vineyards.

From Niagara Falls up to the Georgian Bay (Tobermory), it's at least 3 hours by car.

I hope that helps some. Good luck coming up with some itineraries!

TobieT

I have to agree that a combination of Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake, and a stay on Georgian Bay would be lovely for a week.

You could even stay in Niagara on the Lake which might let your mother in law enjoy a slower pace than if you were in the centre of what has become a huge amusement park at the Falls.

I might recommend the Collingwood area of Georgian Bay *(even though Tobermory is beautiful) since it has more accomodations to choose from for a multi-generational family visit.

Have a look at some websites for ideas:

http://www.villageatblue.com/4.explo...ttractions.asp

http://niagaraparks.com/
http://www.infoniagara.com/d-att-notl.html

http://www.soto.on.ca/

If you fly into Buffalo, visit Niagara Falls, and go to
Georgian Bay, you will cover Lakes Erie, Ontario and Huron....not too bad for a Great Lakes tour.

gannetmusic

Well, I think you have some good advice that I might be able to expand on a bit.

I'm presuming you would fly into Toronto.

Niagara Falls for a couple of nights in 'mandatory'.

Then, especially since your mother-in-law enjoys &quot;flora and fauna&quot; I suggest the Bruce Peninsula area between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. Beautiful sand beaches [with warm water] in several spots on the Huron shore and beautiful white limestone /dolomite cliffs and rocky beaches [with cold water] on the Georgian Bay side.

'The Bruce&quot; is renowned for several things. One is the wonderful walking /hiking on the Bruce Trail and also on other trails in Bruce Peninsula National Park.

Another claim to fame for the area is the abundant wildflowers from early springtime, with a bit of a lull mid-summer, then again in autumn.

Along the Huron shore there are a series of 'fens' [areas of acidic wetlands] that have boardwalks where one can experience a variety of wild orchids -some quite beautiful and other interesting plants like the insect-eating pitcher plant.

Other woodlands on the peninsula feature pretty white birch , ancient cedars and a variety of rare ferns and wildflowers.

There are glass-bottomed boart trips to see shipwrecks, a couple of great lighthouses and plenty of history and small museums.

For the &quot;fauna&quot; there are beaver, white-tailed deer, a few black bears and lots of 'little critters'. The area also has plentiful songbirds to brighten things up.

The are enough attactions in the Tobermory area to keep the kids busy.

If you are interested or have more questions please let me know.

cheers

Jerry

sobolik

Here are some thoughts.
Time the trip around the Busker rendezvous in Kingston (Lake Ontario) -do a web search.
I live in Milwaukee on Lake Michigan's west shore, skip the west shore and go to the east shore if you want a taste of Lake Michigan. Southern end-Grand Haven area. But I would skip that if only going for a week and:
Fly? to Detroit and spring the Money for the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village - world class stuff here- do a web search. A taste of the Industries/history etc. that thrived around/because of the Great Lakes. Lodge in Windsor Canada if Possible. Great view of Detroit at night and great gardens on river front.
From there drive to Niagara falls it is a must do. You could drive along Lake Erie if not in a rush. The &quot;commercialized&quot; claim is like saying the super bowl or Disney land is &quot;commercialized&quot; yes it is but not to be rejected for. I can’t imagine enjoying NF with out the commercial developments. The kids would probably love Journey behind the falls and Maid of the Mist and Go nuts on Clifton hill with the FX thrill ride if that is still the main event at the great Canadian Midway. It was killer.
Then I would go to Kingston (lake Ontario)for the Busker Rendezvous. We went to Toronto and did the CN Tower and Bata shoe Museum both were neat but I would skip in favor of the Kingston street performer Rendezvous.
If you want rural nature go to Quebec City then up the St Lawrence north/west shore to Tadoussac. Awesome. Kids would dig the whales. Especially in a zodiac boat.
We Did the &quot;Great Lakes&quot; you might say. We roughly went from Milwaukee to Michigan/Detroit, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Kinston, Montreal, Quebec City, Tadoussac and Back. I think these thoughts might make a good 1 weeks worth for a visitor from Germany. But then again there is Ottawa,, but I better stop now.

TobieT

sobolik~
Wow! in a week.....with kids no less.

lvk~
If you aren't into cities, I'm not sure Detroit and Windsor would be the best idea though the sites mentioned are very interesting. As well the scenic drive along the lake takes over 6 hrs into Niagara. But Point Pelee National Park would be a great place to go if you were centred in Windsor for awhile.

The kids (and everyone else) WILL love Niagara Falls but there is really no need to stay there if you don't want 24/7 activity. I never meant to imply the Falls should be discounted because of the commercialization. They are incredible!

Quebec City, the Gaspe and Tadoussac for whale watching would actually be wonderful instead of visiting the Great Lakes region too.

http://www.bonjourquebec.com/us-en/accueil0.html

Maybe that could be suggested to mum as an alternative?

lvk

Thanks for all of the responses. You have sure given me alot to work with.

Does anyone have any comments about the Muskoka area? (I realize that it's not technically on a Great Lake)

TobieT

Muskoka would actually offer you that &quot;out of the way lakeside resort&quot; you have in mind much more than the Bruce. Part of the charm of the Bruce Peninsula is that it isn't developed in the same way as Muskoka, but that can be a drawback when looking at properties.

We've visited Muskoka often, our kids went to camp there and we love the area. We've stayed at the Grandview with and without kids and enjoyed the location and amenties:

http://www.deltahotels.com/hotels/hotels.php?hotelId=49

http://www.muskoka-tourism.on.ca/

I think a combination of Niagara Falls, maybe a quick stop in Toronto and then a few glorious days in Muskoka would be a wonderful blend and might keep everyone happy....including you!

TobieT

Forgot to mention there are dozens of resort/lodges in Muskoka which would give you a real Northern Ontario experience too. Some are listed on the Muskoka website, but one I know of that friends visit every year (even though their kids are now older) is Pow Wow Point Lodge:
http://www.powwowpointlodge.com/

Others can chime in with their own favourites, but that should give you a general idea of what's available if you're looking in that region.

mlanoue

I can't imagine a tour of the great lakes that doesn't include Mackinac Island. You can see two of the lakes just by turning your head!

semiramis

Another recommendation for the Bruce Peninsula. Do not miss the Bruce Peninsula National Park at Cyprus Lake (south of Tobermory). There are caves and natural arches and the most amazing shoreline in general. The water is gorgeous but COLD. If you want to swim in Georgian Bay don't go any earlier than August. Also from Tobermory, there are boats that go out to view some of the many shipwrecks and then go to Flowerpot Island (lovely rock formations and caves). It is also possible to take the ferry from Tobermory to Manitoulin Island. Tiny orchids and other rare plants grow wild near the Lake Huron Shore - go to Singing Sands (Dorcas Bay) Park and hike the nature trail. It really is one of the loveliest part of the Great Lakes region.

semiramis

Check out this website (yes the water really IS that clear)
http://www.brucepeninsula.org/

Ellz

Hi...I live in Ludington which is a summer tourist town on the edge of Lake Michigan. If you look at the mitten of Michigan on the map we are at the first knuckle of the pinky finger. We have beautiful sand dunes, and beautiful silky sand beaches,one of the top rated State Parks in the state, and the huge Lake Michigan Carferry comes across from Manitowoc Wisconsin twice daily if you'd like to take a 4 hour boatride across the lake. http://www.ssbadger.com/
Our city website is http://www.ludingtoncvb.com/sitenav....mp;MenuID=2565 but if you just do a search for Ludington tourist you will pull up many sites that cover our area. Happy Hunting

keldar

Hi lvk:
I am presently living in Niagara but spent the last 30 years in the area around Georgian Bay. I have some websites for you to look at re cottage rentals etc in Georgian Bay. In just one week your Mum won't be able to get further north than perhaps Georgian Bay but she will get a taste of the area. Driving just beyond Midland,Ontario you see a change in the terrain to the rock of the pre Cambrian shield which stretches into the far north. Travelling north to Lake Superior would be so nice but it doesn;t sound as though you have enough time.
So here are my suggestions:

A few days in the NF area including Niagara on the Lake (NOTL) , some local wineries and maybe take in a play at the Shaw Festival some of which the kids would like.
After this take a drive north to the area around Georgian Bay, Nottawasaga Bay etc which are portions of Lake Huron (one of the Great Lakes). There are literally hundreds of places to rent ranging from lodges, resorts, and cottages to condos to villas in all price ranges.
While in the Georgian Bay area travel into Midland to check out some history at Ste Marie among the Hurons. (there was just an article on CBC &lt;our national broadcaster FYI&gt; about the thousands of Germans who love to travel to Canada to discover the native culture. Midland and area is steeped in the history of our First Nations and Second Nations (i.e. native/aboriginals and then the French and British). Your Mum would probably love this. Lots of flora and fauna to fulfill her need for this.
Wasaga Beach is pretty busy, on the southern end of Georgian Bay/Lake Huron but has great swimming for the kids on the longest freshwater beach in the world.
Midland/Penetanguishene (pen - a-tang-wish-een) offers some more secluded spots along the waterfront or for some more woodsy type areas about another 1/2 to 1 hour north of this again you could check out Honey Harbour or Port Severn.
Following are some websites that will give you something to think about.

http://www.cottagesontheweb.com/GeorgianBay/026.htm
(I know these cottages first hand &lt;I am not affiliated with them in any way&gt; They are in a lovely semi-secluded spot on a little cove near Honey Harbour. There is nice sand beach for the kids and lots of opportunities for boating and sightseeing hiking etc nearby)
http://www.cottagevacations.com/
http://www.cottagesincanada.com/index2.asp?lang=e
http://www.sandbay.on.ca/
http://www.ontarioguide.com/cottage/
http://www.cottages.net/
This is &quot;cottage country&quot; and the best places get booked quickly so it's a good idea to book early.

regards,

sobolik

Author: TobieT

sobolik~
Wow! in a week.....with kids no less.

My trip was 16 days the one I suggest here could easily be pulled off in a week

lvk

I thank you all again for your thoughtful and detailed responses. I am now back from Germany and have time to plan this trip. However, we were thinking that Fall would be a better time-- maybe late September-- so we can get in some &quot;leaf-peeping&quot; too.

Would your responses be the same, or would you favor one region over another for foliage viewing?

Thanks again!

ajdj

September is a beautiful time in Ontario. And a distinct advantage in Niagara would be fewer tourists. We live there, and basically avoid the Falls like the plague in the summer due to traffic. But the falls are really amazing, and lots there for the kids to enjoy. It has become very very commercial especially with the Casinos. Niagara on the Lake is lovely, but accomodations pricey. I would personally stay there, but if offers less for kids.
I would recommend late September, but be prepared for some rain. The leaves in Muskoka will probably peak around the last part of the month into Oct. I think there is a website that makes that prediction (maybe on one of the weather sites.) You really need to get that far north to truly experience the foliage. It still takes my breath away when we go up there in Autumn. (Check Muskoka websites mentioned earlier.) For many of us here, fall is our favorite season.

SallyCanuck

Fall can be spectacular. Here's the Ontario government website http://www.ontariotravel.net/TcisCtr...mp;language=EN