5 Days in Niagara Falls & Toronto | Mizzy Bender
Updated: Oct 12
5 Days in Niagara Falls & Toronto
When Spencer told me we were going to spend five days exploring Canada, I was so excited to get away and experience somewhere new, make new memories and omg .... I was so dang excited!
The adventure came about because our friends at My Frisky Business were hosting at the
X Club/Mermaid Lounge, located in Toronto, through the weekend. Spencer thought it would be a great opportunity to long weekend vacation. The trip would mainly consist of visiting Niagara Falls and Toronto.
You can (and I absolutely did) spend weeks researching destinations, creating itineraries, planning outfits, and making lists of everything you want to experience, but once you're actually there, life has a funny way of creating its own little adventures. And honestly, those are usually my favorite parts. Truthfully, it's the reason why we like to wing it so much. But, I ultimately, couldn't wait to see what kind of adventure we were going to have.
I've always loved exploring new places, discovering different cultures, admiring beautiful architecture, and getting out into the world to see what it has to offer. There's something so exciting about being somewhere unfamiliar, especially when you have the freedom to wander around, try new things, and experience life outside your everyday routine.
Our Canadian getaway, September 24th through the 28th, gave us exactly that opportunity, and I came home with some incredible memories, a few good laughs, and a whole new appreciation for Toronto.
Our 5-Day Niagara Falls and Toronto Itinerary
Ok, so, as I mentioned... all that research ahead of time... Well, here is our 5 day Niagara Fall and Toronto "Itinerary". We are not structured individuals by any means, so this was a rough list of all the things we should try and see. Where things take us, we shall see. (You'll have to read the individual blogs on Niagara Falls and Toronto for all the details - coming soon)
DAY ONE: Thursday, September 24th: Niagara Falls "Itinerary"
Niagara City Cruises: Voyage to the Falls
Journey Behind the Falls
See Horseshoe Falls from Table Rock
Walk Niagara Parkway
Niagara Parks Power Station + Tunnel
Clifton Hill
Niagara SkyWheel
See the Falls illuminated at night
Look for fireworks during our dates
Explore Niagara Glen if time/weather permits
What we actually did:
Journey Behind the Falls
Walk Niagara Parkway
Niagara Parks Power Station + Tunnel
Clifton Hill
Niagara SkyWheel
See the Falls illuminated at night
Fireworks over Niagara at night
DAY TWO: Friday, September 25th: Toronto "Itinerary"
CN Tower
St. Lawrence Market
Distillery Historic District
Kensington Market
Toronto waterfront
Explore downtown on foot
Toronto Islands
Casa Loma
Royal Ontario Museum
Ripley's Aquarium
Chinatown
Shopping
Find a rooftop/bar with a Toronto skyline view
What we actually did:
CN Tower
St. Lawrence Market
Distillery Historic District
Kensington Market
Toronto waterfront
Explore downtown on foot
Shopping
DAY THREE: Saturday, September 26th: Mermaid Lounge / X Club Itinerary
Afternoon pool party
9pm club party
DAY FOUR: Sunday, September 27th: OPEN "Itinerary"
We wanted a day where we can be flexible just in case we discovered something along that way that is a must see/do. I am so glad we did because we met with a gal pal of mine from Instagram 2_fresh_pineapples and her husband for dinner. And OMG - this dinner was incredible. I would fly back to Canada just for this place.
From their website:
Spoon & Fork has been offering fine Japanese and Thai dining in Ontario for more than 25 years. When Amy and Sunny Chong moved to Canada from Hong Kong, they sought to bring a taste of Asia to their new community, but our restaurants have evolved over time to offer something for everyone. Today, we offer the freshest food and a varied selection at a reasonable price.
All you can taste, a la carte and more
We welcome you to dine in at our restaurants and enjoy our All You Can Taste and a la carte menu. We also offer takeout and catering options so you can enjoy your Japanese & Thai favourites at home. We recommend booking a reservation during busy times or if you have a large group.
DAY FIVE: Monday, September 28th: Departure Day
Breakfast at the hotel
Early afternoon departure
Getting Around Canada Was an Adventure of Its Own
Before we get into everything we experienced, we need to discuss Spencer's driving, because apparently crossing the Canadian border did something to his navigation skills.
Now, I love this man, but my gosh, I don't know what was happening behind that steering wheel!
He somehow managed to run over what felt like every curb in Canada, getting from one destination to another became an adventure all by itself. I swear, there were moments when I wondered whether the Canadian government was going to send us a bill for damages. And the poor rental car! (It was fine but what the heck... I never saw anything like it.) LMAO
But honestly, those are things that make traveling together so much fun. Not everything goes according to plan, and sometimes the unexpected detours, ridiculous mistakes, and random things that happen along the way become the stories you remember long after the vacation is over.
I've learned that there's no point in getting worked up over every little thing that doesn't go exactly as expected. Sometimes you just have to laugh and enjoy the ride because it really isn't that serious.
Niagara Falls
I was most excited for Spencer to see the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. We've been on the New York side together a few times, but there's nothing like the Canada side. I couldn't wait to experience it with him. It's such a powerful sight and so many fun things to do.
You'll have to check out my Niagara Falls blog as well because there's so much to discuss about visiting such an iconic destination, and I want to share more about the attractions, experiences, and things worth knowing before planning a visit. I want to give you the ultimate guide!
We lucked out, having the most spectacular weather so walking around was delightful. We planned to be there the entire day so we were sure to pack sweatshirts for the evening. It does get chilly and depending on how windy it is, depends on how much water is lightly flying around.
You must also tour Clifton Hills. It's a fun area right up the street from the falls full of family attractions and games. At night time it's lit up like a carnival. The atmosphere has that fun vibe with the scent of popcorn and sweet treats in the air.
With great pride, I went on my first SkyWheel. What a remarkably memorable ride. You could see for miles!
Toronto Completely Stole My Heart
One of the biggest surprises of our entire Canadian adventure was Toronto. I was excited to visit, of course, but I genuinely had no idea how much I was going to love this city. Everyone I spoke to said it is amazing and that I would love it. I was really intrigued to see what it was all about. And man, they were right!
Being from Long Island, New York City has always been right in my backyard, and I've spent plenty of time loving and hating everything that comes with exploring a major metropolitan area. I love the buildings, the architecture, the restaurants, the excitement, and the feeling that there's always something interesting happening. People watching is phenomenal. The city is probably more of the most fascinating places around But yes, I have a love hate relationship with it.
NYC can be a lot. Between the traffic, the honking, the crowds, and the constant rush of people trying to get somewhere, the atmosphere can sometimes feel completely chaotic, suffocating, overwhelming and a million other adjectives depending on the time of year. But, it's what I know and love.
Toronto reminded me so much of New York City only someone had apparently decided to turn down the volume and organize everything. It was quiet. It was beautiful. Everything seemed to flow in a way that felt so much calmer than what I'm accustomed to back home, and I absolutely loved it!
I kept looking around wondering how a major city could feel so peaceful while still offering all the excitement and energy that I enjoy about city life. Of course, I'm sure Toronto has its own share of traffic and everyday frustrations, but from my experience as a visitor, it was an absolute dream. I couldn't believe how the traffic cops owned those streets and created a sense of direction when it could be out of control. Impressive!
A lot of my social media posts are based around enjoying the small things, or embrace each moment as something magical. Its moments like this that I am talking about. For me, when traveling, the thing that makes the biggest impression isn't really a famous attraction or something planned to see. It's the feeling I get from being somewhere.
And Toronto made me feel wonderful. I encourage you to put it on your travel bucket list.
I had to give Toronto its own blog because there's so much more I want to share, but right now, I can confidently say that this city completely exceeded my expectations.
The CN Tower Scared the Absolute Shit Out of Me
While we're talking about Toronto, I have to share one experience that turned out to be particularly meaningful for me especially because this is a must see attraction.
First of all, let me tell you that I am not someone who particularly enjoys being ridiculously high in the sky. I love beautiful views and experiencing new things, but I also happen to be a very big fan of keeping my feet firmly planted on the ground.
So naturally, I decided it would be a fantastic idea to go up one of Toronto's most famous attractions. Truthfully… it was necessary. It was a test to my mental health healing and I passed!
BUT …. OMG
I knew the CN Tower was tall, but knowing something is tall and actually seeing/feeling that height are
two completely different things. I was scared, uncomfortable, and very aware of just how far away the ground was. And then there is Spencer.... loving every second, getting as close to the edge as possible.
As a proud awareness moment, over the past year, I've spent a tremendous amount of time working on myself, learning to understand my emotions, and finding ways to create more balance in my life. Anxiety was something I struggled with earlier this year, and I've worked really hard to understand the difference between genuine anxiety and the normal uncomfortable feelings that come with everyday experiences.
And there I was, ridiculously high above Toronto, realizing that although I was scared, I wasn't anxious.
There wasn't that overwhelming feeling. I wasn't spiraling or thinking that something terrible was about to happen. I was simply thinking, "Yeah, this is really fucking high, and I don't really love it."
But, that was it. I could recognize the discomfort for exactly what it was without allowing it to become something bigger. I didn't have to pretend I loved heights or convince myself that the experience suddenly made me fearless. I was uncomfortable, I understood why, and I was okay with that.
For me, that realization was pretty incredible.
Sometimes we get so caught up in trying to overcome every fear that we forget we're allowed to simply dislike something. Not every uncomfortable experience needs to become a major emotional event, and not everything we try needs to turn into something we want to do again.
I went up the CN Tower. It scared the shit out of me. I experienced something new, and I came away with a little more understanding of myself. And honestly, I'm pretty damn proud of that.
Would I rush to get back up there? Probably not. But I'm really glad I did it. I call that progress!
Discovering the Little Things That Make Canada Different
One of my favorite parts of traveling is noticing all the little differences between where I'm visiting and what I'm accustomed to at home. Sometimes they're big cultural differences, and other times they're something so simple that you can't help but smile.
For example, apparently bathrooms are called washrooms in Canada.
Washrooms!
I know it's such a ridiculous little thing to find amusing, but I love noticing details like that. It's a reminder that even when you're visiting somewhere that feels relatively familiar, there are still little differences that give a place its own personality.
Trying a Canadian Butter Tart
And then there was the food! Because you know I wasn't going to visit another country without trying something delicious! One of the Canadian treats I was excited to experience was the butter tart, and let me tell you, that little thing did not disappoint.
Yummmyyyyyy, it was good!
There's something so fun about discovering a new food - specifically the food of that area while traveling, especially when it's something you've never tried before. And I have a feeling I'll be thinking about that butter tart for quite some time.
That's one of the reasons I enjoy traveling so much. It's not always about the major attractions or the expensive experiences. Sometimes it's the smallest discoveries that make a adventure memorable.
Would I Visit Canada Again?
Absolutely!
Toronto alone gave me plenty of reasons to want to return. I genuinely wasn't expecting to love that city quite as much as I did, and I would be over the moon to have another opportunity to explore more of it. I feel like we only scrapped the surface. But beyond the destinations themselves, this trip reminded me why I love traveling so much.
There's an entire world out there filled with places to see, foods to try, people to meet, and experiences waiting to be discovered. I want to keep making plans, trying new things, and occasionally stepping outside my comfort zone. I want to discover places that surprise me, laugh at things that don't go according to plan, and collect memories that I'll still be talking about years from now.
Sooooooo......
Make the plans. Take the trip. Try the food. Explore the city. Do something that scares you a little. Give yourself permission to enjoy the life you're creating.
Until our next time!
Xoxo
Mizzy Bender
Bold. Unfiltered. Empowered.
A Little More About Mizzy Bender
Bold. Unfiltered. Empowered.
I'm Mizzy Bender, an entrepreneur, content creator, lifestyle educator, and woman who believes life is far too short to live by someone else's rules.
From self-love and personal growth to sex, relationships, adventures, and everything in between, I'm here to share my experiences, challenge expectations, and encourage you to embrace every beautifully authentic part of yourself.
Whether you're here for a little inspiration, an honest conversation, or a whole lot of adventure, welcome to my world!
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