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These cities offer a variety of things to see and do, from historical attractions to natural wonders to vibrant nightlife. They are excellent options if you are looking for a day trip or a weekend getaway. You can find something you like in one of these US cities near Toronto.

For this summer, when the children in the house take a vacation, we could be planning our next trip. There are many impressive cities in the southern neighborhood, just a road trip away. Learn what to do in each city and some tips to make this trip an excellent experience!

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Buffalo, New York (1 hour 45 minutes)

Buffalo city near Toronto
Mural in the city of Buffalo. Source: Unsplash

With an approximate driving distance of two hours, Buffalo, New York, is ideal for day trips and even weekend visits. Among the city’s attractions is the Martin House, considered a mansion and museum initially designed by architect Frank Lloyd. Today its doors are open for tours, events, shopping, and education about its history and how architecture transcends its time.

We can also choose to explore the Canalside. This is a waterfront development in downtown Buffalo that is home to various restaurants, shops, and attractions. You will find services such as bike rentals, boat tours, and kayaks with which you can tour the area more easily or live the experience of these means of transportation.

Finally, Buffalo is popularly known as the home of various restaurants. Serving everything from traditional Buffalo fare, such as chicken wings and beef on weck, to international cuisine. Also, find a variety of breweries and distilleries in Buffalo, making it a great place to sample local craft beer and spirits.

You may be interested in knowing the best eSIM New York with which you will have mobile internet.

Detroit, Michigan (3 hours 54 minutes)

Detroit city near Toronto
View of Detroit City. Source: Pexels

With a slightly longer distance by car, almost four hours before arriving, it is also considered a city near Toronto. Undoubtedly one reason to visit the city is the Detroit Institute of Arts. One of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the United States. Founded in 1885 and currently has more than 65,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and ancient artifacts.

A visit to remember is the Motown Museum, which will make you even more of a music history fan. Located in the former Motown Records headquarters, where some of the biggest hits of the 1960s and 1970s were recorded. Artists such as Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, and more had important recordings on this site.

A more natural jewel of Detroit is Belle Isle Park, a 985-acre space from where we can find beautiful views of the city, and we can even see Canada from there! This park was conceived by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same who designed New York’s famous Central Park.

Cleveland, Ohio (4 hours 46 minutes)

Cleveland city near Toronto
View of Cleveland City. Source: Pexels

Another city near Toronto is Cleveland, which will take about a five-hour drive. You’ve probably heard of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, located in the city and houses a collection of nearly 80,000 artifacts, including guitars, costumes, and handwritten lyrics from some of the biggest names in rock and roll.

An ideal place to clear your mind is to walk through the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. They have over a hundred years of history, and each one represents the cultures of different countries worldwide. The complete walk through the gardens is approximately 3 miles. There are some sections that you can see by car from nearby streets.

One of the largest zoos in the United States is the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, where in a space of 183 acres, you will find more than 3,000 animals divided into about 600 species. The animals are divided into zones corresponding to their origins and species. You can explore part of the zoo on a train with an internal route from which you will have a view of most of the areas.

Boston, Massachusetts (8 hours 30 minutes)

Boston city near Toronto
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Source: Pexels

This is perhaps one of the furthest destinations from Toronto on the list, but it is also the one that may be the most familiar to everyone. If you like sports, you will be happy to know that Boston has some of the most important stadiums, like Fenway Park or TD Garden, where teams like the Red Sox and Celtics have made history.

On the other hand, if you are more interested in cultural sites, one that you cannot miss is the Freedom Trail. This was created in 1951 by the Bostonian Society with the purpose of linking 16 historical sites of the city related to the foundation of the country. This route has an extension of 2.5 miles, and you can find a diverse range of historical sites, including museums, churches, meeting houses, burial grounds, parks, a ship, and historical markers, that tell the story of the American Revolution and much more.

Boston is also known for its vibrant nightlife. There are plenty of bars, theaters, and clubs for entertainment for those interested. You can watch movies outside, go to a comedy club or even spend an evening listening to jazz. The city has a show for every type of visitor.

Tips for traveling to cities near Toronto

We want to mention some tips to keep in mind; these can be applied to most cities near Toronto and will help you to have a more comfortable trip. The cities we have mentioned are just some of the options you have from Toronto, but there are many other adventures to discover. 

  • Choose your destination and plan the most accessible route: Considering that you can travel by car to these nearby destinations, try to follow an optimal route. You can even use apps like Google Maps to anticipate traffic or construction along the route.
  • Pack for all weather conditions: we know that Toronto has a varied climate, and this is a characteristic shared by cities in the northern United States. It helps to have a variety of clothing, including layers that you can add or remove. You should also pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, even if it is cloudy.
  • Make sure your car is in good condition: if necessary, get an oil change, check the tire pressure, and make sure that you have a full tank of gas.
  • Take breaks often: it is essential to take breaks often and get out of the car, stretch your legs, and walk around. This will help to keep you awake and alert.
  • Plan how to get mobile internet: once you arrive at your destination, it may be necessary to have access to the internet to search for directions or information. For this, you could use a multi-country eSIM.

How to keep mobile internet during your trip

eSIM with unlimited data for USA
eSIM for the USA. Source: Holafly.

Undoubtedly, having internet during our adventure makes it easier to enjoy our trip. If you have a compatible phone, an eSIM like Holafly offers is an excellent option. This virtual store has alternatives for the USA and a regional option of a North American mobile eSIM, with coverage in Canada, the USA, and Mexico. And if you are traveling back to Canada, a Canadian eSIM is a great option to use.

You can buy them quickly before you start your trip or once you are at your destination, the process on the web will take only a few minutes, and delivery and installation is almost immediate. Being completely virtual, eSIMs are the most convenient and secure solution for travelers worldwide!

Other options, such as using international roaming from your local carrier or renting a pocket WiFi, can be more expensive and inconvenient. Also, relying on public networks like hotels or restaurants at your destination can be a headache because of their lagging, not to mention that it is risky for your personal information.

Leoneska Ruiz

Leoneska Ruiz

SEO Specialist Jr.

Hi! Leoneska here, your guide to traveling connected. I'm a Venezuelan SEO content specialist with over four years of experience sharing tips and tricks for using mobile internet while traveling and making the most of your adventures. At Holafly, I take care of providing reliable and high-quality information to travelers like you. I hope you enjoy my content and find it useful!

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