<p>I’m trying to plan a family vacation in August with both daughters before they head off to college. We’re thinking about a road trip from the Baltimore/D.C. area to Toronto with a stop in Niagara Falls. </p>
<p>Any suggestions on where to stay, what to see, etc. We’re not the outdoorsy type - so hikes and camping are not on the list - we’re more of the theatre, restaurants and shopping type.</p>
<p>I’d like to spend a few days in Toronto- one night in Niagara Falls and perhaps one night somewhere else along the way.
All suggestions are greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Does anyone know what time the sun sets in Toronto that time of year?</p>
<p>Enjoy. The Maid of the Mist boat trip in Niagara Falls is worth it. Second the Canadian side as nicer idea.</p>
<p>Weather.com is useful for sunrise/set as well as all the other info it gives. </p>
<p>We went years ago, found many informal ethnic restaurants in Toronto without reservations, no need to plan your day around the evening meal, especially since you can go to such restaurants in the DC area.</p>
<p>I also remember seeing some great formal gardens in Toronto, couldn’t get the others to go the second trip, sigh… window shopping, you’re lucky you have daughters… Can I come, too? You have reminded me to put it on our empty nester to do list…</p>
<p>I’m actually from Niagara Falls and if I had my druthers I’d stay in Niagara in the Lake, just a short drive from Niagara Falls. Its a beautiful town and home to the Shaw Festival. Check out the calendar and see what’s playing in the many theatre venues around town. The Festival Theatre is the largest and usually has Shaw’s better known plays. I don’t know the schedule for this summer. I second the suggestion that the Maid of the Mist is not to be missed and the Butterfly Conservatory is indeed beautiful. If you decide to stay in the Falls the Canadian side is the better choice. There’s nothing better that to walk through the park on a beautiful summer evening enjoying the people and the lights on the falls. And for the girls the “honky tonk” of Clifton Hill is great fun, for people watching if nothing else. The ride up to Toronto is a short one (about 90 minutes max) and there is plenty to do for a couple of days. Shopping, museums, a trip on the Ferry over to Canada Island, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and, if you’re there at the end of the month, the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition). Think State Fair on a national scale! I’d check one of the travel sites to look for hotels, since there are thousands in Toronto. Ethnic food is the way to go, Chinatown is a lot of fun. And the theatre scene there is terrific too…Its a trip we’ve made many times even though we don’t live there any more…enjoy!</p>
<p>Niagara on the Lake is lovely and more peaceful than Niagara Falls itself, which is sort of like a mini-Las Vegas. There is a lot to do in Toronto, and Maid of the Mist is pretty cool.</p>
<p>If you are going to Toronto definitely see what is playing at the various Toronto theaters. I also join the chorus recommending the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake–beautiful if self-consciously cutesy town, fine theater offerings. My D and I saw Peter Pan there years ago and it was really a memorable experience. Good hotels are expensive but might be worth the splurge–check Web site. In Toronto years ago my husnand and I were very impressed by the Royal Ontario Museum, so would also recommend that too. </p>
<p>Niagara Falls NY is tacky and even a little scary; if you are determined to stay at the falls I’d look into the various hotels on the Canadian side. But overall I think visitng the Falls, walking in the parks on both sides of the river Canadian side, and taking Maid of the Mist is all you need–then go on to niagaro on the Lake and stay in quieter surroundings.</p>
<p>I don’t know about specific sunset times but as you go north in summer the days get longer. toronot is a great walking city with interesting neighborhoods and a beautiful park on an island in the lake. </p>
<p>Another musuem idea–if you are anywhere Corning NY on your way up or back, go to the glass museum–world-class, and amazing.</p>