Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Toronto or Niagara

54 replies

oldwrinklyhands · 03/06/2023 07:31

Looking at an Easter trip for 2024 and have found some reasonably priced deals for 10 days in and around Toronto. Have narrowed it down to a hotel by Toronto harbour or one that seems to be right by Niagara Falls. Any suggestions on what would be best? From my research it looks like there will be more to see and do whilst staying in Toronto and better for transport links. Going with DH and kids who will be 10 and 12.

OP posts:
Quartz2208 · 03/06/2023 07:32

Why don’t you do a two centre. Get the train toNiagara and visit both

ChimChimeny · 03/06/2023 07:36

We went in 2019 and stayed in an air bnb in Toronto and hired a car so we could drive to Niagara falls. We wouldn't have wanted to stay there because there isn't a great deal to do, whereas Toronto was a great city break with loads to do

MintJulia · 03/06/2023 07:36

IMO Toronto definitely. Niagara is probably the most disappointing place I've ever been. Toronto is lovely.

What sort of things do you like to do on holiday?

BruceAndNosh · 03/06/2023 07:37

You've got to see the Falls but not for 10 days. Niagara-on-the-Lake is a charming town depending on what you want to do.

AlisonDonut · 03/06/2023 07:37

Stay in Toronto and day trip to Niagra.

FrogsHiccups · 03/06/2023 07:37

We stayed in Toronto, rented a car and drove to Niagara for the day.

Fairydustandsparklylights · 03/06/2023 07:37

Definitely Toronto but with a day trip to Niagara. I loved our visit there on the Maid of the Mist - it was a truly spectacular boat ride.

BruceAndNosh · 03/06/2023 07:38

The Falls themselves are spectacular but Niagara Falls town is a bit naff

LIZS · 03/06/2023 07:43

Niagara is a bit of a dead end. Go for the day, maybe stay overnight , and you will have done it. If you hire a car go to Niagara on the Lake on way back to Toronto. Tbh 10 days there will be more than enough.

Original poster
oldwrinklyhands · 03/06/2023 07:46

Great, thanks for replies! I hoping the general response would be Toronto, DH seems to think we could visit some surrounding states by staying in Niagara, but I think he's forgotten the size of the US.

We like to do the normal tourist bits whilst on holiday. So any tips on places to visit in and around Toronto would be appreciated.

OP posts:
tatteddear · 03/06/2023 07:53

Base yourself in Toronto, but then do a few days in Old Niagara which is lovely (older cute town and wineries) and do the falls (which themselves are great-maid of the mist etc but don't need more than a day trip) from there. Don't stay in Niagara itself. It's awful.

LIZS · 03/06/2023 07:53

We were at Niagara at Christmas when very bad snow storms had closed the US border for a few days so the bridge across and roads around were gridlocked, even once reopened. You would also need an esta as well as a eta to cross into US.

tatteddear · 03/06/2023 07:56

You could drive around the bottom of the lake (state side) if you wanted but aside from some fairly pretty towns (Syracuse is nice) there isn't much to do-and I wouldn't consider it worth the faff of the border.

If anything drive north from Toronto to some of the other lakes and get a cabin for a bit. Well worth doing and what Canadians do on summer weekends.

Qilin · 03/06/2023 07:57

AlisonDonut · 03/06/2023 07:37

Stay in Toronto and day trip to Niagra.

This.
Loads of organised day trips available or hire a car. We stayed one night at niagra with an amazing room overlooking the falls and that was plenty.

tatteddear · 03/06/2023 08:00

Toronto

Distillery district is nice for food and a potter
Ferry and bike hire around the Island
Obvs the CN tower.
If it's hot you can have a day at the Beach on the lake.
Fort York is good if you have kids and like history stuff-it's sort of a colonial experience place.

tatteddear · 03/06/2023 08:01

Eat at Jack Astors. It's a sort of chain place but I still miss the Bruschetta now. Went back last year and ordered it twice!

Theyweretheworstoftimes · 03/06/2023 08:04

You will need an i 94 visa to enter US by road

www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/i-94

If you want to do US and Canada use the Peace Bridge to enter the US in to the city of Buffalo. It's on the other side of Niagara Falls.

Some of the museums in Toronto are free at certain times so check that out.

Can still be cool in Canada at Easter. They have long winters so take a coat. Have fun.

BestIsWest · 03/06/2023 08:04

We spent a week in Toronto and did a day trip to Niagara and Niagara on the Lake and that was enough. Lots to do in Toronto. CN Tower, Aquarium, Hockey museum, the islands etc but our favourite thing was Bluejays baseball at the Rogers stadium.

mynameiscalypso · 03/06/2023 08:07

Can you go down to the US? Toronto is fine but there's not a massive amount to do there. Last time we went for a week, we did a few days in New York, then flew up to Toronto for the rest of the time. Even with a trip to Niagara, we wouldn't have wanted more time in Toronto.

Squiblet · 03/06/2023 08:08

Your kids will like the Science centre in Don Mills (NE Toronto suburb). Loads of interactive exhibits and buttons to push.

Toronto zoo is good, though expensive and huge. Start early, bring water and a picnic.

Lake swimming at Cherry beach is great on a hot day. Check the water quality online first.

KatieKat88 · 03/06/2023 08:10

We did 5 nights in Toronto (including train to Niagara for a day trip, really easy to do) and then flew to Washington DC for 5 nights - Toronto Islands are lovely, great views from the boat. Wouldn't have needed longer there but would definitely go back again in a few years. Obviously needed an ESTA for the DC bit as well as the Canadian one.

Original poster
oldwrinklyhands · 03/06/2023 12:59

These are great suggestions, thanks all. We will have valid ESTAs as not long come back from US, so can consider crossing the border.

OP posts:
User1438423 · 03/06/2023 13:16

Toronto definitely. Like all tourist hotspots, the area around Toronto reminded me a lot of Blackpool, quite naff, lots of chains, no culture. With the exception of Great Wolf Lodge which is great for one night if you have small kids, if has a big indoor and outdoor swimming pool, story time and activities etc

User1438423 · 03/06/2023 13:17

Sorry I meant to say the area around Niagara reminded me of Blackpool, not Toronto.

papaandmama · 03/06/2023 16:59

@oldwrinklyhands we are hoping to go to Toronto next Easter too - can I ask where you’ve seen a good deal? I’m constantly looking at the moment!