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wife & I looking to spend 47th anniversary in Toronto. We live in Baldwinsville, NY and a few years ago spent a week in Montreal and loved our time there.
My wife loves gambling and I found a hotel/casino on-line called Casino Rama. Can anyone advise if this is a nice place to stay? Also any advice on "romantic" restaurants or sites to see plus any shopping areas in the city? We will be driving to Toronto so getting around the outskirts of the city will not be a problem.
Thanks in advance for any replies.
Casino Rama is run by the Ontario Government, and the location is on the Rama Aboriginal reservation, near Orillia. That is about a one hour drive north of Toronto. Many of the employees are Aboriginal people, as the Provincial Government promised that the casinos would be set up to increase year round employment for the First Nations folks. All of the casinos in Ontario are Government owned.
The Casino is modern and well run. It has a hotel attached to it, as well as a large entertainment building for music shows. The entertainment is varied, and most acts are ones that you will recognise the names of.
I am not familiar with your home town in NY.....Will you be crossing at Buffalo/ Niagara Falls, or at the eastern end of Lake Ontario ?
here is a link to the Casino Rama website, tale a look. Casino Rama
Remember that in Canada, any money that you win, at a casino, on a lottery ticket, or at a race track..........You KEEP every cent that you win. No tax here on winnings, at all. What you tell the US Government is up to you ( grin).
With the current exchange rate between the US and the Canadian dollar at around 80 cents for the Canuck Buck, your US dollars are worth 20 cents more over here. One hundred US, equals about 120 Canadian.
There are also at least two casinos in Niagara Falls, which is on your way if you are coming from Baldwinsville (Syracuse area). That will be a more urban/touristy place to stay though.
Casino Rama is more out in the sticks (don't mean that negatively), and will provide more opportunities for outdoor recreation. There are nordic spas and other things in that area I believe and it's quite pretty for a natural setting.
Thanks to both of you for your timely responses; I have been so busy shoveling snow the last two weeks I completely forgot about my post.
In answer to your question Jim, we planned to go west towards Buffalo from our home in Baldwinsville which is just North-west of Syracuse. That mileage to Toronto looked to be about 250 miles. But since you have pointed out that Casino Rama is about an hour North of Toronto I assume that adds about 60 miles or so to our trip. I did not know that entering Canada from the eastern end of Lake Ontario is an option (not much on geography) and if it will be shorter/longer than the other route.
Also did not realize the casino was that far from Toronto proper. I guess we will have to decide if we want to spend all our time at the Hotel/Casino and forgo the sights of the city or stay in the city and make a overnight trip to the casino.
Please feel free to respond on which route might be shorter and any special areas of Toronto that are a must-see.
Thanks in advance
Syracuse is about 1.5 hours from the Canadian Border, taking I81 north.
What time of year would you be visiting and for how long? You'd be better off going to casinos in Niagara Falls along the way to Toronto instead of driving out of your way north of the city.
In answer to your question Jim, we planned to go west towards Buffalo from our home in Baldwinsville which is just North-west of Syracuse. That mileage to Toronto looked to be about 250 miles. But since you have pointed out that Casino Rama is about an hour North of Toronto I assume that adds about 60 miles or so to our trip. I did not know that entering Canada from the eastern end of Lake Ontario is an option (not much on geography) and if it will be shorter/longer than the other route.
You'd be crazy to go through Buffalo. Head north on the 81 and cross at the Thousand Islands. Unless it's a long weekend, you'll breeze through the border. Rarely are there lineups at Alexandria Bay. Also you won't have to hit GTA traffic on your way to Rama. That alone will save you tons of time.
As others have said....You can make this trip in two directions, west to Buffalo, or east and north to I 81, that beings you to the border at Alexandria Bay, Ontario. That is a much less busy crossing point, compared to Buffalo/Niagara Falls. Once you have crossed into Ontario, the route westwards to get to Casino Rama is up to you, depending on your wishes, and time available. I strongly suggest some time on Goggle maps, to do advance route planning.
You are correct that the driving distance, from the city of Toronto to Casino Rama is about an hour, depending on the time of day. I used to live in Orillia, and work in Toronto, so I know the route well.
Not sure I would recommend going up I-81 to cross the border. That's a heck of a detour if you are going to Toronto from the Syracuse area.
Plus the 1000 Islands crossing can be really busy sometimes as well. Speaking from experience. On Canadian holiday weekends especially and also American holidays with fishermen and hunters, etc.
The only quiet border crossing is almost an hour further east at Ogdensburg to Morrisburg but once again is it really worth it?
My suggestion is to load up the border crossing wait times for all of the Buffalo and Niagara crossings from the CSBA and US border officials on a smart phones and when you get close enough make your pick. You should be fine.
Not sure I would recommend going up I-81 to cross the border. That's a heck of a detour if you are going to Toronto from the Syracuse area.
Plus the 1000 Islands crossing can be really busy sometimes as well..
Heck of a detour? As opposed to driving further west and then coming back around Hamilton? I81 is the shortest distance.
As for the 1000 Islands being really busy sometimes. Have you ever crossed at the Buffalo area? I'll take the 1000 Island's busy over a 'quiet' Buffalo crossing anyday.
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