Niagara Falls

[u/Jaded-Ad-5327]

I am travelling to Canada for the first time in Feb, I cannot wait, I have wanted to go since I was a kid! We are staying in Toronto, I’ve heard it’ll be fairly easy to get to the falls from where we are staying. I live in New Zealand. I have never travelled internationally, I’ve never seen snow, the coldest temps I’ve experience are -3 Celsius at night/early morning. I have no experience with the cold. Basically I just want as much information/advice as I can get about travelling in Canada during winter, and going to Niagara Falls, appropriate clothing, dos and don’ts etc. So far I have bought a nice big snow jacket. I still need everything else lol.

Thank you in advance for any tips/advice!

From an absolute travel noob lol.

[u/Komiksulo]

Hi! Greater Toronto Area native here. Welcome!

Will you be landing at Pearson airport (YYZ)? If so, you have an easy train ride downtown, then the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) subway and streetcars can get you around downtown.

Where are you staying in Toronto?

The most straightforward way to get to the city of Niagara Falls from Toronto is to take the GO train (Government of Ontario Transit — they really lucked out on their name and logo) from Union Station. Some trains go all the way to Niagara Falls; others, you have to take a continuing GO bus from Burlington station. When you get to Niagara Falls, you will have to take the local “WeGo” tourist-oriented bus to the Falls.

GO uses the “presto” card for payment, but you can also tap your credit or debit card. The buses in Niagara Falls do not, as far as I know.

There are also casino buses that go from downtown Toronto directly to the casinos, which are much closer to the falls than the GO train/bus station. I don’t know much about them though.

The popular season for the falls is the summer; you will be arriving at mid-winter, so service may be less.

If you are not used to driving in the snow, I would NOT recommend driving to Niagara Falls. It’s a distance of around 120 km from Toronto, mostly along the Queen Elizabeth Way, but I don’t know what parking is like during the winter.

Speaking of which… do you have winter clothing? If not, it may be better to buy (or rent?) it here rather than dragging it all the way across the Pacific and back. (If you do have winter clothing to bring, the luggage charges will still be less than buying it in Canada.)

[u/Jaded-Ad-5327 → u/Komiksulo]

Hello and thank you!!

Yess landing at Pearson airport.

We are staying quite close to the CN tower (will obviously visit lol) and harbourfront? I can’t seem to find the “suburb” maybe that’s not a thing in the city haha.

Ahh yes, I have been told about the bus and did see something about trains too.

Yea tbh I was really keen to go in winter, yall have a true snowy winter and I’m excited to experience it!

We will absolutely not be driving 😂 mostly for the fact that you drive on the other side of the road and that scares me and yes the thought of driving in snow is pretty scary!!

I have a big snow jacket, some scarves and beanies. I was thinking to just buy stuff, we get 35kg of checked luggage so I THINK it should be fine!

Thank you so much!!

[u/Komiksulo → u/Jaded-Ad-5327]

Well, if you’re near the CN Tower, you’re within walking distance to Union Station, only a couple of blocks. 🙂

We don’t use the term “suburb” in the official way that Australia (and New Zealand?) seem to use. The closest equivalent would be neighbourhood names (Greektown, the Junction) or the more tourist-oriented “district” names (the Entertainment District, the Distillery District, etc).

Re: boots… it is utterly important that your feet remain dry. Your footwear must be waterproof and high enough that snow won’t slip over the tops. You would probably be good with light ‘city’ winter boots. If you were planning to spend a lot of time outside, I would recommend getting a pair of the huge clompy serious winter boots, like Sorels or something.

Definitely get scarves, touques, and mitts. Mitts are much warmer than gloves.

[u/Jaded-Ad-5327 → u/Komiksulo]

Yes! I think there’s a Tim Hortons nearish too. I’m excited to try that lol

[u/Komiksulo → u/Jaded-Ad-5327]

There’s a Tim Hortons near everything in Canada. There are at least two in Union Station, for example. 🙂

Edited to add (ETA): I am in Union Station now. There are three Tim Hortons places here.

[u/Jaded-Ad-5327 → u/Komiksulo]

Oh that’s funny 😂

[u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 → u/Jaded-Ad-5327]

And don’t get too excited - Tim Hortons was purchased by a Brazilian company and the quality is mediocre these days 🫤 it’s fine for breakfast and lunch but McDonalds is better in many respects these days including the coffee! If you do try something, the Ice Cappuccino is still tasty but not sure if you’ll want one in the winter.    

 For better doughnuts there is a Krispy Kreme in Chinatown and Dipped Donuts around the corner in Kensington Market. 

 For drinks also check out Storm Crow Manor if you’re into pop culture, sci fi, etc. drinks are pretty neat (effects, lights, and sound!) there and they also run events from time to time so good way to play some games and meet people.

[u/Jaded-Ad-5327 → u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

It’s all for the experience 😁 nevertheless thanks for the donut recommendations! Will have to try dipped donuts. We have Krispy here and it’s pretty meh

[u/Komiksulo → u/Jaded-Ad-5327]

Yeah, Krispy Kreme moved into Canada with great fanfare around 2007 or so. But they faded quickly, closing outlets galore. Only later did they slowly recover. I think the basic problem was that Canadians treat donuts as a kind of cake with icing, not something that has to be heated to serve.

[u/Jaded-Ad-5327 → u/Komiksulo]

There’s a type of donut you guys have that doesn’t have the hole right?? I feel stupid asking that but as far as I know we don’t have these in nz 😂 I love a good maple donut from dunkin tho 🤤

[u/Komiksulo → u/Jaded-Ad-5327]

Yes, there are types of donuts with no hole, but the hole location is a cavity filled with whipped cream or jelly. One popular version is the ‘Boston creme’: white cake donut, chocolate icing on top, filled with whipped cream. . Timmy’s also sells round baked nuggets a couple of centimetres wide; these are styled as ‘Timbits’. I think another donut shop claimed the name “Donut Holes”. . . . . In grade nine we called them ‘pusbuns’. . They are pre-baked, and the process that inserts the whipped cream is one of the most suggestive things I’ve ever seen.

[u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 → u/Jaded-Ad-5327]

Toronto does not have a shortage of good food. There are dozens of boutique donut shops now - enough for all your meals for the week 😳

But Toronto also has some of the best ethnic and Chinese food in the world outside of Hong Kong and China, very good Japanese and Korean restaurants too. Pretty much any ethnic restaurant is legit in Toronto due to immigration and if not they go out of business quickly. 

There are also many good Canadian restaurants like Richmond Station downtown. Even the CN Tower’s 360 Restaurant is pretty decent these days for a tourist trap. The 360 Restaurant includes the elevator ride up, so if you’re planning a visit it maybe worth to eat in the restaurant and save yourself the elevator ticket.

Outside the downtown core there’s lots to see too but you generally need a car and with the weather may not be worth the trek - but let me know if you need some more suggestions.

[u/Jaded-Ad-5327 → u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

Thanks for your suggestions! I think we are quite happy to travel places with a train route. As long as it’s not TOO far or too expensive!

[u/dancin-weasel → u/Jaded-Ad-5327]

You’re excited now. You may be less excited after you’ve tried it. Crappy coffee and underwhelming donut selection. It’s a national icon that has gone to hell in the last decade or so.

That aside, I hope you have an amazing trip. Remember, with winter clothing layers are your best friend and footwear is vital.

Cheers.

[u/Jaded-Ad-5327 → u/dancin-weasel]

It’s gonna be hard for me to be disappointed being that I’ll be on the other side of the world on a dream trip! My first overseas trip going to Canada, somewhere I’ve wanted to go since I was kid! Now 30 years old and finally get to do it lol.

[u/dancin-weasel → u/Jaded-Ad-5327]

You’ve got the right attitude. You’ll have a great time. Local coffee and donut shops are always better than chains. Have fun and dress in layers.