Anyone Know Toronto /Ottawa/The Great Lakes ?

[Goldenfigs]

Hello I am planning and trying to put together a once in a lifetime family holiday and need some insider knowledge. Any help gladly received, we are quite active and quite flexible and low maintenance.

Nothing booked yet but this is where I am up to

The basic plan so far is
Fly to Toronto stay for 3 nights in the Eaton Chelsea seems to be well located and has a pool

Get up early next day and get hire car drive to Niagara then do helicopter flight over falls spend one night somewhere DH wants the Marriot gateway on the falls

NExt day drive to a lake resort self catering type place to experience nature for five nights , lake have a go at fishing , canoeing, rapids and cycling THIS IS where I am struggling not sure ?, have seen a resort in Lake rice ( elmhirst resort) but also like the look of algonquin park but not sure where we should be based

Then drive back to toronto for one more night ( maybe not sure if here or somewhere else to stay would be good to try somewhere else

then fly home from toronto airport

plus what sort of budget should i be thinking in terms of spending money ?

thanks

We usually go to Toronto / Ottawa every other year, so know the area fairly well. It used to be cheaper than the Uk but for the last few trips, the cost of things have been similar to Uk.
There's lots to do in Toronto to fill 3 days, shopping, islands, CN tower, ball game at sky dome, museum etc.. Spends for food can be as little as £5 for a cheap sandwich / noodle lunch or upwards.
The drive to niagara is beautiful, I would try and stop for lunch at either niagara on the lake or one of the vineyards. Takes about 2-3 hrs as traffic out of Toronto can be bad.
Niagara itself is a bit kiss me quick, lots of neon, noisy and wouldn't want to spend long there! The Sheraton falls hotel is good though - great views, also the steak restaurant at the Marriott is amazing at night as it looks over the falls.
I would try somewhere a bit closer to Toronto for your outdoors stay, lake simcoe is nice and offers a lot of what you want. Distances in Canada are vast and getting across Toronto can add hours. Good luck!

I did 4 days in Toronto last year and felt I needed at least double that! I didn't find the prices too wxpensive, but I love in dubai so my benchmark is a little screwed.

Most of the tourist attractions can be prebooked online before you go, including the hop on hop off bus. Even as non hockey fans we loved the hockey hall of fame.

Niagara on the lake is Wonderful, and you have to try ice wine!

What time of year are you planning? We did July - the temperatures were hellish! 40-45 each day and unlike the Middle East, they're not exactly prepared for it with ac etc.

Algonquin Park is too far for such a short trip. If I were you I'd spend another day in the city, on the Toronto Islands. Quiet, removed from the city, yet only a fifteen minute ferry ride from downtown! Lovely beaches and a old-fashioned amusement park for the kids.

We always stay at the Sheraton Fallsview when we go to Niagara. Great hotel, perched on top of a cliff next to the falls.

You should also see if the Blue Jays are in town when you come visit. Baseball is the quintessential North American experience. No need to stay for the whole game - get cheap seats ($9) each, have lunch/dinner at the ballpark, then head for a walk by the waterfront.

We're going this afternoon - opening weekend

excellent thank you will google the places mentioned