Family/Ontario - help, please!!
 

My husband and I are taking our kids on a road trip to the Toronto area (from Chicago) next weekend. We planned it at the last minute, to visit a brand-new nephew in Detroit, celebrate our 10th anniversary, and do something fun over our daughter's birthday weekend. We'll be heading out from Detroit Friday morning, and spending 4 nights in CA. No idea how to make the most of this trip! Our son is 6, and our daughter will be turning 4...

Current thinking: Toronto Zoo (or African Lion Safari?), CN Tower, maybe a waterpark if there are any to be recommended? Perhaps 3 nights in Toronto (Delta Chelsea? Something better?) and then the last night either in Niagara-on-the-Lake (Riverbend Inn?) or maybe London or nearby (Langdon Hall?)(is Storybook Gardens too young for a 1st-grader?), to break up the super-long drive back to Chicago on Tuesday. Niagara Falls seems like a fun idea - not sure if it needs to be more than a day trip (unless it's a must-see at night)... ? And of course, along the way, anything we can do to create fun stops for the kids - and make the drive bearable - would be great.

I'm sorry for the lengthy post and the many questions, but would be so grateful for any input. The one time I went to Ontario (many years ago), I found the people there to be amazingly friendly and helpful - we actually had a pretty funny trip with the odd mishap that would have been catastrophic if it hadn't been for the kindness of strangers. (-: And we're really looking forward to this one - any and all suggestions will be extremely appreciated!

Annie

Either the Toronto Zoo OR African Lion Safari would be fun for the kids. I personally prefer the zoo (more different animals) BTW - the zoo has SO much to see that it would definitely be an all-day excursion.

Niagara Falls would be an excellent place to stop for the kids - spend the night either there or in Niagara-on-the Lake - forget London (unless that is on the the way you are going back). London is nice for adults but I think Niagara Falls has more for kids - Butterfly Conservatory, Aviary, the Falls themselves and even all the trash on Clifton Hill. If you stop at Niagara-on-the- Lake (really more for adults than kids) - consider stopping at Fort George on the outskirts of NOTL - it might be interesting for them. The drive between NOTL and the Falls along the river is very pretty with lots of nice spots to stop.
Personally I would skip a waterpark at this time of year (although there are some indoor ones in Niagara Falls).

A good kid-friendly reasonably priced place to eat just south of Niagara Falls (and another short but pretty drive - about 10-15 minutes from the Falls) is Lucy's in Sodom (I love to say I've been to Sodom but skipped Gomorrah - sp?) near Chippawa (sp?)
To get there drive south along the river (upstream from the Falls until the road turns away from the river, cross the first bridge across the canal on your left, at the traffic lights straight ahead turn right, follow Main St until you see the sign for Sodom (on your left), turn left and Lucy's is a short drive (look for large place on the right-hand side of the road with a large parking lot).

Waterparks -- it's fall in Ontario, so you need to be indoors.

Delta Chelsea in Toronto is the best kids' hotel, and has a good waterslide and other stuff for children.

In Niagra Falls, check out Great Wolf Lodge. (www.greatwolf.com)

Several of our neighbors with little kids went there for a couple of days in the summer. Kids loved it, making parents happy.

I like African Safari, and it's on the right side of Toronto, instead of going all the way east to the zoo.

Most Canadian kids think Swiss Chelet is the best restaurant -- parents find the food good and the prices low and the service much better than adequate. There's one a block fromthe Delta Chelsea. (Chicken)

Dinosaurs at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto -- if you'd take the kids to the Art Institute, take them to the ROM.

????Storybook Village???? Maybe someone can chime in with info on this place, in London, half way from Windsor.

Special treat dinner in Toronto... Rainforest restaurant in the Yorkdale shopping centre, which is easy to get to by subway, and the kids would probably like the subway ride. (do not confuse YorkDALE, in north central Toronto, with YorkVILLE which is on the north edge of downtown, and full of luxury shops and the Four Seasons.

My kids always liked Storybook Gardens - I don't think a 6 year old is too old.

The Ontario Science Centre has lots of hands=on exhibits for kids from 2 yrs and up. A great place, especially on a rainy day.

African Lion Safari closed for the season yesterday.

I would second Great Wolf Lodge..perfect for your gang...

Driving for two hours to take in Storybrook Gardens in London is definitely not worth your time. The Science Centre in Toronto is first class and even the Dinosaur exhibit in the Art Gallery of Ontario would be fabulous for your youngsters. The other good choice would be to take the ferry to the Toronto Islands. If it was me, I would omit the Niagara Falls bit because of your short visit. It would be something to do when your children are older and able to take it in. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather!

Re>Driving for two hours to take in Storybrook Gardens in London is definitely not worth your time.<

Anniekey, this is misleading. London is right on the highway from Windsor to Toronto, and it certainly is not an hour away from a highway interchange.

BAK

I was assuming that the author would be driving from Toronto to London and then it is at least 2 hours. I am not sure that even a side trip of 45 minutes from hwy. 401 to Storybrook Gardens is worth while

Why would someone who is taking a road trip from Chicago to Toronto drive to Toronto and turn around and go back to London and turn around and come back to Toronto?

See sentence one from the original message: >My husband and I are taking our kids on a road trip to the Toronto area (from Chicago) next weekend.<

Just a warning that Storybook Gardens is only open Fri. Sat. and Sun. right now, so if you are thinking about it for on your way home it probably won't work.

Thanks! You guys have been great!

I can clarify a bit: We do plan to drive Chicago to Detroit (1 night), then Detroit to Toronto (3-4 nights, depending on whether we do last night in Niagara or not), then Toronto back to Chicago with hopefully an overnight stop (no idea where) along the way.

We found GREAT "family fun suites" at the Delta Chelsea, looked super-fun for the kids, but available only the last 2 nights of our trip (unfortunately would mean driving straight back Toronto-Chicago the last day - probably too much for little ones); however, it sounds like an SUV won't fit in the parking garage. And since the hotel reservations guy gave all sorts of dire warnings about keeping your car parked overnight in an outside lot in that area, I think downtown Toronto (hotel-wise) may be out for us. Which is really too bad... Does anyone have any idea of good places to stay within 30-60 minutes' drive of the city? Maybe that's best?

A little more about us: My husband and I usually like something mid-sized, in between a B&B and large hotel, mostly interesting resorts or country inns with character. (I prefer quiet and upscale, but he needs an exercise room; left to my own devices, I typically try to do something more thoughtful than hotel chains - although admittedly some are very nice.) The kids, on the other hand, change everything. We want to keep it really fun for them, but also would like to do some pretty drives or stay in a nice place a couple a night or two - maybe balance those interests out with something like Great Wolf Lodge? I can't tell from the website whether that's for us or not...

I really appreciate the continued help. It looks like Toronto Zoo is a must, and Niagara would be a day trip (probably not even an overnight stay). Storybook Gardens was just a thought for passing through London...

Annie

There are problems with parking in the lot across from the Chelsea...who knew.

Wonder if he's right though.

Niagara is the answer... Great Wolf in the Falls for the kids or Pillar and Post in Niagara on the Lake... they have an Indoor Pool, spa and it fits your husband's needs... the kids will never want to leave Great Wolf, so if you must please the children and the BABY(your husband)... do Pillar first and finish at the Wolf Lodge... Tons of stuff for the whole family in Niagara... Have Fun!

Update! (can't believe I forgot to do this...)

This trip was fantastic. TOTALLY doable as a driving trip from Chicago with young kids. (Ours never once asked the dreaded, "Are we there yet?"!) We found the most wonderful small inn in rural (Scottish) Ontario, called the Elora Mill Inn. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone. But it's in a very small town, so don't arrive late on Sunday evening and expect to find food anywhere for miles around! It's very much a "normal business hours" kind of place. :) Charm in spades, though, and we all loved it. We stayed in their top-floor suite (I think), with a [steep!] staircase loft for the kids. Great fun.

We also found the Delta Chelsea to be perfect with children. And we had a wonderful time at the Toronto Zoo Halloween weekend, where kids got in free if they were wearing costumes. We even happened upon a Wiggles concert at the convention center, just as we were departing the CN Tower, and got amazing seats for cheap prices 5 minutes before showtime! On my daughter's 4th birthday, to boot. Amazing.

All in all, this was a great family destination and could not have been better. Please take the day trip to the countryside to see the Scottish stores and small towns and indulge in a peaceful get-away-from-it-all stay at the Elora Mill. The people all over Ontario are wonderful, too.

Thanks again for all advice! :)

Annie

anniekey - I'm pleased you had such a good time. The Elora Mill Inn is one of my favourite places (my wife and I honeymooned there). If you get the chance to return to this neck of the woods you might consider a few nights at the Great Wolf Lodge at Niagara. That destination is made for the age children you have. There are lots of other attractions (even in the winter) to amuse your family.

tC

your your way you can stop in chatham at the wheels in. small indoor waterpark and games for children. niagara fall is great. african lion safari has all the major animals for children to see. toronto zoo is huge. i always found it to bee non stop walking, and very tireing for children. as for toronto there is too much to name, but children love canadas wounderland.

I think you missed the date and the trip has already happened boydie.

I may be mistaken as well but I think Wheels in is out of business. Sorry if Im wrong.