Suggestions for Detroit and Toronto areas for a tourist

[Dan Druff]

In May, I will be in both Toronto and Detroit for a few days. Benjamin will be with me, so keep in mind that I have a 3-year-old when making suggestions of things to do.

I'm looking for advice on interesting things to see/do in the area. Obviously Niagara Falls is one (80 miles from Toronto, and I was there 10 years ago). But I know very little about what there is to see in Toronto and Detroit, aside from knowing names of surrounding cities in each metro area.

Anything you could suggest would be helpful.

I will be driving between the two, btw. Yes, I realize they're like 230 miles apart.

[NaturalBornHustler]

I hear Flint is nice that time of year.

[Dan Druff]

I knew there would be some Detroit jokes in this thread. Only took 5 minutes.

[simpdog]

How long will you be in Toronto? I'd suggest taking BW over to Toronto Island to Centreville island. Good for younger kids and not a ton of traffic during May. http://www.centreisland.ca/. Plus BW will love the boat ride across to the island.

Toronto - CN Tower, zoo, science center

Niagara falls - great idea. Maybe stay at waterpark hotel. Although if you're going to be back BW might appreciate it more when he's older.

[Deal]

What type of thing are you looking for? You are traveling through my life corridor.

[simpdog]

What type of thing are you looking for? You are traveling through my life corridor.

In my list I forgot to mention you could punch Deal in the face while you're in his backyard

[Baron Von Strucker]

my first thought when i hear Toronto i think Young street, never been there but i hear it is a spicy kind of neighbourhood a bit like Commercial dr. here in vancouver. never go to a zoo anywhere it just promotes that stupid shit. you may also get the chance to see one of Toronto's 3 sports teams loose a game....except maby the bluejays.

better would you miss TO all together and go straight to Montreal this place is special summer or winter.

defiantly take the time to punch deal in the face.

[4Dragons]

Since i'm guessing your taking the bridge in Detroit and not the northern one, there is a Caesars Windsor that I used to go to where they have a great selection of Cuban cigars. Since you are doing some sort of family thing, if you eat pork you should hit Slow's BBQ. If not then Michael Simon has Roast downtown. Downtown is mostly an adult playground, but Greektown is interesting. I guess if you wanted to travel out of Detroit, the only suggestion would be Greenfield Village / Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. That place has no equal, and I can remember going there when I was 6.

[Hockey Guy]

After hearing your heartfelt dedication to Canada & hockey I will suggest the Hockey Hall of Fame. It's within walking distance of the CN Tower & Roger's where the Blue Jays play.

http://www.hhof.com/

[lvpkr1009]

There is literally dick to do In Detroit as a family except greenfield village and maybe check out the Motown museum if the boonies haven't burned that down to the ground yet. Maybe the Detroit institute of the arts but that's it. Better off going to Ann Arbor and just hanging out where at least your chances of getting robbed are less since you will be with more members of the tribe there

[blueodum]

Toronto: CN Tower - a bit pricey and not especially recommended for anyone with a fear of heights. You get to ride a super fast elevator and the lower observation deck has a section with a glass floor, which you can walk on and stare down at an approximately 1000 foot drop. You can also walk around the observation deck in the open air, tethered to the building. There are higher observation decks as well with presumably better views.

If the weather is nice, you can get baseball tickets at Rogers Centre. The upper deck is too high up to have a good view. I suggest combining it with activities at Harbourfront (a short walk south from the Stadium). If the roof is closed, don't bother going to the game as the atmosphere is reminiscent of an airplane hangar.

If you like walking and a bit of nature, west of downtown you will find a big park named High Park. It's roughly the size of Central Park (NYC), but not landscaped. There is a huge children's playground with lots of "Jungle Jim" type stuff, good for smaller kids too.

If you are looking for cafes and/or pizza places, I recommend Little Italy. You'll find it on College Street, between Bathurst and Dufferin. You can also find fantastic gelato (Italian ice cream) there.

Not far from there (a few blocks south-east) is Kensington Market. It has the feel of a village, with narrow streets and various independently run (mostly) food shops. Don't know if its still there, but Mendel's Creamery is in the heart of Kensington and has a wonderful assortment of cheeses (and they are very generous with samples). Not far from there, along Spadina, you will find relatively inexpensive authentic Chinese restaurants. Always choose on the basis of percentage of customers who are Asian - the higher the better.

If you let me know what kind of food you like, I'll give you more recommendations.

[Deal]

Greenfield Village is a good choice. I also remember it from when I was young. I think kids enjoy the tunnel to Canada versus the bridge. I remember always looking forward to seeing the two flags in the center of the tunnel representing the border. Greektown is great for food. I like to gtfo of Detroit without stopping myself. Even at traffic lights you could find your car on jacks and tires removed.

If you want a chicken/rib place in Windsor try the tourist trap "Tunnel BBQ" I assume it's still in business. Most of Windsor died years ago and they are trying to become a pensioners haven. It is the southern most point of the country. About 2.5 hours from Windsor along the most boring drive in Ontario is London. There you can take in Storybook gardens. Great for young ones. Fairy tales come to life.

Early May is a bit cold yet. Simps recommendation of Toronto Island is great but I'm not sure if the attraction is open before May two four. It's still a nice spot to go if the weather is nice.

If castles and war of 1812 battle grounds interest you there are options on the way. Dundurn comes to mind. The underground railroad is also highlighted about an hour after Windsor. I know you have great interest in the plight of the negros.

Btw punching Capt B Zar in the nose is not recommended.

I have had 3 boys Ben's age so can be of further assistance as a travel guide. lmk

[GambleBotsChafedPenis]

is it just me or would anybody else be interested in a druff trip to hardcore pawn?

[Dan Druff]

Thanks Deal and everyone else.

FYI I am probably going to be there in later May, rather than early May. I was at Niagara Falls on May 1, 2004, and I froze my ass off the first day before an inexplicable 20-degree warm-up the next day. But I realized I came just a little too early. I need to be back in Vegas by May 30 for the WSOP, as I will be playing on May 31 at 11am.

Another question: Is there anything else within a few hundred miles of either Toronto or Detroit that would be worth driving to? Like even a cool scenic drive would be nice.

Regarding the boring drive to London, I actually will be passing through Hamilton and London on the way to Detroit.

The CN Tower sounds like a good idea. Hopefully there isn't a Canadian version of 9/11 while we're at the top.

[4BET]

Thanks Deal and everyone else.

FYI I am probably going to be there in later May, rather than early May. I was at Niagara Falls on May 1, 2004, and I froze my ass off the first day before an inexplicable 20-degree warm-up the next day. But I realized I came just a little too early. I need to be back in Vegas by May 30 for the WSOP, as I will be playing on May 31 at 11am.

Another question: Is there anything else within a few hundred miles of either Toronto or Detroit that would be worth driving to? Like even a cool scenic drive would be nice.

Regarding the boring drive to London, I actually will be passing through Hamilton and London on the way to Detroit.

The CN Tower sounds like a good idea. Hopefully there isn't a Canadian version of 9/11 while we're at the top.

Cedar point is a great place to take the family and You should check out co america park when in Detroit

[Sanlmar]

Thanks Deal and everyone else.

FYI I am probably going to be there in later May, rather than early May. I was at Niagara Falls on May 1, 2004, and I froze my ass off the first day before an inexplicable 20-degree warm-up the next day. But I realized I came just a little too early. I need to be back in Vegas by May 30 for the WSOP, as I will be playing on May 31 at 11am.

Another question: Is there anything else within a few hundred miles of either Toronto or Detroit that would be worth driving to? Like even a cool scenic drive would be nice.

Regarding the boring drive to London, I actually will be passing through Hamilton and London on the way to Detroit.

The CN Tower sounds like a good idea. Hopefully there isn't a Canadian version of 9/11 while we're at the top.

3 year olds love to spend hour after hour in the car.

Not one of these ideas is going to hold his interest for more than 5 minutes, except zoo.

Nagara Maid of the Mist might work. That too could be disaster.

Feels like a high stress epic fail. GG

[Pooh]

Maid of the Mist made me want to cry and I was in my late twenties the only time I went to Niagra. What a shit hole that place is.

[4Dragons]

Thanks Deal and everyone else.

FYI I am probably going to be there in later May, rather than early May. I was at Niagara Falls on May 1, 2004, and I froze my ass off the first day before an inexplicable 20-degree warm-up the next day. But I realized I came just a little too early. I need to be back in Vegas by May 30 for the WSOP, as I will be playing on May 31 at 11am.

Another question: Is there anything else within a few hundred miles of either Toronto or Detroit that would be worth driving to? Like even a cool scenic drive would be nice.

Regarding the boring drive to London, I actually will be passing through Hamilton and London on the way to Detroit.

The CN Tower sounds like a good idea. Hopefully there isn't a Canadian version of 9/11 while we're at the top.

3 year olds love to spend hour after hour in the car.

Not one of these ideas is going to hold his interest for more than 5 minutes, except zoo.

Nagara Maid of the Mist might work. That too could be disaster.

Feels like a high stress epic fail. GG

Oh, I forgot about the zoo. Detroit Zoo is actually in Royal Oak, but it's a cool zoo. I-75 to 696 you'd be there in 15 minutes from downtown. Good neighborhood too. Downtown Royal Oak has hella food too.

[ShadyJ]

Thanks Deal and everyone else.

FYI I am probably going to be there in later May, rather than early May. I was at Niagara Falls on May 1, 2004, and I froze my ass off the first day before an inexplicable 20-degree warm-up the next day. But I realized I came just a little too early. I need to be back in Vegas by May 30 for the WSOP, as I will be playing on May 31 at 11am.

Another question: Is there anything else within a few hundred miles of either Toronto or Detroit that would be worth driving to? Like even a cool scenic drive would be nice.

Regarding the boring drive to London, I actually will be passing through Hamilton and London on the way to Detroit.

The CN Tower sounds like a good idea. Hopefully there isn't a Canadian version of 9/11 while we're at the top.

Take the boat out of that shithole of Detroit across Lake Michigan to Wisconsin. Youll land smack dab in Milwaukee which is the only destination in the Midwest.

[4Dragons]

Thanks Deal and everyone else.

FYI I am probably going to be there in later May, rather than early May. I was at Niagara Falls on May 1, 2004, and I froze my ass off the first day before an inexplicable 20-degree warm-up the next day. But I realized I came just a little too early. I need to be back in Vegas by May 30 for the WSOP, as I will be playing on May 31 at 11am.

Another question: Is there anything else within a few hundred miles of either Toronto or Detroit that would be worth driving to? Like even a cool scenic drive would be nice.

Regarding the boring drive to London, I actually will be passing through Hamilton and London on the way to Detroit.

The CN Tower sounds like a good idea. Hopefully there isn't a Canadian version of 9/11 while we're at the top.

Take the boat out of that shithole of Detroit across Lake Michigan to Wisconsin. Youll land smack dab in Milwaukee which is the only destination in the Midwest.

So you want him to take an icebreaker barge out to the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald? Six Flags, Cedar Pointe, Cleveland / Rock and Roll HOF are all picks over cheeseville.