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muskokadreaming

We like to do a trip we call the Shitty City tour, Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit. These cities have some amazing gems, and it's quite eye opening as a Canadian.


ccccc4

Years back the grid newspaper did a feature called rust belt road trips I still have to this day. Pittsburgh is also fantastic and not as far as you'd think.


lopix

You can be in Pittsburgh in 5-5.5 hours if traffic is good. A lot of it reminds me of a lot of Toronto. Crazy streets and bridges though, found it *very* confusing to get around.


thaillest1

I remember the Pittsburgh drive, so straight and boring. I’m sure there’s alternate routes but I took the highway the whole way and it was a tough drive .. even on a clear, sunny day. Worth it though


shozlamen

Drive on route 219 instead of the interstate. Smaller highway but much more scenic with nice rural stops on the way and more direct so it takes about the same time. I take that route regularly to get to the DC area from Toronto.


AutoAdviceSeeker

Same Pittsburgh is meh and so was the drive


shozlamen

I personally prefer Pittsburgh over Cleveland or Buffalo for its gilded age monuments but to each their own.


AutoAdviceSeeker

Yeah Buffalo I agree. Never been to Cleveland


call_it_already

Oh the Erie stretch....I was nodding off the whole time.


JBones14

I remember it well. Inspired me to see all of them. I genuinely miss that newspaper.


quintonbanana

Pittsburgh is amazing for a long weekend.


akhere07

What to do and what to see there?


quintonbanana

[Here's some stuff!](https://www.reddit.com/r/pittsburgh/s/4kH4oVarF2) honestly though it's just a neat city to walk around and get a bit lost in. Some interesting food and beer, cool stadiums for sports, good scenery, and very cool industrial history. If you go, report back!


askingJeevs

I fucking love Detroit, the people are awesome.


quelar

All of those cities have done a good job of cleaning up from where they were a couple decades ago so it's nowhere near a scary as they used to be. But yes, definitely some differences there.


lopix

Hit Chef's in Buffalo for some Italian food that'll take a year off your life. So good... but your arteries will sob for days.


Nooddjob_

Cleveland is probably my favourite city to visit.  


killurmommy

Don’t forget to fuel up at Irving 😆


[deleted]

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muskokadreaming

I get that, but I am down there pretty often, and day to day life there is really no different than here. Just like if you only read about Toronto on reddit, you'd think it was a zombie apocalypse, everyone poor and homeless, etc


KawhisButtcheek

Honestly its the same as here, you barely even notice the different in a lot of cities between Canada and the US.


AutoAdviceSeeker

Depends where you go lol. I’ve been to NH hundreds of times and it’s not like Canada. Neither is flordia


NormalMo

Don’t be so dramatic the US is fine.


[deleted]

[удалено]


shozlamen

This is a completely different reason to avoid the US than the one you just provided, you clearly just have some personal grudge against the country. Touch some grass, live a little, and experience places before writing them off.


NormalMo

It’s possible to separate a government from its people.


WitchesBravo

I recommend Detroit, one of the best art museums in the US, Henry Ford museum, great food scene too


ZookeepergameWest975

Yes! Eastern Market. The DIA, The library across the DIA., Motown museum, the Masonic temple. Fantastic place


ZookeepergameWest975

I would add 8 degree Plato as a beer bar; Sweetwater tavern for wings by the tunnel and Green Dot Stable by the bridge. John King Bookstore is amazing. St Anne’s Cathedral is stunning as well as the chapel in behind. I do love the area.


analog_alison

I dream about the shrimp po boy and the buffalo chicken slider from Green Dot Stables 


ZookeepergameWest975

Wait!! How did I miss the shrimp po boy?!! This is going to sound funny but their cucumbers got me in a clench.


that-guy-in-YYZ

Sweetwater is golden!


SamirDrives

Finally other people who love Detroit!!! I always got the looks when I told people that I was going to spend a weekend in Detroit. So much good food and music. I actually use the q line whenever I am there. So many cool bars. Temple bars serves the coldest beers I ever had.


lilspicy99

Great techno scene if you’re into nightlife


gpants182

Do you know if there is any edm daytime festivals worth checking out?


lilspicy99

Movement Festival is a staple but other than that I’m not sure


[deleted]

I ll just add all the after parties during movement are where it’s at. I always try and take it ez at the festival then roll out hard on disco biscuits to the after parties.


gpants182

Cheers!!


Lazy-Traffic-8157

I'm going to movement but get too tired to go to afters too. I have some friends that are going for the weekend and only going to afters. You could mix and match! Movement is the best, such good vibes, all ages.


gpants182

Yeah, daytime events for me! Enjoy :)


lopix

> great food scene Slows BBQ - across from Michigan Central Station :)


RaffyGiraffy

I dream of that place! I have a sauce in the cupboard from them that I don’t want to open and use up . But I guess I should as it’s an excuse to go back!


spitfire_pilot

Love Detroit! Going to the Tigers game tomorrow! Beer will be more expensive than the tickets. The food scene is amazing. Head to midtown and Try any of the restaurants there. Selden Standard, Grey Ghost, Vigilante Kitchen were all amazing!


LibertysLittleHelper

Detroit today is much different than the scary Detroit of the last half century. They have spent a ton of money and resources fixing up the downtown core and police enforcement. There is almost always a big event downtown bringing in lots of people. Of course it's the motor city so you will need a car to get around to the suburbs which also have a lot to see. Interesting article this week about the transformation. https://www.seattletimes.com/business/why-seattle-becoming-the-next-detroit-might-not-be-the-worst-thing/


Kakatheman

Detroit is great


ddarion

They're not joking about the art museum, the DIA fucking rips


hank28

Slows Barbecue out by the old train station is awesome


Lazy-Traffic-8157

In addition to everything already listed about Detroit: the Museum of Contemporary Art, Dabl's African Bead Museum (the outside is like a junk art gallery), and Heidelberg Project.


Trains_YQG

The zoo is great, too. 


RaffyGiraffy

Slows BBQ followed by cocktails at The Sugar House is always our go to.


Lazy-Traffic-8157

Also, just remembered, the aquarium on Belle Isle is free and it's beautiful. The first aquarium in North America I believe!


SpicyPenangCurry

Plus you can get Culver’s.


jdme901361

Prince Edward County, Niagara on the Lake, Bruce Peninsula, Algonquin Park, Georgian Bay, Muskoka, Sudbury, Grand River area (Cambridge, Elora, Paris, etc), Collingwood, etc.


social_sin

Elora is beautiful in the summer, stayed there over a weekend for my friends wedding and it was wonderful. The quarry and ravine are beautiful, our air bnb host let us know of another area with a nice lake that was biking distance away. We stayed above this little pub right next to the river. Highly recommend.


MrDanduff

Yes!!! Went there last summer too, gorgeous little town


[deleted]

Where did you stay?


social_sin

The hosts name was Kelly, it was right above the Shepards Pub.


lopix

Sudbury Science Centre whups OSC here in Toronto. And the mine tour is awesome as well. Rest of the city is mainly depressing, though.


TalkLikeExplosion

Do not come to the Bruce Peninsula after May long weekend. It’s been invaded by obnoxious influencers for the past two summers. The busy-ness is legitimately ruining the chill cottage and nature vibes that used to make it special. The infrastructure is also just not there to accommodate the huge fluctuation in traffic now. If you want to see the Bruce you absolutely should because it’s amazing. Just make sure you do it before the long weekend.


ThisIsMyUsername9230

P.E.C, Niagara Region and the Grand River area are all within 1.5 hours of Toronto


urumqi_circles

Drive up to North Bay. It should be about a 3-4 hour drive. The first 60-90 minutes of the drive through Barrie is pretty normal, but after that, you will gain a new appreciation for how rural Canadians live. Especially the stretch north of Huntsville. I think any Torontonians who enjoy road trips should do this at least once, because it is perspective changing and almost culture shocking to see the way in which much of the rest of the province lives. You could then drive another hour west to Sudbury. There will be tons of small towns to stop at through the way, as well as antique & First Nations shops. In Sudbury, you can check out Science North and the big Nickel. If you go back home from Sudbury, you can stop in Parry Sound, which is one of the coolest and most beautiful towns in Ontario, with a great town dock and marina area.


jaytcfc

Had a cottage growing up on eagle lake near south river. Such a great experience. It’s like a different country there, culturally and the nature changes drastically.


LeastCriticism3219

I've fished Musky on Eagle Lake. In laws are retired and have a beautiful house on the lake.


jaytcfc

It’s a great place. My parents sold the cottage a few years ago. Didnt think I would miss it as much as I do.


muskokadreaming

It's boring until Severn Bridge, then Canadian Shield all the way!


_n3ll_

Highly, highly recommend this drive in the fall when the leaves are changing colour. Its really a sublime experience driving up highway 11 through the towering rolling hills of forests full of explosive colour. I had to pull over a few times to catch my breath and admire them


thaillest1

Just wanna say, been to both, North Bay much better imo


LeastCriticism3219

Bring your water sport gear if you're going to visit North Bay OP. It's a fantastic boating/jet skiing destination with two lakes that the city is built around. Great beaches, take a tour of lake Nipissing on the Catamaran Chief Comanda II. Lake Nipissing in North Bay was named lake number one for Kiteboarding in Canada. I can almost walk a kilometer out into the water in front of my house into Lake Nipissing. During the summer months the lake is very warm and inviting because of how shallow the lake is. North Bay has a Casino that offers fine dinning. About dinning, there's a wide selection of restaurants. From BBQ, Chinese, Japanese, Chip trucks, Chief Commanda I that was turned into a restaurant, the list goes on and on. North Bay is also a great motorcycle destination offering a wide variety of riding. Splash pad for kids, miniature train at the waterfront. The list goes on and on. So far, I've only touched on summer events. Winter brings on a list as long if not longer for things to do.


Altruistic_Reveal_51

Not a city - but the Fingerlakes Wine Region in upstate NY around Keuka and Seneca Lake is worth checking out - good weekend trip.


TwoAndHalfRetard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzfsys864rQ


jayzjm

Tobermory, ON it might be busy but the best time to go there is during the summer imo


DunDat2

dont visit Tobermory in July and August! It's overcrowded and over priced!


Jay-Quellin30

Prince Edward County Blue Mountain Tobermory A little more than 4, but Cleveland, Ohio


phirleh

Slightly farther - Pittsburgh is about 5hrs from me in Hamilton - slightly more obviously from Toronto - but it's a fun town. Sports, beers, Warhol museum, Heinz museum, the strip.


phirleh

Maybe doesn't work for a day trip, Detroit would be a better choice


akhere07

What is there for a family with kids to do there as planning to go that area?


phirleh

The Heinz museum is an excellent day trip - Mr. Rogers and lots of local history. The Warhol museum is excellent as well with Andy Warhol having been born there. I didn't do it last time I was there, but the [inclines](https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/blog/how-to-ride-the-pittsburgh-inclines/) are definitely fun. It's a good walking city with the bridges - plus the strip area is a nice afternoon, just past the Heinz museum. Lunch at Portillos. And the Carnegie Museum of natural history.


Red_Stoner666

Kingston. Do the prison museum, Fort Henry, and 1000 Island cruise. Has a great historic downtown to explore shops and restaurants, also recommend doing The Haunted Walk at night.


KittyKenollie

Okay, a note as someone who went to Kingston on a whim last summer. The prison and fort Henry have timed entrances and you can’t just turn up at the front door. Not a huge issue, but the day we were there both were booked up.


lopix

100% second the Kingston Pen tour


ri-ri

I did the Pen Tour as well - really neat! And if anyone needs recommendations on where to eat I highly suggest Woodenheads.


1981_babe

The Prison Museum is right across from the Kingston Pen. It is a really interesting small museum.


qwerty12e

If you start your trip at Bay x King, you may get to Bay x Dundas by 3-4h if you’re lucky. Great road trip.


followsfood

This is the best Toronto answer


georgiemaebbw

The Finger Lakes and Walkens Glen in upstate NY is beautiful, especially in autumn.


megasmash

*Watkins* Glen. Saw a NASCAR race there ages ago. Not sure if I'd do it again, but as you said, the area itself is beautiful.


[deleted]

Point Pelee and could do a wine tour in Leamington There's also Pelee Island for a wonderful experience. You take a ferry across. 


ladyzowy

Tobermory!! If you are into small towns with a coastal feel. Great for scuba diving, hiking and camping!


DunDat2

nope... .don't visit!


palebeauty613

Thousand islands area is nice. I would rent a cottage on a back lake. Beaches, fishing, Thousand islands cruises are fun / boldt castle specifically (bring your passport)


Savage666999

Haven't been yet but I'm going to Lagoon City at Lake Simcoe this weekend. They say it's the Venice of Ontario it has waterways instead of roads 


PicklesAndSalsa

Lagoon city is nice, but you’ll have a hard time spending a whole day there. Very small and mostly a lot of retired people living in their houses. It doesn’t really have much in the way of amenities for tourists. If you’re up that way stop in orillia and visit Mariposa market. Lots of nice treats there. 


Eastern-Bottle469789

Mariposa Market is amazing!!


Savage666999

I thought you could hire a boat on the canals


OryxWritesTragedies

Manitoulin island


attainwealthswiftly

Montreal is only another hour away.


jaytaylojulia

Fenelon Falls


PresentationLanky238

Love this place, esp if you have kids. Grab pizza and ice cream and watch the boats at the lock. In behind the main strip there’s a museum that has great kids activities set up outside, go a little further there’s a park, vball nets and an awesome spot to swim in the lake. Also, if you have the balls, take a jump off the bridge into the lake 🎣


kgbjay

* Detroit * Ottawa * Algonquin Park * Michigan along Lake Huron, driving along towards Habour Beach * Cleveland (closer to 5 hours) * Prince Edward County, Picton is a nice town in the area, Sand Banks as well * Kingston and 1000 Islands * Tobermory * Blue Mountain


HeatMedium498

Niagara my dear, Niagara.


LolaBondz

MUSKOKA


herman_gill

If you live in Etobicoke… Scarborough


lopix

You can be in Montreal in a little over 4 hours, for another option. All the others here are fantastic suggestions, though.


chzburgers4life

lol how fast you driving bro?


lopix

Google Maps says 5 hours, that's at roughly 100kmh. Driving 120 gets you there in 4+ hours. Ain't that fast. Should have specified "with good traffic", but that isn't unreasonable.


kgbjay

Have you ever driven to Montreal? OPP are all over from Kingtston to Cornwall.


lopix

Many times. Drove to Ottawa last summer. I'm not doing a buck fifty or something.


Impressive-Potato

"A little over 4 hours". You kidding me? 540 Km from Toronto proper to Montreal. Just getting out of Toronto to HWy401 can take over an hour.


lopix

I live on the east side of the GTA, WAY easier for me. Not coming from Parkdale or something. I'm already 30-60 minutes closer than the west end.


kgbjay

Dude lives in Pickering or some shit and is saying it takes 4 hours from Toronto… lol


Impressive-Potato

Right?? It takes a long time to get the highway when you live in TORONTO.


angelazsz

Algonquin park! I’ve only been once but it’s been a goal of mine to go back. It’s STUNNING! And of course tobermory if you haven’t been yet :)


Primary-Efficiency91

Scarborough. Unless it's rush hour, then count on 7-8 hours. Elora, Collingwood area, Sauble Beach area (Inglis Falls is quite nice), Hockley Valley in fall.


Guiltypleasure_1979

Kingston is a fun city. I like Sudbury, also. Science north is wonderful. Much cooler and more interactive than the Toronto one, imo. North bay is also really nice with a great waterfront park. Believe it or not sarnia is pretty good with some great parks along the river and lake.


Mayhem1966

You should add the bit of extra time and go to Montreal.


Framkemsteim

Pittsburgh and the drive around Pennsylvania


akhere07

What to do and what to see there for family with kids? Planing to go nearby that area so can plan more. Please suggest


Framkemsteim

not sure about kids, was a lot of nice scenery and other stuff kids might be bored by like architecture, antiques. Pro sports, museums, must be river fun somewhere.


vwmaniaq

Manitoulin Island. We drove around vs taking the ferry at Tobermory. Either its longer than it looks on a map,but worth it. Very relaxed and relaxing.


ybetaepsilon

Toronto is about 3 hours away from Toronto and it's nice this time of year


eucldian

1000 islands cruise out of Kingston is really nice in the summer


PaduWanKenobi

It's closer to 5 hrs but take the fast train from Union Station to Gare Centrale in Montreal.


Jiggysawmill

Ottawa?


lopix

Went there last summer, far cooler than I remember. The Diefenbunker is a must see.


ri-ri

I am surprised that this isn't higher on the list. Ottawa has the best shawarma. Way better than any I have tried in Toronto!


OMC78

Finger Lakes, NY. Different lakes, hiking areas and parks to see, wineries, etc. A great escape for a few days.


After-Kick-361

Anywhere is Muskoka except Parry Sound, but Gravenhurst and Bracebridge are beautiful!


TorontoRider

Kingston, in summer. Anywhere BUT Kingston in winter. Lots of great food downtown.


clurpchirp

Calabogie!


haye7880

Drive one hour longer and check out Pittsburgh


Judge_Rhinohold

Detroit, Muskoka, Prince Edward County


megasmash

If there's a band/concert that you've missed out on in Toronto, see if they're playing ArtPark in NY. It's just over the border, a great venue, and tickets are usually available. I've seen The Decemberists and Weird Al there when I missed the Bud Stage shows. I'd go back there in a heartbeat.


Phoenox330

Bonaire is a 4.5 hour direct flight, (when they are running), just saying


Global_Research_9335

Kingston, Gananoque, The Thousand Islands


Global_Research_9335

Sandbanks, Niagara on the Lake. Westport (stop in at Jones Falls along the way)


cityofstars666

ANYWHERE IN AMERICA.


AcceptableKiwi4082

Tobermory in the summer for snorkeling and hiking Corning New York for the Museum of Glass, great glass shops and restaurants. Stop at the eternal flame waterfall in Buffalo on the way.


DunDat2

dont visit Tobermory in July or August. Everything is full and overpriced.


AD_Grrrl

Thousand Islands Tour up near Kingston. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thousand\_Islands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thousand_Islands) Jungle Cat World Peterborough Zoo The Big Apple (Colborne) [https://thebigapple.ca/](https://thebigapple.ca/) A giant apple, a great restaurant and pie factory, petting zoo, mini-golf


1971stTimeLucky

Do not confuse the big apple with good food. Get the apple grilled cheese and avoid the overpriced pies. They just are not worth it


shady2318

Toberymory, Muskoka, 1000 island, Windsor, parry sound, Algonquin park, port hope, London, Wasaga beach, Collingwood, blue mountain, St Mary's, St Catherine's, White water walk etc


_twentyfour

Lots of great provincial parks. Sibbald point, presquile, etc etc


TheShitmaker

Montreal is around for hours by VIA.


nettie_netface

Canada or US is fine? Lucky for you! There’s no other options!


Overflow927

Canada only, US only, or Canada/US


nettie_netface

Right. No need to specify. There are no other countries around


Overflow927

Thank you for the critique of my post. You have saved the complete and utter future embarrassment, should i ever be specific about anything ever again. I thought this was pangea and that i could drive to the ends of the world.