This car route takes you through the enchanting Niagara region, located between Buffalo (USA) and Toronto (Canada), and is ideal for an unforgettable ten-day car vacation. This diverse destination offers a plethora of experiences ranging from the majestic Niagara Falls and captivating architecture to historic forts and the most exquisite wineries in all of Canada. What not many people know is that this region is a leading producer of ice wine. Guest blogger Hasse Wiersma recently took a beautiful road trip through this area himself and is excited to share his driving route with you here.
Day 1 - Arrival in Buffalo
Buffalo's airport has a modest size, which makes it particularly conveniently arranged. The car rental counters are located right outside the terminal. The procedure is smooth, so you'll be on your way within 15 minutes. After arriving at the airport, it is recommended that you spend a night in Buffalo to catch your breath after your trip. If you arrive in Buffalo late in the evening, it is wise to book a hotel near the airport.
Day 2 - Exploring Buffalo
Buffalo is known not only for its delicious chicken wings, but also for its beautiful architecture and abundance of museums. If you are interested in museums and/or feeling the effects of jet lag, it is recommended that you spend two days here. In the morning, you can drive by rental car through the neighborhoods that are famous for their architecture. Start your tour at one of F. Lloyd Wright's most renowned works outside Chicago: the Darwin D. Martin House complex. Here you can join a guided tour for about $15. After the tour, you can drive through the Allentown Historic District and Delaware Avenue Historic District neighborhoods and enjoy the numerous elegant homes on display here. End the day with a stroll downtown or visit one of the many museums. Highly recommended for dinner: Buffalo Chicken Wings.
Day 3 - Niagara Falls on the USA side
Start the day off right by leaving your accommodation on time and drive to the USA side of Niagara Falls. Keep in mind that there are toll roads and credit cards are not accepted everywhere, so it is wise to have some cash with you. Once you arrive, you can park your rental car near the entrance and explore the national park on foot. Although the view of the falls is better from the Canadian side, the U.S. side offers you the closest experience. Admission to the falls is free, but there are also paid activities available, two of which are well worth doing.
The first activity is the Maid of the Mist, found at the beginning of the park. This boat takes you up to just below the Horseshoe Falls. It is highly recommended that you wear a poncho, as the violence of the waterfall can get you quite wet. Once you have dried up a bit, you can walk along the water toward American Falls/Bridal Veil Falls, where you will see beautiful rainbows in the rising fog.
Then you cross the Niagara River via a bridge to Goat Island, where you can experience the second activity: the Cave of the Winds. Here you descend by elevator and get closest to the falls, even closer than on the Behind the Falls tour on the Canadian side. Here you really feel the power and thunder of the falls. After this experience, you can continue exploring the park, taking photos and once you've seen everything, drive your rental car back to the Canadian side to check into your hotel. The best route for this is over the Rainbow Bridge. In the evening you can explore the Niagara Falls Strip, which feels a bit like a small version of Las Vegas.
Day 4 - Niagara Falls Canada
Today you will explore the Canadian side of the falls, where you will have the most spectacular views of the falls. If your budget allows, consider booking a helicopter ride and admiring the falls from the air. If your hotel is not within walking distance, you can use the free WEGO Bus. An absolute must-see and impressive attraction is the Journey Behind the Falls, where you walk through tunnels behind the Horseshoe Falls and experience up close the deafening sound of crashing water. Start your day here in the morning and then walk toward the Rainbow Bridge.
While you have the option of taking the Maid of the Mist tour on the Canadian side, it may be wiser to take this activity on the USA side, given the many other attractions here. For lunch, you can bring your own meal to the Skylon Tower, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the falls. It is advisable to book online because of the long queues. After this experience, you can take the WEGO Bus to the White Water Walk. Then return to the city and spend the rest of the day enjoying the various attractions for all ages. The vibrant nightlife continues into the early hours.
Day 5 - Niagara on the lake
Today is all about exploring Niagara-on-the-Lake and enjoying wine and ice cream tasting. The Niagara region is known for its excellent wine production, with a particular emphasis on the delectable ice wine. This wine is made from grapes that freeze on the vine at a temperature of at least -8 degrees Celsius. These frozen grapes are picked and pressed within 24 hours, resulting in an extremely precious and unique wine variety. The yield of ice wine is considerably lower than that of regular wine, and the risk of crop failure is high. The result is a dessert wine with a deliciously sweet taste, made from various grape varieties that you will taste today at several wineries.
In the morning, drive your rental car to Niagara-on-the-Lake to explore the historic George Fort, which dates to the War of 1812.After exploring the fort, stroll around the picturesque town. Compared to Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake is a serene and peaceful place. Don’t forget to enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Ontario and the Niagara River. By the time of lunch, it is time to visit the first winery. We start at Ravine Winery, which, while not producing ice wine, produces outstanding red and white wines and has an excellent restaurant for lunch. Start with a tasty meal and then make your way to the tasting room to enjoy the wines. From here, get in your car and drive to Inniskillin Winery. They pioneered ice wine production in the region in the 1980s. Nearby you'll find Pillitteri Winery, which is still completely family owned. A tour of the winery is well worthwhile, as the family story is very fascinating. After gaining a deep insight into the world of ice wine, return to Niagara Falls for an overnight stay and to once again enjoy the city's vibrant nightlife.
Day 6 - Guelph & Arrival in Toronto
Prepare for several hours of driving. Leave by rental car and drive through Guelph to Toronto. Guelph is a charming small town where you can walk around for a few hours and enjoy lunch. It is also known as the Royal City because of the Imperial House of Guelph, from where Great Britain was ruled. During your visit to Guelph, it is worthwhile to also explore the university and admire its impressive architecture. After lunch, continue your journey and drive to your hotel in Toronto in about an hour. The rest of the day you can enjoy the vibrant downtown Toronto. Looking for a cozy place to eat? Then visit Kensington Market, near China Town. Here you can enjoy a diverse mix of cultures and a wide range of restaurants.
Day 7 - Toronto
Exploring the Toronto Islands is best done with good weather. If the weather conditions do not cooperate, consider moving this excursion to another day. On the islands, you can enjoy a pleasant walk or relax on the beach. There are plenty of activities available for all ages. Some attractions include the lighthouse, church and Ward's Island enriched with beautiful architecture. In the afternoon you can visit the train museum and reach the top of the CN Tower.
Day 8 - Toronto
Toronto is a fun city to walk around. In the morning, start with an exploration of the university grounds. Start at the Philosophers' Path and walk through the picturesque streets to the entrance of the university across the street. Here you will find beautiful architecture, attractive courtyards and lush greenery. Continue your exploration to the Distillery District for lunch. Here a wide array of eateries and art galleries await you. Formerly the scene of distilling activities, remnants of this can still be found here and there. In the afternoon, a walk along Church Street offers an interesting route, where you can visit some of Toronto's important churches. Alternatively, you can go shopping or explore a museum. Toronto is home to numerous museums, and it is well worth spending an extra day here.
Day 9 - Return to Buffalo and departure
Today you will continue your journey by rental car or return home. Depending on your flight schedule, you can spend some time in Toronto in the morning, for example enjoying Lake Ontario or visiting one of the wineries. Returning the rental car is quick and within 10 minutes you'll be at the check-in desk. Buffalo Airport is not too big and it is enough to arrive a good two hours before your departure time.
