teddie

Hello..we spent this past week in Ontario for our first trip to Canada. We drove from NJ USA to Niagara Falls, then to Toronto. Here's a brief review of how it went:<BR><BR>Part One<BR><BR>Niagara Falls: (6 1/2 hour drive)<BR>Spent two nights at the Marriott Fallsview. We arranged for a family suite on the sixth floor, which was lovely. It consisted of a typical Marriott double room, with an additional "front room" sitting area, separated by french doors. Here was a second TV and pull-out sofabed, armchair, plus a beautiful view of the Horseshoe Falls. The hotel was clean, up to date and nicely decorated. Took the Incline railway down to the Table Rock complex, walked the promenade, took the Journey Behind the Falls, and the Maid of the Mist ride. Both were excellent. <BR><BR>I admit that I expected that the whole Falls area would be sort of tacky, but I wrong... the promenade along the Canadian side was lovely, clean, and nicely thought out. Yes, it's a tourist trap, but the falls were so awesome, they're not to be missed.<BR><BR>We did walk along Ferry street on Saturday night--now THAT was tacky, and we didn't stay long. Just our opinion, hope not to offend anyone here...<BR><BR>I'm very glad that I cancelled our reservations at the Brock and stayed at the Marriott. It was a much quieter part of town. There is quite a bit of construction going on, though. A new Embassy Suites is going up next door. <BR><BR>Had our breakfasts at the Country Chalet, a small spot a block from the hotel..for $5.99 Canadian, they served a simple but good breakfast buffet. No fancy fruits or exotic pastries, just basic hot breakfast choices fresh and good.<BR><BR>Had an Italian dinner at the Capri on Ferry St. The food was good here. On our second night, we were tired and hungry, and went to the Terrapin Grille on the top of the Marriott. Pricey, but actually very good. We had a clear view of the Sunday night fireworks from our table. <BR><BR>Set out by 12 noon the next day for Toronto. Drove up the Niagara Parkway, waved at the Floral Clock, and kept going....<BR><BR>

Stan

Teddie, excellent report! Here is a question: Having been in Niagara Falls and having stayed at the Marriott in a fallsview room, which hotel do you think offers the best view of the Horseshoe and American Falls? Some sources say the Marriott, some say Hilton or Renaissance. What do you think? Thank you.

teddie

Stan, We could see both falls from our room, although the Horseshoe falls were closer, of course. If the other hotels are north of the Marriott(which I think they are), you'll be able to see the american falls better. I honestly can't remember where those other hotels were, sorry about that. See if you can dig up a map that plots out the hotels, or call Niagara Parks Commission <BR>1 877 NIA PARK for more info.<BR><BR>A word of warning re the Marriott: their Tourist Info Desk strongly tries to steer you to buy an all-in-one tour that costs about $100 US that visits all the sights. This may good for some folks, but we prefer to exploree on our own. We found better info at the Table Rock Complex, or pick up a Niagara Parks Discovery Guide pamphlet that gives a good overview of all the things to see and do at NF

teddie

Part two--on to Toronto (about 1 1/2 hour drive)<BR><BR>Left NF by 12 noon, and had a smooth ride to TO. Good signage on the QEW noting wineries, farms, museums, etc.<BR><BR>The hotel:<BR><BR>Stayed at the Cambridge Suites Hotel, located at Richmond and 1/2 block east of Yonge. We were very pleased with this hotel, and would definitely stay there again. Our suite was a good size, with a living room, sofa bed, armchair, work desk with fax & phone w/ data port, separate bedroom with 2 beds, connected to a dressing room & bathroom. You could also enter the dressing area/bathroom from the living room, which was convenient. 2 closets, 2 tvs. Also, a sideboard in the living room with sink, minibar, refrig, micro. Coffee/tea plates, silverware etc. Daily snack basket w/ popcorn, cookies. Nightly turndown service w/ chocolates, bottled water. Continental breakfast was included, and you could have it in a dining room, or delivered to your suite.<BR>No pool, but an exercise room, and decent-sized whirlpool on the 22nd floor with a great view of the city. <BR>Very clean, good service, nice amenities all around.<BR>The location was excellent, within easy walking distance of the subways, Eaton Center, Hockey Hall of Fame, Queen street trolley, restaurants, shops, money exchange, etc. The hotel was accessible by the underground PATH. For the four of us, it was $254 Canadian/nite, (although I have seen it lower on some internet sites if you book early enough)<BR>Parking was $11/day Canadian<BR>I guess that just about covers the hotel

teddie

Part three: What we did--<BR><BR>I'll just give a list of places we visited during our five days in TO. We did not use our car once; used the subways, trolleys, and buses exclusively without a problem!<BR><BR>Eaton Center<BR>CN tower<BR>Harborfront<BR>Harbor cruise on the schooner Kajama<BR>Trolley to the Beaches (Jazz Festival in full force)<BR>Walked West Queen West, City Hall area, and Yorkville<BR>Hockey Hall of Fame<BR>Walked/shopped the underground Path<BR>Casa Loma<BR>Blue Jays vs Yankees at the Skydome (Yankees won, natch..we are Mets fans rooting for the Jays!)<BR><BR>What we didn't do that we had planned to do (ran out of time/steam/motivation)<BR><BR>Canadas Wonderland<BR>Toronto Islands<BR>ROM (sadly enough) -- traveling with 2 teenaged boys who groaned profusely at the very thought.<BR>

rochelle

Hi Teddie,<BR>So happy you enjoyed your first trip to Ontario. Your report was excellent. I have lived in Toronto all my life and I am so glad you were able to see so much of the city. Tho only thing I'm sad you didn't get to see was "The Island" which is my family's fav. Hope you come back soon.

liz

Rochelle, I am going to Toronto in August and would like to know what "the Island" is. Thanks.

Gil

Liz,<BR><BR>"The Island" is actually a group of 15 islands out in Toronto Harbour. The vast majoriy of the Islands are parkland, with plenty of beaches to go around as well. Ferries service three points in the Islands. <BR><BR>Hanalan's Point at the west is next to the Island Airport and is where you can find the "clothing-optional" beach.<BR><BR>Centre Island, as the name suggests, is in the middle of the archipelago, providing access to Centreville Amusement Park (for younger kids really), restaurants, beaches, the gardens, and the western end of the Island Boardwalk and the lookout pier.<BR><BR>Ward's Island is where you find the residential area of the Islands. Imagine living in a calm park-like setting with the city as your backyard. Here you'll find the Rectory (hope it's still open) which is an art gallery showing works from the residents. Also the eastern terminus of the Boardwalk.<BR><BR>If you don't mind shelling out some extra money, Toronto Tours operates from the foot of York St. and offers guided boat tours through the Islands, with an option (I am pretty sure they still offer this deal) to stop and visit the Islands for as long as you want.<BR><BR>Great thing to do if you do decide to go the Islands is to bring a picnic lunch. Stop by St. Lawrence Market and pick something up, or if you prefer supermarket shopping, a Loblaws Supermarket is located at Jarvis and Queen's Quay E., about 10 mins walk from the ferry terminal and a 15 min walk from York St.<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip, and check out the CNE if you can! (World's longest running annual fair!)

Maureen

Loved reading about your trip, teddie! We are doing about the same trip in a couple of weeks, also staying at the Cambridge Suites. So glad to hear you were pleased with the accommodations!! It sounded great from what I had previously read, but so nice to hear first-hand. We want to do many of the same sights that you did. Sounds like you had a great time. Looking forward to going. Thanks for sharing. Maureen

Teddie

Part Four:<BR><BR>Here are some spots that we had meals with comments<BR><BR>Hot House Cafe - great atmosphere, interesting menu. Good food & service<BR><BR>Wayne Gretskys - fun atmosphere; food was ok. The kids liked it more than the adults<BR><BR>Baton Rouge - on Yonge St downtown. Very cozy, excellent service, good food. Had seafood, steaks, burgers, all good<BR><BR>Barberians Steak House - what can I say; this place was simply great. Probably the best steaks ever, with top service and atmosphere.<BR><BR><BR>Mr Greenjeans in Eaton Center. Fun spot with decent food.<BR><BR>Various hot dog carts & French Fries trucks--the best being in front of the City Hall<BR><BR>We had a great trip, and loved TO!! Hope to return soon. Thanks for all the help offered on this forum .....<BR><BR><BR>

teddie

Thanks Stan, Rochelle, and Maureen...Maureen, I hope that you enjoy your trip as much as we did...some final notes...wear very comfortable shoes for lots of walking that you'll do. Be prepared for the panhandlers downtown..every city has them, but I think that they seem to really stand out in TO because most everything else is so clean & orderly. Have a great time!

Dee

We have been visiting Toronto frequently for the past 5 years (when we moved to Rochester, NY) and have noticed a lot more panhandlers in the past couple of years. However, they don't hassle you like they do in many other large cities. <BR><BR>We had out-of-town visitors last week and went to Toronto, spent the night and did Niagara Falls the next day. We saw one young man who looked healthy sitting on the sidewalk with a sign, "Please help me make ends meet."<BR><BR>Have a great trip. We love to visit Toronto, as well as other Canadian cities. We never tire of visiting Niagara Falls which we do everytime we have out-of-town visitors.

Ginger

Back to Niagara--what was that about fireworks? Sunday only or summer only or where do I find out about that? Thanks

teddie

Hi Ginger,<BR><BR>I'm looking at the fireworks schedule in the Niagara Parks Discovery Guide for 2002, and it looks like they run every Friday and Sunday at 10 PM through the rest of the summer, until Sept 1. The fireworks are set off midway between the American and Horseshoe Falls. If you have time to order this guide before your trip, the number to call is 1 877 NIA PARK. They also have a website at www.niagaraparks.com. I found this guide to be the most helpful one for the NF area. Have fun!

anna

teddie, I am glad that you and your family enjoyed Ontario. I would suggest though, that with teens, if you ever come back would be to take them to Canada's Wonderland.Almost everything is included with admission, including shows, and they have a gigantic water park.<BR><BR>As with the panhandlers downtown, don't give them a dime. There is even a famous panhandler nicknamed the "Shaky Lady" who stands with a cane shaking all day and asking for money. when its 5:00 pm she folds up her cane, stops shaking, counts her earnings, and goes home.

teddie

Thanks, Anna<BR><BR>Canada's wonderland was on our itinerary, but we just never made it. We were certaintly busy enough in TO, and never bored..maybe next time!

Bruce

Great report on your trip, Teddie.<BR>Your vacation sounds similar to the one I took in 2000. We stayed at the Cambridge Suites, then went to Niagara and stayed in a two-room suite at the Brock. I highly recommend the Cambridge--a lot of value for your money and a good location. <BR>The Brock was a nice old hotel. After the Cambridge, the room was a disappointment, mostly because of the hotel's age (small bathroom, etc.). Still, the rooms were clean and modern. <BR>If you are looking for THE view of the Falls, the top floors of the Brock have it. We had an open-air terrace overlooking the American Falls and Horseshoe Falls and floor-to-ceiling windows right next to one of the beds. It was like a postcard.<BR>I found the location very nice, with the adjacent Casino and Planet Hollywood developments connected to the Brock via the lobby. There is also a Hershey store and mini Ontario Science Center exhibit space.<BR>Clifton Hill is totally "honkey-tonk" but it is fun for an afternoon of Boardwalk-type diversions.<BR>I am looking forward to a new Niagara and Toronto adventure next year. <BR>Does anybody out there have anything to report on the Grand Hotel or Comfort Suites, both on Jarvis St. in Toronto, or the Hilton Niagara Falls?