I lost the annual vacation fight for this year, and instead of reading my Tom Clancy collection on the front porch of a cabin in the Smokies, The Vunder Family will be making a lap around Lake Erie, provided that US citizens are still allowed in Canada after reducing Iraq to a glass parking lot.
What I’m after from you guys are suggestions on cool things to do between Windsor and Toronto, the less touristy the better. Places to eat, stay, etc, will be greatly appreciated.
Kitchener and the surrounding area has a very strong German population, with some outstanding German restaurants. Kitchener’s Farmer’s Market (downtown on King St. IIRC) is a bit touristy because it’s so damn popular, but the food you can get there is top notch. Mmmmm… bratworst on a kaiser roll with lots of sauerkraut. Mmmmm… giant slabs of fudge.
Well, having lived in the “Tri-Cities” area at one time, I have to say that Kitchener-Waterloo is a hole. Now, its wonderful to be there for Oktoberfest, but any other time of year its just a dreary place. Now, Guelph on the other hand is much nicer and picturesque. There are numerous antique markets in Aberfoyle and if Mr. Vunder can convince the family to vist one while he goes on the $5 tour of the Sleeman Brewery, Mr. Vunder will be treated to all he can “sample” for free. Guelph itself has many excellent restaurants catering to all tastes due to the University population… including far far too many vegetarian places… but I digress.
But when are you going, Mr. Vunder? In the summer? Because I believe Big Bend lake resort is down that way, between T.O and Windsor.
I should have mentioned the Vunder trip will be early or mid June.
Head down towards Niagara - but avoid the Falls! Well, you can stop to look at them, but they are incredibly kitchy. Niagara-on-the-Lake is touristy as well, but in a much better way, since it revolves around the wine region, and there are plenty of music/acting festivals and events throughout the entire summer. Every vinyard (there are 40 or 50 VQA ones in the area) gives free or cheap (1$) tastings of their wines, and you can get some amazing stuff for not too much. The town has some great little shops, too, although things are somewhat expensive. The Shaw festival runs throughout the summer, and it might be interesting for your family to catch a show there.
Also, there’s the Stratford area and their festival - primarily Shakespeare, but also a lot of local playwrites put on performances.
For the kids, you might want to consider a day trip to Canada’s Wonderland - especially if you’ve been doing a lot of “adult” things. It’s your generic theme park, but it can be a lot of fun.
I totally agree that Guelph is a great city to visit (though I won’t be on campus at that time of year to see you! hehe). It has several festivals as well, and some great little shops. The vegetarian restaurant overabundance isn’t all THAT bad, though I do find it a little bit funny considering the presence of the Ontario Agricultural College and Veterinary Colleges in town. I think you can get tours of the OVC if you call ahead - but I’m not 100% sure about how it works. The Sleeman brewery is a lot of fun, too.
Hamilton has a great Royal Botanical Garden. It’s not that expensive - I think it’s 8 or 9$ for adults, less for kids -and it is really beautiful. I went only once last summer, but I plan on going back again a couple of times this summer to see the various gardens in their prime. This webpage (http://www.rbg.ca/pages/visit_bloom.html) has information on what is best to see at each time of year, and when you go, they will tell you at the gate as well. I saw the Rose Garden and Rock garden, though the roses were at the end of their season. There are a LOT of kids activities there.
In Toronto itself, there are always things to do, though the Ontario Science Centre is a much, IMHO. www.ontariosciencecentre.ca . I spent a whole day there last fall, and I didn’t get to see everything! The prices are really reasonable - adults 18$, teens 12, and kids 10. Its almost more expensive to go see a movie around here!
There are a bunch of other things, but that’s a start for you!
Have fun!