Hello, I'm new to this post, and I would like to ask anybody's opinion on our trip to Niagara Falls next month(08/17 evening - 08/20 early morning flight).
We're planning to go to NF(canada side) from Buffalo, and we will rent a car. It will be 7 of us, 3 adult, 2 senior, and 2 girls(4 and 6). I had reservation in Radisson, but thinking about cancelling it since I read not so good review.
We're planning to see Toronto for a day and the rest on niagara. Could you guys help what can we see/do for that 2 full days? Also I heard the rave about Sheraton fallsview, is it good for families? We're interested in family and elderly activities/sightseeing, no gambling/wineries. thx much for all your help.

I've been doing some research and this is my itinerary plan:
Aug 17 evening, take a quick dinner in the falls, then drive to Toronto and stay overnight.
Aug 18 CN Tower, Chinatown, Toronto Island, Bata Museum.
Drive back to NF late night.
Aug 19 Maid of Mist, Cave, Jetboat, Clifton Rd.
Aug 20 early morning drive to buffalo.

Please advise whether or not possible to do Toronto activities in 1 day.
Also, are the tours on NF good for 4 yr old?

Thanks a lot!

You're travelling with 2 seniors and 2 young kids. I think you're pushing it a bit unless you're a very energetic bunch. I would do either the tower or the Bata(tower is better)with the Island in the afternoon and wander chinatown at night. Why not consider Ontario Place instead of the island?
I would take only one of the boats. Its easy to spend lots of time on clifton hill especially with kids

Unfortunately our vacation mostly involves either my parents/my in laws My in laws are in a good shape so I think they should be OK.
My hubby opposed the idea of staying in toronto for 1 night, he said take up much time w/ the check in etc..
So I'm not sure whether it's better to stay the whole time in NF and drive to Toronto, or spend 1 night in toronto and the rest in NF.
Toronto: CN Tower, Bata, Chinatown/s, ROM.
NF: do the adventure pass (Maid, Butterfly conserv, Journey, WWW) and clifton hill.
Does this sounds reasonable?

thanks for the input!!

I would do the overnight in To. Driving in from NF in the am is going to involve much traffic unless you're parked downtown by about 7 or so. It's normally a 1 1/2 hour drive add an hour for am traffic. I would think the extra time in check in would be more than worth it.
Your toronto itinerary is going to give you a couple hours in each which is doable. The ROM is certainly worth more time but with one day what can you do. I would go into it with an idea of what I wanted to see so you can maximise your time there.
NF sound ok too. Theres rides and stuff geared to younger kids on clifton hill
I don't know about the age limits but there is some interesting video game type rides in the base of the cn tower and on clifton hill.

Thanks a lot Hardbones for your advice!
Does Maid of Mist & Journey.. OK for 4 yr old?

thanks..

Wow!



I guess if you only have one day in Toronto and one in Niagara Falls, then it's do-able, but you are really cramming a lot in.

Whoops.....I hit the post button too quickly!

You are really trying to cover a lot of territory in a very short period of time!!!! But hey, it's your vacation, so based on that, I would drive from Buffalo straight to Toronto, and then back track to Niagara. Why stop in Niagara Falls for dinner, where the bridges, roads, restaurants, etc. will be crowded beyond belief. Drive straight to Toronto. Stay overnight and enjoy Toronto on the 18th and leave very early morning the 19th for Niagara Falls.

You are trying to cram a lot into Niagara Falls for one day. Do you plan to bring your 4 and 6 year olds to all the NF sights? I don't see how the jet boats, maid of the mist, or any other NF tourist sights can be of interest to small children (scary, I would think) with the exception of some of the activities on Clifton Hill.

I hope this helps. Have fun!

Thanks for your advice BuffaloGirl!
I think this what we will do:
8/17 From Buffalo drive straight to Toronto.
8/18 CN Tower, Bata Museum, Chinatown.
8/19 Maid of Mist, Journey behind.., Butterfly, WWW, Clifton Hills. NO Jet boat.

Now, my question is
1. How long does it take to drive Buffalo - Chinatown(toronto) in the evening?
2. Will it be better to drive back to Niagara early morning(8/19) or late night(8/18 -- so we can catch the fall illumination/fireworks?)
3. Is the traffic Toronto - NF pretty bad at night (9PM)?
4. Are Journey behind the fall and MoM too scary for kids?
thanks

Forgot to ask you guys, which hotel do you recommend in Toronto (kids friendly, up to $150) and not too far from the area we will be visiting?
thx

We enjoyed the trolly tour of the Falls on the American side, where we were able to enjoy it closer, with less spray, as well as the rapids, which are beautiful. Maid of the Mist is thrilling and very wet. People had children on our boat and they did not seem scared. Nothing especially scary about the tour behind the Falls either. Sheraton Fallsview has a spectacular view later in the day. First thing in the morning, the sun can be blinding over the Falls. The view from Skylon Tower is also outstanding. We have also stayed at the Doubletree, which is fairly new, very nice and quiet. It's across the street and up a little from the I-MAX theater. If you see the film at the I-Max, there's also a display of the type of barrels and history of the daredevils. We also enjoyed the area of Planet Hollywood and the Chocolate Factory, which I'm sure your kids would like. If time permits,you will want to take the short drive to Niagara on the Lakes. There's a great place for photo opts. at the gift shop center, on the way, as well as a view of the gorge, complete with cable car that goes over, if you are so inclined. Also a War memorial park with a beautiful monument and view. Once at the town, you'll see it is very interesting and quaint with nice choices for lunch or dinner.

Jelly: Buffalo to Toronto, with no bridge back-ups and no major traffic tie-ups, can be a quick 90 minute ride from downtown to downtown. On a Wednesday night, you will have a good to decent chance of avoiding those problems. Please be certain to have the proper paperwork (passport or original birth certificates for everyone and driver's license/photo I.D. for all adults).

After a full day in Toronto, you may want to wait until the next morning to drive to Niagara Falls (early a.m. would be good to get all the NF sights in). You can see the falls lit up on the evening of the 19th.

Remember, if you have to get to the Buffalo airport early in the morning, you should give yourself a really early start. Even if the bridge is empty, you could get a certain customs agent in the mood to pull you over and hold you up for a long time. That's probably unlikely, but you never know, and if you have a plane to catch...............

I make mostly day trips to Toronto, so my hotel suggestions probably aren't all that up to date. Post your Toronto questions on the Canadian board for better responses.

The best Toronto hotel for kids is the Delta Chelsea.

Holiday Inn on King is kid-friendly, Hilton as an indoor-outdoor pool, and sodoes the Sheraton Centre.

BAK

Also consider the Westin Harbour Castle...its easy acess from the Expressway and right near the ferry docks... you might consider the following attractions as the best for your ages,...CN Tower,grab some picnic stuff and ferry to Centre Island (kiddie rides), ferry back and stop at Queens Quay where there are some shops and galleries as well as kids activities. Then get your car for cruise through Chinatown, Queen St W., the entertainment district, Yonge St. and stop if anything looks interesting... I would skip Bata, especially with the little ones, and the car tour give the seniors a look at Toronto without having to hoof it. Have Fun!