Places 2-5 hours from Toronto?

Question

We are travelling from Boston to Toronto. We want to stop somewhere for the night which is interesting. We have already done Niagra Falls. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

The shortest and fastest route is via I-90/MassPike-NY throughway and then up through Niagara Falls.

A northward trip from Albany, #87 would take you to Montreal, and add about 150 miles to the trip. It is well worthwhile.

Heading north on #81 from Syracuse will take you to the Thousands Island area and it is very picturesque if you are not trying to drive through very quickly.

You would then reach Gananoque and head west towards Kingston and Belleville., where you can find forts from the 1800's, the largest of them at Kingston.

If you get on the main highway, 401, you will find it similar to I-90....a long stretch of highway, however, it has no tolls.

If you are heading towards the west end of Toronto, or Mississauga/Brampton this route adds about 50 miles to the trip, but if you are heading to the east end of Toronto, then it is about the same distance as going via Niagara Falls.

Border crossings are often busy unless you are there late at night...after 11PM, or before 8AM. Entering Canada is faster at any time of the day than entering USA, where line-ups build early, and then get longer, so it is best to cross into USA closer to 7AM or 11PM.. and similar times are best for entering Canada.

Gasoline in Canada costs roughly 25% more than USA.
Don't ask why.

If you stay on I-90 longer you could visit Rochester NY.
They had a ferry that ran between Rochester and Toronto and Rochester put a lot of effort into making their city a tourist place. Quite a few attractions are available, some decent restaurants and I have heard they have fair evening entertainment, although I have not been there at night to experience it.

Niagara Falls on the Canadian side has the best viewing spots, the most spectacular vistas. The main part of town is a tourist trap. Hotels are expensive in the summer season, on both sides of the Border, but the prices drop a great deal when the weather turns colder, more on the US side than in Ontario.

If you plan to buy liquor, the duty free shops at the border crossings in Niagara Falls NY can be wonderful....selling some items at 25% of the Ontario liquor store prices, however I would recommend you stop off closer to home at Yankee Spirits in Sturbridge, Ma.. They have the best selection and best bargains you will find anywhere along the way, including duty-free, in fact, the best I have seen in Mass., and much better than the stores in NY..



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Answer 2

Kingston, Gananoque, Thousand Islands area.