Need some ideas for upstate NY, Canada trip

[Karen G]

We are thinking of attending a family wedding in July, 2017, that will be near Rochester, NY. We would be coming from NYC and I'm thinking of taking the train just for fun. We'll likely be flying to Newark or JFK and would appreciate some recommendations of lower priced hotels to stay overnight before taking the train.

After the wedding we'd like to extend our trip a few days maybe by going to Niagara Falls and then maybe going around the Canadian side of Lake Ontario to Toronto or Quebec. There must be some scenic drives in that part of the world.

What about car rentals and going into Canada? Any restrictions or advice?

Any suggestions of where to go and what to do? We aren't familiar with that area at all. We won't be staying in timeshares on this trip.

 

[sue1947]

I've also started looking at Ontario so will be interested in the answers you receive. The Canadian National Parks are waiving entrance fees for all of 2017 so you might take a look at adding some of those to your trip:

http://www.pc.gc.ca/listing/np-pn/recherche-search_e.asp?search=&p=1&s=1&province=ON&sort=

Sue

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

Good train ride views - up the Hudson River .

I have taken it 4- 5 times .

Niagara on the Lake Ontario is very scenic and has tourist oriented wineries,
Inns and B&B's

Clifton Hill and Niagara Falls Canada is a wax museum paradise
and is near the casino's . If you win they do not withhold 20+ % for the IRS
Your responsibility !! LOL .

Like football ? - CFL games are in Hamilton (Ti-Cats) Toronto ( Argos) Ottawa
(Red Blacks ) and Montreal ( Alouettes) season starts in July . 12 men / 3 downs / wider field
some games are Thurs or Friday nights - schedule for 2017 is released around Jan.
Decent tickets are $ 30 ( $ 23 USD ) and available .

Great summer weather

Canada Day ( July 1 ) is tomorrow and our air conditioning has NOT been on yet .

You should not have any rental issues since all the majors operate on both sides of the border .
I would let them know you are taking the car into Canada when booking .

.

 

[Karen G]

Canada Day ( July 1 ) is tomorrow and our air conditioning has NOT been on yet .

That would be nice! It's only supposed to get up to 102 here today. That's a bit of a cool-down from last week's 110 and higher. Last night at 11 pm the weather guy on tv said it was still 100 at that time!

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

That would be nice! It's only supposed to get up to 102 here today. That's a bit of a cool-down from last week's 110 and higher. Last night at 11 pm the weather guy on tv said it was still 100 at that time!

You will enjoy Rochester NY - in July

Not so much in Jan- Feb

*****

PS - the CFL is OUTDOOR summer football

Warren Moon started his pro career in Edmonton 1978-1983
and won 5 Grey Cups.
That was when the NFL generally did not draft black quarterbacks.

Then the Houston Oilers signed him in 1984 .


.

 

[jackio]

If you drive, there are lots of nice places and good wineries in the finger lake region.

 

[cmg542]

Plan your trip along the water.

There are wine trails along the southern banks of Lake Ontario (US) as well as the northern banks (Ontario).

If you have kids, the Strong Museum in Rochester is an outstanding kids museum with the Toy Hall of Fame.

If you enjoy history, Fort Niagara is north of Niagara Falls and the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site (Wilcox Museum) is in Buffalo.

If you enjoy art and architecture, the Albright Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo is excellent and there is plenty of architectural wonders in both Rochester and Buffalo.

Buffalo and Rochester both have minor league baseball teams with downtown stadiums. Toronto has the Blue Jays, a major league baseball team.

Toronto is a beautiful city and been described as a cleaner, safer version of New York City.

Buffalo has really improved its waterfront where you can ice skate, sail, row, or aquabike while you are here.

If you enjoy theater, Toronto has NYC quality offerings. Niagara on the Lake has a Shaw Festival which should be running while you are here. Buffalo does a Shakespeare in the Park in Delaware Park.

If you are coming the second weekend in July, Buffalo has its Taste of Buffalo the second largest such event in the country. The third weekend is our Italian Festival. Tons a great ethnic restaurants in both Rochester and Buffalo.

There are lots of choices. There isn't a better time to visit Western New York and Southern Ontario.

I hope you enjoy.

 

[beejaybeeohio]

Loop Trip

Rochester to Adirondack Mt region of upstate NY (or up along Lake Ontario and
the 1000 Islands) up to Montreal, along the Canadian Lake Ontario coast, Toronto, then Canadian Niagara Falls (or Niagara-on-the-Lake which has more charm (at a cost!) than the Falls). Great Wineries in Finger Lakes region of NY or around the Niagara Canada region! Return to Rochester.

I'd just fly into Rochester and rent a car for the trip.

 

[ilene13]

From Rochester I would spend a day in Buffalo--Canalside is fabulous with new Marriott Hotel. Buffalo Bisons could have a game-- minor league baseball. Go on to Nagara Falls. It s beautiful, then Niagara on the Lake, Ontario is spectacular. Wineries, shops, Shaw festival. Then if you have time go up to Toronto. Always a fun place. I moved to Sarasota from Buffalo last summer. I am a native of Buffalo. If you have any questions and me a pm.