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.
Enroll with Confidence
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
6 days
5 nights
12 meals
5B 3L 4D
3
Niagara Falls, Free Time
Niagara Falls
5
Ripley's Aquarium, Free Time
Toronto, ON
6
Program Concludes
Toronto, ON
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
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Embark on a visit to the Little Canada exhibit to explore and experience Canada through a series of visually captivating miniature scenes.
- 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
Jim Hill
Jim Hill has been with The Niagara Parks Commission—an organization dedicated to preserving historic sites along the Niagara River, including Old Fort Erie, the Laura Secord Homestead, the Mackenzie Printery, and McFarland House—since 1996. Jim also worked for Parks Canada and the Friends of Fort George, holds a private pilot’s license, was a Captain in the Reserve Army, and lives with his wife Jeannie and two children in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Bruce Bell
View biography
Bruce Bell — journalist, author, playwright, actor, curator — brings an incredible passion and enthusiasm for the history of Toronto and its architecture. He has been the monthly history columnist for Canada’s largest community newspaper since 1999 and has also been appointed as historian for many famed Toronto sites. Bruce is the author of “Amazing Tales of St. Lawrence Neighbourhood” and “Toronto: A Pictorial Celebration.” His mission is to tell Toronto’s history through his writings and lectures, including his sold-out shows at Toronto’s famed Winter Garden Theatre.
Jim Hill
View biography
Jim Hill has been with The Niagara Parks Commission—an organization dedicated to preserving historic sites along the Niagara River, including Old Fort Erie, the Laura Secord Homestead, the Mackenzie Printery, and McFarland House—since 1996. Jim also worked for Parks Canada and the Friends of Fort George, holds a private pilot’s license, was a Captain in the Reserve Army, and lives with his wife Jeannie and two children in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
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.
Routes Adventures Mobile Phone
View biography
Please call the toll free line at 1-866-745-1690 during regular business hours or for non-urgent matters (Mon - Fri 8:30 - 4:30 EST). The mobile phone #1-613-331-5777 is for after hours and weekends for emergency use only. The phone is carried by a staff member.
Rebecca Pascoe
View biography
Rebecca Pascoe has been working in the heritage sector for over 25 years. A member of the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals, she studied at the University of Guelph before receiving her master's degree at the University of Waterloo. Rebecca has spent time with Parks Canada and the City of Niagara Falls, and came to Niagara Parks in 2006. She works to show that, in a fast-moving world, even those things which could easily be forgotten still have worth.
Suggested Reading List
(6 books)
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.
Adventures in Toronto & Niagara Falls With Your Grandchild
Program Number: 21047
Toronto: A Pictorial Celebration
Bruce Bell's latest book on Toronto, including fantastic photography. A look at the top 100 sites in Toronto. Bruce is a noted historian, journalist, author, playwright, actor, and curator and is part of this program experience.
Weird But True Canada: 300 Outrageous Facts About the True North
Get ready to be amazed and delighted by wacky facts, stats, tidbits, and trivia.
NOTE: for ages 8 - 12
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
Featuring sea creatures both large and small gathered from across the globe, you will be drawn into a dazzling world of mystery and wonder. Perfect for all ages, this beautiful book appeals to anyone who has ever been intrigued by water, from the smallest rivers and lakes to the depths of the oceans.
Learn About Canada for Kids Ages 8-12: Includes Fun Facts About Canada's History and Modern Culture
Filled with beautiful colour photographs and peppered with a few cheeky cartoons, this book informs and tells engaging stories - some funny and some more significant to Canada's history.
Whether your child is Canadian and needs to learn more about their home country, or you plan to visit Canada and want to learn more about the history and modern-day culture. This book has you covered and is one your child will truly enjoy reading. You'll enjoy it too!
The Great Lakes, Stories from Where We Live
Geared for ages 9-12, this charming guide to the people, places, animals and ecology of the Great Lakes includes short stories, poems, essays and historical accounts.
Inventing Niagara
A witty, well-researched tale of the transformation of a natural wonder into an engineering feat, spectacle and monument.