Int'l Hockey Hall of Fame/ Niagara Falls info?

[bananiem]

I'm attempting to put a summer vacation together for us. DS7 wants to go to the Hockey Hall of Fame. How long should we expect to spend there?
How about Niagara Falls? Is one day enough? Is the night time Illuminations thing worth it? Is the Canadian side really the better viewing spot?
Thanks!
ann

 

[Fire14]

i love seeing the falls at night i can see if i have any nighttime pics it all depends on what you want to do at falls but i'd say 1 day isn't enough for falls.

 

[grinningghost]

I assume you mean the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. It will take you about an hour to get from Toronto back to the Falls. The view of the Falls is nice from either side, but the Canadian side is just prettier overall (the landscaping, etc.). The Falls look gorgeous when they're lit up.

The one thing you won't want to miss is riding the Maid of the Mist. This is a boat trip right to the base of the horseshoe (Canadian) falls. It still awes me and I do it every year. (I always pick a hot, humid day and enjoy the mist - they do provide raincoats).

Depending on what you want to get out of a trip to Niagara Falls, you could probably do it in a day. There are alot of fun diversions on Clifton Hill (Canadian side). Museums, attractions, restaurants.

 

[tkyes]

You can just head to Eveleth to the Hockey Hall of Fame.



Tamie

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Where are you planning to stay?
If you are staying in Toronto - you might want to look into doing a day tour from your hotel. These tours include IMAX show, Maid of the Mist (boat to the base of the falls - a must do!) and sometimes lunch. It would take the pressure off driving the QEW (highway from Toronto to Niagara) which takes about 2 hours. (Sorry grinningghost - 1 hour is not possible from Toronto to Niagara!) In July traffic/construction can be terrible. Check with your hotel and they can direct you. Otherwise I would recommend at least one overnight at Niagara Falls. You can always stop at Niagara-on-the-Lake enroute. This is one of the priettiest areas in Niagara. You can then take the "scenic" drive into Niagara Falls, instead of the highway.
The Canadian side is much better for viewing, plus much more activity - parks, tours, and major "touristy" things to do.
Toronto - The Hockey Hall of Fame is right downtown. You can expect to be there about 3 hours. I haven't been there for a while but there are lots of interactive items to do which would really entertain your DS, especially if he is a Hockey Fan. All the trophies are displayed there as well. My favourite part is checking out the Stanley Cup! There is also a nice restaurant right at the HHofF called LeMarche. It's set up like a European Marketplace, it's fun and a unique way to dine.
There are also a lot of things to do in Toronto. If you are planning to go up the CN Tower (another must!), make sure you are there first thing as the line ups in the summer can be as much as a 2hr+ wait later in the day! My advise would be to do the CN Tower first thing, then walk over to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Don't forget that the Broadway production of The Lion King is on a indefinate run in Toronto. Your DS would love it. My DD8 has seen it 4 times! The ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) is also fun for kids. Also, if he is a Baseball Fan - you should check out the Skydome where the Blue Jays play.
Sorry for the long post - we moved to Atlanta from suburbs of Toronto a year ago - I guess I'm a bit homesick! Let me know if I can help further.

 

[bananiem]

Thanks for all the info everybody!
I had no idea about The Lion King!! I had wanted to stop in Chicago on our way back to see it. Now maybe we can see it in Toronto instead.
Tamie, my son also wants to go to that Hockey Hall of Fame but that's not the direction we're going this year. Two years ago we went to Duluth/Lutsen and wish we'd known to go there then!
At any rate it looks like I'll need to stay in Toronto for at least 2 nights. Thanks again!!

 

[grinningghost]

Originally posted by Yzma and Kronk
(Sorry grinningghost - 1 hour is not possible from Toronto to Niagara!)

You've never driven with my DH, have you?

 

[epcotfan]

Toronto to Niagara takes about 1 and a half hours or so depending on the traffic. Any questions about TO feel free to PM me

 

[SeaSpray]

We LOVED Niagara Falls when we were there in the summer of 2001. There is a lot to do right there in the NFs area. We were there from a Monday-Friday. We probably didn't need that many days but we spread everything out and saw things at a leisurely pace. We did the Maid of the Mist boat ride, the Behind the Falls tour, we went the Gardens, and took a 5-hour guided bus tour which took us to many of the sites, too. We went "downtown" and walked around and went to the Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood, the Hershey store, the Ripley's Believe it or Not place, and others that I can't remember right now. We stayed the new Hilton which overlooks the Falls and has an awesome restaurant on the top floor. We were there during July 4th and actually saw the fireworks from ABOVE, while we had dinner at that restaurant. It was a spectacular sight, and we could see smaller fireworks going off miles and miles away, in the distance, over on the US side.

I have some pics of our NF trip on my web site, click the "Family Vacations" link below, then scroll down and click on Niagara Falls.