Toronto - It is a great city. Review on Toronto

It was the 1st week of July in 2004 (Independence day weekend in USA) that I decided to take my family to Toronto and Niagara Falls. Having been their neighbors for almost 15 years but I have never been to Canada.

Since I live in LA I took the red eye flight from LA to Chicago with change of flight to Toronto Pearson Airport. It took me just about 1 hr to reach Toronto from Chicago. We landed at Terminal 1 and the terminal was pretty deserted at this time (7AM).

I heard that all flights from USA and Mexico land here. At the Immigration hall all of us were given small Canadian Flags and pins (It was Canada Day). The Immigration lady (looked like from Sri Lanka or India) welcomed us and said that there is a lot of celebrations planned across Canada including huge fireworks at the harbor center.

Well we were booked at the Westin Harbor center hotel and were very excited to be there. We took a bus (public transportation) from Airport to a sub way station (do not remember the name) and within one hour we were at the harbor front.

The view was fantastic. We could see the CN Tower and all the other high rises. The Westin Harbor is also a high rise and we could see people dressed up with Canadian flags everywhere going to the harbor front which is right in front of the Westin Hotel. We checked into the hotel and freshened up and then set out.

The first thing we did was go to Eaton Center and Mall. We decided to have lunch and look into the mall, relax and then go and witness the fireworks in the night. We took the train from the union station which was just a block from our hotel and were dropped of right in the mall. The mall was full of people and wore a festive look. I saw lot of Indians in the mall. The shops and stores were very nice and I noticed that there were people speaking different languages and from all parts of the world.

Then in the late afternoon/early evening we took a bus and went to Little India (Gerard St). This area was full of nice Indian stores and restaurants. Had very good dinner at the Udupi Palace. I recommend this restaurant to everybody. We spent the good part of the evening in Little India and then went back to our hotel.

It was almost 9PM and we setout again to the harbor front and saw the celebrations including fireworks. The harbor front is beautiful. We walked around the harbor front including the Queen Quay terminnal. It was past midnight and came back to the hotel and went of to sleep. We were very tired.

Next morning I rented a Van and we drove to Niagara Falls. It took us about 1 hr 30 mts to reach Niagara Falls. Niagara falls was packed with people. We took the boat called 'Maid of the Mist' and it was a great experience. We left in the evening and again went back to Little India and this time had some great chat for dinner.

The next day we went to CN Tower and then to the Scarborough Center Mall. This is a hug mall and had lots of fun. In the evening we went to China Town in Spadina Avenue. Had dinner and came back to hotel.

Next morning we took a direct flight from Toronto to LA to get back home.

In all it was a very satisfying trip and it was Summer so greatly enjoyed the weather. I noticed that that the subway stations were very clean and safe. I travelled in the subway at midnight which I would not dare to do in USA. I found the people to be very friendly and nice. They were also very down to earth.

Recommendations: If possible stay near the harborfront. It is very nice and there are lots of hotels. But they are mostly the 4 - 5 star type. Every type of cuisine and food is available. There is plenty of shopping and things to see.

Visit Niagara Falls. Few hours is enough. It is the greatest thing to see the falls and ride the Maid of the Mist.