Having experienced Toronto and Niagara Falls with her own family,Gina Murray, Canada and Australasia Specialist, shares what really worked for them. Her first-hand account covers the places her daughter loved, the experiences she’d recommend and the practical details that made the trip easier, giving families an informed and personal view of how these two Canadian destinations work together.
“Short on time but want a family holiday with plenty packed into it? Toronto and Niagara Falls make a very easy pairing. You get the museums, neighbourhoods and waterfront of Toronto, followed by the sheer scale and family-friendly activities of Niagara Falls, all without spending too much of your holiday travelling between the two.”
Gina Murray
Things to do in Toronto with kids
You might think a bustling city isn’t the obvious choice for a family holiday, but Toronto works remarkably well with children. Around a seven-hour flight from the UK, it’s easy to navigate and has plenty to keep younger travellers interested.
The CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium are obvious highlights, while Casa Loma and Toronto’s Harbourfront are also well worth adding to a family itinerary. Many of the main sights are close to stops on the hop-on hop-off bus, which makes exploring Toronto with little legs considerably easier.
Grange Park is another useful one to know. Located directly behind the Art Gallery of Ontario, it has an excellent playground and gives children somewhere to let off steam between sightseeing stops. The gallery itself is also on the hop-on hop-off bus route.
I’d also make time for the ferry across Lake Ontario to Centre Island. Centreville Amusement Park is particularly good for children aged eight and under, with rides and attractions aimed at younger families. Nearby Centre Island Beach has sand, supervised swimming and views across Lake Ontario. You can hire bikes, canoes and kayaks too, or simply follow the island paths through its green spaces.
Toronto and Niagara Falls: an easy twin-centre family holiday
Niagara Falls is just under two hours by road from Toronto, and an easy private transfer means there’s no need to hire a car unless you want to. The two destinations work particularly well together for an active family holiday.
There’s enough to do around Niagara Falls to fill a week if you’d like some slower days in between. If time is tighter, three or four nights works well for families happy to keep busy.
Family experiences at Niagara Falls
The Falls themselves are the focus, with several ways to experience them. Take the Hornblower boat into the mist at the base of the Falls, head below ground on Journey Behind the Falls, or cross the Niagara Gorge aboard the Whirlpool Aero Car. Older children looking for more of a thrill can also zipline alongside the Falls.
If you’re planning several Niagara Parks attractions, I’d suggest looking at the Parks Pass. It can offer better value when combining activities and includes access to the WEGO bus system, a convenient way to travel around the Niagara Falls area without a car.
One experience I’d pay extra for is a helicopter flight over Niagara Falls. I recommend doing this as well as the boat trip rather than choosing between them. Seeing the Falls at water level gives you a sense of their power; seeing the Niagara River and Falls from the air shows you their extraordinary scale and geography.
Where to stay with children at Niagara Falls
Away from the water, there’s Clifton Hill. Children tend to love it; parents may have mixed feelings! Expect arcades, rides, indoor play areas, a large observation wheel, flashing lights and plenty of fast food. It’s loud, colourful and unapologetically fun.
There are fireworks over Niagara Falls at 10pm on scheduled display nights, so a Fallsview room is worth considering. With the right room, you can watch from your floor-to-ceiling windows without keeping younger children out late.
Families can also spend time at the large indoor waterpark, which connects directly to some Niagara Falls hotels by indoor walkway. It’s well lifeguarded and particularly useful for building a few hours of easy downtime into an otherwise busy itinerary.
Short on time but want a family holiday with plenty packed into it? Toronto and Niagara Falls make a very easy pairing. You get the museums, neighbourhoods and waterfront of Toronto, followed by the sheer scale and family-friendly activities of Niagara Falls, all without spending too much of your holiday travelling between the two.
Short on time but want a family holiday with plenty packed into it? Toronto and Niagara Falls make a very easy pairing. You get the museums, neighbourhoods and waterfront of Toronto, followed by the sheer scale and family-friendly activities of Niagara Falls, all without spending too much of your holiday travelling between the two.
For inspiration, take a look at our Canada Family East Adventure or Best of the East Self Drive as starting points. From there, we can shape every detail around you and your children, from the pace of the trip and places you stay to the experiences that will make the holiday feel truly personal.
Ready to plan your own family adventure in Canada?
Speak to Gina or one of our Canada specialists. With first-hand knowledge of Toronto, Niagara Falls and destinations across Canada, we’ll help you work out where to go, what your children will genuinely enjoy and how to make the most of your time. We’ll then shape the hotels, experiences and travel arrangements around your family, creating a bespoke Canada holiday that feels easy from the moment you start planning.
Call +44 (0) 20 7386 4610 or make an online enquiry.
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