I'm a railroad brat. My grandfather was Yardmaster for the Milwaukee Road so I grew up riding the rails.
I married a fellow railroad brat whose father worked for the B&O railroad. Between the two of us we had a real love affair with trains going on. Most newlyweds honeymoon in some exotic location. We honeymooned at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore.
So it was pretty much inevitable that at some point we'd take a rail vacation.
I'm going to preface this review by saying apparently things have changed somewhat in the years since hubby and I took our rail trip. I've read traveler reviews since that the train often experiences long delays now. That wasn't the case when we took our rail trip.
I investigated this and learned VIA Rail does not own the track it operates on. It rents them from the Crown, which is primarily a freight hauler. Therefore, the freight trains have priority over passenger trains and this is what causes the delays. Hubby and I did not experience any signifcant delays...but if you're in a hurry, you might want to book a different train excursion. The 8 Coolest Train Trips You Can Take
If you don't want to experience these delays, then I would suggest you take a different train trip.
No matter which train journey you decide to take, if you're going to spend more than a day journeying by rail, then I strongly recommend you work with a rail tour agent in planning your itinerary.
We booked through Vacations By Rail and our agent was phenomenal, taking care of the smallest details for us.
PRESTIGE JOURNEY BY RAIL ACROSS CANADA
We booked the Prestige Journey Across Canada 11 day excursion through 8 Canadian provinces. This remarkable journey travels from the West Coast to the East (or vice versa, both options are available). The great thing about this trip is that you see scenery in the Rocky Mountain area you wouldn't likely see except by train.
The trip begins in Vancouver, a spectacular coastal city between the deep blue Pacific and breathtaking rainforest and mountain scenes. We enjoyed a day to explore its endless contrasts before boarding VIA Rail's Canadian for our rail journey through the majestic Rocky Mountains and across the Canadian Shield to Toronto. We visited Niagara Falls as well. Stays in centrally located hotels and a wonderful mixture of guided sightseeing and leisure time allow you to connect with each location. Our trip would conclude in Toronto.
During the train ride from Vancouver to Toronto, you will pass through the Canadian Rockies with stops in Kamloops, Jasper, and Edmonton – Alberta’s capital city. However, some of these stops are only long enough to get off the train and stretch your legs before reboarding.
There are 3 'classes' of travel available: Economy, Sleeper Plus and Prestige. This was a once-in-a-lifetime trip for us so hubby and I splurged and booked Prestige class. We were glad we spent the money to do this.
Booking Prestige class included:
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Tour Manager
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Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
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Transportation
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All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
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Private transfer to Vancouver rail station
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4 nights in Prestige Class aboard VIA Rail’s Canadian
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Accommodation
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4 nights’ 5-Star hotel accommodation
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Excursions & Entertainment
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All tour excursions
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Food & Drink
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4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
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Flights and airport transfers
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Private airport transfers
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The only things not covered were our flights to and from Canada, meals outside of the train and trip insurance.
Note that travel agencies often buy up Prestige Class inventory during the peak summer period, so you may need to go through a travel agency if you’re unable to book directly.
The other 2 classes available on our specific trip were Economy and Sleeper Plus.
Economy is definitely no frills and I wouldn't suggest booking Economy except for very short trips because you do not get a bed with Economy. The seats recline slightly and you sleep in your seat.
That may be okay for an overnight trip but I certainly wouldn't want to sleep in a train seat for 4 nights or more.
Economy Class
Nor does Economy class include meals. Economy passengers can purchase food but expect cups of noodles and microwaveable mac 'n cheese. Basically, you get what you pay for and there's quite a $$ range between various class packages.
Sleeper Plus is an economical way to go in that you basically get most of the amenities included in Prestige passage. One, two, three and 4 person accommodations are available. The drawbacks are your cabin is very tight, you share a shower with all passengers on the Super Plus cars that are located at the end of the train car, you do not get dining priority nor concierge service.
The biggest drawback is that your beds are bunk bed style births with privacy curtains that are basically located on a walkway through the car.
Lower berths have a window, upper berths do not and some Sleeper Plus passengers told me this made them feel claustrophobic and disoriented. Having a lower berth with a window will cost you approximately $200 more.
A cabin for 1 is actually a bunk bed arrangement berth with privacy curtain. Essentially you're sleeping in a walkway. However, there is a private toilet but it supports the weight of the bed when the seat is folded down to convert into a bed.
Sleeper Plus Class
During the day the beds convert to bench seating, usually while you’re at breakfast service, and then back in the evening during dinner service. You will have access to the Prestige Park Car but only after 4 p.m. If you're in Sleeper Plus you want to get there early as the Park car fills up quickly.
Sleeper Plus bed
Other amenities for in a Cabin for One include a mirror, fan, air conditioning, drinking water and towels, pillows, sheets and blankets, as well as a 110V AC outlet.
In a Cabin for Two, the setup and amenities are similar: you have two comfortable chairs during the day that are then converted into beds at night (bunk style, like in the berths).
You get all the same amenities as in the Cabin for One, plus some extra bonuses like a small closet in the cabins for two, and a toilet that’s actually in its own tiny ensuite.
There is also a cabin for for three that is set up in a similar fashion, with one sofa and two chairs during the day that become three beds (one upper and two lower) at night.
Lastly, there’s a Cabin for four option that’s essentially two combined cabins for two with the dividing partitions removed.
The perks of Sleeper Plus Class:
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At ~$1,200 it was $1,000(!) cheaper than a private cabin.
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It includes all meals.
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It includes access to showers, to the Panorama Car, and Prestige Park Car
PRESTIGE CLASS
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A larger cabin (said to be 50% larger than the regular cabin for two)
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Larger windows (said to be 60% larger than the regular cabin for two)
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A modular L-shaped couch
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An actual double bed (Murphy bed, but still!) rather than upper/lower berth beds
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A private washroom with a shower
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A flat-screen monitor with video selection (There is no WIFI for 4 days)
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A minibar stocked with your choice of beverages
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All inclusive food, snacks, and beverages (including alcohol)
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A concierge w/ turndown service and enhanced amenities
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Access to lounges in Vancouver and Toronto both upon departure and arrival
Prestige Class
This was a once-in-a-lifetime trip for hubby and I so we splurged on Prestige class since we'd be spending a considerable amount of time on the train. Prestige class will cost around $15,000 per person both ways, depending on how you tailor your trip. It's definitely not inexpensive but we were glad we'd spent the money. Not only were we far more comfortable but our agent ensured our trip went off without a hitch and everything was handled and arranged for us. Plus we could individually tailor our trip according to what we wanted to see and do along the way.
We flew into Vancouver and spent the night there, where we'd board The Canadian to begin our rail journey.
ACCOMMODATIONS
All of our accommodations were at 5 star Fairmont Hotels:
Fairmont Hotel in downtown Vancouver
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Jasper
Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff
Fairmont Royal York in Toronto
In each of the hotels we had a Fairmont Gold King Suite. (I upgraded to get a suite) We were so pleased with our accommodations that we became fans of Fairmont Hotels.
Each of the hotels offered virtually any amenity you could want and all included numerous in-hotel restaurants at which to eat. I'd give the Fairmont Hotels a big thumbs up.
We had some time to sightsee in Vancouver. While I'd been there before, hubby hadn't so I showed him some of the sights.
VANCOUVER
NIAGRA FALLS
We saw the Canadian side of Niagra Falls. I was a bit surprised at the fact that unlike our American side of the Falls, wilderness surrounds the Canadian side of the Falls.
Stanley Park
Stanley Park is Vancouver's largest and most popular park. Explore the 400-hectare natural West Coast rainforest and enjoy scenic views of water, mountains, sky, and majestic trees along Stanley Park's famous Seawall. Discover kilometres of trails, beautiful beaches, local wildlife, great eats, natural, cultural and historical landmarks, along with many other adventures. The park offers a wide range of unforgettable experiences for all ages and interests, including Canada’s largest aquarium.
We took a horsedrawn carriage ride to see the park.
Vancouver Aquarium (in Stanley Park)
Canada's largest aquarium.
GASTOWN
The best things to do in Gastown are a great reflection of the area’s vagrant past and trendy, sophisticated present. This historic charm and pioneer spirit make it Vancouver’s answer to New York City’s Lower East Side or London’s Shoreditch.
Be sure to catch a photo op with the old steam clock.
Gastown Steam Clock
OTHER THINGS TO SEE & DO IN VANCOUVER
VANCOUVER HALF DAY WHALE WATCHING ADVENTURE
Watch for orcas, humpbacks, and other marine wildlife on a half-day whale-watching tour from Vancouver. Unlike open-air speed boats, this heated catamaran has indoor and outdoor viewing decks so you’ll enjoy a comfortable trip in any weather. Onboard naturalist guides will fill you in on animal identification, natural history, and more, all while you soak up the idyllic Pacific Northwest scenery. Trip lasts 5 hours.
Avoid the hassle of renting a car with this day trip that shows off BC's fjords, inlets, and mountains, with included transportation and a ride on the Sea to Sky Gondola.
A guide provides commentary on the drive, and you'll enjoy photo stops as well as free time in Whistler Village.
The Granville Island Public Market is the jewel in the Island’s crown. An indoor market featuring a fascinating assortment of colourful food, produce stores and farmers stalls, all fresh from the ocean, the oven or the field. Market Artisans showcase locally made, handcrafted products and the very finest in unique goods.
It's just fun to stroll through!
After taking in the Vancouver sights, we decided to take it easy and just have dinner in one of the hotel's restaurants, Notch8.
I had chicken schnitzel - a new one on me! It was delicious!
DAY 2 - DEPART VANCOUVER
We all met in the hotel lobby the next morning and were shuttled to Pacific Station to board The Canadian.
We got settled into our cabin and toured the train. We also got to know our concierge and the train staff that would serve as our guides. Great group of people!
We traveled through beautiful British Columbia with its lush farmland and berry fields, winding river canyons, and pristine forests.
I kind of had to chuckle to myself...my fellow passengers seemed obsessed with seeing a moose and the Great Hunt for Moose was on the minute we pulled out of the station. (Hadn't they ever seen a moose before???)
I wasn't sure what to expect when it came to train food on this trip but it was exquisite!
We both had Eggs Benedict for breakfast with a side of hash browns and fruit and it was scrumptious.
At each meal, you get a menu with four options. Some examples of the entrees we ate included veal, braised lamb, duck, and salmon, and they always have one vegetarian option on the menu.
They tailor the menu to the region you’re traveling through in Canada, adding to the experience. Expect great beef through Alberta and fantastic seafood on the East Coast.
Dessert comes with lunch and supper, which almost felt cruel because the desserts are SO GOOD. Traveling by rail is pretty much a sedentary experience so you can expect to gain a few pounds during your trip.
I have to say the trip from Vancouver to Jasper had the most breathtaking scenery in the entire trip.
Vancouver to Jasper
After a brief stop in Kamploops we arrived in Jasper. We stepped off the train and were transported to our hotel accommodations for that night at Fairmont's Jasper Park Lodge. What a gorgeous lodge!
Jasper Park Lodge
I was glad we got to see the town of Jasper and Jasper National Forest before fires all but wiped out both in 2024.
Jasper was a quaint little town you could easily walk from one end to the other. What struck me about Jasper was the sense of community among the residents of Jasper. In walking around Jasper, we stumbled on their community garden and a woman working there gave us a tour of the huge garden.
Town of Jasper with 2 Brothers Totem Pole
Jasper Community Garden
On each stop the train makes VIA Rail offers an excursion or choice of excursions. That evening's excursion was the Jasper Evening Discovery Tour.
We learned how Jasper's animals contribute to the rich diversity of the national park and how they survive the summer weather. Your guide shows you the park's most scenic sites as you travel by small tour bus through the Athabasca Valley.
DAY 4 - ICEFIELDS PARKWAY TO BANFF
National Geographic declared the Icefields Parkway to Banff one of the most beautiful drives in the world - and it lived up to that claim.
Not only are you in the Canadian Rockies, but every turn on this road is met with mountains, ice fields, waterfalls, and tons of glorious stop-offs.
The Icefields Parkway is a 232 km stretch of double-lane highway taking you along the Continental Divide. It runs from Lake Louise in Banff to the Town of Jasper, both fantastic places.
If you're going to drive the Icefields Parkway, I highly recommend downloading the Icefields Parkway Guide Along App! (use code WORLDPUR for 25% off!)
The absolute fastest you could make the drive is three hours. That's without stopping to see any of the spectacular sights. If you have the time, I would give you at least two full days to drive the Icefields Parkway. You can drive sections from Jasper or Banff. The other option is to stop overnight somewhere in the middle near the Columbia Icefields Center (the Glacier View Lodge is dreamy), but there are also a few campsites along the way too.
If you're going to camp, I recommend Waterfowl Lakes Campground.
Waterfowl Lakes Campground sits between Upper and Lower Waterfowl lakes on the Mistaya River. These stunning glacier-fed lakes are excellent for paddling while taking in the surrounding mountains. This wooded campground boasts easy access to moderate hiking trails and is a short drive from Saskatchewan Crossing, Bow Lake, and the Peyto Lake viewpoint.
There are 110 sites.
Camping Services: Drinking water
Flush toilet
Outhouse
Cooking shelter
Picnic shelter
Firepits
Dumping station: sewage disposal
Accessible
Interpretive programs
Food storage locker
Campsites are unserviced and best suited for tents, or motorhomes and trailers up to 9 meters (31 feet). Ask about the free Saturday evening interpretive programs hosted by Parks Canada at the campground theater.
There is no cell-phone coverage at any campgrounds on the Icefields Parkway.
DAY 5 - EXPLORE BANFF NATIONAL PARK
Banff National Park
Glacier Skywalk
On today's full-day private sightseeing tour, explore the Icefields Parkway in all its glory with your own driver/guide. Walk on the Athabasca Glacier, stop for lunch, and step bravely out onto the Columbia Icefield Skywalk (whether you look down or not is up to you)!
You definitely want to take a ride on the Banff Gondola!
Soar to Sulphur Mountain’s summit and take in sweeping views of six mountain ranges, the Bow Valley and the charming town of Banff.
Once you reach the top, stroll the boardwalk to the Cosmic Ray Station and Sanson’s Peak, or head inside to explore the mountaintop discovery center, where the story of Canada’s first national park unfolds.
There's also grab and go fare, a buffet at Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen or you can dine at Sky Bistro.
There's some great things to see and do in Banff. My top picks are:
We had 3 options to choose from for Day 5:
Banff Sightseeing Tour with Gondola and Cruise
Banff E-Bike Tour
Yoho National Park and Lake Louise Tour
We chose the Banff Sightseeing Tour with Gondola and Cruise.
Lake Minnewanka Cruise is a great way to get out on the beautiful waters of Lake Minnewanka. The boat is completely covered so you can choose to stay inside and listen to the tour guide give you amazing facts about the lake (there is a whole town underwater there!) or you can open the windows or go sit out on the back deck to take in the views.
DAY 6 - TRAVEL FROM BANFF TO JASPER
We had 2 options today:
Private Transfer to Jasper
Six Glaciers Helicopter and Icefields Tour
After our brush-with-death chopper experience at Rushmore, we opted for the private transfer to Jasper so we could explore the town. It was the right choice to make given Jasper barely exists anymore. We doubted there was any brush with death we'd have exploring Jasper. Although an elk did follow us for a while as we were walking down the road.
A rather sociable Jasper elk
We did ask the locals where the best place to grab some lunch was and they all told us Jasper Pizza Place.
Not only do they make fantastic pizza, they are the only place in Jasper with a covered rooftop patio where you can enjoy spectacular views while you eat.
They have 24 different pizzas on offer separated into two categories, deep dish and wood-fired. I was partial to the wood fired Bella Montagna, which has sun-dried
tomatoes, red onions, olives, garlic, goat cheese, and oregano on an olive oil base. It’s so good!
They offer thin crust and deep dish but they also offer other pub fare if you're not into a pizza. By the way, you can build your own pizza as well.
What I love so much about Jasper Pizza Place is the quality ingredients that support the local community. In fact, as much as possible, they use local produce and suppliers - much of it from that community garden we saw.
The Jasper Lodge has a number of in house restaurants and we chose to have dinner that evening at Orso Trattoria, specializing in Italian cuisine. (Ranked #1 restaurant in Jasper on Tripadvisor) They offered a 3 course Il Gusto Italiano dinner for $99.
Lobster Spaghetti
Tiramisu for 2
Dinner was filling so we took a swim in the pool to work it off, then called it a night.
DAY 7 - DEPART JASPER
We were transferred back to the train station to board the train. leaving Jasper and the Canadian Rockies behind.
We settled into life on the train. There was no Internet access during much of the trip, which was a refreshing change of pace in that people actually SOCIALIZED with one another. We met a couple from Holland, Pieter and his wife, Anna. The four of us hit it off immediately and spent much of the remaining trip together as we really enjoyed each other's company.
What does one do on a train where you don't have Internet access? We'd sit in the dome car chatting while watching the scenery, there was a game car where we'd play cribbage and board games together, we did have a TV in our cabin with prerecorded movies to watch (although we seldom watched it), and the train staff go above and beyond to ensure you have a good experience.
They host trivia and Bingo games in the game cars and I have to admit, Anna and I really got into the Bingo games. Prizes are Canadian souvenirs.
And there are other hosted events, many of which involve alcohol.
When you depart from Vancouver, Toronto, and Jasper, the staff organize a champagne departure toast. They also have daily beer and or wine tastings where you can get a chance to sample local brews.
Honestly though, the best way to spend your time is watching the scenery roll by. One thing I loved about the train ride is that the staff will come on the intercom and give visitors information about any points of interest you pass through. The train will even slow down at some scenic spots, like Pyramid Falls in Alberta.
Pyramid Falls
And The Great Moose Hunt was still going strong. We'd seen elk, bighorn sheep. etc. but no moose yet and the natives were getting restless. I had to laugh when John and Pieter took one of my Canadian souvenir Bingo prizes to remedy The Great Moose Hunt dilemma and the fact we hadn't seen a single moose.
Moose in train window
All Pieter had to do was point and shout "There's a moose!" and there was a stampede from passengers seats to the window Pieter was pointing toward. All of us having spent plenty of time in the bar car, everyone took the joke good naturedly. Many even snapped pics of the moose in the window.
DAY 8 - CANADIAN PRARIES
We made our way across the undulating plains of the Prairie provinces — Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Fields of green and gold stretch endlessly under an immense blue sky. When you look out the window, spot rustic barns and small farming towns.
What surprised me is the number of residents of these small farming communities that would come down to the tracks to wave to the passing train - kids and adults alike!
Canadian Prairie
DAY 9 - ONTARIO
During the night we'd crossed over into the province of Ontario and into the rugged landscape of the Canadian Shield - ancient exposed rock, boreal forest and countless lakes with fishing cabins dotting its small islands.
We were in moose and bear territory so Pieter got to see his bear. (They don't have bear in Holland except in the equivalent of one of our zoos.)
And finally, there it was! A moose cow beside the tracks. BAZINGA! I could now put the fear of a passenger no moose mutiny behind me.
I'd be willing to bet that was the most photographed moose in Ontario's history.
DAY 10 - ARRIVE IN TORONTO
After travelling south through Ontario's cottage country, our journey onboard The Canadian train came to an end. Arrive in Toronto — Canada's 'big city' comprised of eclectic, historic neighborhoods, skyscrapers, and Lake Ontario's sweeping waterfront.
John and I had decided to spend 3 days 2 nights in Toronto as he'd never been to Toronto. As it happened, Pieter and Anna had also decided to spend 3 days in Toronto as they'd never been there. This worked out really well in that I could give all 3 of them a kind of guided tour of Toronto.
TORONTO
We returned to the Canadian side of Niagra Falls as it was #1 on Pieter's and Anna's bucket list. Although they don't run Maid of the Mist on the Canadian side, they do run something similar, Hornblower Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour. I booked us on the Full Mist before dusk experience so Pieter and Anna could get up close to the falls - and just as wet despite the rain ponchos included in the ride. The tour includes an on board audio commentary and costs $42.95 CA. The ride lasts about 20 minutes.
Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour
I then arranged for us to go on a free walking tour of Toronto, beginning at St. Lawrence, so Pieter and Anna could see downtown Toronto - #2 on their bucket list. This is an excellent tour and they're conducted in both English and Spanish. Jose and his fellow guides are extremely knowledgeable about Toronto and it was obvious they were very passionate about their city. Pieter and Anna weren't aware of these free walking tours where you only tip your tour guide what you think the tour was worth, so they learned something new.
On this tour you'll see St. Lawrence Market, the Gooderham Building, Berczy Park, Brookfield Place, the PATH, the financial district, City Hall, Nathan Phillips Square, and CF Toronto Eaton Center.
The tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours.
Pieter and Anna also wanted to see the CN Tower - but not necessarily climb the 1,766 steps to the top.
I'd been to the Tower before and we hadn't yet eaten lunch so suggested we eat at the 360 Restaurant, which would then include our admission to the different levels of the Tower, all the way to The Top.
The 360 Restaurant is equal parts steakhouse, seafood restaurant and wine bar offering prix fixe and a la carte menus which highlight regional Canadian specialties.
I should explain here that to view the different levels of the Tower requires different admission tickets. Rather than purchase Premier tickets at $95 per person, if you eat at the 360 Restaurant, ordering $75 per person, you get the equivalent of a Premier ticket.
So we ordered the 2 course prix fixe that fulfilled that $75 per person requirement and we made lunch our main meal of that day.
The food was excellent but then for the price, I expected it to be.
A note here: After learning what was on Pieter's and Anna's bucket list, I'd investigated whether or not it would be worth it for each of us to buy a Toronto City Pass that would save us 38% each on 5 attractions in Toronto - including the CN Tower.
They wanted to see 4 of the 5 attractions offered on the City Pass so we each bought one.
In spite of eating at the 360 Restaurant, we still saved over and above that due to having the Toronto City Pass.
RIPLEY'S AQUARIUM OF CANADA
After lunch it was off to Ripley's Aquarium of Canada. There are two levels to the aquarium, packed with things to see and do: Canadian Waters, Shoreline Gallery, Kelp Forest, Rainbow Reef, Dangerous Lagoon, Discovery Centre, the Gallery, the Ray Bay, Planet Jellies, Life Support Systems, and Dragons exhibits.
The Aquarium holds over 20,000 varieties of aquatic animals and contains North America’s longest underwater viewing tunnel with more than 5.7 million liters of water.
The Aquarium is located at the base of CN Tower at 288 Bremer Blvd., Toronto.
We also made a stop at Dundas Square's "Little Canada", a miniature representation of Canadian landmarks, all presented with a whimsical sense of humor. Not only are the scenes beautifully rendered, the details are incredible with each one-inch figurine uniquely made.
Look out for the snowmobiler who stopped too suddenly in Quebec City, the building debris that landed on top of a car (with the one-inch tall owner holding his head in dismay), and the three cyclists who are the real source of power behind the Niagara hydroelectric station. Accurate miniature landmarks are mixed with entertaining vignettes throughout.
A crowd favorite is the Château Laurier Hotel in the Ottawa section. One of the classic CP hotels complete with Gothic architecture and cars pulling up to check in, the side of the hotel is cut away and every room has a different story. Film buffs will want to look out for the final scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Shawshank Redemption, and the hallway from The Shining.
All the scenes cycle through day and night so, for example, in Ottawa you get to see the fireworks over Parliament Hill on Canada Day and in Mont St. Anne you see the night skiers with the slopes lit up. In addition to the exhibit, you can see the workshop where they are working on the figurines and you get an appreciation of the artistry. They also show the electronics behind the scenes, controlling the vehicles or the cyclists.
Finally, they have something called a “Littleization Station” where you can get figurines made of yourself in a variety of sizes from one inch up. These are not your average Lego figures—they're beautifully detailed from the facial expression down to the buttons on your clothing. You stand in a small chamber surrounded by cameras where they take your picture from all angles and create a 3-D rendering which they can then sculpt in true color. Pieter and Anna had one made of themselves as a souvenir of their trip.
While miniature, it’s not small. It spans 45,000 sq. ft – that’s two hockey rinks!
Save $4 per ticket when you book a timed ticket online in advance.
Little Canada is located at 10 Dundas Street East, Toronto.
During our stay in Toronto we also visited the Toronto Zoo as Pieter wanted to see the difference between our zoos and theirs in Holland.
TORONTO ZOO
Home to over 3,000 animals, the Toronto Zoo is committed to connecting people, animals and conservation science to fight extinction.
Besides the zoo animals, there's a Zoomobile tram, Conservation Carousel, Splash Island splash pad, Virtual Reality Theater, TundraAir ride, Gorilla Climb Ropes Course, Greenhouse, Face Painting, Kangaroo Walk-Through, Kids Zoo, Serengeti Camp, and even Pyjama Party Overnights.
Ticket information here. You can also download a Toronto Zoo Experience App here.
The Toronto Zoo is located in Rouge National Urban Park, just north of Highway 401 at 2000 Meadowvale Road, Toronto (Exit 389)
HARBOR TOUR
We took a relaxing Harbor Tour on the Oriole, a two-level Great Lakes steam ship replica, or Showboat, a smaller version of the majestic paddle wheel riverboat.
Both outdoor and indoor seating are available. The tour lasts 1 hour.
Lively commentary on Toronto’s history, character, sites, stories and more is provided by an onboard live narrator.
We cruised past the CN Tower, HTO Park, Rogers Centre, Redpath Sugar Factory, Sugar Beach, and more.
Board the boat along Toronto Harborfront Centre, a revitalized area along Lake Ontario offering fun activities and interesting places to see.
All too soon it was time for the four of us to part ways and return home. We all agreed our rail trip across Canada had been the trip of a lifetime.