Our family would like to go up and spend the Columbus Day weekend in Ontario but we are afraid that because it is Canadian Thanksgiving weekend everything will be closed.We realize that that Monday everything would be shut but is Saturday and Sunday pretty well closed too? Thanks for any tips!We were thinking of going up to Ottawa and that area.

Monday is a national holiday, pretty much everything is closed, except for convenience stores, gas stations etc.<BR><BR>The rest of the weekend will be as normal. Ontario has sunday shopping and has for a long time. There are only a few places in Canada that don't allow sunday shopping.

Actually in BC except for Xmas day stores, especially in Malls, generally keep what's called 'holiday hours'. That's usually 10AM to 5PM. Also in Canada Thanksgiving is not nearly the High Holiday it is in the States. Other than a tradition of Family Meals it's really no more sanctified than Labour Day.

I'm working part time at a clothing store during my year at university. Our store's holiday hours are from 11am until 5pm - so perhaps some stores open at 10, but some will also open at 11. Of course, this is just a trivial fact!<BR><BR>Gary's right about Thanksgiving not being half as big a deal here than it is in the USA. It's less of a "celebrate the pilgrims arriving on the Mayflower" type holiday (as that was an American event), but it's more of a celebration of the harvest season, or the changing of seasons (autumn), which includes a family turkey dinner.

mmmmm....Turkey Dinner!!! I love the food at Thanksgiving. Not as big a deal as in the States, but hey, big food and family, what more could ya want?

Actually everybody's right, it seems to me. Thanksgiving doesn't have the significance here that it has in the USA, but here in Toronto most things are closed on that day. Still, if you're planning to come for a weekend, you'd be able to do lots of shopping on Saturday and Sunday, and save Monday for a nice restaurant, a look at fall colours outside of the city, etc.

In Quebec, all stores are opened on Thanksgiving. So if you go to Ottawa, just cross the river to Gatineau.

In Ontario, areas designated for tourists are allowed to open on holidays. In Toronto this covers the Eaton Centre, Chinatown, museums, Harbourfront, some malls out in the suburbs also fall into this category, but it's best to check before you go. As for Saturday and Sunday, it's business as usual (9/10-6/7 on Sat., 11/12-5/6 on Sun.)<BR><BR>Hope this helps! Enjoy your trip!

Thanks for everyone's help and information. I appreciate it!

If in Ottawa, the stores at the downtown Rideau Centre are also usually open on holidays. It's a large mall, and is near the Byward Market, which also has shops and restaurants. The restaurants will likely be open but the shops may be closed on the Monday (Thanksgiving). It's very pretty around there this time of year, you should still travel and enjoy.

My son goes to school in Kingston at Queens University so we are trying to decide between Toronto or Ottawa (to make it easier for him to meet us). What's a great hotel in each of the above cities that would be centrally located and be a great place to be together for that weekend?Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Debbie,<BR>One other consideration may be how quick he can get to Ottawa from Kingston. My daughter used to take the bus from Queens which would take her right downtown in Ottawa to Ottawa U. Cheap as well. This is a Queens bus service I believe. You dont go to the bus station or anything, pick up is on campus I believe. She also took the train frequently. Very quick ride. Just something to think about, if Ottawa and Toronto are all the same for you to travel to.

I think malls should be closed on ALL holidays and on SUNDAYS....the only idiots who want to shop are those who have no chance in hell of working on a sunday or holiday. Do you really need a pair of jeans or shoes or what ever then? I doubt it.

Sorry Mallworker!I was not thinking of only shopping-I believe that everyone assumed that that was what we were doing.I just did not want to travel and make plans only to find out that nothing was open....ie.restaurants,museums,shops,<BR>boat trips,etc.(Just as an example-the state where I live does not allow auto dealers to be open on Sundays and personally,that would be the day most families would go out to look at cars.)I was just posing the question to Canadians as I know that each country/province/state is different.) FYI,I do work quite a few holidays and weekends so I do sympathize with you.

What about restaurants? That's our last night in Victoria and I was saving Pagliacci's - think they'll be open? Bengal Lounge?