Must see for Niagara Falls and Toronto?
 

Hi,

We will be in Toronto from Jul 15 night to Jul 17 evening. We plan to go to Niagara Falls by Greyhound bus on Jul 16. Due to 3-hour time lag (we are coming from California), and with kids aged 12 and 9, we plan to catch 10:30 AM bus which should reach Niagara at 12:40 PM. We plan to take 8:30 PM or 10:00 PM bus back to Toronto. What are the must see attractions that we can see in about 8 hours time. I think I read about some IMAX show also- is that worth seeing? What time in the evening lights come up these days at Niagara?

Next day, July 17th, we plan to see CN Tower and have lunch at 360- will that consume most of the time and what time should we get in line (if any) for the same. We need to be at the airport at 6:30 PM on that day. What else should we plan to see besides Hockey Hall of Fame? Is there anything going on at Air Canada Center these days.

Thanks for any comments and suggestions.
Ravin

If they still have the jet boat rides up the Niagara Rapids from Niagara-on-the-Lake, I'd recommend that. It will be pricey for four people, but I guarantee that your kids will love it.

Dont miss the Maid of the Mist boat ride in Niagara Falls. It's a boat ride at the base of the falls. Its so cool Also, i think there's a package deal for 4 sights at the Falls for one price. It may be too much for your time frame, but might be worth checking into. Look up a general sightseeing website for Niagara Falls Canada Canadian websites usually end in .ca instead of .com. the evening lights go on around 8:30 and sometimes there are fireworks. I probably woulndt wste my time on the IMAX when there's so much to see in person.
Traffic is pretty bad in Toronto so if you have to be at the airport by 6:30, dont plan to spend too much of your afternoon sightseeing.

Have a great trip.

I would suggest viewing the Falls from the Canadian side and the American side if time permits. There is a bridge you can walk across to get back and forth from both sides. The Canadian side offers spectacular views, but on the American side you literally walk right up beside the Falls. It gives you a real understanding of the power of the water!

Thanks all for your suggestions. It is really helpful.

Our flight leaves Toronto at 9:30 PM on Sat, Jul 18th- I wrote 6:30 PM as the time we would need to be at the airport. What else is a must see in Toronto besides CN Tower and Hockey Hall of Fame. We would be staying in Hilton. We will checkout of hotel around 10:00 AM- should we straight head for CN Tower and lunch at 360 or should we visit Hall of Fame first.

Thanks again
Ravin

The Hockey Hall of Fame is very nice but you only need to spend about 2 hours there.

Hi, Ravin!

You may have seen this on the Canada forum, but in case not, here's my trip report of a few days in Toronto with Niagara by Greyhound: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34505548

If you'd like to see pictures, go to http//www.webshots.community/user/missalg

The lights at night came on about 9:30 in June, and getting a taxi back to the bus terminal wasn't the easiest at that point. I'd guess it would be about the same when you're going.

Have a great trip--I had a blast!

Aaargh...the pictures are actually http://community.webshots.com/user/missalg

Somehow I always manage to switch something in that address.

Two kid friendly suggestions for after your lunch: Old Fort York is a replica of a fort used during the war of 1812. I think they sometimes do battle re-enactments there. Another suggestion is to take the ten minute ferry ride to Centre Island. There's an amusement park and a petting farm there. You won't have time to do both.

We went to Niagara Falls a couple of times when I was a kid and the two things I remembered most was the Maid of the Mist and going through the "tunnels" to see the falls from behind them.

Took my kids many years later, and those two things are still my favorites.

Ravin:

I would highly suggest the IMAX theatre. Beautiful picture of falls and some history and, before or after the show, I'd suggest going to the small museum within the building which has some artifacts/history on Niagara Falls too. Definitely go on the Maid of the Mist, it is really a fun ride. I also enjoyed going through a cave that lead to a ground view of the falls, with me looking up at it at close range.

Thanks All for your helpful suggestions.

Ravin

On the Canadian side there is the Great Gorge Adventure (a/k/a Whitewater Walk). You can walk along the lower Niagara River down in the gorge next to the rapids. They are considered to be the strongest in the world. It's wild and beautiful down there.