Dear all at SilverHairsClub,
Anyone care to share their 2 cents worth on driving from New York to Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Niagara in the parks, returning from Toronto, Coastal drive to Ottawa and straight back to NYC. Would appreciate some advice as to which one or two of the regions to skip so that we can drive more leisurely. Our main objective is to go the Niagara Falls, and would love to catch to autumn leaves along the scenic drive and if our planned route is ideal for a 11 days trip.
thanks…….
Hi Freda : Go to http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g48261-i182-k513681-Drive_from_NYC_to_Niagara_falls_in_early_Dec-Niagara_Falls_New_York.html.
There’s a wealth of information to be had under the Tripadvisor link on top of that.
Just remember it’s a lot easier than most people imagine be driving in the US. I’ve not undertaken this route myself but have done driving around Florida and California, and it’s a piece of cake. Mobility will also afford you flexibility in stopping anywhere you want, and that is the whole idea of self-drive … ie you dont have to depend on coach-driving schedule :D. Enjoy, Autumn is always a beautiful season for travelling!
Hi Freda,
Yes wanted to do what you did sometime in 1999 but due to bad weather of snow storm did not go up to Toronto. I did drive from Buffalo to New York after flying in from New Mexico, and this is the easier part of the drive. Occasionally got hit by snow storms that just made you feel your car is floating in a river of snow as you cant see anything else. So do watch our for weather forecast and listen to the weather channel when driving.
Niagara falls is even more beautiful on the other side of Buffalo over on the Canadian border side, so do have the necessary visa, and book the Canadian Hotel which has a better view of the waterfall. Also go into the tunnel through the dam to feel what a million tons of water flowing through is like.
There is also a riskier boar cruise ride close to the waterfall which will be closed when the weather is bad. Cheers.
thank ronald……..yeap, cross winds, snow stoms etc. can be frightening during cross country drive. we experienced that in new zealand, its like a driveway to heaven just clouds can’t see a thing for a while. When u were driving from Buffalo to New York, did u take the Queen Elizabeth Way? I understand it curves along the western shore of Lake Ontario and eventually turns into the Gardiner Expressway, which flows right into downtown, Highway 11? at Orillia is this a sceanic view?
cheers
Hi Freda
The best time to see the changing colour of the maple leaves is around Sept/Oct, depending on how soon the cold arrives. The most scenic route to watch these colours is the drive between Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake.
To get to Niagara Falls from Toronto, take Highway 401, then 403, south to QEW, Gardiner Expressway, QEW (Niagara Falls), Highway 420 and exit to Niagara Falls. The drive takes about 2 hours. My advice is to rent a car with cruise control.
A day trip to Niagara Falls should be sufficient as most people go there mainly to see the 3 falls – Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Of the three, the Horsehoe Falls is the largest and most beautiful.
You may wish to take the Maid-of-the-Mist cruise as Ronald mentioned but I will pass on that (the cruise is mainly for the experience rather than the view). The Canadian border is more scenic as it allows you the full view of the Horseshoe Falls and a distant view of the other two. If you can stay for the night, have dinner at the tower overlooking the Horseshoe Falls to watch the coloured lightings.
In the day, most people would take a stroll along the waters but not many are aware of a wooden boat trapped between some rocks about 50m before the waterfall. The story had it that the boat was sailing along the river unaware of the deep plunge ahead and just when they were in panic, the boat was stranded. Many felt it was the hand of God that saved them.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, a quiet English town about 10 minutes’ drive from the more commercialised Niagara Falls, is worth visiting. What I usually do there was to spend a lazy afternoon at an outdoor cafe just people-watching while enjoying my cup of tea.
Weatherwise, no worry in autumn. The snow does not come until Dec/Jan. But if you were to visit Niagara Falls in the winter, then black ice may be a hazard when driving. Niagara Falls is just as scenic in the winter. The river does not freeze.
Now en route up north. The drive from Toronto to Ottawa is about 4 hours. Stop over for a day at Kingston to visit the Thousand Islands. Go on a cruise. It is really worth the visit.
If you take Highway 11 on your return trip, you may want to eat out at the Chinese restaurants near the Richmond Hill/Markham area. These restaurants are much better than the ones in Toronto Chinatown.
Orillia – can’t recall anything scenic there. It is just another small Ontario town in the Simcoe/Muskoka region. Many travel to Toronto daily to work.
Spend some time in Toronto. You can want to visit the CN Tower, take a walk along the harbourfront or Yonge Street or shop at the Eaton Centre. There should be more than enough to see/do. Drive to Scarborough if you wish to visit the Chinese community (lots of authentic chinese restaurants there.) Stopover for some photo shoots at Scarborough Bluff. It overlooks Lake Ontario.
Hope info helps!
Thanks so much to all………for the valuable information…….
at this point of time we are looking at scenic routes from NYC to Niagara via Hudson, Finger Lakes (have anyone driven to the rockies before…..we nearly fell off the cliff year 2004……..)
Once again thank you n talk to u guys later
cheers
Hi Freda,
Are you planning a trip to the States this fall? If you plan to visit Toronto and need some emergency numbers of fellow Singaporeans to stand by, I can give you my contacts.
Would you be visiting the west coast too? It would be fun to drive across the Canadian Rockies in the summer but do watch for falling rocks. Banff and Lake Louise are some of the popular places to visit.
I hope you will have an enjoyable trip. If you need more info on Toronto and its surrounding region, please feel free to ask.
yes eleanor, in Sept. originally, we are planning to visit a fren at Myrtle Avenue, St Catharines, Toronto. However i was told that other than the Negara Falls, CN Tower n the thousands islands there is nothing much so we are still exploring, maybe spend a few days in Toronto/Otawa than to Washington and moved from there…….any suggestions? How about Grand Canyon anyone care to share their visit there?
and yes we have been to the Rockies as we were in Vancouver for a while and has driven all through Banff and Jasper. One evening we were sitting on a bench snacking (in front of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise) next to a dustbin full of rubbish and yet there are no flies and no smell……………Canadians tied their rubbish and put in the dustbin all in a very decent order that u didn’t even notice u are sitting next to a rubbish bin!!
and yes too for yr contacts……so kind of you. talk to u again
cheers
Hi Freda
I’ve written to my girlfriend, Susan, in Toronto re your upcoming visit. Please drop me an email so that I can put you in touch with her via email.
I have never been to St Catherines. It is a small automobile-assembly town. Canadians move there mainly because of employment at General Motors.
In Toronto, you may also want to visit Casa Roma. It is a very grand castle located pretty close to Toronto Chinatown. It has about 100 huge bedrooms. In Ottawa, you will not missed the parlimentary buildings because this is the capital of Canada. Rideau Canal is another spot you have to visit. In winter, the canal is turned into a skating rink. You can walk along the canal or sit at a nearby cafe to watch the on-going activities and actions.
If you have the time, you should visit the Maritimes and experience the slow and laid-back lifestyles of the fishing villages there. I heard it is quite scenic and lobsters are much cheaper than those in Boston.
Have you also lived in Vancouver before? I used to live on the endowment land near UBC before moving to Kitslano. I like the Kits area because it is only 4 blocks away from the beach.
Canadians are very environmental conscious. Where I used to live, garbage-collection day was every Wednesday and recycling day Thursday. In my 10 years there, I had never seen a cockroach, lizard, housefly or mosquito in my home. Yes, air is always fresh and the sky blue. Seldom did I see clouds in the sky too.
As for Washington (DC, I presume?) and Grand Canyon …. hhhmmm ….unable to comment since I have not been to both. But if I come across anyone who has been there, I’d let you know.
Good Morning Eleanorand all at Silverhairclub………
Yes ….hv frens in Washington DC who drove from Maryland thru Pennsylvania and New York to Negara Falls, but now, dont think its a likely choice for us on this trip.
I sent u a separate email thru yr gmail and also i read fm the “travel” section written by Joan in Perth about going Adelaide/Melbourne (Ocean route is worth driving a 2nd time)sometime March 09…….no more comments after a while, wonder what is the status now ……..
cheers talk to u again….
Hi Freda
Afraid I didn’t get your email and happen to stumble on your post. Yes, I’m still keen to do the campervanning trip next year in Mar 09.
I was up at Melbourne 3 weeks ago and saw how changed it is now. I’m still trying to get info as to how to plan the trip. More or less I have decided to rent a campervan for 2/3 people as it’s more manoevrable where the roads are narrow as what I saw in Melbourne, unlike Perth. At thye moment we have 4 people in Australia – me, hubby, cousin (Perth) and my sister (Melbourne. All 4 of us drive but likely that only me/hubby and maybe my sister will drive. I like the idea of at least 2 -3 campervans travelling a s a group. It’s good to pull in friends so that you can form your group and you can have your drivers. It’s hard to pair up for some people.
I will post another message soon.
Joan (Perth)
greetings Joan
which part of perth are you at? whenever we go there, we stay either at winthrop or canning vale. I have not been to Adelaide and have always wanted to experience moving on a campervan. Will see, if we can catch the cheap fare to Perth (Tiger or Jet Air??) during March 09 we will certainly get in touch with you.
cheers
cheers
Hi Freda,
I have just returned from a one month stay in San Francisco in June 2008. During this trip, I visited Grand Canyon again (my first two trips were just driving by and admiring the Canyon from afar) This time, however, I took a small plane and landed near the big boulders, then transferred to a helicopter which brought us right down to the heart of the canyon. Thereafter, we took a short cruise down the lake, this time viewing up instead of down the canyon.
I must say it was a beautiful sight and indeed deserving of its title as one of the wonders of the world. There is nothing like viewing the magnificient creation of nature right before your eyes! All etches wonderfully carved by the elements of nature over long periods of time will leave you dumbfounded and awe-struck.
In my younger days, I once drove with my friends from SFO to Vancouver but all I can remember of the 20 hour drive at night is that it was monotonous and boring. Best to have a leisurely drive with lots of sight seeing stops along the way. Would love to join you all for such trips in future.
My contribution of info on Grand Canyon.
CatherineY
Hi Freda
Susan has replied me. I have received your email too. Will connect you both on email.
Bon voyage!
Greetings Catherine Y…….
We are planning to take domestic flight from new york to las vegas and las vegas to buffalo. Do u know which domestic airlines are more relaiable in terms of timing? Can i please have your email as i have a few question about grand canyon.
thanks for yr help