Hi all Canada experts! Me and my SO will have a roughly 24 hour layover in Toronto in May (landing around 4PM, leaving next day at around 5PM), before heading to LAX. I have already booked us into the Sheraton Centre downtown. Having never been to the city before, I am wondering how to maximize our stay. What should we not miss? Is it wise to rent a car, or are web etter off using public transportation? It also struck me that the Niagara Falls are also pretty close, is that something you recommend? I suppose we could get up really early in the morning and drive out to them, or is it to risky considering our 5PM departure for LAX?

Thanks in advance for all suggestions!

Public transportation in pretty good in Toronto, so you probably won't need a car if you are staying downtown. Niagara falls is should be doable. If you are going to do that, I would suggest getting a rental car, because it will cut down on your transit time considerably.

Depending on traffic, Niagara Falls is about 90 min to 2hrs one way, so you will really limit yourself as to what you can see and do if you do decide to go. If you decide to go, my suggestion is to go there first when you arrive, as the airport is closer to NF.

Alternate suggestions for things close by (within 15min) to do incl the theatre (King St and Yonge St), museums (both Art Gallery of Ontario and Royal Ontario Museum have undergone major renovations by high-profile architects and their collections are also impressive), as well as the Opera/Four Seasons Centre, which is next door to the hotel.

Transit is pretty good, a TTC token will get you to near the hotel (Bus #192 to Kipling Station, go eastbound to St George St and South to Osgoode Hall. Your hotel is one block away (to the east). An easier way is to take the Toronto Airport Express operated by Pacific Western which picks up from the Airport and drops off at major hotels, incl the Sheraton (4th or 5th stop).

You should not rent a car nor bother with Niagara Falls if you have only 24 hours. There is a lot to see and do and there are tons of information in on-line guides. The advice in earlier posts is sound. The AGO is now spectacular. Just get out and enjoy the city. The hotel you have is in a great location. Hope you got it on Priceline for $45.

I agree completely with B1.

Adding Niagara Falls to the itinerary would be a little overwhelming, and a car really isn't necessary if you aren't going to make the venture to the falls.

Neuron's public transportation directions are excellent (bus + subway). A cash fare of $2.75 CAD per person will get you to within a block of your hotel. You're staying right in the heart of downtown Toronto, so you'll find a plethora of attractions and restaurants within walking distance (or, at most, a very short commute away). ^

otoh...

i love the falls. the airport is on the west side of toronto. it takes the niagara air bus about 90 minutes to go from YYZ to niagara falls. i would book both ways on it, book a bed and breakfast in either Niagara on the Lake (perhaps my favourite small town in the whole world), or niagara falls. i'd see the falls, maybe see a shaw play in NOTL, eat fabulous food in NOTL at one of the wineries, and consider myself fortunate.

OR

if you like big cities, TO is a nice one. you could see a musical, eat fabulous food downtown, visit the ROM or the AGO....

either way, it will be great : )

LIMO same price as taxi from YYZ C$40 to Sheraton good hotel , op our city hall 100mtr from eaton centre (mall)nice walk north up university ave towards queens park past usa emb china town to wst all easy walks hop on hop off bus tour picks up at hotel give good over view of down town, Baldwin Village near AGO (art gallery of ontario) great for affordable eats .wont bother with car,visit google earth for locations

That's not so - there is a separate limo line and those rates are more expensive. The cabs in the taxi line are mostly cars that are the same as the limos. I found that if you call Aeroport Limo-taxi after you get your luggage and ask for a taxi you get the best deal, even less than AirFlight and they arrive instantly. The PWT Airport Express is a better deal and very comfortable if your hotel is on their route. If you're going for really cheap, take the TTC bus and the subway for one fare.