Niagara trip itinerary - 4 nights?
Jul 10th, 2005, 08:44 PM
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Niagara trip itinerary - 4 nights?
I have been trying to do my research first and the posts in this forum are great.
We are a couple looking for a 'labor day' itinerary to see Niagara. Flying into Toronto on Wed. night and leaving Sunday.
We were told to stay in 'Niagara on the Lake' and would like to avoid moving hotels too much,
Should we stay in Toronto too, never been to either place?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
We are a couple looking for a 'labor day' itinerary to see Niagara. Flying into Toronto on Wed. night and leaving Sunday.
We were told to stay in 'Niagara on the Lake' and would like to avoid moving hotels too much,
Should we stay in Toronto too, never been to either place?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Jul 11th, 2005, 06:00 AM
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People differ, and it's hard to advise without knowing more about the two of you.
Let's pretend you are Americans; would you be happy with fours days in the Napa Valley, or would you be drawn to the urbanness of San Francisco?
Could you fly into LaGuardia and go to the Hamptons, skipping Manhatten?
Toronto is a big city that tourists love; I talk to hundreds of them over the course of the year.
But to clean out your brain from a year of stress, you could stay in NotL the whole time.
So, what to do?
I'd say arrive on Wednesday, go to downtown Toronto by limo or the giant highway-style bus, and check into a good downtown hotel for Wednesday night and Thursday night.
Pick up a rental car on Friday morning and drive to Niagara on the Lake, fairly slowly, depening on what you like to see and do. There is, for instance, the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, and you cross the Welland Canal, if you like to see ships going through locks.
A week ago I set up an itinerary for a housepainter from Savannah, sending him west from Toronto along the lakeshore because he wanted to see some of the finer residential areas -- he went through Clarkson, Oakville and Burlington, along the lakeshore.
Once you're in NotL, check in to your hotel, go for a stroll, and figure out your plans for the next few days.
I'd start by driving along the Niagara Parkway to
Niagara FAlls, parking, going to see the falls from the top and then tking the Maid of the Miost boat tour to the bottom of the falls.
After that, who knows? Areyou gamblers? New casiono. More greenhouses, butterflys to see, or is it time to strat visiting wineries?
On Sunday, check out and drive back to the airpot, allowing an hour more than anyone might tell you.
BAK
Let's pretend you are Americans; would you be happy with fours days in the Napa Valley, or would you be drawn to the urbanness of San Francisco?
Could you fly into LaGuardia and go to the Hamptons, skipping Manhatten?
Toronto is a big city that tourists love; I talk to hundreds of them over the course of the year.
But to clean out your brain from a year of stress, you could stay in NotL the whole time.
So, what to do?
I'd say arrive on Wednesday, go to downtown Toronto by limo or the giant highway-style bus, and check into a good downtown hotel for Wednesday night and Thursday night.
Pick up a rental car on Friday morning and drive to Niagara on the Lake, fairly slowly, depening on what you like to see and do. There is, for instance, the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, and you cross the Welland Canal, if you like to see ships going through locks.
A week ago I set up an itinerary for a housepainter from Savannah, sending him west from Toronto along the lakeshore because he wanted to see some of the finer residential areas -- he went through Clarkson, Oakville and Burlington, along the lakeshore.
Once you're in NotL, check in to your hotel, go for a stroll, and figure out your plans for the next few days.
I'd start by driving along the Niagara Parkway to
Niagara FAlls, parking, going to see the falls from the top and then tking the Maid of the Miost boat tour to the bottom of the falls.
After that, who knows? Areyou gamblers? New casiono. More greenhouses, butterflys to see, or is it time to strat visiting wineries?
On Sunday, check out and drive back to the airpot, allowing an hour more than anyone might tell you.
BAK
Jul 11th, 2005, 12:44 PM
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This forum is great, thank you both so much.
We are 2 Americans in early 30's (newlyweds) -- my wife def. wants some time to relax at a pool and I would love to find some water sports if possible?
Here are my updated thoughts based on your comments.
Fly into Toronto on Wed -- Wed nite in Toronto (dinner and Tower -- night or day?) -- Thursday day (or morning) in Toronto and then drive to NOTL Thursday --- Do we do wineries on Thursday too?
Thur nite in NOTL -- Friday -- pool in morning and then Niagara in afternoon (fireworks on Friday?)
Saturday -- wineries (or do that on Thursday?)
Sunday -- wake up and drive back to Toronto Airport.
Thanks again, I really appreciate any further insight.
We are 2 Americans in early 30's (newlyweds) -- my wife def. wants some time to relax at a pool and I would love to find some water sports if possible?
Here are my updated thoughts based on your comments.
Fly into Toronto on Wed -- Wed nite in Toronto (dinner and Tower -- night or day?) -- Thursday day (or morning) in Toronto and then drive to NOTL Thursday --- Do we do wineries on Thursday too?
Thur nite in NOTL -- Friday -- pool in morning and then Niagara in afternoon (fireworks on Friday?)
Saturday -- wineries (or do that on Thursday?)
Sunday -- wake up and drive back to Toronto Airport.
Thanks again, I really appreciate any further insight.
Jul 21st, 2005, 09:41 AM
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You may want to look into flying to Buffalo, and renting a car from there. Fares are much cheaper generally than flying into Pearson Int'l in Toronto.
From Buffalo, you can cross into Fort Erie, and just follow the lake up to Niagra Falls, or you can stay on the American side, and cross over from Niagra Falls, NY to the Canadian side.
As for Niagra-on-the-Lake, the major hotels are now all owned by one conglomerate, and IMHO, have lost their unique charm (and are much more expensive to boot). You might enjoy staying at a B&B, of which there are many in town. Also, check the websites for the local vineyards; most offer really great tours and tastings.
Enjoy your trip!
From Buffalo, you can cross into Fort Erie, and just follow the lake up to Niagra Falls, or you can stay on the American side, and cross over from Niagra Falls, NY to the Canadian side.
As for Niagra-on-the-Lake, the major hotels are now all owned by one conglomerate, and IMHO, have lost their unique charm (and are much more expensive to boot). You might enjoy staying at a B&B, of which there are many in town. Also, check the websites for the local vineyards; most offer really great tours and tastings.
Enjoy your trip!
Jul 21st, 2005, 12:56 PM
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There's a very nice newish property in Niagara on the Lake you might enjoy called the Riverbend Inn. It has fabulous food and a view of the vineyards, as well as a central location. It's something different from the other properties in the area and not owned by the conglomerate Vintage Inns. It's run by a local family.
www.riverbendinn.ca
www.riverbendinn.ca
Jul 25th, 2005, 08:11 AM
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The Westin Harbor Castle is a very nice property near Queens Quay, with a pool and a shuttle to deliver you downtown. We also like the Royal York which is more centrally located if you want to be able to stroll in the evening.
As for Niagara on the Lake, if you really want a pool (indoor except for Pillar and Post) then you do limit yourself somewhat to Queens Landing or even the White Oaks Conference Centre. Otherwise, Riverbend Inn, Harbour House Hotel, Charles Inn and the Inn on the Twenty are lovely hotels with more of the Niagara on the Lake charm.
Your itinerary sounds fine but Toronto and Niagara are not really water sports destinations, so don't be disappointed.
As for Niagara on the Lake, if you really want a pool (indoor except for Pillar and Post) then you do limit yourself somewhat to Queens Landing or even the White Oaks Conference Centre. Otherwise, Riverbend Inn, Harbour House Hotel, Charles Inn and the Inn on the Twenty are lovely hotels with more of the Niagara on the Lake charm.
Your itinerary sounds fine but Toronto and Niagara are not really water sports destinations, so don't be disappointed.
Jul 26th, 2005, 06:21 AM
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This is really the best forum ever...
Based on comments from Tobie T, we do want to be "centrally located" as we are not renting car in Toronto.
Which of these hotels is best amenities, location:
Marriot Downtown Eaton Center
Intercontinental
Park Hyatt Toronto
Fairmont Royal York.
For NoTL, we heard good things about "Queens Landing" -- how long do we need to be at the Falls, wineries, etc.
Thank you all SO MUCH,
Michael
Based on comments from Tobie T, we do want to be "centrally located" as we are not renting car in Toronto.
Which of these hotels is best amenities, location:
Marriot Downtown Eaton Center
Intercontinental
Park Hyatt Toronto
Fairmont Royal York.
For NoTL, we heard good things about "Queens Landing" -- how long do we need to be at the Falls, wineries, etc.
Thank you all SO MUCH,
Michael
Jul 30th, 2005, 10:58 AM
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The Park Hyatt and Intercontinental are near the Yorkville area which you'll find interesting for shopping and dining. The Royal York is an older property but if you book the gold floor..12th I think, you get personal check in, concierge and breakfast in the library lounge on that floor. All very nice at a premium though. Toronto is easy to walk and I like staying in both areas for different reasons.
Queens Landing is a very nice property, close to the lake with a great pool, lovely patio for lunches and minutes on foot from downtown or the Shaw Festival. You'll be quite happy there if you want the benefit of a pool.
The winery tours could take up a full afternoon if you start with lunch and drive to a few. I might suggest beginning just outside Niagara on the Lake in Jordan at Cave Spring Winery, have lunch at Inn on the Twenty (fabulous), and then wind your way back toward the Niagara on the Lake.
Check:
~niagaraonthelakewineries.com~
~20valley.ca~ and ~jordanvillage.com
and choose the wineries you might be most interested in. Many have restaurants that you might like for dinner too unless you have plans for Niagara Falls and the fireworks.
Queens Landing is a very nice property, close to the lake with a great pool, lovely patio for lunches and minutes on foot from downtown or the Shaw Festival. You'll be quite happy there if you want the benefit of a pool.
The winery tours could take up a full afternoon if you start with lunch and drive to a few. I might suggest beginning just outside Niagara on the Lake in Jordan at Cave Spring Winery, have lunch at Inn on the Twenty (fabulous), and then wind your way back toward the Niagara on the Lake.
Check:
~niagaraonthelakewineries.com~
~20valley.ca~ and ~jordanvillage.com
and choose the wineries you might be most interested in. Many have restaurants that you might like for dinner too unless you have plans for Niagara Falls and the fireworks.
