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-   -   Road trip from Minneapolis to Ontario.. suggestions for 91yr old (https://www.fodors.com/community/road-trips/road-trip-from-minneapolis-to-ontario-suggestions-for-91yr-old-1463974/)

sweetsmn Aug 9th, 2017 06:40 PM

Road trip from Minneapolis to Ontario.. suggestions for 91yr old
 
I am going on about a week long road trip from Minneapolis to Windsor, Ontario area at the end of October with my 91 yr old Grandfather.

I am looking for suggestions in stops/attractions along the way there. As you know I will need to be making more frequent stops/overnight stays to help him. He is interested in mechanical things, historical, loves dams, no museums, no art galleries.

What I am thinking is Ford Museum, Niagara Falls, CN Tower Toronto.

I am also wondering if we will still see Fall Leaf colors changing that late in October?

Thanks in advance for your tips/suggestions.

Southam Aug 10th, 2017 03:46 AM

You are more likely to see fall colours in Minnesota than in Southern Ontario at the end of October. The area between Windsor and Toronto, which is where you really seem focused, is highly fertile farmland with a low amount of forest. Tree leaves will be mostly dead if not down by then.
The Ford Museum and associated Greenfield Village in Dearborn, west of Detroit, should be squarely in your grandfather's interests.
There's also a tour of the Ford Rouge plant, one of the industrial world's landmarks. https://www.thehenryford.org/visit/f...e-factory-tour

Niagara Falls is four hours drive from the border in Windsor. Same distance Windsor-Toronto. Many tourists use Toronto as a base and take a day trip to the Falls. The history you see along the way is Canadian (which I suppose is obvious but can shape your awareness.)
Google Maps estimates your distance to Toronto by car at 1500 kilometres. That means at least two days each way, tough enough for you never mind your spry relative. Minneapolis and Detroit are hubs for Delta Airlines and Detroit Metro airport is very near Dearborn. Delta also flies to Toronto while Air Canada and Porter have frequent commuter flights to Toronto from Windsor airport.

garyt22 Aug 10th, 2017 05:41 AM

First of all, your entire trip is in the US until you cross the border into Windsor...

It's a 10 hour plus drive thru Wisconsin Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan... that is where you need to stop on the way...

Repost on the US board...

As mentioned above, Niagara and Toronto are hours from Windsor adding more car time... If you do come, consider a tour of the Hydropower plants at Niagara... the massive turbines that use the power of the Falls are impressive...

There is also a rich history in Niagara, especially in the Forts from the War of 1812 on both sides of the border

Toronto, however is not traffic friendly and is a much better walking city... reconsider this part of the trip...

sweetsmn Aug 12th, 2017 04:45 PM

Thank you for your responses. I have reconsidered and we will be flying to Detroit and then renting a car for the week. If you have any suggestions on a rental car companies I would appreciate that. Yes, I realize I am asking in the Canada part and the car rental will take place in the US. Please don't scold me :)

Also, if you have a preference of Canadian Hotels by Niagara Falls. I would love to hear your choice :)

Thank you in advance

garyt22 Aug 13th, 2017 11:56 AM

The best hotel choices in Niagara are within 500 feet of each other... the Embassy Suites, Niagara Fallsview Casino, Marriott, and Oakes Hotel... all have views, some have specials... all are near a casino... you pick...


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