Toronto, Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake, Canada
price varies
Optimum Seasons: Summer
I went to Toronto for a week in the summer of 2015. Last I was there was twenty years ago. I decided to go back with my children and husband to kill a few birds with one stone: 1) visit my sister and her children and husband who live there; and 2) visit Niagara Falls over the 4th of July weekend. Last time I went, I had a mustache, braces, a 24/7 doody bun, and a 5 person family crammed in a maroon Nissan Maxima with no cell phone, no ipad, and no cd player. We drove from NYC to Niagara Falls for a couple days, and then to Toronto. The drive was at least 8 hours and on the way we stopped at some waterfalls in upstate New York....all before google maps. I can't imagine how much more charming this drive would be with an SUV and communication devices. But I was so traumatized that I decided to take a flight to Toronto this time and drive to Niagara falls which is one and a half hours away. The flight costs a lot of money for such a short distance because of international tax, so I highly recommend driving and googling about things to do on the drive to Toronto from NYC. It would be a great experience with the children!
Anyway, we stayed at my sister's beautiful home for a week. She was basically our Toronto tour guide. She told us the musts: go to Ripley's Aquarium of Canada (in downtown Toronto), take a ferry from downtown to Centre Island (a magical island with beautiful views of the Toronto skyline, an amusement park, beautiful gardens, concession stands, and a beach), experience a Toronto Blue Jays game, take a drive through Toronto's affluent neighborhoods of Bridle Path and Forest Hills, and enjoy designer shopping on Bloor Street and Yorkville. Toronto has come a long way in the 20 years since I've been there. The skyline is ever evolving, and the city is so clean and beautiful. And Canadians are all so nice! I highly recommend this trip with the family. Except mass transit in Toronto is horrific and you should get ready for massive traffic. Best to get a hotel in downtown Toronto!
My second leg of the vacation was a weekend getaway to Niagara Falls which was only a one and a half hour drive from Toronto. We stayed in the Hilton which was a couple of blocks from the Horseshoe Falls. Make sure you request a falls view room on a higher floor. It gives you the most magnificent view of the two falls and the entire neighborhood. And you get to watch the 4th of July fireworks on the American side while your children sleep soundly in bed. The Hilton has a great indoor pool as well. The Niagara Falls neighborhood is very small and very easy to navigate. Just get a map from the front desk of your hotel. This trip is a rite of passage for all children who live in NYC! Definitely go once as a family!
On our drive back to my sister's home in Toronto, we stopped by Niagara on the Lake, which is Toronto's Hamptons! It was such a beautiful and charming town with great places to dine outdoors. Ask one of the locals which way to the lake and they'll point you in the right direction. It's worth the three block walk! You won't be disappointed! There are also lots of wineries between Niagara Falls and Niagara on the Lake. No shortage of things to do! My pictures in the gallery cover it all!
Check out the videos below of our view of the fireworks from the Hilton room in Niagara Falls. And the Hilton penthouse restaurant (where we had our daily breakfast). Also, you'll get an idea of how spectacular the Ripley's Aquarium is!
Click on the gallery above (best viewed on a desktop for captions), the videos below to get a better sense of the area, and add your feedback by clicking on the comments section below! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see my next adventure! And share with your friends if you appreciate this page!