Will be flying to NY in March, and have a few days to travel around after getting wed in Brooklyn – we have been toying with the idea of driving up to Montreal for a couple nights, then across to Toronto for a night, down to Niagara for a day and then just a ‘quick 7hr drive’ back to NY…

Car hire in the US isn’t as cheap as it used to be though, and some recommendations suggest that the roads can be a tad boring in this part of the world, whilst others are suggesting that Niagara isn’t as brilliant as you’d hope it to be (and therefore possibly a waste of valuable time).

We have a gig in NY already booked, and are potentially looking to also book War on Drugs just 3 days later, so in order to save on travel time we are now considering a quick flight up to either Toronto or Montreal for those in between days. Trains take 11hrs and are just as expensive as a flight so we are discounting that option.

One colleague has said that she adored Toronto, and a quick search of gigs around these dates also suggests that its twice as lively as Montreal.

So, which city would you recommend over the other for a couple of days visiting, and why?

And what are the ‘must do’s’ for both areas?

I much prefer Toronto to Montreal but either are pretty nice cities with lots to do.

Niagra is extremely impressive although the general area is very tourist tacky.

Id probably fly instead of driving especially since you can get bad weather even in late March. Also don’t forget to get a Canadian visa in advance or they won’t let you in.

Montreal, hands down. How anyone could prefer Toronto to Montreal I don’t know.

Montreal used to be my home, so could make all sorts of suggestions if it would help.

Yeah, Niagara Falls Ontario (the town) is not especially  nice.

The Falls themselves are awesome. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area (Toronto is about 2 hours drive). But don’t plan on staying overnight

There’s a big park on the US side which looks quite nice but I can’t say what the town of Niagara Falls NY is like

Not an expert on the area, but on the basis of quick visits Toronto feels like a dialled down and shitter NY. Fine as far as it goes but I feel no great desire to go back. I’ve not been to Montreal which I regret as reports are all good.

I prefer Montreal, but primarily because it reminds me of europe, if you’re just coming on vacation, maybe that’s not what you’re after.

Still waiting for my best man details,don’t leave it too late OP. 😉

Saxon, i’d be very keen to hear your top recommendations to help fill a couple days.

Say, your best experiences for food/music/nightlife/culture/views etc.

Not looking for Michelin restaurants, more authentic and ‘oh-my-god-thats-good’ street food style.

Sounds like Toronto may not be worth the trouble then? Unless we combine a real quick trip down to Niagara falls.

Haggis – you free between 1st and 4th April ? The big day is going to fall on one of those 🙂

It turns out (we didnt even realise) that our sister-in-law in NY is an Officiate – so I guess im getting married by my sister! (weird).

Make it  the 1st,everyone loves an April fool 🙂

Thats my first choice. Also managed to wrangle ‘4/4’ as the other date. I’m sure you fella’s will appreciate my cunning planning..

Montreal is the better city (and I live in Toronto). The cuisine, the nightlife, the style. It’s no New York, but it’s fun. The drive up there is interesting, through the Adirondacks and perhaps stopping in some of the Eastern Townships.

Toronto is a bit anodyne; the Falls are quite cool though and there are nice wineries and B&Bs along the way to Toronto.  And the drive is a slog – get out of NY, then up this interstate and across that interstate and so on. Buffalo is mildly interesting, and going through Niagara Falls NY (the old town) is eye-opening, in terms of rust belt decline, but otherwise not a huge amount to see.

Overall, check out flights – if you can get them for under $300pp, you could fly up here and then rent a car for a day trip to the Falls, wineries etc from Toronto, or to Mt Tremblant or the townships from Montreal.

slimjim, I’ll PM you tomorrow, as I am currently away. If you don’t hear from me by tomorrow night, please prompt me with with an email or PM.

nicko74, what part of Toronto are you in?

And what do you mean Montreal is no New York? It’s better; it’s French! 😉

Toronto or Montreal? or both?

Neither. Sedatives are available for when you get home, you don’t want them when on honeymoon.

Grab a nice motor and have an American road trip. Out Rt80 or better, Rt78 through New Jersey to PA, Great shopping malls here as PA(low sales tax), then turn north for the Delaware Water Gap, onward for the Pocono mountains (grab a day skiing?). On north through the Allegheny and/or Susquehana forests to Niagra(you will not be disappointed). Return to NYC starting by looking at the Finger Lakes wineries. Eastward to Cooperstown and Albany, then southward down the Hudson valley taking in the old mansions and classic hotels.

Can’t speak for Montreal but Toronto is good fun, I was surprised as it seems to have a bit of a reputation (unfairly) as being a bit dull.

I can’t recommend Niagara Falls enough as it is truly spectacular but don’t bother with staying in the town itself unless you like slightly old amusement arcades and cheesy casinos. If you want to stay in the area a far better bet is Niagara on the lake: small town, very pretty, nice hotels and restaurants plus a lot of the wineries are very close too.

Not sure how long you have before and after, how about just staying in NYC for those few days, and spend the plane ticket pennies on some amazing food and city stuff?

The train ride up to Montréal is pretty stunning by the way but def not worth sacrificing a day for if you’ve only got a few to spare.

You could always go to Quebec City and sneak off for a few runs at Mont Sainte Anne 😉

I would recommend the train from NY to Toronto and possibly stay at Niagra for a night on the way.

The train runs daily each way and allows a day trip from Toronto to Niagra, if you go straight to Toronto. You don’t need a car in Toronto and the falls are walking distance from the station.

Not been to Montreal, but for a honeymoon, I would say don’t try and do too much. Toronto is a lovely place for a few days.

Niagra’s a bit shit, Ottawa’s nice, Toronto not bad, not done Montreal.

nicko74, what part of Toronto are you in?

And what do you mean Montreal is no New York? It’s better; it’s French!

Hey Saxon, I’m in the west end, by the Humber (on the Toronto side). We were in Leslieville for a while which was kinda fun, but the public transport from there did my nut.

And agreed, Montreal has some unique charm; for non-honeymoon trips the nightlife is quite, er, entertaining. How long were you there?

Montreal is cool, Toronto could be any other city in North America.