I'm visiting Canada (Toronto) for the first time this October

[PlanetBev]

Can't decide whether to go the week of the 9th, 16th or 23rd. I want to make sure I'm there for the prime fall leaf display. Being from Los Angeles, it will be such a treat.

What do you guys think will be the best week? We don't want to get there too early or late for the leaves. Also, can you recommend any great places to visit and good food?

I'm so excited to visit your country, I can't stand it. It will be so nice to get away from 'murica, even if only for a week.

[ClusterFreak]

1. This may be of some help....

http://www.400eleven.com/getaways-october.html

Click on this link....it has a list of various "fall getaway" packages north of Toronto. I don't know what your travel plans are for outside the city itself, but if you really want to see some stunning fall colours you should check out "cottage country" north of the city. That is to say, anywhere from an hour's drive north, to maybe two or three or more. Anyway, hope the link helps. It's a good starting point anyway.

Enjoy your trip!

[daleo]

2. October is usually a nice month in Toronto

Off the top of my head (not a Torontonian):
- Art Gallery of Ontario.
- Hockey Hall of Fame (even if you don't care for hockey, it is about as Canadian as you can get).
- U of T campus.
- Lakefront area, Toronto Islands (never been to the latter, but I have read good things about it, and it is just a short ferry ride).
- Royal Ontario Museum.
- Queen's Park area.
- never been there, but the CN Tower is supposed to be a nice view.

[Logiola]

3. for some nice fall colors within the city..

go to Casa Loma.. it's a fun little experience.. and there is a subway stop a couple blocks away..

http://www.casaloma.org/

also, if you do not have a car.. take a bus down to Niagara Falls.. stay a night.. and bus back.. it is a lot more fun if you have a car and can explore the surronding areas.. but Niagra falls has a lot of corny and fun touristy things to do as well.

[daleo]

5. I forgot about Casa Loma

Which I have actually seen. It is an interesting place too. Speaking of the subway, I usually find it interesting to ride a city's subway system on non-peak hours, and just get off and look around here and there.

[achtung_circus]

4. The peak of the leaf season

is usually the Thannksgiving weekend which this year falls October 7, 8, and 9th. Typicallythe leaves decline after that. Of course, nothing is cast in stone, but if you're looking for an average, that's it.

Especially nice is the display of maples against the rocks of the Cnadian AKA Pre-Cambrian Shield. Think (and Google) Muskoka or Haliburton.

[PlanetBev]

6. I see that October 9th is Thanksgiving for you guys...

Are all the touristy places closed that day? If so, I'll probably go the week after.

I definately am going to Niagara Falls.

Thank you, everyone, for your help!

[canuckagainstBush]

7. Canadian Thanksgiving isn't too big of a deal

We don't take Thanksgiving as seriously as Americans do, so you shouldn't have any trouble.

[Jazz2006]

8. That's true but... stores will be closed rather than open for

pre-Christmas sales as is the norm in the U.S.

So...

PlanetBev, when you decide on your travel dates and plans, post here again or PM me. I'd be happy to take you sightseeing if we can cue things up. I work in Toronto, live in the burbs between T.O. and N.F. and I love driving through the Niagara region, particularly during its autumn splendour, so at the very least, I can get you headed in the right direction and give you some pointers on what to do and see along the way.

Better yet, a beverage or two at a local bar before you head down the highway :)

[PlanetBev]

9. Thanks, Jazz!

I'm going with another DU'er, my friend Debbie. We'll be deciding by the end of the week which day wer're going, and I'll PM you. Getting together for some drinks is definately in order. If you are able to sightsee with us, even better. Debbie and I can spend hours Bush-bashing, so it should be a riot.

By the way, we are from Ventura County, along the coastline, just north of Los Angeles. Blue area of a Blue State, thank God.

[Jazz2006]

10. I'm in, Planet Bev....

PM me with your plans and I'll be happy to find you and Debbie at YYZ and show you around from there ~ it'll be fun, no question. There is just no such thing as coming to Toronto and area and not having fun - seriously :)


(hell, even if we don't make it past the first bar, it will still be fun ~ :P ~ good thing you have at least a week!)

[Canuckistanian]

11. The 9th in the Muskoka Region

That's your best chance to see the colors. I'd recommend the Deerhurst Inn in Huntsville if you can afford it.

Or maybe the small, charming town of Bala.

Or Parry Sound, a rapidly growing tourist favorite.

There are so many places.

One of my favorites: Forks of the Credit, only 30 min. from Toronto:

http://www.ontariotravel.net/TcisCtrl?site=consumers&key1=experiences&key2=GreatDrives&key3=GreatFallDrives&key4=ForksOfCredit&language=EN&linkType=I

[PlanetBev]

12. Thanks for the info, Canuckistanian

I'll be looking into your recommendations!

[ConcernedCanuk]

14. "Bala" ! I haven't heard that name for ages - used to live in Bracebridge

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That was way back in the 60's - then later again in the 80's

Used to do a "tour" up to Windermere Corner and do the circle coming back through Windermere(where there is a beauty golf course). Haunted Milford Bay a wee bit too - lotsa boats and tourists(girls!!)

Also lived for a short time up in Ufford,(after Utterson) past the Windermere Corner, where there used to be a "Dinosaur" park - dunno if it's still there .

I forget the name of the bar in Bala that I used to haunt - but it was right on the Bay.

And there used to big a big humongous old hotel nearby - 3 stories if I remember right that took in guests.

Wow - memories from 4 decades ago

[Captain Hilts]

13. Walk Bloor, South on Spadina, East on Queen and North on Yonge.

I'm a United Statesian who lived at the University for four years.

I LOVED every minute of it.