Downtown Toronto, Toronto Entertainment, Toronto Family Travel, Toronto History, toronto toursim

How to Get to Niagara Falls from Toronto

October 22, 2019

One of the most popular day trips from Toronto is Niagara Falls. It’s one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world and it’s hard to truly fathom the spectacular rushing flow of water unless you have seen it with your own eyes.

Niagara Falls is located just outside Toronto, so it’s perfect for exploring on a day trip or a weekend getaway. There are several choices for accommodation in the area, from luxurious boutique resorts to simple, affordable and basic hotels. So, it’s easy to stay over and explore the area more.

Since going to Niagara Falls from Toronto is so popular, there are multiple options for getting there.

Can I Take the Train from Toronto to Niagara Falls?

Yes, Via Rail offers direct daily service between Toronto and Niagara Falls. There are two trains daily and an adult return ticket will cost around $55-$75 depending on how far you book in advance. Keep in mind that the evening return trip to Toronto is a train that originates in New York City, so it often runs late.

Go Transit also offers a combination train and bus route between Toronto and Niagara Falls. You’ll need to transfer to a bus in Burlington and then continue onto Niagara Falls.

In the summer months, from May to Labour Day in September, Go Transit runs a convenient direct train service from Union Station to the Niagara Falls train station. It operates on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, as well as holidays only. There is one return trip on Friday evenings and three return trips on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.

It’s important to note that the train station is in old Niagara Falls, which is about a five minute drive from the Falls themselves. So, when you arrive at the Niagara Falls Train Station, you’ll need to go a little bit further to get to the Falls. It’s a short taxi ride (which should cost around $10-$15 CAD), or you can use the bus route 104.

Is There a Toronto to Niagara Falls Bus?

You can take the bus from both Megabus and Greyhound to Niagara Falls. They are both direct buses with no transfers and the prices for tickets range from $14-$30 CAD. The journey takes around 1.5-2.5 hours depending on the number of stops.

Both the Megabus and Greyhound leave every day, multiple times per day. To get a cheaper bus ride, book online in advance.

There are also shuttle buses between Toronto and Niagara Falls and coming back the other way from Niagara Falls to Toronto. They cost more than public transit, but you’re paying extra for the comfort and convenience. You might even get picked up at your hotel in Toronto and delivered to the door of your hotel in Niagara Falls. Here’s an example of a shuttle bus service.

Can I Drive to Niagara Falls?

If you rent a car in Toronto, you can drive to Niagara Falls during your visit. This gives you the advantage of being able to travel on your own schedule and make stops along the way. The trip will take about an hour and a half to two hours.

The most direct route is along the Queen Elizabeth Highway, alongside Lake Ontario. Keep in mind that this is a major commuter route, so there will be heavy traffic on this road during rush hour. The peak traffic will be going into the city in the mornings until 9am and out of the city between 3 and 7pm. Keep this in mind and try to travel outside of these times, if possible.

You may want to allow time to stop in Burlington along the way. It’s less than an hour from Toronto and it has a beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens that are worth a visit. You can also visit the town of Jordan along the way, home to the well known local winery Cave Springs.

Niagara Falls Tours from Toronto

Another option is to hop on a group day tour to Niagara Falls. There are several companies that offer these tours, including Gray Line, Niagara Tours, North Star Tours, Royal Tours of Niagara Falls Canada, Toronto Tours, Niagara Bus Tours and more.

These tours usually leave Toronto in the morning, take you to the falls for a few hours and then bring you back in the evening. They might include lunch or other activities as well – such as visits to the local wineries. If you aren’t sure which tour is best for you, take a look at the reviews on Tripadvisor.

Taking a day tour might be a great option if you have a limited time in Toronto and you want to sit back and relax while someone else takes you to the highlights of the region.

No matter how you get there, it’s absolutely worth visiting Niagara Falls on your visit to Toronto

Downtown Toronto, Toronto Entertainment, toronto toursim

Awesome Things to Do in Toronto

September 13, 2019

Toronto is often referred to as the “New York City of Canada” – thanks to its diversity, museums, excellent food scene and great attractions. It’s one of the biggest cities in the country – the Greater Toronto area is home to around one sixth of the entire Canadian population. There is so much to see in this bustling metropolis, that you won’t struggle to fill your days when you visit Toronto.

Whether you’re into art galleries, shopping, history or simply relaxing in the park, there’s something for everything in Toronto. Even if the weather is cold and stormy, there are plenty of indoor attractions to enjoy – making Toronto a great destination for all seasons.

Wondering what to do in Toronto? Here are some of the top things to do in Toronto you should have on your list:

Top Things to Do in Toronto

Discover History at the Royal Ontario Museum

Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum (aka ROM) is known for being one of the best museums in North America. It has a collection of over six million artefacts, with some galleries about natural history and others showcasing art and items from around the world.
The museum also has an impressive collection of minerals and dinosaur bones, as well as a collection of designs from the Art Deco period.

Tour the Impressive Casa Loma

This famous Toronto landmark was designed in the style of a Gothic Revival castle. It is one of the most impressive works of architecture in the city. In fact, it has been a location for several films, including Chicago, The Pacifier and X-Men.
The castle, which has been turned into a museum, offers self-guided audio tours. So, you can explore the grounds and learn about the stories behind the many secret gardens, stables and passages within the castle.

Visit the Hockey Hall of Fame

If you’re a hockey fan visiting Toronto, you’re going to want to head straight to the legendary Hockey Hall of Fame. It’s where you can learn every detail of the history of your favourite sport. Plus, you’ll be able to see the famous Stanley Cup – in its resting place within the Great Hall.
There’s also a 125-seat 3D theatre that shows documentary films about the greatest players and moments in the history of hockey. This is one of the best things to do in Toronto Canada for hockey fans. After all, hockey is a very big deal for Torontonians!

Take the Ferry to Toronto Islands

If you want to take a break from the city and relax at a slower pace for a while, you can jump on a ferry to the Toronto Islands. These peaceful green islands offer a quiet contrast to the busy hustle of the city streets. Once you get to one of the three islands (Ward’s Centre and Algonquin), they are all connected. So, you can wander through the parks, picnic areas, gardens, beaches and play areas all day long. (Plus, the views of the Toronto skyline are incredible!)

Feast at the St. Lawrence Market

The St. Lawrence Market was once named the world’s best food market by National Geographic magazine. It’s the best place in the city to go for produce and unique artisanal food creations.
The market has been in the same location since 1803 and it is home to over 120 vendors, selling everything from gourmet bread to home-grown vegetables. If you are a food lover, this is one of the best things to do in Toronto. There are even cooking classes where you can learn how to prepare the delicious treats you’ve found. You’ll also find unique local crafts, as well as antique dealers selling a range of wonderful trinkets you’ll want to take home with you.

Admire the View from the CN Tower

The CN Tower is the tallest free-standing building on the continent, standing 553 metres above the city. It’s one of the most iconic things to do Toronto has to offer. You can take the glass floor panelled elevator to the SkyPod, where you can see spectacular views. If you really want to get a thrill, you can try the Skywalk. You’ll stand on a hands-free ledge towering over the city (while strapped into a safety harness, of course.)

What to do in Toronto, Canada

These are just a few of the many amazing things to do in Toronto. When it comes to Toronto attractions and Toronto things to do, the main problem is fitting everything into your visit. You’re going to want to extend your stay in order to take advantage of all this city has to offer. (Make sure you bring comfortable shoes – you’ll be doing a lot of walking!)

Have fun exploring one of Canada’s most interesting and diverse cities! If you’re looking for somewhere to stay during your trip, consider our short term apartment rentals in downtown Toronto.

Food & Recipes, Toronto Entertainment, Vacation Travel

5 Top Restaurants to Dine At in Downtown Toronto

August 16, 2019

One of the delights of visiting Toronto is the opportunity to partake in its incredibly diverse and high quality food scene.

With such a multicultural population, there is a varied culinary landscape – you can take a trip around the world every time you go out to eat. Toronto’s pubs and bars have also been elevating their menus, in order to attract drinkers with a discerning palate. In other words, there’s something for every appetite and taste in this great city.

Here are a few great restaurants in downtown Toronto to check out during your stay at the Livmore:

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka

10 minute walk from the Livmore

When you are craving a big, steaming, satisfying bowl of noodles – this is the place to go. This restaurant originated in Japan in the 1980s, when founder Hitoshi Hatanaka made a goal to create delicious ramen and dedicated himself to perfecting the recipe via trial and error. Santouka serves up rich, fatty broth with fresh, springy noodles and delicious pork cheek that just melts in your mouth.

Richmond Station

13 minute walk from the Livmore

This unique restaurant only buys whole animals, so the kitchen is always coming out with creative uses for the variety of off-cut meats. They are committed to local ingredients and they also make most things by hand. They do all of their butchery, curing, aging, fermenting and baking in house.

This means that everything they serve is delightfully fresh and expertly made. Stop by for lunch on a Saturday or Sunday and you can enjoy the Slow Roast – a mouth-watering joint that the team has left in the oven overnight.

Eggspectation

8 minute walk from the Livmore

After you’ve enjoyed the Toronto nightlife, you’re going to want to treat yourself to a delicious late brunch the next morning. Head to this stylish chain which serves classic American breakfast fare.

It’s a great way to start your day off right – with hand-squeezed juices and real-fruit smoothies and a mouthwatering selection of breakfast dishes. Their menu includes Breakfast Poutine with smoked bacon, homemade gravy and cheese curds, Maritime Lobster eggs benedict and more. Or, why not try a Montreal bagel with cream cheese and wild salmon?

Kathmandu Restaurant

21 minute walk from the Livmore

Treat yourself to flavourful and spicy Nepalese and Indian cuisine at this local favourite. They have a Tandoor oven that gives the meat that irresistible smoky, oven-baked taste. Try the Goat Curry – cooked with ginger, garlic, tomatoes and hot spices. Or, share an “Everest Feast’ with your friends. This is a huge platter that includes everything from Chicken Tikka to Tandoori Prawn to Naan, Basmati Rice and Dessert. It’s perfect for parties.

The Elm Tree

3 minute walk from the Livmore

This family-run modern Mediterranean restaurant prepares classic pasta and meat dishes with fresh and high quality ingredients. It’s also known for its cocktails and craft brews.

The Elm Tree is one of the most highly ranked restaurants in Toronto on TripAdvisor and it has a Certificate of Excellence. If you are looking for somewhere to enjoy a special meal – it’s a good bet.

What are your favourite restaurants in downtown Toronto?

Let us know in the comments below – we always love getting new recommendations!

Toronto Entertainment, Vacation Travel

Guide to Shopping In North York, Toronto

August 9, 2019

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift, a place to eat, a new outfit, or you just want to escape the cold weather, Toronto’s shopping malls are a great way to spend a few hours.

If you are based in North York, you’ll have plenty of great shopping malls and retail centres to choose from, each offering a diverse selection of brands. Here is a quick guide to shopping in North York, Toronto.

Sheridan Mall

Another great place to shop in North York is Sheridan Mall. It’s home to the major department stores – Winners and Walmart – which are great for finding the basics at a cheap price. There’s also plenty of mall favourite brands including Blossom, Ardene, Sirens, Payless Shoes, New York Connection and Urban Closet.

Plus, if you work up an appetite from all that shopping, there’s a diverse food court with cuisine from Japan, the Caribbean, Greece and more to choose from.

Yorkdale Shopping Centre

Located next to the Yorkdale subway station, Yorkdale is the fourth largest mall in the country and contains over 250 retail shops where you can stock up on everything you need. Many companies opened up their first Canadian store here, including Apple, Crate & Barrel, Bath & Body Works and J.Crew.

Grab a new book at Indigo Books and Music, then chill out at Michel’s Bakery Cafe while you read it. There’s also a lot of luxury brands here, such as Chanel, Versace, Prada and Gucci – so it’s a great place to treat yourself to something a little bit special.

By Oxford Properties – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12235649

CF Fairview Mall

This is not the biggest shopping mall in Toronto, but it does pack a great selection of retailers into a compact space. That means you can find a lot of great stuff, without having to spend hours walking around.

With the CF Fairview Mall you’ll find everything from toys to fashion to small appliances to books and more. Some of the shops here include Aldo Shoes, American Eagle Outfitters, Forever 21, Guess and Hot Topic.

Bayview Village

Fashion-lovers make regular visits to Bayview Village, a stylish mall that is home to more than 110 luxury retailers. This mall has a very “glam” vibe about it. You can valet park your car, drop off your dry cleaning, get a mani-pedi and get your hair done, as well as shop for elegant designer clothes.

The mall even offers a personal shopping service. The personal shopper will help you find that perfect item you need and the $50 fee will be given back to you in the form of a BV gift card at the end of your appointment.

The Shops at Don Mills

With 72 retail stores to choose from, this is another great place to shop in North York. You can find many of the big name stores here, including Guess and Calvin Klein.

It has the feel of a European piazza, with a central courtyard and great dining options. This means that the mall is a lot more fun in the summertime, but it does have a pretty spectacular Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in the winter as well.

To learn more about our short term rentals in North York, click here.

Toronto Entertainment

Fantastic Shopping in Downtown Toronto

July 19, 2019

When you make the trip to Toronto – make sure you have extra room in your suitcase.

You’re going to want to take advantage of the amazing shopping in downtown Toronto, and you’ll likely end up with plenty of new goodies to bring home with you. Here are some of the best places to indulge in retail therapy, only steps away from your stay at the Livmore.

Dundas Square

7 minute walk from the Livmore

Dundas Square is the “Times Square” of Toronto – a bustling intersection with 100,000 people crossing per day (the busiest in Canada). Lining this popular square are several great shops, as well as restaurants, bars and cafes.

Plus – Dundas Square is known for being an outdoor hub for live entertainment – so you just might just get to enjoy a show with your shopping.

Eaton Centre

6 minute walk from the Livmore

This long-standing, glass-ceilinged, multi-level mall is a landmark in Toronto – and it is visited by more tourists than any other attraction in Toronto. It’s actually the busiest shopping mall in North America – beating out many other huge shopping complexes in the USA.

The mall has 330 stores and restaurants and you could spend hours and hours perusing them. Don’t forget to look up and admire the beautiful fibreglass sculpture “Flight Stop” by artist Michael Snow – depicting Canada geese in flight.

First Canadian Place

16 minute walk from the Livmore

This landmark skyscraper features over 100 shops, as well as restaurants, event spaces and doctor’s offices – towering 72 stories above the Financial District of downtown Toronto (It’s also home to the Toronto Stock Exchange). There are plenty of great shops to check out, including several upscale brands.

There’s also an international food court with a great patio where you can enjoy a meal outside in the summer. The options include Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Greek and mor. You can fuel up after working up an appetite from all that shopping.

Atrium

5 minute walk from the Livmore

Located right in the heart of downtown Toronto, Atrium is a shopping centre packed with some great brands. It doesn’t have the best selection, but it is less crowded than the Eaton Centre and certainly worth a look. One of the stand-out shops is “Long Tall Sally” – a retail clothing shop catering to all women.

This mall has a lot of little perks that make life easier for shoppers. For example, there are even free mobile device charging stations located in the concourse.

Kensington Market

23 minute walk from the Livmore

In this funky, walkable bohemian neighbourhood you’ll find all sorts of fascinating shops. If you are looking for vintage clothing, indie records, artisanal vegan snacks, local artwork or anything funky and homemade – this would be the place to look.

Plus, this area is also packed with trendy bars, quirky coffee shops and excellent international eateries – it’s a hangout for the creative and hip crowd.

Where do you love to shop in Toronto? Let us know in the comments below! For more tips on what to do during your stay, check out our guide to 10 Things to Do in Downtown Toronto.

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