We will be arrving BUF at 10pm on thursday march 29. We are leaving BUF at 7pm on sunday april 1. With those three days we were planning on seeing Niagara Falls and Toronto.

In Toronto we will be seeing the Hockey hall of fame. I also expect we will hit some bars at night. Spend some time walking around the city. Perhaps hit a nice restaurant. I'm not sure what else there is to do, but I am sure we can stay fairly occupied.

In Niagara, we will see the falls. Not interested in the casino. Maid of the mist is closed. Don't particularily care for Ripley's museum. The only thing in Niagara that seems all that interesteing to me is the falls themself. This is why I am thinking we should spend relatively less time there.

I have a free night at The Park Hyatt Toronto that needs to be used on either friday or saturday night. I don't care to spend the big bucks for the second night.

So I see my best options as spending thur and friday night at Niagara, going to toronto on sat morning and leaving toronto by 1pm sunday. I fear that this may give me too much time in Niagara and not enough in Toronto. Only have to switch hotels once.

The other option is to drive towards toronto from BUF thursday night. Perhaps stay in hamilton or Mississauga. By the time we pick up rental car and go through border, I'm sure it will be after midnight. Hit downtown toronto by friday morning and leave for niagara saturday evening. Perhaps make it to niagara by 9pm or so to see the falls at night. Sunday morning in Niagara, and perhaps cross to the NY side in the afternoon. This involves three hotels, but I think gives me a better split of time between Toronto and Niagara.

Thoughts

If you are not interested in the casino or any of the "museums" in Niagara, I wouldn't plan on spending more than one or two hours there. If it is daytime, make sure you go to the whirlpool rapids about 5 minutes or so north of the falls. Another option is Niagara on the Lake, a nice town north of Niagara Falls on Lake Ontario. There are some B&B options and a Hilton Garden Inn on the outskirts of town. Also the Niagara Parkway drive between NF/NOTL is scenic, provided it isn't nighttime.

I've made this run on a number of business trips down through the years.

At that time of night, my guess is that you can make the border from BUF by a little after 11pm, if the flight is on time and you don't have to wait for your bags. BUF is a rather painless airport and the rental cars are in the garage right across from the terminal.

From the border, it should take you about an hour to get to Hamilton. If it were me, and basically all I wanted for the first night is to crash, I'd opt for the Quality Inn in St. Catherines. Its clean, comfortable, and no frills, at exit 47 off the freeway. Numerous breakfast places nearby, including next door.

But for your purposes, I'd check out Niagra on the Lake for the first night. I've never spent the night, but there are numerous lodgings there. Then plenty to see and do while spending a leisurely Friday morning. I'd suspect on a Thursday night off season, there'd be bargains aplenty. Just make sure they know it'll be nearly midnight by the time you arrive.

If you're planning on driving into Toronto on Friday, take into account that rush hour traffic can get pretty nasty regardless of which direction you're travelling. If you want to hang back outside of Toronto on Friday, but move on from where you spend your first night, I'd suggest you check out Burlington or Oakville. Both have very pleasant downtowns.

Burlington has a couple of downtown area Hotels, and if memory serves, these are within walking distance to shops, restaurants, pubs etc. Even if you stay out on the highway, its a 5-10 minute drive to the town center.

The Burlington hotels by the highway include a rather standard Holiday Inn and another Comfort Inn. I typically stay in Oakville at the Fairfield Inn and Suites. Its a newer property and quite comfortable. There's also a Hilton Garden Inn next door. (Winston Churchill exit). Downtown Oakville probably doesn't have as much to see and do as Burlington, but in the other direction from downtown, just across the freeway are several restaurants and a huge theatre complex. There's also a big mall (and more restaurants, etc.) about a mile further up the road.

As for other stuff to see and do in Toronto, if you're at the Hockey Hall, you're walking distance from the Skydome and CN tower. Also within walking distance is the St. Lawrence (farmer's) Market, Queens Quay, and Eaton Centre. And of course, downtown Toronto is absolutely loaded with dining and entertainment options.

I've been going to Toronto at least 2-3 times a year for the last fifteen years, so feel free to pm me if I can help with any suggestions.

Hope this helps. Have a safe/fun trip!

Well I was raised in Niagara Falls, educated in Buffalo and lived/worked in Toronto - I think I can answer this question

On Thursday night, drive to Niagara Falls and stay there. You will see the Falls at night; next morning go back to the falls and see it in daylight. After that head towards Niagara on the Lake and see that town before hitting the highway in the afternoon towards Toronto.

Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday a.m. in Toronto. Depending on your mood, leave on Sunday with plenty of time to make it to BUF (the border can get backed up quite a bit). There are great brunch places in Niagara on the Lake, Fort Erie and yes Niagara Falls (for a treat you can hit a couple of well known places in Buffalo).

If you say your price point for hotels, I can give you some local recommendations as well

If you are looking for another charming little village other than Niagara on the Lakes, head over to Bronte Village in Oakville. Very nice strip of shops not far away from the lake. BTW Skydome has now been renamed to Rogers Centre.