Montreal and Toronto

[bluenotred]

As mentioned before. The weather can be pretty iffy in April could be warm, could be cold, especially in Montreal. I live near Toronto so I know more about there. In Montreal though, spend some time in Old Montreal and take a hike up mount royal, try the famous Montreal bagels. St Catherine Street is vibrant.
In Toronto, try to catch a Blue jays game or a Raptors game. Forget trying to get Toronto Maple Leaf tickets. Hard to get and very expensive. visit the CN tower, go to Yorkville, fancy shopping area. There are many many restaurants of all types.
As for Niagara Falls, yes some parts are a bit tacky but by the falls themselves it are stunning and the area is beautifully landscaped. Have fun.

 

[Icebabay]

If you're planning to go on the Maid of the Mist boat tour in Niagara (boat to the bottom of the waterfall) April is off season so it only operates on the weekend, from the Canada side at least

 

[WA Toffee]

April could be freezing or warm, weather is mental here, if the weather is good as others have said I would highly recommend hitting Niagara on the lake for a wine tour, beautiful little town too. In Toronto get a raptors game in if you can, team is garbage now so tickets should be cheap. Check out the islands and you may aswell do the tower. Great food scene here, would reccomend checking out Kensington and getting some Tacos and jerk chicken. Other cool neighbourhoods to check out are leslieville, Danforth, distillery district, annex, little Italy. Be prepared to pay a lot here mate, six pints can easily set you back seventy bucks with tax and tips.

There's a thing - is tipping expected in Canada?

 

[wm02]

There's a thing - is tipping expected in Canada?

Yes definitely

 

[SerenityNigh]

Me and the mrs are flying into Montreal in April, flying out of Toronto 9 days later.
What would be the best way to split time between the cities, and what are the must do things in each? Only thing we know we definitely want to do is Niagara falls.

Have not been to Toronto but hear it's great. Montreal may be my favorite visit, although I went later in the year. Go to a marche, see the botanical garden and as many of the cathedrals/churches/basilicas as possible (St Joseph and Notre Dame are top), walk the neighborhoods (as much as weather allows), eat the food. You'll miss more good stuff than you get to see, and probably everything you see will be great. If there is any hockey, do grab a seat in Centre Bell or Scotiabank (or maybe a minor league game, which might even be more fun) if you can get tickets. And eat some Poutine and grab some Tim Hortons, which everyone should do when up in the great white north.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Ah that might be tricky then. You should be able to get to the Botanical Gardens and St. Joseph’s Oratory with a bus

transit around Montreal is very good but not sure how walkable the streets are in April

 

[SerenityNigh]

Have not been to Toronto but hear it's great. Montreal may be my favorite visit, although I went later in the year. Go to a marche, see the botanical garden and as many of the cathedrals/churches/basilicas as possible (St Joseph and Notre Dame are top), walk the neighborhoods (as much as weather allows), eat the food. You'll miss more good stuff than you get to see, and probably everything you see will be great. If there is any hockey, do grab a seat in Centre Bell or Scotiabank (or maybe a minor league game, which might even be more fun) if you can get tickets. And eat some Poutine and grab some Tim Hortons, which everyone should do when up in the great white north.

on second thought, no offense to Toronto but spend all of your days in Montreal

 

[bebo86]

There's a thing - is tipping expected in Canada?

Yes 18 percent minimum, and then there's tax, so a ten dollar pint us easily 14

 

[WA Toffee]

Yes 18 percent minimum, and then there's tax, so a ten dollar pint us easily 14

So prices don't include tax? That's a bit weird.

 

[bebo86]

So prices don't include tax? That's a bit weird.

Correct, so that sign outside the door that says $4.99 for a coffee, add 13 percent to that plus a minimum 15 percent tip

 

[SerenityNigh]

So prices don't include tax? That's a bit weird.

welcome to North America

 

[DavidH]

I've just had to google what a Tim Hortons is. Looks like a better version of Maccies? For some reason I was expecting old fashioned tin box full of some sort of liquorice or fudge.

 

[wm02]

I've just had to google what a Tim Hortons is. Looks like a better version of Maccies? For some reason I was expecting old fashioned tin box full of some sort of liquorice or fudge.

It’s a nicer version of Dunkin’ Donuts but not as good as Panera.

Donuts, muffins, coffee.
Soups, sandwiches, etc

 

[wm02]

@WA Toffee
Saw this New York Times article about the best way to spend 36 hours in Montreal. Thought you might be interested and hopefully there aren’t any issues with the paywall. Sometimes the comments sections for these pieces have excellent suggestions that were overlooked in the article.

36 Hours in Montreal

Climb a mountain, wander the waterfront and enjoy a smoked-meat sandwich in a city with a surprise around every corner.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Tim's tourettes]

I've just had to google what a Tim Hortons is. Looks like a better version of Maccies? For some reason I was expecting old fashioned tin box full of some sort of liquorice or fudge.

got them here now mate. One in Warrington and Chester at least that I know of locally.
Nothing special