Dreaming of Castle Days in Toronto? Casa Loma is a must see!

Casa Loma is open weekdays from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (last admission at 4:00 PM), but even if you’re just passing by, the castle’s stunning exterior is fair game for photos any time of day. We’re planning a return visit soon to capture the magic inside—especially the richly detailed rooms that tell stories of grandeur and heartbreak.

Before you go, be sure to check their website—ongoing renovations over the next few months mean some sections may be temporarily closed.

Some of my favorite spots? The atmospheric wine cellar, the hauntingly beautiful empty swimming pool, and the majestic riding stables. I can't wait to revisit these hidden corners of the castle.

Casa Loma isn't just a backdrop—it's a bittersweet chapter in Toronto’s past. Built as a romantic gift by Sir Henry Pellatt for his wife, the castle’s tale ends in tragedy, as riches faded and dreams slipped away. It’s a place where beauty and history collide.

I especially love the wine cellar, the swimming pool and the riding stables so much looking forward to revisiting soon!  There is a tragic history of Sir Henry Pellatt and the gift of the castle to his wife and the riches to rags story.  

 

What are your favorite spots?  Write in the comments I would love to know! 

for a free quieter alternative, visit the Spadina House Museum just steps away!

f You Go: Travel Tips for Visiting Casa Loma

• Location: 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto, just north of downtown near Spadina Road and Davenport.

• Hours: Open daily, typically 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (last entry around 4:30). Evening hours may apply for special events like escape rooms or seasonal light shows.

• Tickets: Available online or at the door; online purchase is recommended during peak tourist seasons. Combo passes with the Royal Ontario Museum or CityPASS can save money.

• Parking: Paid parking is available on-site, but spaces are limited. Street parking and nearby Green P lots are good backups. Public transit (TTC subway to Dupont Station, then a short uphill walk) is another option.

• Best Views/Photo Spots:

  • The exterior gardens and fountains in summer are stunning.

  • The tower lookout offers sweeping views of Toronto’s skyline.

  • Inside, don’t miss the grand staircase and conservatory with its stained-glass dome for gorgeous photo backdrops.

• Accessibility: Some areas are challenging due to the historic design, but elevators and ramps provide access to most key sections.

• Extras: Casa Loma frequently hosts themed events—like Halloween haunted nights or holiday lights—worth timing your visit around.

Greenwood Conservation Area

Greenwood Conservation Area located in Ajax has several trail points (White Pine walk, BirdWalk, The Orchard, Meadow Walk, Duffin's Lookout, and Oliver's Rest)

The most popular trail is the  Greenwood Conservation Loop.  It was pretty easy even though it spans 14.5 km and typically takes around 3 hours to complete. 

I've blogged Duffin's earlier so we've been here before so I didn't spend a lot of time taking pictures as the sun was setting the air was getting chillier as twilight came.

You will love this trail which is perfect for bird watching, hiking as well as road biking.  You'll most likely meet other enthusiasts along the way!

 The Duffin's trail is a 2.9 km loop trail that starts at he Greenwood Discovery Pavilion and loops around near a Leach Free dog walk area. 

Most of our time was spent on the "Greenwalk" where the high and ominous forests of Jack Pines lined the forest bed as far as the eye could see.

Niagara Falls - Bridal Veil Falls (US side)

Nothing beats going for a walk on a fully developed autumn day!  We spent a better part of the day exploring New York's State park coming from the Canadian side - this was especially exciting seeing never before tourist attractions.  We tried to get through as much as we could before the last train out of Niagara Falls.

As you cross the American Pedestrian bridge, I was overwhelmed by the power and roar of the American rapids underneath my feet!  Once you are on the other side, you can head over to the North shore trails to the Bridle Veil Falls (also known as Luna Falls) where you will immediately be taken in by the closeness you feel to the power of the water.  Although the I think this makes the waterfall experience more exciting that on the Canadian side is how you are able to have  a birds-eye view - and I think the Canada Geese agree with me as they were quite relaxed right in the centre of it all.

The Bridal Veil is the smallest falls among the three waterfalls, that together known as the great Niagara Falls. The Bridal Veil Falls is in the US side located right to the American Falls separated by Luna Island. The Goat Island in the Canadian side separates it from Horseshoe Falls.

The waterfall looks like a 'Bridal Veil' and thus the name Bridal Veil Falls. The Bridal Veil Falls is also known as Luna Falls and Iris Falls. The height of Bridal Veil Falls is 181 ft. Though it is a small waterfall compared to its two counterparts, it has its own specialties.

The Cave of the Winds, a wooden elevator takes visitors across the falls is a popular tourist attraction here. The Cave of the Winds was an old natural cave, which was closed due to rock fall in 1954. Now Cave of the Winds attracts diverse visitors to go close to the base of Bridal Veil Falls. Get to Luna Island or take 'Cave of the Winds' tours to experience the unmatched beauty of nature and the Bridal Veil. 

Nikola Tesla's legend lives on in Niagara Falls for many of his contributions to science and technology.

Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse established the first hydro-electric power plant at Niagara Falls, marking the beginning of global electrification. 

Today, the remains of the original plant, Adam's Power Station (Power House), may transform into a science museum. This museum would celebrate the significance of the Niagara Falls Power Plant as the world's first hydro-electric facility, a pivotal milestone in electrical history. 

Designated a National Landmark Historical Site, Adam's Station (Power House) attracts about eight million tourists annually on the American side of Niagara Falls, while the Canadian side draws around 20 million visitors and today we were one of them!

Niagara Falls as no doubt you are aware is renowned for its natural beauty, serves as the symbolic birthplace of global electrification. It represents the triumphant implementation of Tesla's Polyphase Alternating Current (AC) Electricity, illuminating the entire world today.

Overall, undeniably it was an amazing day! Happy trails!

Bird Kingdom

 I’ve been to Niagara Falls since I was kid, and then many times with my own kids – there are always different tourists attractions to see that are interesting to keep the crowds coming.

The White Water Walk was established as a safe yet exhilarating way to enjoy the wild rapids which have been clocked as the most ferocious in the world with a class 6 (according to the White Water Rapids Classification Guide).  Class 1 being gentle waves; 2- you might get splashed.  Class 3 – You’ll get wet Class 4 – you’ll get soaked; Class 5 – high adrenaline and Class 6 – non-navigable!  That in itself is scary enough.  For more on that trip – check out the White Water link here: https://mishylainescorneroftheworld.blogspot.com/search/label/White%20Water%20Walk%20in%20Niagara%20Falls

 This summer, we decided to go to Niagara on the GO train, which was inexpensive ($10/return trip!) and painless.  In fact we spent the trip talking, listening to music, reading, and watching the city go from Toronto to Niagara in about 2 hours at a clip of about 150/km per hour.

We agreed to check out the ‘Bird Kingdom” when we were there.  It’s located about a 20 minute walk from the GO Train terminal at 5651 River Road.  From the outside, it promised to be the World’s Largest Indoor Free Flying  Aviary and was a 4x Winner of Niagara’s “Attraction of the Year”!  How could we possibly miss on this?  Though I have to admit after paying $17 to enter through the darkened hallway I wasn’t really expecting much…boy was I wrong!

 

There are 4 levels in the building – the Main Aviary encompasses all 4 levels towards the back.  It opens up to a magical oasis much like a scene in Avatar.  A tropical paradise with a 40 foot waterfall filled with exotic birds of all different species and bright colours.  Rare ones like the Silvery-cheeked hornbill (which is you see it, you would almost feel sorry for it as it looks like half the beak is broken off – but in fact it isn’t.

Everyday in the Lorikeet Landing - there are daily feeding of sugar water to the Rainbow Lorikeets (which they love).  You will be the belle of the ball while they huddle around you and drink the nectar from your hands which is in a cup the attendants will give you.  My husband was able to attract half a dozen all over him.  I got the remaining 2 birds that peed on my arm and bit my hand (I tried to pet it , but apparently that’s not what you’re supposed to do).

In other attractions you’ll see hanging Egyptian fruit bats, talking cockatoos, parrots, Myna birds…all within metres of you.  There’s reptiles, and poisonous frogs and very large turtles!
We spent hours in there – something else that surprised me as I expected to be in and out in an hour.  Take some time and have some tea in the Javanese Tea House in the ‘Main Aviary’
It’s worth a visit, in fact since the lineups can be long in the summer time during peak season, the attendant at the Lorikeet Landing said that if you come in the Fall/Winter months you can spend more time with the birds as the traffic goes down dramatically.

One final thought as you debate the price of entry at the gate, all of these birds have been brought here by over-zealous previous owners that could not care for them, or brought in illegally or sick/injured through abuse or neglect.  So your money goes to help to support in the health and well-being in all these creatures in this well-maintained sanctuary.

We are going back again!

If You Go: Travel Tips for Visiting Bird Kingdom

• Location: 5651 River Road, Niagara Falls, Ontario—just a 5-minute walk from Niagara Falls itself.

• Hours: Open daily, typically from 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., though hours may vary seasonally. Check the website before going.

• Parking: There’s paid parking available right outside, but it fills quickly during peak times. Nearby lots along River Road are another option.

• Tickets: You can buy tickets at the door, but booking online often saves a bit of time. Kids under 3 get in free.

• Best Photo Spots:

  • The suspension bridge inside the main aviary for wide, sweeping views.

  • The waterfall backdrop—perfect for portraits or nature shots.

  • Feeding stations where the birds come right up to you.

• Accessibility: The pathways are stroller and wheelchair-friendly, though some areas have slight slopes.

• Duration: Plan for 1–2 hours to really enjoy the exhibits without rushing.

• Extra Fun: Don’t skip the nocturnal room—bats, owls, and other nighttime creatures make for a unique detour before you head into the light-filled aviary.

Happy travels!