130km (81 miles) SE of Toronto

Never mind that Oscar Wilde called it “a bride’s second great disappointment,” the honeymoon capital of Niagara Falls is worth the 2-hour drive from Toronto just to witness the majesty of the falls themselves. The tacky shops, motels, attractions—it’s an unabashed tourist trap—can either be ignored or enjoyed, depending on your sensibility. Then take a scenic drive about a half-hour back toward Toronto, along the Niagara Parkway, to Niagara-on-the-Lake, a quiet and pretty 19th-century village that offers a welcome retreat after the carnival atmosphere of Niagara Falls. Many travelers prefer to stay at NOTL, where the food and wine offerings go well beyond the fast-food chains of the Falls and can be quite sophisticated for a tourist region. (You’re now in the heart of Niagara wine country.) This is also home to the Shaw Festival, a theater event on par with Stratford’s festival.