Toronto to Niagara Region
4 Days
326 km • 4 hours, 29 minutes
Burlington • Hamilton • St. Catharines • Niagara Falls • Niagara-on-the-Lake
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L – R: Niagara Falls; Dundurn National Historic Site; Wine Country
Day 1:
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto to Burlington, ON (47 minutes, 64km)
Burlington to Hamilton, ON (6 minutes, 4.5km)
Hamilton to Vineland, ON (48 minutes, 53km)
Vineland to St. Catharines, ON (25 minutes, 29km)
St. Catharines to Niagara Falls, ON (18 minutes, 17 km)
Depart after breakfast to miss the Toronto “rush hour” traffic and enjoy your leisurely
drive along the Queen Elizabeth Way (commonly called the QEW). Your first stop along
your tour is the Royal Botanical Gardens. The gardens are Canada's largest botanicalincorporates
untamed and cultivated landscapes. Comprised of 3 different garden locations, start your visit at the
RBG centre at the hub of the Gardens! Visit the restaurant and gift shop, and catch the free shuttle bus
(operates seasonally) to the other garden areas. Depending on the time of they year you can see
various blooms such as spring flowering bulbs, orchids, poinsettias and more! Dress appropriately to
be outside and don’t forget your camera to catch the flowers as they bloom. Perfect picture location!
A short drive from the RBG is a Canadian heritage site not to be missed. Dundurn
Castle, part of Dundurn National Historic Site and the magnificent home of Sir Allan
Napier MacNab, one of Canada's first premiers. Discover mid-19th-century Hamilton on
your tour of more than 40 rooms on three floors. Experience life in a grand country
home: for the MacNab family and the servants working below stairs.
Leave time to browse in the Museum Gift Shop, featuring Canadian handmade crafts,
souvenirs and special gifts. Enjoy a visit to the Hamilton Military Museum and the
restored Kitchen Garden, all located in Dundurn Park.
Depart Hamilton and make your way along the QEW towards the Niagara Region and
make sure to look left over Lake Ontario to see if you can catch a view of the Toronto
skyline including the CN Tower. Next stop is Vineland Estates Winery. The landmark
stone tower stands proudly over a former Mennonite homestead with structures that date
back to the 1840s. These include the former farmhouse, now The Restaurant at Vineland
Estates Winery with its panoramic views of the vineyards; the century barn that houses
the retail store and wine tasting bar under soaring wood beams; and the charming stone
Carriage House, with its intimate surroundings for private events. The Restaurant is a
“not to be missed” experience in fine Niagara cuisine.
Once you have been “wined and dined” keep moving towards Niagara and stop in St.
Catharines at the Welland Canal Centres, Lock 3. You won't get any closer to a Great
Lakes Ship unless you're a sailor yourself! See ships from around the world - UP CLOSE- as they
navigate Lock 3 on their way through the St. Lawrence Seaway System. The observation desk is
always FREE.
Back in the car to your final destination, accommodations in Niagara Falls! You have
your choice of hotels that overlook the falls, Clifton Hill properties, waterpark resort
hotels, Lundy’s Lane properties or traditional Bed & Breakfast nooks.
Enjoy a nice relaxing night preparing for a fun-filled day of attractions tomorrow!
Day 2 & 3:
Niagara Falls (all located within the city)
Awake early this morning, as you have a long, eventful day ahead of you! Start your
morning off with a big breakfast at any one of Niagara’s breakfast stops and head off to a
day of attraction fun. “Must-do” things when in Niagara Falls: Maid of the Mist (May –
October), Niagara Parks Commission – Journey Behind the Falls, falls viewing at Table
Rock, ride the yellow bug up the Skylon Tower for lunch and spectacular views of both
the American Falls and the magnificent Canadian Horseshoe Falls, the falls story comes
alive at the Imax Theatre where you will learn about the history of the falls and the
daredevils that have braved the icy waters (don’t forget to stop in at the Daredevil Gallery
located at the Imax where you can see, feel and take pictures with the actual barrels that
have gone over the falls). Spend an afternoon at Clifton Hill taking in the Guinness Book
of World Records, Ripley’s Museum, the Skywheel and scare yourself silly at haunted
houses such at Nightmares! Don’t forget to flock to the Bird Kingdom located at the
Niagara Falls Aviary right beside the Rainbow Bridge. Enjoy a relaxing tour through a
tropical rainforest. Don’t forget your camera for pictures of tropical birds and reptiles
such as toucans, macaws, frogs, lizards and you can even feed the rainbow lorikeets!
After a couple long days of adventure relax at the Fallsview Casino in their 365 lounge
with live entertainment available 3 nights a week.
Day 3:
Niagara Falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (28 minutes, 21km)
Awake early this day, check out, grab a bite to eat to start your day right, and start the
morning with a leisurely drive along on the Niagara Parkway. Enjoy the views of
historical homes along your left and the Niagara River on your right. On the opposite
side of the river is the United States, so close you think it would be easy to cross but with
the Niagara River moving anywhere from 25 to 5 miles/hour it is more difficult than it
looks. Want to get a closer view, take a Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour departing from
Queenston, ON or Niagara-on-the-Lake departing May through October. This experience
is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you to brave a Class V rapids onboard a 1500
horsepower, turbo diesel engine boat. Take the Jetdome and stay dry while enjoying the
sites or for the more adventurous take the Wet Jet and get absolutely drenched while
loving every second of it.
After you have dried off, take a nice walk through the old town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Visit the shops, dine at one of Niagara’s fine restaurant along the strip or just bask in the
beauty and if it all looks a little familiar; try to remember how many movies you have
seen the town in?
Visit Fort George and hear about the War of 1812 and the Niagara Region’s importance
in it and you can even visit the first parliament house in Upper Canada, Navy Hall circa
1792 – 1796.
Before checking into your hotel or bed & breakfast for the evening try “Happy Hour” at
what is labelled “Canada’s oldest operating Inn.” Established in 1789 and rebuilt in 1816
after the War of 1812, The Olde Angel Inn is a favourite among locals and tourists alike.
Boasting a lively English-style pub, dining room and Snug room, as well as 5 guest
rooms and 2 cottages, The Olde Angel Inn is decorated in old world decor, including 3
gas fireplaces, one in each of the 3 dining areas. Enjoy the great food, great rooms and
endless hospitality. Who knows, you may even have a run in with the resident ghost -
Captain Swayze. Don’t forget to visit the bathroom when you are here!!
Day 4:
Niagara-on-the-Lake to Toronto, ON (1 hour, 45 minutes, 152 km)
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and pick up any last minute gifts for family and friends back
home and start your journey back to Toronto. Along the way back to the QEW make
sure to stop in at some great local fruit stands, wineries, cheese monger stores and more!
Note: Some attractions are seasonal. Please contact them directly for hours of operation. Distances are approximate only.
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Hotels Available in the area:
Niagara Falls Accommodations
Comfort Inn Lundy’s Lane
Comfort Inn Niagara Falls/Fort Erie
Comfort Inn St. Catharines
Crowne Plaza Hotel Niagara Falls –Fallsview
Falls Avenue Resort
Fallsview Casino Resort
Hampton Inn by Hilton at the Falls
Quality Hotel Parkway Convention Centre
Rodeway Inn Fallsview
Sheraton-on-the-Falls Hotel
Skyline Inn Niagara Falls
Travelodge Hotel By the Falls
Yogi Bear Jellystone Parks Niagara