Visiting Toronto

Visit a foreign county this fall – Canada.  Toronto is only four hours

or so from central New York. Take the southern route one way and the northern route the other. Do it while the ferry from Cape Vincent is operational. The ferry stops on Oct. 17 this year. 

Nothing is simple any more. 

To return to the United States from Canada by land you need one of the following: passport, enhanced driver’s license, or NEXUS trusted traveler program card.  If you are traveling with a minor or a foreign visitor then it is best to check with the state department as rules get even more complicated.

I love Toronto with its diverse population and myriad of things to do.   I especially like their Broadway productions because they are less expensive and just as good. The best place to start learning about the city is at the CN Tower. The view from the LookOut is spectacular due to the floor-to-ceiling panoramic wall of windows and the glass floor. Looking for a dare devil experience? Try the Edge Walk or for a more sublime experience dine at the revolving restaurant. 

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is one of the largest museums in North American and the largest in Canada. It is a museum of art, world culture and natural history so it can be a day of learning for the whole family. There is a café for lunch and, of course, a gift shop.  I have found that museums have some really unique gifts, especially for children – think Christmas shopping. If you suffer from arachnophobia you may be able to squelch your fear by touring their current exhibit on spiders.  The museum offers free ROMWalks, a walking tour exploring the diverse aspect of Toronto. 

Toronto has its own castle – Castle Loma. Get the feeling you are in Europe.  The excesses incorporated into the Gothic Revival hilltop 98-room castle bankrupted the owner who is known for bringing electric lights to Toronto. The electric company he founded was the main source of his income but his wealth declined rapidly when it became publically owned; that along with excesses like $250,000 to put the names of his horses on their stable in 18-caret gold. That was in 1911 dollars when the average income was $520 and a new car sold for about $750.

One of the most unique places in Toronto is the Bata Shoe Museum.  Even if you have no interest in shoes you will find is interesting as it traces the history of shoes through the years and variations made my different cultures and occupations. They have more than 12,000 shoes in the museum which is shaped like a shoe box. Toronto has a beach… most people doen’t realize that but on the Toronto Islands there is Hanlan’s Beach and Centreville Amusement park.  The

island community is the largest urban car-free community. Access to the island is by ferry or water taxi. 

There is so much to do it will take several trips. Shoppers will love Eaton Center and St. Lawrence Market. Visit one of

the several art museums and galleries. At Ripley’s Aquarium you can pet a sting ray or have a sleepover with the sharks. Take in a game or event at one of Toronto’s eight stadiums and arenas. As always the best get acquainted tour is on the Hop-on Hop-off bus but there are several free walking tours of various neighborhoods.  

Enjoy a drive around Lake Ontario

Fall is a great time to slow down and take a driving trip. One of my favorite drives is around Lake Ontario. There are forts, falls, museums, lighthouses, sand dunes, and more.

From Rochester take the Lake Ontario State Parkway and continue on Route 18. The area is one of stunning views of Lake Ontario, orchards and many beautifully maintained cobblestone houses made from lake-washed stones. In Olcott visit the Lake Ontario lighthouse, a replica of the 1873 Olcott lighthouse that operated for 100 years. At Old Fort Niagara, located at the mouth of the Niagara River, living history presentations will bring a new appreciation for the important role the area played in the development of the United States.

Follow the Niagara Historic Trail south to Niagara Falls, stop on the way at Devil’s Hole and the Whirlpool to look at the swirling Niagara River. People come from all over the world to see Niagara Fall but New Yorkers often take them for granted.

To cross over into Canada one needs a passport or Enhanced Drivers License. The beautifully preserved Canadian village of Niagara-on-the-Lake has boutique shops and horse-drawn carriages trotting down the flower-lined streets.

Toronto is one of our favorite cities. Visit the fascinating Bata Shoe Museum and the baronial mansion of one of Toronto’s “well-heeled” – Casa Loma. When it was built in 1914 the telephone switchboard, used to communicate with the 98 rooms, had more daily activity than the entire city of Toronto. Built at a cost $3 million, the city of Toronto took it over for $27,305 in unpaid taxes 10 years after completion. Views of the city and gardens from the Norman Tower are beautiful. Another great view is from CN Tower with its glass-bottom floor. The multi-ethnicity of Toronto is reflected in its restaurants and Toronto theaters offer world-class presentations.

From Toronto take Macdonald–Cartier Freeway known at the 401. Stop for apple pie at the Big Apple near Coburg, where visitors can watch workers making the pies – over two million so far. Near Trenton drive along the Loyalist Parkway through Prince Edward County. Climb the dunes at Sandbanks Provincial Park for a view of the wide sweeping sandy beach and Lake Ontario. Another great viewpoint is from Lake on the Mountain. Mohawks offered gifts to the spirits of the lake because it is nearly 200 feet above Lake Ontario and receives a constant flow of fresh water with no apparent source. A ferry shortens the connection to Kingston.

The Loyalist highway ends in Kingston, the first Capital of the United Provinces of Canada. Strategically located where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence, it is a gateway city to the famed 1000 Islands and all kinds of boating. Pick up on of the self-guided walking tour brochures of Historic Kingston and visit Fort Henry. Visit the Marine Museum and the Penitentiary Museum. The tour of City Hall is free and fascinating.

Ferries connect Kingston to Cape Vincent in the United States. Drive the Seaway Trail stopping in Sackets Harbor to visit the Seaway Trail Discovery Center and Sackets Harbor Battlefield to learn more about the War of 1812.

The trip, approximately 650 miles has something for everyone. Do the drive in segments or plan a week to really enjoy all the area around Lake Ontario has to offer. Fall is the perfect time for a driving trip.