Can any Canadians tell me.......

[crazyme5kids]

In a normal year (I know this year is a little strange), what is the month of April like in the Niagra Falls, Toronto and Quebec areas? Is the weather cool to warm, and trees starting to bloom, or is it still very cold and snowy? Are you able to take the boat ride under the falls? Are there any events that should not be missed? Thanks for any feed back you can give me!

 

[grinningghost]

I'm not Canadian, but live right near Niagara Falls, so I can tell you about April in NF and Toronto. It's usually on the rainy side, and temps vary alot. Anywhere from 30's to 60's. Every once in a while it snows in April, and sometimes it gets in the 70's and is beautiful. I'd call April a mixed bag.

 

[Baboo]

I don't think that the boat starts until May, but there are still lots of things to do there. One of my favorites is the butterfly conservatory. It's especially wonderful when the weather outside is less than pleasant, which it certainly can be in April.

You might want to post any questions you have over on the other CB--the Canadian Board. It's listed under Trip Planning, but we talk about all kinds of different things and are always happy to answer questions about travelling to Canada.

 

[damo]

On any given day in April, the weather in Niagara Falls, Toronto and Quebec can be very, very different. The beginning of April can still bring snow storms. We say that you can be shovelling snow the beginning of April and mowing your lawn at the end! Come prepared with a very warm jacket and a spring jacket and you will be fine. The trees really aren't doing much yet in Toronto and Quebec. By early May we may see the spring bulbs starting to bloom and leaves starting to come out on the trees. But like you said, this has been a very cold winter so I wouldn't even try to predict. Niagara Falls is beautiful any time of year.

 

[CathyCanada]

I agree with the others, it is a crap shoot, we have had blizzards mid-April to spring-like weather, you just can't tell. But as Baboo said, the Maid of the Mist doesn't start until May, but the Butterfly Conservatory is terrific. If you can hold off until May, the blossoms on the fruit trees are beautiful!
In Toronto, there are always lots of things to do, in spite of the weather, the CN Tower, theatre, great restaurants, baseball and much, much more.
Cathy

 

[crazyme5kids]

Thanks everyone! If we go in April it will be around mid April. Since the boat isn't running, is there any other way to see the falls that close below, such as a walking path or a cave under it? Also, how many days would you recommend for each city to be able to do and see a couple of things in each place?

 

[Baboo]

There is a lookout platform near the base of the Falls. I've never done it but I think it's called Journey Beneath the Falls.

Are you planning on doing NF, Toronto AND Quebec in one trip? How long will you have? Toronto is about 2 hours drive from NF, and Quebec is another 8 hours or so beyond that. You could easily spend a couple of days in NF and still have things that you didn't do, and as far as Toronto goes, you could spend a week there and still not do it all.

 

[Fire14]

My DH and I go to NF every year at the end of April (ie last weekend in april). I've worn shorts and a tee shirt with my light wind breaker at night and been happy. Last year I was in sweat shirts and long pants the entire time. I have gotten to ride the Maid of the mist all but last year b/c of all the ice still around and on falls. Now we are 2 adults and just have certain things we want to do but We usually leave Ohio Fri. Morn get to falls by late morning with few stops along the way. WE vist casino, check out falls, vist hershey store, hrc, maybe walk along cliton hill all this first night. Sat. we take off for day to Toronto. While there we vist HRC at Skydome, THe CN tower and go to Mall (underground maybe) and vist that HRC. WE are usually back in NF by 6 or 7 that night.