Montreal, Toronto, Niagara Falls

ellesan

ellesan

Cathlete
Travel tips please!!

My niece is graduating from McGill in Montreal in early June and we'll be going. We'll be in Montreal for 4 days, only in Toronto for one day and then doing a full day trip to Niagara Falls.

What are the definite things to see and do? What's a waste of time?

I found this deal for Niagara Falls--is it worth it? http://www.niagaraparks.com/plan/buy-tickets-packages.html

Thanks!
 
In Toronto, plan to eat! We have 5000 restaurants from every nation on earth. Forget the tourist traps - head to Queen Street West for funky and trendy shopping, Yorkville for ultra expensive and trendy shopping, Kensington Market for pure funk incorporated, Church and Wellesley for the gay village, High Park for a lovely run, Parkdale for art galleries, 401 Richmond for one stop shopping for art (12 art galleries in one building and what a building!), Hanlon's Point on the Toronto islands for nude sunbathing... really, more more could you do in one day?
 
Sandra,
What are your interests? I live in Montreal so I can direct you but it depens what you like.
Christiane
 
In Montreal I recommend walking around the Old part of the city, of course. It's just beautiful!! I also loved two restaurants in particular - ShoDon (a sushi restaurant) and L'Aromate (bistro - but light, clean flavors - delicious!). I was there for five days and ate at only these two restaurants for dinners! YUM.
 
I lived in Niagara Falls NY for 25+ years and still work there every day. The deal for the Niagara Parks pass is pretty good - the Maid of the Mist is 14.50 CA and 13.50 US by itself. The other tours are good - it will be a full day of site seeing if you do the pass. If you don't do ALL the tours, though, it's not that good - but they are all great, especially Maid of the Mist (a MUST do). If you're planning on staying in the Falls overnight (which is what most people do), check prices on staying on the American side vs Canadian side - Canada is much more expensive, especially eating. However, to be fair, the American side is not as nice for things to do as the Canadian side. Canada has lots of touristy things - wax museum, daredevil museum, spectacular gardens/parks, etc. The American side has a very nice park and you can get very close to the Falls itself - but except for the park and the casino and the fashion outlet mall, there's not much to do. On the Canadian side, you generally must view the Falls from across the river - which is absolutely beautiful. The American side doesn't offer the view that Canada does. Also, to be fair and to warn you, much of the American side is really slummy, especially near the tourist area. Don't walk away (OK to drive) from the tourist area and do not leave anything in your car that might be something someone would want to steal. It's OK to walk around in tourist area, but don't do it late at night except right at the casino. They have good security. There's a reason I moved to the suburbs . . .

If you like to gamble, you will want to visit the American side - the Canadian casino is more expensive and the odds aren't as good. The Seneca Nation of Indians has a beautiful hotel on the American side with great restaurants inside the casino complex. The Canadian casino is very nice, also, and the area surrounding the Canadian side is MUCH nicer than the American side.

So, there are reasons to go to USA, but you might not care and want to stay in Canada. Whichever you choose, enjoy your stay (we're all natural born tourist operators here - always promoting!).
 
Oh, in Niagara Falls, go to Guru on Victoria (I think) for Indian food. So freakin' good! I would check out the Butterfly Conservatory and do Feathers of the Glen too.

For Toronto, let me know what kind of food you love and I'll recommend something.
 
morningstar said:
Oh, in Niagara Falls, go to Guru on Victoria (I think) for Indian food. So freakin' good! I would check out the Butterfly Conservatory and do Feathers of the Glen too.

For Toronto, let me know what kind of food you love and I'll recommend something.
Click to expand...

Cool, what's Feathers of the Glen?

Sushi, Thai , Mediteranean and a good burger place for my boys;)
 
Evie, thanks so much for all the info! I really appreciate it. :D

We are only there for the day and staying the night in Buffalo since our flight leaves early the next day. That solves the sleeping arrangement.

We'll definitely do Maid of the Mist, but not sure on the others...maybe we'll just wait til we get there to pay. Thanks for the view/safety tips too!

Evie said:
I lived in Niagara Falls NY for 25+ years and still work there every day. The deal for the Niagara Parks pass is pretty good - the Maid of the Mist is 14.50 CA and 13.50 US by itself. The other tours are good - it will be a full day of site seeing if you do the pass. If you don't do ALL the tours, though, it's not that good - but they are all great, especially Maid of the Mist (a MUST do). If you're planning on staying in the Falls overnight (which is what most people do), check prices on staying on the American side vs Canadian side - Canada is much more expensive, especially eating. However, to be fair, the American side is not as nice for things to do as the Canadian side. Canada has lots of touristy things - wax museum, daredevil museum, spectacular gardens/parks, etc. The American side has a very nice park and you can get very close to the Falls itself - but except for the park and the casino and the fashion outlet mall, there's not much to do. On the Canadian side, you generally must view the Falls from across the river - which is absolutely beautiful. The American side doesn't offer the view that Canada does. Also, to be fair and to warn you, much of the American side is really slummy, especially near the tourist area. Don't walk away (OK to drive) from the tourist area and do not leave anything in your car that might be something someone would want to steal. It's OK to walk around in tourist area, but don't do it late at night except right at the casino. They have good security. There's a reason I moved to the suburbs . . .

If you like to gamble, you will want to visit the American side - the Canadian casino is more expensive and the odds aren't as good. The Seneca Nation of Indians has a beautiful hotel on the American side with great restaurants inside the casino complex. The Canadian casino is very nice, also, and the area surrounding the Canadian side is MUCH nicer than the American side.

So, there are reasons to go to USA, but you might not care and want to stay in Canada. Whichever you choose, enjoy your stay (we're all natural born tourist operators here - always promoting!).
Click to expand...
 
NY25 said:
In Montreal I recommend walking around the Old part of the city, of course. It's just beautiful!! I also loved two restaurants in particular - ShoDon (a sushi restaurant) and L'Aromate (bistro - but light, clean flavors - delicious!). I was there for five days and ate at only these two restaurants for dinners! YUM.
Click to expand...

Sounds great, thanks! I am making my list :D
 
ellesan said:
Cool, what's Feathers of the Glen?

Sushi, Thai , Mediteranean and a good burger place for my boys;)
Click to expand...

Sushi: Oshi Kada in Kensington Market

Thai: Thai Grill at Bathurst and College or Mengrai Thai at Queen East and Ontario Street

Mediterranean: do Greek along the Danforth- there's about a bazillion excellent restaurants

Burgers: I think there's a great burger place at Queen West and Spadina, but not being a carnivore, I haven't checked it out myself.
 
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