Travel Forum / Destinations / USA and Canada / January 2006

You didn't say when you are going so here's a few ideas:

Niagara falls:
Depends how much money you want to spend, but I have stayed at the
hotels by Horseshoe falls and always enjoy that area.

The falls
Marineland

Toronto:
Ontario Science center
Toronto Zoo
See the Blue Jays play at the skydome
CN Tower
Ontario Place

Hi

Start with these sites

http://discoverniagara.com/attractions/main/

http://www.ontariotravel.net/TcisCtrl?site=consumers&key1=destinations&key2=GTA&
language=EN

http://www.torontotourism.com/visitor

There is an Americana hotel, out on Lundy's Lane I think,
with a great enclosed waterpark. Perfect for the kids.
The rest of the motel is just ho-hum, but if you stay
there the waterpark is included. Wavepool, slides, etc.

Check out the tourism websites, but some of the
things that come to mind are:
- the Falls, of course
- Butterfly conservatory (very busy at times, plan ahead)
- downtown Lundy's Lane -- soo touristy, but ya gotta see it once
  (ripley's believe it or not, etc.)
- whirlpool jetboats

We enjoyed going to the forts -- Fort George and Fort Erie,
but they are a drive from Niagara and may not appeal to all.

Niagara on the Lake is cute, with lots of wineries in the
area.

Science Centre is good for kids.

Royal Ontario Museum is undergoing renovations right now,
usually good for kids, but I'm not sure what is open inside.
Think dinosaurs for the 4yr old.

In the summer, the Toronto Islands have a tiny amusement
park that's always good -- pack a picnic, enjoy a quiet
day in the middle of the city.

Also in the summer, Ontario Place has a variety of stuff,
including an IMAX theatre, big waterpark, boat rentals, etc.

North of Toronto, Canada's Wonderland has coasters, rides
for all ages, etc.

Also Fort York, if you want to fill out your Fort visits. :)

The CN Tower, just for the fun of popping your ears a few
times going up and down.

There's a lot of other kids stuff, but not really unique. Wall
climbing, etc.

There are lots of hotels and motels in Niagara Falls.  Some of them
offer some pretty attractive deals. However, be wary of the pricier
hotels that offer deals on meals in their restaurants,  most of which
are terribly overpriced and even with a hefty voucher or two for one
deal you can find better deals elsewhere. There are lots of motels
along Lundy's Lane, all within a mile or two of the falls.

The children would likely enjoy the Butterfly Conservatory, which is on
the grounds of the School of Horticulture, a few miles north of the
falls on the parkway. And there is always that few blocks of tourist
traps that so many people hear complain about but which so many
tourists seem to enjoy.

Toronto has a great museum and a tremendous zoo that the kids would
enjoy.

When you go to the falls, you MUST go on Maid of the Mist tour boat, if
they are operating in April.  I was skeptical until my brother told me
about it.  I had always wanted to go to the falls and had one quick day
& night in NF-Canada during an RV trip a few summers ago.  The Maid
boat was the highlight, for my entire family, including my "ho-hum"
child who feels like she's seen everything.  They were 9 and 7 at the
time.

We spent our entire time in the falls area, sightseeing as we couldn't
get enough of the roar.  They have some nice open spaces for a picnic
if it is warm enough.

Read "The Falls" by Joyce Carol Oates before you go for an interesting
perspective and read.

Vacation Mamma
www.rentthisplace.net - Quality Vacation Rentals by Owner