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Old Feb 27th, 2005, 07:51 AM
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HOTEL IN NIAGARA+TORONTO

We are a party of 3 - 2 adults + 12 year old.
Need a hotel/motel for one night - we will be arriving on an international flight very very early in the morning, renting a car and driving directly to Niagara - hopefully they will allow early check in - if not will at least be able to leave our bags and begin touring - Suggestions will be appreciated.
We hope to get to NIAGARA ON THE LAKE either same day in the afternoon or following day before driving to Toronto for 2 nights. What suggestions, if any for NOTL (MUST SEES). Need hotel well located in Toronto, as we do not want to drive around the city - rather walk and/or travel by public transportation.
Looking forward to hearing from you guys/gals.
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Old Feb 27th, 2005, 12:40 PM
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If you look back in this forum, you'll find lots about Toronto and Niagara Falls hotels.

The best hotel for kids in Toronto is clearly the Delta Chelsea -- winderful pool, watersilde, etc., and the locatyion is right in the heart of downtown shopping, good restaurants, etc.

The Sheraton Centre has a good indoor-outdoor all-seasons swimming pool, and is well locted, too. It's aboutthe same distance from the Eaton Center, Toronto's giant downtown enclosed mall, as the Chelsea, just at the other end,.

CN Tower is a must-see for short-term visitors, including big kids like 12.

In Niagara Falls, the Maid of the Mist boat to the bottom of the falls (easy, and very reasonably priced) and walking to the top edge of the falls, (free, and easy) are the must-sees. AFter than, it depends... great greenouses, a floral clock, the casino, several tacky-but-fun museums on Clifton Holl, are options.

In Niagara on the Lake, there are winery tours, plays at several theatres, shoopping, the ability to buy wonderful fudge, and an old fort to visit.
Back to Toronto> The Ontario Science Center is a great place for kids, and tyhe Royal Ontario Museum appeals to children from about six years old and up. there's something there for every kid, boy or girl, arty or science-minded. Some kids love the Bata Shoe Museum, too.

Once you get to downtown Toronto, you can get away without a car, although if you go to the zoo or the Science Center, you might keep the car for the day you do this, and then retturn it to therental company and use the TTC (subway, bus, streetcar) for everything else.

BAK

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Old Feb 28th, 2005, 07:32 AM
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If you are arriving at Toronto's International Airport (Pearson) you are already in Toronto. I would suggest you do the Toronto portion first, then drive to Niagara. There is a hotel on the airport property and several surrounding it. I would advise you spend your first night (or what is remaining of it) there and then rent a car the next day and drive into the city, do Toronto and then find your way to Niagara - about 2 hours away - or a hour and a half away from the airport. At least that's how I would do it.
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Old Mar 6th, 2005, 01:03 AM
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Thanks for information. We are still thinking of doing Niagara first as we will be arriving very early in the morning after a 10-11 hour flight.
We are still looking for a suggestion of where to stay for one night in Niagara (first day of arrival).
BAK, are either of the two hotels you recommend in Toronto near CN Tower? Can I assume that it will be just as easy to tour the city from either of the two hotels you recommend?
In Niagara on the Lake you mentioned the ability to buy wonderful fudge!! Can you give me the name of the place as this sounds like a must for our chocoholic granddaughter
Thanks in advance.
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Old Mar 6th, 2005, 04:33 AM
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I have a few suggestions:

Skip the car and take the train from Toronto to Niagara Falls (www.viarail.ca). It will probably cost you more than a car rental, though. But if you are going to be using public transportation in
Toronto anyhow, why even bother with the hastle of renting and returning a car.

Are you coming from Europe? I ask this because if you are, NOTL will probably not excite you. People seem to flip over NOTL, and don't get me wrong, it is a lovely, historic place, and the drive along the Niagara gorge past wineries is very nice. The 12 year old will want to take in all the touristy things in Niagara Falls, and in my opinion will probably be bored to tears looking at old buildings and going into over-priced tourist trap shops in NOTL. But that's just my opinion...take it or leave it.

Niagara Falls suggestions: Maid of the Mist (leaves from both sides), Journey behind the falls (American side, Whitewater Walk - Canadian side). I highly suggest the Whitewater Walk. You will be down in the gorge next to the lower Niagara River viewing the rapids. They are the strongest rapids in the world. It is awesome to see them up close. And the view of the gorge walls is very impressive. There is also the Spanish aero car which traverses the gorge (but you wouldn't catch me on that)!

View the falls from both sides. You can walk over the Rainbow bridge to the American side. Walk to Goat Island, where there are several viewing areas. You can stand at the railing right at the very brink of the falls. It's amazing. Also on the American side, you can view the upper rapids. (I like rapids - can you tell?)

Your 12 year old will probably love the CN tower, and probably Chinatown as well.

Here's the website for the whitewater walk: http://www.niagaraparks.com/nfgg/whitewater.php

Have a wonderful trip!
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Old Mar 7th, 2005, 08:28 AM
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Thanks Buffalo Girl. Will check out your suggestions. Any suggestions for a nice hotel in Niagara for one night?
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Old Mar 8th, 2005, 04:12 AM
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Sorry, TYGER, but it's only a 15 minute drive from Buffalo to Niagara, so I can drive over whenever I want. Therefore, I never stay in the hotels. And there are new ones going up all the time!!!

Type Niagara in the search box and you'll get a lot of info. on hotels.

Have a great trip.
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Old Mar 8th, 2005, 04:53 PM
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Niagara Falls, Ont has two Sheratons, both nice although the Sheraton on the Falls has slightly better views. There is also a Marriott and an Embassy Suites that would have rooms with great views of the falls.

I haven't stayed at the new Doubletree hotel but it looked rather unique as compared to the other chain hotels. It looks like it was designed as to resemble an Adirondack lodge. But, it is set back a block from the falls.
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Old Mar 9th, 2005, 03:32 PM
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You could stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake, particularly if you are travelling in the summer months. Great jet boat ride on the Niagara River. Long bicyle path along the river. Bikes can be rented in town for all day. Lots of bed and breakfasts but you might want to book ahead. We stayed at a place called Parliment--- and she found rooms for our friends. We hope to return soon.
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Old Mar 14th, 2005, 08:13 AM
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The path below will lead you to the Niagara butterfly conservatory which is south of NOTL and north of the falls. An hour or two there is very nice

www.niagaraparks.com/nature/butterfly.php
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