1st time to Canada with 3 kids
Nov 2nd, 2008, 03:54 PM
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1st time to Canada with 3 kids
Hi everyone!
We're planning a trip to Canada...mainly Niagara Falls and possibly drive to Toronto. Thinking about the 1st week of April. Will be traveling with 3 kids...8,6 and a infant. My concerns are the type of weather and how far the drive is from Niagara Falls to Toronto. Also, any suggestions on activities to do...and sight-seeing. Planning to be there possibly 3-4 days...Thanks!
We're planning a trip to Canada...mainly Niagara Falls and possibly drive to Toronto. Thinking about the 1st week of April. Will be traveling with 3 kids...8,6 and a infant. My concerns are the type of weather and how far the drive is from Niagara Falls to Toronto. Also, any suggestions on activities to do...and sight-seeing. Planning to be there possibly 3-4 days...Thanks!
Nov 2nd, 2008, 04:38 PM
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The weather will be exactly the same as upstate New York - pretty variable at that time of year - spring not quite here - just starting to change from brown to green.
You will want to do Marineland, ride the Maid of the Mist below the falls, and all those tacky haunted house things in NF Ontario.
Are you staying at the Great Wolf Lodge? They have an indoor waterpark that your kids would flip over.
The drive to to Toronto is only about 1.5 hours - 2 for tourists taking it slowly, probably
You will want to do Marineland, ride the Maid of the Mist below the falls, and all those tacky haunted house things in NF Ontario.
Are you staying at the Great Wolf Lodge? They have an indoor waterpark that your kids would flip over.
The drive to to Toronto is only about 1.5 hours - 2 for tourists taking it slowly, probably
Nov 3rd, 2008, 05:11 AM
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The two bigger kids will love the Maid of the Mist boat ride. The Maid of the Mist web site says opening day depends on river conditions, but is schedule for early April.
If they like flowers, the greenhouse will be interesting, but how much greenhouses appeal depends on the kids.
In Niagara on the Lake, they'll enjoy the old fort, including running around.
In Toronto, they'll enjoy Casa Loma.
BAK
If they like flowers, the greenhouse will be interesting, but how much greenhouses appeal depends on the kids.
In Niagara on the Lake, they'll enjoy the old fort, including running around.
In Toronto, they'll enjoy Casa Loma.
BAK
Nov 3rd, 2008, 07:09 AM
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Tons of things for your kids... stay at Great Wolf Lodge... up the street is Butterfly conservatory... there's a Bird Aviary attraction near the bridges, dozens of kid friendly attractions and waterparks as well as looks at the Falls from several viewpoints...
Nov 6th, 2008, 05:55 AM
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Thanks everyone!
What about Toronto?
We like to sight see and perhaps visit a museum/aquarium/popular tourist destinations)
I was thinking about the CN Tower. Is it worth it to up the deck?
Theres plenty to do around Niagara...thanks for the ideas!
Maid of Mist sounds like alot of fun! Is it the same boat ride from the Canadian and the American side?
What about Toronto?
We like to sight see and perhaps visit a museum/aquarium/popular tourist destinations)
I was thinking about the CN Tower. Is it worth it to up the deck?
Theres plenty to do around Niagara...thanks for the ideas!
Maid of Mist sounds like alot of fun! Is it the same boat ride from the Canadian and the American side?
Nov 6th, 2008, 10:29 AM
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Maid of the Mist -- same trip, more or less, from either side. Each starts and stops at its own dock, and does not land in another country. But when they are away from the dock, routes are the same.
TORONTO AND KIDS
Lots of people like the zoo, but it is far away, on the "wrong" side of the city from you.
Ontario Science Center is a wonerful place for kids. Esy parking, medium expensive, can absorb almost a whole day, and even the snack bar is half decent. Special stuff for little kids, too.
Royal Ontario Museum is the fancy museum in town, and kids love the dinosaur displays. It's right in the middle of town, opposite (makes sense) the Museum subway station.
Kids like Casa Loma, too. Also on the subway route.
CN Tower; my son won passes when he was about ten, and I tok him and two friends. We arrived about one and were sorry when we had to leave to go home for dinner.
Swiss Chalet is the official Canadian restaurant for feed good kids with good food in a nice but not lavish atmosphere, while ensuring parents get good food too. Rotesserie chicken -- there's other stuff, but skip it.
Several branches in central Toronto.
BAK
TORONTO AND KIDS
Lots of people like the zoo, but it is far away, on the "wrong" side of the city from you.
Ontario Science Center is a wonerful place for kids. Esy parking, medium expensive, can absorb almost a whole day, and even the snack bar is half decent. Special stuff for little kids, too.
Royal Ontario Museum is the fancy museum in town, and kids love the dinosaur displays. It's right in the middle of town, opposite (makes sense) the Museum subway station.
Kids like Casa Loma, too. Also on the subway route.
CN Tower; my son won passes when he was about ten, and I tok him and two friends. We arrived about one and were sorry when we had to leave to go home for dinner.
Swiss Chalet is the official Canadian restaurant for feed good kids with good food in a nice but not lavish atmosphere, while ensuring parents get good food too. Rotesserie chicken -- there's other stuff, but skip it.
Several branches in central Toronto.
BAK
Nov 6th, 2008, 02:15 PM
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Yes, agree they'll like ROM (Museum) and CN Tower. My grandkids, same age range, liked taking the ferry from the Harbourfront area over to the Toronto Islands (walking trails, kids amusement park, etc.) - but April might be a little early for this. In the warmer months, Harbourfront itself (not far from CN Tower) offers music and cultural festivals, an international craft market and outdoor patios plus a variety of boat tours. St. Lawrence Market on Saturday mornings is bustling and fun. Zoo is good - big, natural environment setting - but on the city outskirts as mentioned. Also agree that kids like Ontario Science Centre. Toronto is famous for multicultural dining if they're adventurous eaters. Even if not, there are tons of restaurants of all types although some can be pricey.
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Nov 6th, 2008, 04:41 PM
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I think the Maid of the Mist only runs from the Canadian side but I might be wrong. Anyway, it's the same water and they all get as close to the falls...
Seconding the ROM and the Science Centre and of course, the CN Tower.
There may be a Blue Jays game on too - right next to the Tower.
Seconding the ROM and the Science Centre and of course, the CN Tower.
There may be a Blue Jays game on too - right next to the Tower.
Nov 7th, 2008, 07:03 AM
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We still have cold weather in the first week of April so much of the outdoor stuff is iffy... plan for all indoor stuff and if you get a suprisingly nice day you can substitute... the area around the Falls is cold and misty making it difficult for the little ones... they will have much more fun at the waterparks, butterfly conservatory, bird aviary, and hotel than freezing outside...
