Hi all! We are heading to Toronto next week. Will be reading the other messages for suggestions where to stay and what to do in Toronto. I would like to know if there are any "musts" between Detroit and Toronto. Should we just drive straight for the four-ish hours? Or should we plan some stops along the way?
Thanks!!

If I were doing that drive, I think I'd go straight through. There are some amazing boxes in Ontario, but none of them are very close to the highway. You'd be adding a lot of driving time to stop in Burlington, Guelph, Kitchener, or Owen Sound.

I have a highway box here for the drive east: https://www.atlasquest.com/showinfo.html?boxId=201762
And another here for the drive west: https://www.atlasquest.com/showinfo.html?boxId=135461

I'm not sure where you're coming from, but you might want to consider crossing at Port Huron/Sarnia instead of Detroit/Windsor. Google maps gives them the same time, but I think the Sarnia highway is always faster than the Windsor route. It's an easier crossing, and a prettier one, too. Sarnia has some letterboxes, and the Point Lands is a really cool place to stop for a picnic lunch. There's a huge replica of the Great Lakes, a hedge maze, and public bathrooms over by the marina.

You're going to be just a little early - I plan to put in a box at the CN Tower and aquarium at the end of July. I think I've found (or planted) most of the boxes in the city, and if you have any questions about any of them, don't hesitate to ask.

If you're going to be in Toronto on a Saturday morning, I think the tour of the Elgin-Winter Garden Theatres is the best $12 you can spend in Toronto. (http://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/en/index.php/ewg/ewg-home/tours)

Not exactly on the way but there is those falls there that I hear a lot of people talking about.
https://goo.gl/maps/HRwYrZBzHZ82
add 1hour to the drive and a few hours to have a look-see.
What day of the week are you going to TO? If a weekend, I recommend parking at the Kipling TTC station and taking the subway from there. $12 for a family day pass of unlimited transit use. That's $12 Canadian too, so like 50 cents in US dollars (or close to that methinks).
https://goo.gl/maps/1a8vV67L8sP2

Dunno... I think it's worth a side trip to Guelph. Some of the oldest Ontario boxes are in them thar parts.

Not exactly on the way but there is those falls there that I hear a lot of people talking about.

I spent every summer in NC as a kid and played/swam/slid down many. Read your message and thought "I want to see a Canada waterfall!" Oh, that one. Eh...

Haha! We LOVE Niagara Falls. That was our family trip two years ago. We are driving thru on our way back home so hoping to have time to stop and do something again.

But THIS trip is for Toronto. First time!

I think it's worth a side trip to Guelph. Some of the oldest Ontario boxes are in them thar parts.

Now the plan is to pick up the other mom and two kids in Detroit and we all do the drive to Toronto together. One of the kiddoes will be thrilled to find a LB or two. One will because her big sis wants to. And mine... will complain. 😜

If I can swing the slight detour, would you have a suggestions for few good ones to try for?

If I can swing the slight detour, would you have a suggestions for few good ones to try for?

With all those people, it's a pretty major detour you'd be doing. I'm inclined to agree with Fiddleheads, but was teasing because she lives in prime letterbox territory - she's an excellent planter and there's been a good history of boxing in that area. If you manage to get up there, I'm sure you'll find some excellent boxes!

I agree with Bumble's assessment of Fiddlehead's efforts. All are well worth the detour.

There's no need to detour to Guelph. If you want to try one of mine, The Scar of the Axe at the University of Toronto is the one I'd suggest. Go into Hart House right next door, especially the Great Hall. Your kids will feel like they're in Hogwarts.

U of T isn't far from most of the other downtown attractions. From there I'd take the whole gang over to Kensington Market/Chinatown. We like Ajisen ramen on Spadina (http://www.ajisen.ca/) for cheap lunch, and Sweet Olenka's on Augusta for homemade ice cream. Courage My Love on Kensington Ave is one of the coolest little shops in Toronto, and even kids will be able to afford something interesting.

Thanks for all the great suggestions! LBers are the best travel planning companions. We ended up driving between Detroit and Toronto mostly after dark. And only had three days in this great city. Loved the safe walking around, catching a subway, trolley or cab as needed for small legs, eating yummy food... We did find The Scar of the Axe. So worth it! The three kiddos loved the story of the scar and the old building. We had to ride the elevator all the way up and down. Sit in an empty classroom at these weird (to them!) little table desks and write on a real chalkboard. Stare up at the ceiling for the bird that lives in the great hall. Climb up the creepy (to them!) spiral stairwell in the front corner of the Great Hall. We also ate ramen at Ajisen Ramen, went to the top of the CN Tower and stared down at the glass floor (if you have guests ask, CN Tower very cool! Paying the extra $ to go to the higher level... eh...), and saw sea creatures at the aquarium (worth it! and I've been to the Dallas, Atlanta, Chattanooga, and Charleston aquariums. We also went to the Poop Cafe. Yes, that is a real place. I wouldn't recommend. But the kids said that was their favorite thing. haha! We will be back!

How is it that I've never heard of the Poop Cafe? I must be living under a rock. I'm so glad you had a good visit to University College. It's one of my favourite places in the city.

Happy travels, and come back soon!

How is it that I've never heard of the Poop Cafe?

Um... you're not nine... or a teenage boy? LOL