Heading to Canada, Toronto..what to do?

[BTL3.0]

hey Primers,
need some advice and suggestions. I'm heading to Toronto with my gf on Labor day weekend..we plan on driving there (10.5hrs) coming up from Indiana, passing through Michigan then into Toronto..

so far, we know we want to go to Chinatown on Spadina street first..then next day down to Niagra Falls..

where should I stay? any recommendation on hotel?
what to look out for..where to go..etc..

will stay 3days there..so i'm up for anything..not driving the X though..
oh yeah, where should i go to exchange money from US to CAD??

thanks

 

[eddie_82]

What ISN'T there to do? What kind of things are you into?

Since it's Labour Day weekend you could go check out the CNE and the air show. The Toronto Zoo is always a fun place to visit for a day. There's always something going on at Harbourfront, or you could head over to the islands for a lazy beach day (watch out for Hanlan Beach, it's clothing optional!). Go up the CN Tower, visit Casa Loma, walk the Danforth (Greektown), or visit College Street (Little Italy). Bike the Don Valley, visit the Science Centre or check out the Royal Ontario Museum or the Art Gallery of Ontario.

That's just the tip of the iceberg.

 

[eddie_82]

For the Niagara leg of your trip, go visit one (or more) of Niagara's wineries for lunch and grab a few bottles. Sorry, I can't really suggest any as I'm not much of a wine drinker but there are lots of choices out there. Once you get into the tourist area of Niagara you can do things to your heart's content. Ride the Maid of The Mist under the falls, visit the Butterfly Conservatory, have a picnic in one of a dozen parks, gamble at the casinos, visit a haunted house or wax museum...... you get the idea.

 

[BTL3.0]

dang eddie, that's a lot of stuff you can do..i don't even know if 2-3days is enough to do all that? anyway, i like natures stuff..something that does not require long distance driving..we like fresh fruits, that's y we want to see chinatown..no so much into the museum..harborfront should be fun..i'd like to do that..zoo is out, she's not into animals that much..

where would you recommend we stay, as far as hotel?? meaning short distance from downtown..somewhere close to all tourist attraction..

not looking for anything fancy like 4 or 5 stars hotel..something decent, since we won't be staying in the hotel that much..only there to sleep..

really it's my first time coming to Toronto and i am CLUELESS..i def. want to ride the Maid of Mist into the Falls..that would be awesome..

 

[Dexx]

1. I second the Air Show.
2. If you're into fresh foods, forget Chinatown - St. Lawrence Market (downtown) is where it's at.
3. Yorkville is our mini Rodeo Drive - great to walk around during the day and get some shopping in.
4. CN Tower is a must.
5. Check out Dundas Square - sort of a mini Times Square, but they always have events in the square during the day, sometimes concerts at night.
6. Little Italy (College St) - lots of great eats.

Hmm.. apart from that. I can recommend tons and tons of restaurants and bars, depending on what area you're in.

Breakfast: The Senator (right near Dundas Square - is oldest restaurant in Toronto), and my secret spot is Crepes a Gogo in Yorkville - traditional meets modern savory crepes (owner, Veronique is such a sweetheart).

Lunch: Cafe Nervosa or Sassafraz in Yorkville are cute. Nervosa has a great rooftop patio.

Dinner: Too many to list - let me know what kind of price range and I can make suggestions.

Nightlife (if you're interested): Another secret spot (great date spot) - Reservoir Lounge is a dark Jazz Lounge - not too pricy, live music - try the chocolate fondue for two. If you need suggestions on nightclubs/bars, let me know what you're in to.

Wow that was a long rant - happy to see NSXers in Toronto. BTW people here still break necks when they see NSXs.

 

[Dexx]

For hotels, try one of the boutiques - I've stayed at them all and they're all very cool.

http://www.toronto.com/hotels/article/370577

The Gladstone and Drake however are quite far out West (still downtown, though). It's a very artsy area, tons of great vintage, furniture, art shops, however too far West gets a little bit dicey at night, so watch out. My sister has a loft in this area and she loves it.

Germain is beautiful but pricey.
Pantages is right in the center of downtown a block away from Dundas Square.
Soho Met is right in the entertainment district, and a 10 min walk to the CN Tower.

 

[BTL3.0]

my goodness that's a lots to do..are they having the air show on Sunday or Monday??

i will have to make a list..holy cow..so much to do, so little time..

i love to travel and this will be a great experience for me..last time i was in Vancouver and it rained all day..this time i'm gonna enjoy it so much more..

thanks for the suggestion fellows..this is great so far..

 

[FeetFxr]

Can't say anything about Toronto, but just returned from a family vacation to Niagara Falls. If you're a thrill seeker, I highly recommend the Whirlpool Jet Boats. You will get soaked, but it's a blast! Gotta do the Maid of the Mist and the Journey behind the Falls. We stayed at the Sheraton on the Falls in a presidential corner suite, which are amazing rooms and the absolute best view of any hotel.



<img src=http://a.imageshack.us/img413/2725/397rc.jpg>
<img src=http://a.imageshack.us/img685/4153/205nf.jpg>
View from the balcony
<img src=http://a.imageshack.us/img408/8730/283f.jpg>
View from the living room
<img src=http://a.imageshack.us/img138/5287/276ln.jpg>
View from the toilet
<img src=http://a.imageshack.us/img831/3684/293o.jpg>

 

[Chris NSX]

I just got back from Canada today. I was in Toronto for 4 days visiting family from 8/21/2010. We did China Town, CN Tower and Yankees vs Blue Jays game at Rogers Centre.

Last 2 days we visited Niagara Falls and a water park for the kids.

No need to get Canadian money, everywhere takes US $$$.

 

[BTL3.0]

great pictures FeetFxr, the view looks great from your room..wowzzzer..the whirlpool look kinda scary.. lol..

Chris,
that's good to hear that they take US dollar everywhere..i didn't want to go through the hassle of exchanging the money back and forth..i know that when you past the border, there is a welcome center which will exchange money for you if you'd like..atleast Vancouver had one..

i am really looking forward to this trip....how is the weather over there the past couple days while you're there Chris??

 

[Chris NSX]

It rained for the first few days, the temperature range of 65° to 80°F (18° to 26° C) very nice weather.

It should be sunny over the Labor day weekend, but I think traffic will suck.