Amy

I'm just back from Toronto and Niagara--what a great time!

I stayed at Pantages, a new hotel in Toronto right next to what was the old Pantages (now Canon) theatre. It's a wonderful location for downtown walking, very nice suites with all kinds of amenities (even a washer and dryer; I love not having any dirty clothes to pack) and an overall very modernistic look. As their spa is not yet open, they had a good price of $149CD. The staff were very friendly and helpful.

On my first evening there, Saturday, I walked up to the Queen Street Lush; a very nice young man there was quite helpful in helping me make up my mind (to the tune of $123CD but what the hey, I got a free bar of Milko!) I know that Lush isn't everyone's cuppa tea, but I really enjoy it. Queen Street is quite interesting and eclectic--funky chic, I guess one could call it.

The next day I roamed about downtown, from the (closed on Sunday!) St. Lawrence Market and the Flatiron Building to the Hockey Hall of Fame (yay!) to the CN Tower where I had a wonderful lunch at 360, the revolving restaurant, then on to Fort York and back along the waterfront through the Toronto Music Park (I wanted to stay there forever: gorgeous) and past the quays to the ferry to Centre Island and Far Enough Farm! For those who might be considering the CN tower lunch, the observation deck and glass floor level are included with your lunch; for prix fixe of $46 I got a very good meal that was more than sufficient as my main meal of the day. I'm sure it's lovely at night, as well, but of course the dinner prices are rather higher.

On Monday I used the TTC pass to get to Black Creek Pioneer Village, which I would highly recommend to anyone with an interest in history. The re-enactors there were very good, and you got such a sense of life in the mid nineteenth century. I was helped by a "Guardian Angel" on my way there, because I don't know that I would have ever found the way by bus on my own; the TTC guy I asked didn't seem to be sure where it was. The TTC (public transit) system is very good, though. The best way to get there from downtown seems to be the Yonge/Finch subway station and then the 60 bus, but perhaps someone from the area knows a better way.

Later that day I went to the Bata Shoe Museum with its fascinating display and on down shopper's mecca Bloor Street to ROM, the Royal Ontario Museum; I didn't really have enough time there, as I arrived an hour before closing, but I got in for free at that time. It reminds me of a combination of at least three museums here; I think I'll need to come back and visit when its reconstruction is done...looks like it will be amazing!

I took a day trip to Niagara Falls on Tuesday--bright, hot and sunny, it was a perfect day for getting drenched and seeing rainbows. The Greyhound bus was only 34.60CD for the round trip ticket, as I was coming back that night; I left the city at 8:15AM and got back at midnight. While there I got on Maid of the Mist (of course!) after seeing the Floral Clock and riding the Spanish Aero Car over the whirlpool; the people-mover shuttle works well. I had lunch at Table Rock. Then I took the Journey behind the Falls, and crossed over the Rainbow Bridge to the American side for the Cave of the Winds tour (they are similar, but I found the Cave of the Winds to be a bit more involved and enjoyable.) Back on the Canadian side, I went up Skylon Tower just about at sunset; lovely views. I got a taxi back to the bus station as the shuttle stops operation at 6PM.
I had to leave Wednesday, alas, but I really had a good time in the little amount of time that I had! Thanks to all the Toronto folks for your excellent advice as I was planning this.

SusanInToronto

I'm glad you enjoyed the city! Sounds like a very nice time.

BAK

I think we forget too often about Black Creek and Fort York, and we'll remind other visitors about them, thanks to you.

Was it easy getting around Niagara Falls, starting at the bus terminal there? You are the first person I can remember who took this option, and it might be really handy for more people, especially solo travellers.

I've printed out part of your message and will drop it off at Lush later today (maybe; it's going to rain) or tomorrow. they'll be pleased you were pleased.

BAK

Amy

The bus terminal in Niagara worked really well for me, but it does involve just a bit of walking; from the terminal you walk down to the VIA train station and make a right and walk until, basically, you can't walk any further without going into the water, then a left to the "Whitewater Walk" building where you can buy the People Mover shuttle ticket. I started out by going north on the shuttle, then down to the actual falls area. I would absolutely recommend this option; most of the bus tours I saw do include Niagara on the Lake and a winery visit, but you really don't get much freedom--or time--at the falls themselves, whereas this option gives you all kinds of choices. The buses run fairly frequently out of Toronto and back; in fact, you can get one back as late as 11:35PM!

Thanks for letting Lush know...I got addicted to Lush through an English friend and now do mail order all the time; every time I'm somewhere that there is a shop, I stop in! (Always lovely people there)

It's going to rain today? Looking at my tan, you'd think it never rained in Toronto (I do know better, of course--I was just very blessed with the weather!)

wow

thx for the great report, Amy!