[Originally published August 8, in the News-Sentinel]
By S.T. Boyer
nsfeatures@news-sentinel.com
Summer is winding down and you still want to plan a last-minute getaway. Consider a trip across the border to Canada. This is the last summer U.S. citizens can drive there without needing a passport.
A valid driver's license and a certified copy of your birth certificate can get you across the border to experience the breathtaking natural wonder of Niagara Falls from the Canadian side as well as the cosmopolitan treasures of Toronto.
Niagara Falls
There are several ways to get to Canada from Fort Wayne. The fastest way to Niagara Falls is to head east to the Ohio Turnpike, cross the northwest corner of Pennsylvania and take a short trip on the New York State Thruway to Buffalo.
Crossing at the Peace Bridge often saves time, because you can drive the back way into Niagara Falls. A fun excursion is to drive along Niagara Parkway, a boulevard that follows the path of the falls and the river. Don't be surprised if you need to use your wipers, even on sunny days, as the breeze can take the mist a great distance from the falls to the parkway and promenade.
The Table Rock Visitor Centre is the hub of Niagara Parks, with shops, restaurants and gateways to all the best attractions. Popular options include the Maid of the Mist boats, which take visitors on 30-minute rides deep into the refreshing mist of the falls.
Also available is Journey Behind the Falls, which takes visitors to a tunnel system under the river. You can see the water as it rushes down the falls from portals in the tunnels. Journey Behind the Falls includes an observation deck, where you can see the falls from just a few yards away.
For dining, Niagara Falls offers a wide variety, from fast food to more upscale eateries. Restaurant prices on average are much higher than in Indiana. A hamburger and fries at T.G.I. Friday's runs about $16 - before adding tax and gratuity. (The U.S. dollar is roughly equal to the Canadian dollar.)
For a unique dining experience, check out the Lake House restaurant, just off the Queen Elizabeth Way in Vineland, on your way to Toronto. A spacious dining room and outdoor seating offer spectacular views of the clear blue waters of Lake Ontario.
The food is delicious and reasonable, with entrees starting around $15. The lake views are beautiful in the late afternoon.
Toronto
In Toronto you can sample a host of activities. The center of the city is dense and urban, similar to Chicago or New York. Staying downtown gives visitors access to several great attractions, such as the Royal Ontario Museum, Eaton Centre, the Hockey Hall of Fame and the CN Tower. One of the world's tallest buildings, the CN Tower was built in the 1970s for broadcast television, and remains an architectural marvel. Your visit should include a trip to the top, which costs around $22 per person.
Many attractions in Toronto are close enough for a nice long walk, but mass transit also is available. A ride on a streetcar or subway is $2.75 per trip, but weekend passes are available from ticket booths at a huge discount. Traffic and parking are both unpredictable, so it's easier to take a low-cost subway ride.
A popular summer attraction is the Chinese Lantern Festival, running through October. The festival, held at Ontario Place along Toronto's waterfront, is reported to be the largest lantern festival outside Asia.
For rainy days, check out the Eaton Centre shopping mall in downtown near Yonge and Dundas Streets. It's the largest mall in Canada, and it connects to the PATH underground walkway, a vast subterranean network connecting all points of the city's business district while shielding pedestrians from the elements.
The Royal Ontario Museum and Toronto Zoo are other great ways to delve into the city's treasures.
On your way back to Fort Wayne, save time by heading back via Detroit or Port Huron, Mich. Port Huron will put you directly onto Interstate 69, so you will be back to Fort Wayne in just about eight hours from Toronto.
Having a truly memorable vacation doesn't mean you have to spend a lot on gas or a lot of time driving. A trip to Canada can prove fun and exciting, and it's less than a day away.
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More information:
♦ Peace Bridge: Buffalo, New York, to Fort Erie, Ontario: www.peacebridge.com
♦Niagara Falls: www.infoniagara.com
♦The Lake House Restaurant: www.lakehouserestaurant.com
♦Toronto's official site: www.toronto.ca
♦Blue Water Bridge: Sarnia, Ontario, to Port Huron, Mich.: www.goborder.com
♦Ambassador Bridge: Windsor, Ontario, to Detroit, Mich. www.ambassadorbridge.com
♦Visit travel.state.gov to learn more about international travel, country information and passport requirements for the future.
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Travel tips
♦When it comes to spending money, remember the U.S. dollar is on par with the Canadian dollar at most merchants, but you might be better off using a credit or debit card. You should also take an ATM card in case you need to withdraw any cash. Check with your financial institution to make sure your cards will work in Canada and if it charges currency conversion and out-of-network fees.
♦Assemble identification for each traveler.
♦Notify your credit card company that you will be traveling. Otherwise, some fraud programs could block your card for suspicious activity.
♦Check with your auto-insurance carrier to make sure you have proper documentation for Canadian nonresidents.
♦Gasoline is charged per liter in Canada and is often more expensive than in the U.S. $1.25 per liter would be just under $5 per gallon.
