Day Trip (Round) from Toronto

What's a good, scenic day trip from Toronto, i.e. what's good to see. Taking a trip next June.

Jeff Smith wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2024 11:00 am What's a good, scenic day trip from Toronto, i.e. what's good to see. Taking a trip next June.

Really depends upon what you wish to see and what time of year. Since VIA trains average around 50 mph (80 kph), and you wish to do a day trip in one day, and on average daylight in Canada is around 12 hours, I would suggest a trip no further from point of origin to 300 miles (482 km) or less. That's assuming there's a return train from your final destination 6 hours later. Where to go suggestions would really be helped if we knew where your trip will originate from.

If you and/or your S.O./family are into gardens, I would highly recommend the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington/Hamilton, about 45 miles west of Toronto. You can get there by GO train and local bus; easy to get to via the QEW/403 highways too. Notably, the very busy Bayview Junction is basically in the middle of the botanical gardens, and there are several overpasses from one part of the gardens to others which pass over the rail lines and are excellent vantage points to watch trains when you tire of looking at flora.

On your way to or from, or as a separate trip, take a little detour north about halfway between Burlington and Toronto to the town of Milton and check out the Halton County Radial Railway, an excellent electric railway museum.

In town, be sure to stop by the railway museum (and brewery!) in the John Street roundhouse.

It's in the title Toronto

electricron wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2024 5:05 pm

Jeff Smith wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2024 11:00 am What's a good, scenic day trip from Toronto, i.e. what's good to see. Taking a trip next June.

Really depends upon what you wish to see and what time of year. Since VIA trains average around 50 mph (80 kph), and you wish to do a day trip in one day, and on average daylight in Canada is around 12 hours, I would suggest a trip no further from point of origin to 300 miles (482 km) or less. That's assuming there's a return train from your final destination 6 hours later. Where to go suggestions would really be helped if we knew where your trip will originate from.

Its not a train, but if you can rent a car and drive to Tobermory (3 h) and ride the Chi Cheemaun carferry thats a terffic ride. Two hours ride each way. Could be a long day trip. Or stay overnight on Manitoulin at one of the hotels on ther other side of the bay.

The York-Durham Heritage Railway is in Uxbridge. Ride the GO Stouffville line to Mount Joy, transfer to GO bus to continue to Uxbridge.

Stratford is likely too far out for a day trip by rail.

Thanks! Just looking to ride trains lol.

R36 Combine Coach wrote: ↑Sat Oct 26, 2024 2:28 pm The York-Durham Heritage Railway is in Uxbridge. Ride the GO Stouffville line to Mount Joy, transfer to GO bus to continue to Uxbridge.

YDHR is deceased, unfortunately, as of end of 2023.

My recommendation given VIA’s recent woes would be to select from destinations accessible by GO Transit and/or TTC.

(The Eglinton Crosstown and Finch West LRTs may be in full service by June… but who the hell knows given lawsuits are flying)

JS - How are you planning on traveling to Toronto in June 2025?

One example could be traveling to Niagara Falls (84 miles from Toronto Union Station)
for a day trip - or a stopover if your plan is to take Amtrak 63 (W) or 64 (E) to Toronto...

www.gotransit.com/en/system-map
www.ttc.ca/routes-and-schedules
(includes downloadable TTC Subway-Streetcar and System Map)

The days will be long with hopefully good weather - Toronto is a great city to explore in itself...
MACTRAXX

dowlingm wrote: ↑Sun Oct 27, 2024 11:57 am

R36 Combine Coach wrote: ↑Sat Oct 26, 2024 2:28 pm The York-Durham Heritage Railway is in Uxbridge. Ride the GO Stouffville line to Mount Joy, transfer to GO bus to continue to Uxbridge.

YDHR is deceased, unfortunately, as of end of 2023.

What happened and why?

MACTRAXX wrote: ↑Sun Oct 27, 2024 10:14 pm JS - How are you planning on traveling to Toronto in June 2025?
...
The days will be long with hopefully good weather - Toronto is a great city to explore in itself...
MACTRAXX

MAC: Yes June 2025. Going to catch a Yankees game, visit the Hockey HOF, and visit some of the sights. Pretty much just looking to for a short train ride from Union Station and back, may visit with a friend. There's a train museum, too, I think.

I was perusing Go Transit's site this morning, and specifically noted the Lakeshore East and West Routes. Is either one better, more scenic? We may just go to an intermediate station and return, i.e. I'm not looking to go as far as Hamilton or Niagara Falls. Thoughts?

A few hours' journey could be GO Lakeshore West to Long Branch, walk from the GO station to the adjacent TTC Long Branch Loop, and then back via the 507 Long Branch/501 Queen streetcar. GO takes about half an hour, and TTC would be maybe 1.5 hours or so (including a change at Humber from the 507 to the 501). The GO journey gives you a look at the VIA Toronto Maintenance Center/GO Willowbrook Yard at Mimico, and the TTC route has some neat (and safe throughout) neighborhood viewing.

Toronto, okay.
If you have not visited Niagara Falls before, do so now! It is well within a day trip from Toronto.

R36 Combine Coach wrote: ↑Sun Oct 27, 2024 10:47 pm

dowlingm wrote: ↑Sun Oct 27, 2024 11:57 am YDHR is deceased, unfortunately, as of end of 2023.

What happened and why?

It seems there was a breakdown in the relationship between the town and the heritage operation
https://globalnews.ca/news/10181847/tal ... ilway/amp/

A lot of the equipment is apparently still in situ
https://urbantoronto.ca/forum/threads/g ... st-2158098