ElizaT

I'm planning a summer trip to Niagara Falls and Toronto with my family --kids ages 11 and 9 plus husband and myself. We'll spend 7 nights and will have a car as we're driving from Ohio.

Would 3 nights in Niagara Falls area be too much or should I allow an extra night in Toronto? We will do Maid of the Mist of course, and my son is also interested in a place called Marvel Adventure City as well as MGM Backlot Experience. I've seen no mention of either on this board...anyone ever been and are they worth a trip?

In Toronto we'll do CN Tower and go to Chinatown. I'll want to shop but we have no specific plans beyond this. Would appreciate any kid-friendly ideas. Thanks!

missk

The ontario Science Centre & the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto are good. The Hockey Hall of Fame is interesting if fans, Casa Loma is interesting, the zoo (although if hot most animals won't be out & about).

In Niagara there is the walk behind the Falls. Niagara on the Lake a near by town is very nice with shops but that may not interest the kids.

BAK

Depending on when you arrive in and leave from Niagara Falls, two nights might well be enough.

I've never heard of Marvel or MGM either.

Check on the web for info on African Lion Safari, which includes a waterplay area, too. It's more or less on the way to Toronto from Niagara Falls, sort of.
Centreville, on Toronto Island, is excellent for kids 9 and 11.

Amy

I'd add the night onto Toronto, myself, but then I wasn't doing the various theme attractions in Niagara, just the Niagara stuff. In Toronto, the Bata Shoe Museum is really cool, and there's Black Creek Pioneer Village for a change of pace. If they're into history at all, Fort York is also a fun visit.

Have a great trip!

BuffaloGirl

I just picked up a few brochures in Niagara Falls the other day.....one of them was for the MGM Studios Plaza, which includes: The MGM Extreme 4D movie ride (feel the excitement as you're chased by dinosaurs in this 4aD movie experience). The MGM Great Movie Journey (experience Hollywood's most popular movies in this interactive attraction). The pink panther falls balloon ride (a family fun ride...with great views of the falls. And, of course, an MGM studios store. This is all located on Clifton Hill, where most of the honky tonk and kids attractions are. There are video arcades, shops, restaurants, wax museums, Ripleys Believe it or Not, etc. Also next door is a Rainforest Cafe restaurant. There is also a Hershey's store around the corner. Also in the same area is the Ride Over the Falls. It is "a thrilling simulator ride down the Niagara River, plunging some 170 feet over the brink of the falls and crashing through the Niagara Gorge and rapids!"

These are things you could do in the evening, after a busy day of visiting the falls and all of it's related sights! Pick up some brochures in your hotel. Many of them have coupons for the above mentioned places, including $5.00 for the simulator ride I just mentioned!

How much time you spend in Niagara Falls or Toronto really depends on what you want to do. You can easily be entertained in either area for several days. Toronto, being the huge metropolis it is, has something to offer every age, but the Niagara Falls area has so much to offer.

Have fun!

BuffaloGirl

Yikes, my grammar was terrible in my previous post! Make that MGM dinosaur movie a 4D movie.

missk

as Buffalogirl mentioned almost everything in Niagara Falls is in walking distance of each other on Clifton Hill, make sure your hotel is on or very near Clifton Hill so can park car & walk.

Another thing to do in Niagara is the Butterfly Conservatory.

Eldooo

It's probably too late for the original person who posted this question...but here's my thoughts on Niagara vs. Toronto. I've lived in Niagara Falls, Ontario for 28 years (originally from Buffalo NY).
Just outside Toronto is Canada's Wonderland, an excellent amusement park that also have live shows and attractions. Of course, Ohio has its own wonderful amusement parks, so that may not interest year. However, Toronto also has a fantastic attraction called Ontario Place...check it out on the internet. We went every year (a 1 1/2 hour drive) when my daughter was younger and we were never disappointed. Yes, the CN Tower is a must...also the Ontario Science Museum! Casa Loma is neat! And make sure you ride the Toronto subway. There are also good boat and bus tours. Hmmm...by the way....someone keeps posting information about the African Lion Safari...I've been there also...and though it's a neat place...it's in Cambridge Ontario and not that convenient to either Toronto or Niagara Falls. About Marvel and MGM, my daughter has worked at both places, and unfortunately I'm sorry to say they are a rip off. There are wonderful things to do in Niagara Falls, and although the tourist area of Clifton Hill seems intersting with its wax museums, etc., it really is expensive and a waste of time...I'd recommend maybe a wax museum and that's it. At least check out Marvel and MGM and decide whether it's worth the money...my daughter says absolutely NO. It's something like $15 a "ride". Eeek...Your kids would definitely enjoy the Journey Beneath the Falls (you right behind the falls and to the base of the falls)...and the Maid of the Mist (a boat ride to the base....unbelievable!)...and the Aero Car which is a cable car that travels over the river's whirlpool. If you have the money (and guts), do the Whirlpool Jet. Don't take the helicopter ride even if you have the money...it's only a 30-second ride and that includes takeoff and landing. There is a tightrope walker scheduled for this summer, as well as weekly fireworks. If you haven't come yet, I hope you have a great time! Don't freak out at the prices however...things like restaurant food and parking are expensive up here unfortunately.