HELP...leaving for Canada on Saturday..some $ questions

[njmomboys2]

Hi there..we are leaving for a week's vacation in Niagara Falls & Toronto, Ontario. We are sooooo EXCITED.

Anyway, is it ok to bring & use American dollars? Or should I get some exchanged for Canadian dollars? Before we get there or once we get there??

How do I figure out the exchange rate? If I have $100 american dollars....what is that exchanged in Canadian?

Where do I go in the US to exchange? Can I use my bank (Chase)?

Any other money tips? I will also be using our credit cards but will have cash as well..thanks so much!!!

 

[ckay87]

We were there in June - Montreal, Gananoque,ON, and Niagara Falls. Some quick thoughts....

Best method to exchange currency is just using an ATM in Canada. I don't know the exact exchange rate, but I really liked the account balance that printed on my ATM receipt! LOL.

Using your credit card is good, but I found that nobody accepted Discover. That's our primary card and we weren't expecting that. I think the best bet was Master Card. I remember that Tim Hortons only accepted Master Card (and you betcha I visited Tim Hortons!!)

In Niagara Falls, everyone accepted American dollars. A clerk would tell you the price in Canadian, but then if you paid in American, the price would be less.

Can you tell I'm not a financial expert? I just remember having the same questions as you. I asked at AAA about exchanging currency and the lady said "just go to an ATM." Of course!!! Don't know why that never occured to me.

Have fun.

 

[njmomboys2]

Great thanks so much.

We are staying at the Embassy Suites in Niagara Falls, ON....did you stay there?

Also any tips on attractions or restaurants?

We are doing the Adventure Pass which includes the Maid, Journey behind, walkway and Movie. My boys also want to do the aero car and Sky Wheel. We also have tickets for the Greg Frewin Magic Show. We are in Niagara Saturday evening through Tuesday morning..so will have 2 full days there.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

There are some places near the border (such as Niagara Falls) where some stores or restaurants might take US money, but you will typically not get a very good exchange rate in these places. The rate is usually posted near the cash register in places where they take US money. Most places in Toronto will only take Canadian money.

You can exchange money at your bank, and there are usually places to exchange it at the border crossings or at the airport. You can look up the current rate online.

Niagara Falls, because it is a tourist area, tends to be expensive. If you have a car, it may be worth your while to drive out of town a bit for meals. Also, if you are driving between NF and Toronto, consider stopping in the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, which is very pretty and has some interesting shops (but is also expensive for meals).

And if you're in downtown Toronto, wave at my daughter - her condo faces the Skydome and the CN Tower!

Teresa

 

[twokids0204]

Great thanks so much.

We are staying at the Embassy Suites in Niagara Falls, ON....did you stay there?

Also any tips on attractions or restaurants?

We are doing the Adventure Pass which includes the Maid, Journey behind, walkway and Movie. My boys also want to do the aero car and Sky Wheel. We also have tickets for the Greg Frewin Magic Show. We are in Niagara Saturday evening through Tuesday morning..so will have 2 full days there.

Embassy Suites is nice, it overlooks the Falls.

Very close to Fallsview Casino - not to far from Clifton Hill - Lots of tourist attractions there.

For $100 usd you will get about $108 cdn.

tips: The touristy areas of Niagara Falls are VERY expensive. If driving, take a quick drive into Lundy's Lane (more in town) and watch the prices drop drastically.

About 20-30 mins North of Niagara Falls is a town called Niagara-on-the-Lake. They have a few live theatres there, all part of "The Shaw Festival" (google it). The town has a main street with all kids of touristy shops / kind of a small european feel to it. Check it out.

 

[twokids0204]

And if you're in downtown Toronto, wave at my daughter - her condo faces the Skydome and the CN Tower!

Teresa

My cousin does as well... maybe the same building.

 

[njmomboys2]

Toronto questions if I may..since some of you are familiar as well with Toronto...a few more questions...

We are staying at the Grand Hotel & Suites in Toronto (Jarvis Street).....

We are planning on doing:

Casa Loma
CN Tower
NHL Hall of Fame
BlueJay Game
Hippo Tours

What else would you recommend...right now my boys (ages 14 & 9) want to do Canada Wonderland..since they are big coaster fans. But what about
Ontario Place? Any thoughts on either?

Also folks have recommended the Science Center.

We will be in Toronto Tues,Wed and Thursday..leaving mid day Friday to begin the journey home.

 

[twokids0204]

Toronto questions if I may..since some of you are familiar as well with Toronto...a few more questions...

We are staying at the Grand Hotel & Suites in Toronto (Jarvis Street).....

We are planning on doing:

Casa Loma
CN Tower
NHL Hall of Fame
BlueJay Game
Hippo Tours

What else would you recommend...right now my boys (ages 14 & 9) want to do Canada Wonderland..since they are big coaster fans. But what about
Ontario Place? Any thoughts on either?

Also folks have recommended the Science Center.

We will be in Toronto Tues,Wed and Thursday..leaving mid day Friday to begin the journey home.

I hate to say it but Ontario Place is Lame. Nothing really to do there.

Canada's Wonderland - is no WDW, but a lot of rides - big roller coaster's. Try Behemoth - it's HUGE. If doing Wonderland do it during the week, lines tend to be WAY less. They don't have fastpasses, or anything of the sort, but during the week lines shouldn't be to bad (I walked right on Behemoth and a few others last Thursday @ 6:00 on my way home from work).

But Canada's Wonderland is quite a trek north of TO. About 40 km (25 miles). Across from Wonderland is a big outlet mall called Vaughan Mills. They have a Disney Store.

Science Centre - interesting exhibits, enough to keep you busy for most of the day. Make sure you check out the Paper making exhibit, you get to make your own sheet, and take it home.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Wonderland is GREAT for kids who like coasters - they have lots. I would take them to Wonderland over Ontario Place if that's what they're looking for.

The Science Centre is great as well - a good choice if you get bad weather because it's all indoors.

Teresa

 

[njmomboys2]

Thanks...we are leaning towards Canada Wonderland and would do it on thursday that week. I noticed that they have a water park section as well...worth it to do both? Or just concentrate on the amusement section?

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

The Royal Ontario Museum is pretty awesome, and is right downtown. My kids really enjoyed it.

Although there's a fancy revolving restaurant at the top of the CN tower, there is also a casual restaurant called Horizons. The tables are up against the windows so you get great views, and the prices are actually pretty reasonable. It wasn't even all that busy when we were there four weeks ago (even though the tower itself was crowded). We all thought the food was amazing. I definitely recommend it.

The Science Centre is one of the better science museums I've been to (and I've been to a lot - I'm a science teacher). We spent a rainy day there, and had a lot of fun.

The roller coasters are pretty awesome at Canada's Wonderland, although I found the food prices extremely inflated (and there didn't seem to be a great selection). The Behemoth is worth the price of admission for any true roller coaster fan.

Have a great time!

 

[My 2 princesses]

Thanks...we are leaning towards Canada Wonderland and would do it on thursday that week. I noticed that they have a water park section as well...worth it to do both? Or just concentrate on the amusement section?

F.Y.I - your admission would cover the water parks as well, so no extra ticket required. Unfortunately the weather this year is not the greatest (in fact, it is raining right now), so hopefully it will be hot the day you are visiting Wonderland. And I too think Wonderland is a lot better than Ontario Place.

Look out for discounts and coupons. I'm not sure where you can find them, but I'm sure there are some out there that can help you save a bit.

Oh and BTW, Tim Hortons takes cash too

Enjoy your trip.

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

I would agree with the others, Go for Wonderland not Ontario Place.
The Disney store at Vaughan mills is being temporarily closed while they relocate within the mall. So, if you were banking on going there, may wish to check into this - Not sure when they re open. Check the Cdn trip bd. if you need to know.
There is a Disney store downtown TO at the Eaton Centre.
Enjoy your trip!! I hope that the weather heats up a bit more for you. We have had a bit cooler summer here in Ontario this year.
Niagara falls has fireworks over the falls that are nice to see too.

 

[damo]

Toronto questions if I may..since some of you are familiar as well with Toronto...a few more questions...

We are staying at the Grand Hotel & Suites in Toronto (Jarvis Street).....

We are planning on doing:

Casa Loma
CN Tower
NHL Hall of Fame
BlueJay Game
Hippo Tours

What else would you recommend...right now my boys (ages 14 & 9) want to do Canada Wonderland..since they are big coaster fans. But what about
Ontario Place? Any thoughts on either?

Also folks have recommended the Science Center.

We will be in Toronto Tues,Wed and Thursday..leaving mid day Friday to begin the journey home.

My best advice would be to change hotels. That is the entranceway to a pretty sketchy area. If you can't change your hotel, make sure you are always walking in groups and not late at night.

 

[twokids0204]

Thanks...we are leaning towards Canada Wonderland and would do it on thursday that week. I noticed that they have a water park section as well...worth it to do both? Or just concentrate on the amusement section?

If the weather is nice, the waterpark is worth trying - quite large, and big wavepool overlooking Behemoth.. It is included in admission (you would only pay for a locker if needed).

If you are going to do Wonderland 2 days, it may pay to buy a season's pass, it is cheaper than 2 visits.

 

[njmomboys2]

damo.....any thoughts on another hotel? I hadn't heard this about the hotel......thanks!

 

[damo]

damo.....any thoughts on another hotel? I hadn't heard this about the hotel......thanks!

Your hotel itself is probably fine but the area is not. You do not want to be walking along Jarvis at night unless you are out to get some extra cash (in more ways than one). You also do not want to be venturing any further east because the area is just not a good one.

I would recommend the Sheraton on Queen which allows you underground access to the Eaton Centre. I highly recommend it. The Hilton on Richmond is also a good hotel.

The Hyatt Regency on King is also a great place.

If you find some others, I can tell you if they are in a good place or not. You really do not want to be located east of Jarvis. There really are much nicer areas to stay and I wouldn't want your vacation to be ruined by staying in a less than desirable area.

If you have to stay at the Grand, just make sure you are taking cabs at night and do not go for a stroll. During the day, you are fine. Walk back towards the Eaton Centre along Shuter and then along Yonge St. if you need to walk.

 

[MamaLema]

Just chiming in to say that I agree with all pp who recommend Canada's Wonderland over Ontario Place. Just my opinion, but I think Ontario Place is lame and way overpriced for what they offer. Also, your kids are a little older and there in not much to do at Ontario Place.

 

[merryweather20]

damo.....any thoughts on another hotel? I hadn't heard this about the hotel......thanks!

I'm not sure why the other poster said that Moss Park is a lovely area, and East of that is Regent park which is also lovely. I was so perplexed that I looked up the Toronto Crime maps. There was very little in the area of your hotel, and none at all in Regent Park I would have no problem walking around in the area of your hotel and Toronto has a very low crime rate in general.

Just North of your Hotel is Rosedale which is like the "super swanky" area.

I think your hotel is fine.

 

[maggieb9975]

I'm not sure why the other poster said that Moss Park is a lovely area, and East of that is Regent park which is also lovely. I was so perplexed that I looked up the Toronto Crime maps. There was very little in the area of your hotel, and none at all in Regent Park I would have no problem walking around in the area of your hotel and Toronto has a very low crime rate in general.

Just North of your Hotel is Rosedale which is like the "super swanky" area.

I think your hotel is fine.

Okay...I am perplexed now , are you being sarcastic??...."Regent Park"and "Moss Park" is lovely???? I am sorry but that is NOT a lovely area by a longshot....
and Jarvis St is a long way from Rosedale, literally and fuguratively.....