46°f7.8°C, cloudy.
Specifically, a question for those of you in or near Ontario, or who have visited there. We have wanted to visit Canada for some years, and I think this coming year we are finally going to make the trek. Since Ontario is only about 7 hours from us, that is the area we will visit, and possibly loop over to the Michigan UP on our return drive. Maybe.
I am going to order a map of Ontario as a starting point, and a travel guide, but I want to hear what you who live there recommend as must-see places. We are not into cities, but love small towns and historic places, and especially places of unique natural beauty. We aren't big walkers, and given my still troublesome knee and Larry's ongoing health issues, hiking and such is probably out of the question.
Any suggestions are welcome--good places to stay, eat, visit, etc. We are thinking the best time might be late August/early September, to avoid bugs and cold, but is that a good time or not? Later? Earlier?
Looking forward to your ideas!
St. Jacobs is a picturesque little town, and the surrounding area is the epicentre of Mennonite culture in Ontario.i think you could easily spend a couple of days in this area away from the main tourist traps, although if you have a hankering for Niagara Falls it’s only an hour and a half away. The Niagara Peninsula is a great place to tour a few wineries, and Niagara-on-the-Lake is a beautiful town. I hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteI live in eastern Ontario, and approve of your timing. The lowest number of biting insects, and usually temperate weather.
ReplyDeleteOntario is a big, big place. I started to list good spots and realized that I need to know what is likely to be your entry point and how long you want to stay. One tour if from Buffalo, another if from Detroit, a third if you are coming into eastern Ontario from, say, New York State, and a fourth if you are coming from the west. Let me know, marygotheratgmail.com, and I will send some info and web sites.
I mentioned a few places near NF yesterday bc you are going to spend several days there. When you are ready to leave that area, you can head west staying near Lake Erie and south of Hamilton. You don't want to go around Lake Ontario and go back east toward Toronto. I mean YOU don't; other might want to do just that. You could eventually start going north maybe from near London and stay near Lake Huron. You could all of the way up to Tobermory, take the ferry and then head west to Sault Ste Marie. From there you could cross back into Michigan, either the Upper Peninsula or the lower part of the state down toward Detroit.
ReplyDeleteI second AC route.
DeleteI should have added that early September is a great time to visit. The oppressive heat of summer has gone and the days are warm and pleasant.
ReplyDelete...it seems that EVERYONE visits the falls. The falls are exactly in New York, but can be viewed best from Canada. It's always a mob scene and the parking awful and expensive. T he flower gardena on the Canadian sise are gorgeous, so I would suggest around Labor Day. I have the same problems that Larry has, walking isn't easy for me either. Good luck with your planning.
ReplyDeleteI am Canadian and live in Montreal, Quebec. Quebec is near Ontario. I have been to Ottawa and saw the Parliament Building. I have been to Niagara Falls. The Canadian side of Niagara Falls is absolutely gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wonderful idea. I'm not Canadian but have spent a lot of time in Canada, being from Minnesota. But not the part of Canada you are looking at. I find Canadians to be welcoming people. I hope that will still be so.
ReplyDeleteWe will welcome you! The crowds are terrible until September. But I have social anxiety. Things slow down, lines are shorter, and the bugs have died down after Labour Day. A map and tour guide is a good start.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it would help, but we've toured around. I put together a page on that awhile back, since stopped! It may help if you travel this far.
I don't know THAT much about Ontario, since I've really only delved into Toronto (a wonderful big city) and London, where my friend lives (and we mostly go to book stores and grocery stores, so not recommended!) But if you skip over to the UP please let me know, especially as you come down to the Lower Peninsula to head home. Even though there are no cars on Mackinac Island, you might enjoy it -- if you don't do the full-on hiking thing, there is much you can see on your feet and lots of history. Mackinac City also has a wonderful "Fort Michilimackinac" (pronounced "aw," not "ac"). As you head south, you could stop and spend a night with me! I'm told (as Tom says) that Niagara Falls are best on the Canadian side. I think I've only seen Canada's side and yes, they are wonderful. If you enjoy going to the theatre, The Shaw Festival (Niagara on the Lake, and more than Shaw) and Stratford Shakespeare Fetival (Stratford, more than Shakespeare) are both terrific.
ReplyDeleteWe will be going in June ourselve, and we are planning to do the UP on the way to or from. I have been to the UP years ago. Tim has never been. I will pick up information for you. I would like to meet up with you guys though. I was also thinking I would like to grab a coffee with AC and Sue if possible.
ReplyDeleteWhen I hear you mention the UP I immediately think of heading up the Bruce Peninsula to Tobermory, very scenic, and taking the ferry over to Manitoulin. Then you can cross to the north shore and turn west to Sault Ste. Marie, turn left and you're in the UP. Make sure you get off the main highways though, to see the interesting places!
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