kris

Xpost from RLOT
Driving from Montreal to Toronto next week and looking for some tips on where to stay and what to do. For the time we're thinking about stopovers in Ottawa and the Thousand Islands area. It's just my 19 yo son and me travelling this time.
Thanks!

Wild Weasel

I can't even tell you where it is as I have no idea, but the last time I went from Toronto to Montreal we stopped at a go-kart track along the way and it had the most amazing high banked corner on it. Highly recommend it if you can find it.

LastMezger

Best places to stay are in Toronto and Montreal ;-)

Bacura

St.James in old Montreal. Great boutique hotel. Was there last summer. Mick Jagger was there at the same time.

moab

+1. I was there last month. Loved it.

irobertson

I'm in Brockville, which is kind of a sleepy little town just at the start of 1000 Islands. If you hook off the highway just West of Brockville, the Thousand Islands Parkway is a nice drive. Not twisty, but scenic. When you get to Gananoque, they have a nice boat cruise of the islands if that's your thing.

kris

Thanks all
Fine, thanks. Where would you recommend that we spend the night? Gananoque or Kingston?

JimV8

Kris, do you know what days you will be driving through the Toronto area? I think if you are coming to the area a visit to Niagara Falls would be on the list. If you do decide to put it on your list then i'd suggest that on your way visit Crawford Lake Conservation Area. That has a Iroquoian village which was re-created from archaeological record and stands on the place of the original village. http://www.conservationhalton.ca/par...=crawford-lake , It's not too far from my place and you could have overnighted here except we're in the process of moving and it's a mess. I don't know about places to stay in the area because I've never looked and as yet haven't had to move further from home than the doghouse.

Toronto is just another big city and it does have it's attractions, the Ripley aquarium is nice but very busy and you'll want to buy tickets on-line in advance. For sure take in a ball game and you can buy tickets from the always present scalpers. If you happen to roll through on a Saturday take in the Rennlister Get Together, it's alway well attended.

kris

Thanks Jim. We'll be arriving in Toronto on Saturday morning. Should be in time for the C&C, please post details if possible. I was thinking about Niagara but the commercialisation has put me off so far, perhaps we should go in the very early morning. Thanks for the tips.

irobertson

You would have more choice of food in Kingston, and the downtown is still quite vibrant.

LastMezger

Bear Bistro still there? We used to go when my sister was in school. Was great!

JimV8

Kris, it is what it is. Niagara Falls gets about 35 million visitors each year but it's arguably a good bet especially if viewed from below as on the 'Maid of the Mist' boats. If you like adventure and can handle a physical hike I can show you a view of the Rapids below the Falls that few get to see.

theiceman

I agree . I live in the area so visit quite often . You never get over the raw power of that place . its a site to behold no matter how many times you have seen it.

so just for reference its about a 6 hour drive from Montreal to Toronto on the 401. Ottawa certainly isn't on the way as its kinda north west of Montreal by 2 hours , so then its still about a 6 hour drive from Ottawa to Toronto.

Toronto is just another metropolis and unless you can go to the dome to watch a jays game ( doesn't really matter if you follow the sport because you spend the first time there just looking up ) or go to the CN tower id pass on it . The ferry over to the islands is nice and you can look back at the city and walk around the islands. I wouldn't miss Niagara Falls if you have never seen it though.

Turbodan

Iceman if done near the speedlimit should take less than 5 hours depending on which part of Montreal to which part of TO. I have done it in under 4 hours many years ago (beyond statute of limitations).
The last few times at the Falls it was not that busy anymore, other sites to see make it so perhaps.
CN Tower is cool. I was at the Royal Ontario Museum yesterday and it is great if you want that kind of thing. You could do a sightseeing boat cruise downtown or take the ferry to the Island. Beaches are a busy but interesting part of the city as well. Similar to Museum is AGO and Science Center (great for kids). We have some great restaurants here especially the ones from other parts of world ie Greektown, Chinatown, Koreatown, Little Italy.

kris

Thanks again for the comments. Any recommendation for the best area to book a hotel in Toronto?