Ontario

Adventures in Toronto & Niagara Falls With your Grandchild

Program No. 21047RJ
Embark on a learning adventure with your grandchild as you explore friendly Toronto, Canada’s largest city, and experience the awe-inspiring roar and mist of Niagara Falls.

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At a Glance

Rich history, weird science and boatloads of fun await you and your grandchild on this adventure in Toronto and Niagara Falls. Watch in delight as 2,000 butterflies swirl around you at the Butterfly Conservatory and thousands of colorful fish swim above and beside you at Ripley’s Aquarium. Experience Toronto’s waterfront as you cruise the harbour by boat and take a thrilling ride over the Niagara Gorge and Niagara whirlpool aboard an antique aero car.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Walking two miles on city streets; use of public transit; stairs to access subway.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Experience Kensington Market as you race around its vibrant and historic streets on a scavenger hunt.
  • Meet with expert aquarists at Ripley’s Aquarium to learn the secrets of caring for their animals.
  • Get your feet wet as you ride through the spray of over 600,000 gallons of water crashing down a second at Niagara Falls.

General Notes

Program is for grandchildren ages 9-13.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Jim Hill
Jim has been with The Niagara Parks Commission, which preserves historic sites including Old Fort Erie, Laura Secord Homestead, Mackenzie Printery, McFarland House and the Heroes and Legends Shop at Table Rock, for 18 years. Jim also worked for Parks Canada and the Friends of Fort George, holds a private pilot’s license, is a Captain in the Reserve Army and lives with his wife Jeannie in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Jason Kucherawy
Jason Kucherawy View biography
With his colleague Steve Woodall, Jason Kucherawy starting offering expert-led walking explorations of Toronto ten years ago, as an outgrowth of their previous experience together as leaders for educational organizations. Both men have extensive experience working with teenagers, students of English as a second language, and international travelers of all ages. Jason, Steve and the others they work with combine deep knowledge of the Toronto area with wit, energy, enthusiasm and their genuine enjoyment of meeting people from around the world.
Profile Image of Jim Hill
Jim has been with The Niagara Parks Commission, which preserves historic sites including Old Fort Erie, Laura Secord Homestead, Mackenzie Printery, McFarland House and the Heroes and Legends Shop at Table Rock, for 18 years. Jim also worked for Parks Canada and the Friends of Fort George, holds a private pilot’s license, is a Captain in the Reserve Army and lives with his wife Jeannie in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Profile Image of Veronica Lasanowski
Veronica Lasanowski View biography
Going abroad for the first time in England sparked intellectual curiosity for Veronica Lasanowski, where she subsequently studied as an undergraduate at a 15th-century castle. The uniqueness of that curricular experience led to postgraduate studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science. As an avid traveler and lifelong learner, Veronica worked for the Royal Collection Trust at Buckingham Palace. In her free time from her travels, Veronica enjoys visiting food markets, browsing books and exploring the beautiful city of Toronto.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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6 days
5 nights
12 meals
5 B 3 L 4 D
DAY
1
Check-In, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Toronto, ON
D
Chelsea Hotel, Toronto

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration. 4:00-5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: Orientation: 7:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review COVID protocols and will adhere to applicable requirements and guidelines throughout the program. We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Travel and transportation for program-related activities will be via private motorcoach as well as public transportation (streetcars, subway). Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure. The hotel is located in the heart of Toronto, surrounded by shops, restaurants, movie theatres, and within walking distance to the Ed Mirvish Theatre, the Toronto Police Museum, and the escape game room Roundabout. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
2
Kensington Market Scavenger Hunt, Chinatown, Study Cruise
Toronto, ON
B,L,D
Chelsea Hotel, Toronto

Activity note: Use of public transit. Getting on/off a 76-foot steamship; riding about 1 hour. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours; pavement, stairs.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will be joined by a local expert who will teach us about Toronto’s history and some of the city’s most vibrant and culturally diverse neighbourhoods. We’ll then set out on a walking field trip beginning at Kensington Market. From there, it’s a short walk to bustling, colorful Chinatown. We’ll learn about the history of the Chinese community in Toronto; Jewish and Eastern European immigration and history; fine art, graffiti art and murals, moose on rooftops; and a famous King who lived here. Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, celebrating more than 100 different cultures and more than 180 spoken languages. We’ll also have a scavenger hunt for young and old to learn about the area in a fun and interactive way.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Next, we’ll take public transit to the harbour and board a replica a 76-foot Great Lakes Steamship replica that has been decorated with the perfect blend of varnished woods, wrought iron, polished brass, and plush upholstery. Two wrought iron staircases lead to the canopied upper deck. We’ll embark on a study cruise to experience Toronto Harbor on the water. With a local expert, we will view the city’s breathtaking skyline including the Harborfront, CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto Islands, and the fabled Gibraltar Point Lighthouse.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening will be at leisure. You might like to enjoy the on-site hotel facilities. Kids of all ages love it! The Family Fun Zone features the Kid Centre, pool and the 130-foot “Corkscrew” — downtown Toronto’s only indoor waterslide — and other supervised activities.

DAY
3
Ripley's Aquarium, Free Time
Toronto, ON
B
Chelsea Hotel, Toronto

Activity note: Use of public transit. Walking up to 2 miles indoors and out; some stairs. Extent of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will set out via public transit for a field trip to the Ripley Aquarium, a public aquarium featuring more than 20,000 freshwater and exotic sea specimens. Our exploration of the Canadian Waters Gallery will take us from coast to coast learning about some of the country’s spectacular habitats, freshwater wildernesses, fisheries, and kelp forests. We’ll also have an opportunity to see the inner workings of the aquarium. We’ll also go behind the scenes to the animal husbandry department with an expert aquarist who will explain the food preparation and water filtration systems that mimic the animals’ natural habitats.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon: Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
4
Old Town Toronto, St. Lawrence Market, Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls
B,L,D
DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton Niagara Falls

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 90 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Getting on/off a sight-seeing boat; is approximately 1/2 hour. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; pavement, stairs.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll head out via motorcoach to explore the history and flavors of the city with a local expert. We’ll see some places even locals don’t know about: hidden gems that are often overlooked. In Old Town Toronto, we’ll stop in front of St. Lawrence Hall, St. James Cathedral, as well as various historical sites along the way. The fusion of classic architecture and modern amenities is enhanced by the stunning view of Toronto’s skyline. We will end our walk at historic St. Lawrence Market, considered by “Food and Wine” magazine to be one of the world’s 25 best food markets. The restored 1845 market building is home to more than 50 specialty vendors. We will then board a motorcoach and ride to Niagara Falls and check in to our hotel. Note: Depending on traffic, check-in could be before or after lunch.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: At Niagara Falls, we will experience the thundering water, awesome power, and amazing mist of one of Canada’s natural wonders. We will get up-close and personal on a new state-of-the-art catamaran boat, “Voyage To The Falls” and ride from the Canadian docks at the base of the Great Gorge, past the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and mighty Horseshoe Falls.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
5
Whirlpool Aero Car, Butterfly Gardens, Niagara--on-the-Lake
Toronto, ON
B,L,D
Chelsea Hotel, Toronto

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles throughout the day, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; pavement, stairs.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will board a motorcoach and ride to the Great Gorge. We’ll be transported through the air in an antique cable car, high above the racing Niagara River while far below the torrent of water abruptly changes direction and creates one of the world’s most mesmerizing natural phenomena: the unforgettable Niagara Whirlpool. Next, we will ride to explore the Butterfly Conservatory, this magical place features more than 2,000 colorful tropical butterflies floating freely among lush, exotic blossoms and greenery. Paths wind through the rainforest setting, past a pond and waterfall and the Emergence window, where butterflies leave their pupae and prepare to take their first flight.

Lunch: At a picnic area, we’ll have box lunches.

Afternoon: Next, we’ll board a motorcoach for a field trip to explore the historic Niagara area including Niagara-on-the-Lake. We’ll learn about the area from times of the First Nations peoples to the arrival of Europeans and eventually the War of 1812. We’ll ride through the battlefields on the motorcoach with an occasional stop to explore these battlefields from the War of 1812 and Queenston Heights. We will also have some time for independent exploration in Niagara-on-the-Lake before dinner.

Dinner: At a restaurant in Niagara.

Evening: We will ride back to Toronto and check in to our hotel for the night. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

DAY
6
Program Concludes
Toronto, ON
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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