Why don't Pittsburghers visit Toronto? (Erie, York: fit in, 2014, theater)

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Every so often I'll see threads here and elsewhere about people complaining that Pittsburgh isn't close to any cool destinations. While it's debatable as to how fun it is to visit Cleveland, Erie, or New Jersey there is one destination that is a world class city which is fairly close: Toronto.

While I do hear people visiting DC or New York from time to time, I don't ever hear of anyone visiting Toronto for fun. It's only 5 hours away and it has so much to see and do. Great food scene, some of the best theater in the world, wonderful museums, a lot of counter cultural stuff, and really nice people. I was there twice last year and I love it.

But for whatever reason it's never on the radar of Pittsburghers. Even on here it is hardly ever discussed as a vacation destination. It seems that a lot of people visit Niagara Falls but don't travel any farther into Canada. Does anyone know why this is? Do people not have passports/don't want to deal with the borders/don't want to change currency?

[pittkid2014]

don't know- Toronto is great place to visit and not a bad drive in good weather. Haven't been there in a few years but it truly is a beautiful city. It certainly is expensive though- I would say on par with New York or at least it was a few years ago.

[Pitt Chick]

"Why don't Pittsburghers visit Toronto?"

They do... all the time.
The Toronto theater scene is preferred over NYC by many people... us included.
Just because you don't hear about it, doesn't mean people aren't doing it!

[Evergrey]

It's too hard to pass by Buffalo.

[AaronPGH]

Originally Posted by Evergrey

It's too hard to pass by Buffalo.

LOL.

I'm in Toronto a few times a year to visit friends, DJ sometimes. They come down here to visit as well. I'm still pissed that Megabus dropped their PGH > Toronto route. I hope it makes a comeback some day.

[gortonator]

Originally Posted by pittkid2014

don't know- Toronto is great place to visit and not a bad drive in good weather. Haven't been there in a few years but it truly is a beautiful city. It certainly is expensive though- I would say on par with New York or at least it was a few years ago.

We'll hopefully get up there this summer, just didn't manage it last year. So many places, so little time.

And Canuckdough is heading downwards, so hopefully getting less expensive to visit as I type. About 90 cents now - still not cheap, for sure.

[ex-burgher]

Too bad Megabus cancelled the Pittsburgh - Toronto connection. Guess there was not enough demand.

[Ram8876]

Toronto is a great city to visit. I don't get to go there much anymore, but it's still one of my favorites. The last I was there was during the NHL lockout. The Canadian border guard laughed at us when we said the purpose of our trip was to visit the hockey hall of fame.

[wpipkins2]

The Toronto carribean festival was over the top in the 90s. Got to attend a fugees concert. The Phantom of the Opera was cool as well. I have kids now.

[greg42]

I've been only once, and only for about a day, and I don't remember much as it was quite a long time ago. I've been back to Niagara since then, just once, and even that was 10 years ago. I haven't read up on Toronto recently to see what I want to do, but I'm sure there is plenty.

Not a big fan of border crossings these days but I don't think this is necessarily stopping anyone who really wants to go. It IS harder than it would have been 10-15 years ago though, more restrictions, more ID requirements, etc. For coming back mainly. Canada I think mostly assumes we're okay, surprisingly enough.

My trips have been spent going elsewhere recently, and mostly zero recently other than trips to Boston to see family. Since there are young children involved, it tends to get precedence over vacation but we're possibly trying to fit in a real vacation this year, or at least a short trip or two. Toronto would be on a list of shorter trips. I have to renew my passport though.