What places should I visit around the Toronto Canada area

[LynneSin]

I'm not talking downtown Toronto. I'm thinking of renting a car for about 3 days and drive around the area and visit a few places before returning back home to the states. I figured while I'm in Toronto on business I'll check out the city, so the other things I do might not necessarily be in Toronto - just need to be near a cheap motel where I can crash for the night.

And I'm going in September, my assumption is it will not be super hot nor the middle of a blizzard.

Thanks!

[jakefrep]

1. Niagara Falls isn't too far away...

but I think our Canadian friends would be able to offer more guidance.

[bif]

2. NOTL

Niagra-On-The-Lake. Nice little town about an hour from Toronto. In thte heart of wine country. And they have the Shaw Festival there. Our family called Notl for a gag.

[TrogL]

3. Drive down the Niagara Parkway

Start at Niagara-on-the-Lake and drive to Fort Erie along the Niagara River. When you get to Fort Erie just follow the signs to the QEW back to Toronto.

Interesting stops:

• St. Catharines - see the St. Lawrence Seaway
  
• Niagara-on-the-Lake - a charming town
  
• various wineries - tours, tastings
  
• Fort Niagara
  
• Queenstown - Brock Monument, famous battle
  
• Greenhouse/Horticultural School - excellent butterfly exhibit, my father taught there
  
• Spanish Aero Car - suspended over the Whirlpool
  
• Niagara Helicopters - take a ride over the falls
  
• Niagara Falls (drive up Clifton Hill for the touristy spots)
  
• Maid of the Mist (boat ride to the base of the falls)
  
• Table Rock House (right at the falls, you can get to tunnels under the falls from there a not-miss experience)
  
• Skylon Tower - best view of the three towers, excellent (but pricey) revolving restaurant
  
• Chippewa - a charming little village (ignore the stench from the Norton chemical works). Film Director James Cameron grew up there (I went to school with his brother, petted his iguana and lived next door to his girlfriend)
  
• Fort Erie
  
• Port Colborne - more St. Lawrence Seaway