Cross Border Outlet Shopping from Toronto:

September 28, 2007 8:28 AM

Any recommendations for outlets and shopping within 2 to 5 hours of Toronto? We're aware of outlets in Niagara (but have never been) and are wondering if they're worth a visit and if there are other places worth seeing now that the US and Canadian dollars are at par.

Thanks in advance!

posted by ChuckLeChuck to Shopping (14 answers total)

Best answer: Waterloo Premium Outlets in Waterloo, NY is a 3.5 hour trip from Toronto, if Mapquest is to be believed. I've been there many times; it's pretty good.

There's also the Walden Galleria (in Buffalo) and Eastview Mall in Victor, NY (near Rochester)
posted by Lucinda at 8:36 AM on September 28, 2007

Are you looking for anything specific, or just a bunch of shops to shop in?
posted by kuujjuarapik at 8:38 AM on September 28, 2007

And after visiting Waterloo, check out the Carousel Mall in Syracuse...
posted by BozoBurgerBonanza at 8:40 AM on September 28, 2007

Best answer: I live pretty much down the street from the Outlet mall. The Outlet's nice and everything--don't get me wrong, you can get good deals, but the Galleria (as Lucinda mentioned above) and the Boulevard Mall.

If you're coming over the Rainbow bridge (NF, ON, to NF, NY), just head straight down Pine, and keep going until Pine turns into Niagara Falls Blvd (US 62). Keep going. You'll eventually come to the intersection of Military Rd and Niagara Falls Blvd.

To go to the Outlet Mall, turn to page 23 make a left. It will be on your left-hand side.

To go to the Boulevard Mall, keep heading North on the Boulevard. There will be some construction as you pass the Tonawandas and Wheatfield, and it will be annoying. Keep on driving.

You'll pass a Kohl's on your left in the same plaza as Wegman's (also good shopping).

If you keep heading along NF Boulevard, you'll eventually pass under the I-290 (we just call our highways "The" 290, "The" 990, etc.). Keep going. On your left, you'll see Target, Starbucks, Best Buy, Babies R Us, the Hallmark store, Barnes and Noble and a few others (and restaurants).

Heading further along, you'll see a bunch of random smaller shops. Keep going. You'll eventually reach a large intersection. Go past the intersection and the Boulevard Mall is on your left.

In the mall, there's: Pacific Sunwear, Macy's, JCPenny, NY and Co, Express/Express Men, Hollister, Victoria's Secret, and a bunch more. Check the site for more details.

Hope I helped!
posted by Verdandi at 9:03 AM on September 28, 2007

*but the Galleria and the Boulevard Mall are better. Hurf durf, I have no preview skills.
posted by Verdandi at 9:04 AM on September 28, 2007

Yeah, on a niceness scale the Galleria is vaguely like the Centre d'Eaton Centre. Smaller though.

Target seems to be popular amongst Canadians. There's one on Niagara Falls.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:31 AM on September 28, 2007

Also, taking 190 from NFNY down towards greater Buffalo might cost a quarter, but it's quicker and more scenic. Or at least, less anti-scenic.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:32 AM on September 28, 2007

Using the QEW for Toronto to Buffalo can be an exercise in slow. That part alone can sometimes take five hours.
posted by scruss at 9:39 AM on September 28, 2007

I've heard really good things about Grove City, PA.
posted by backwards guitar at 9:53 AM on September 28, 2007

Response by poster: Thanks everyone.

We're not looking for anything specific, just looking to get out of the city for a day or two.

Thanks for the detailed description Verdandi.
posted by ChuckLeChuck at 10:18 AM on September 28, 2007

I lived in Georgetown and made the trip to Walden Galleria many a time with friends. Can't really find anything here in Ontario that compares for sure.
posted by heavenstobetsy at 4:00 PM on September 28, 2007

If you are just there for a trip then I wouldn't recommend the Waterloo outlets over the one in Niagara Falls. For one, there would be nearly 8 hours of drive time round trip. The Waterloo outlet isn't flat our superior to the Niagara Falls one (I haven't been to the Waterloo outlet more than twice, so I can't say if it is better than the Fall's). The drive through New York might be pretty with the autumn leaves, but not really worth the additional drive time.

This is not to say that the city of Niagara Falls (American side) isn't a scummy dump, but the outlet mall is nice enough.
posted by munchingzombie at 4:13 PM on September 28, 2007

ROU_Xenophobe: The tolls on the 190 are now 75 cents :(
posted by Verdandi at 9:38 PM on September 28, 2007

If you are serious about 2-5 hours away from Toronto, you should check out the Grove City Outlets. They are about 2 1/2 hours south of Buffalo and an hour north of Pittsburgh. My in-laws (from Toronto) stop there at least twice a year. It's in the middle of nowhere along 79, and keeps growing and growing and growing.
posted by punkrockrat at 9:48 PM on September 28, 2007