Pros and Cons of Seniors day trips times two

 We have a senior centre about 5 minutes drive from my home. I have been receiving their e mailings for years offering senior day trips to places around Ontario. I took my first one last week to St. Jacobs and my most recent on August 12th. Below are the pros and cons you should consider prior to signing up for one.

Pros:

They are relatively cheap considering it includes your lunch (at a tasty restaurant with 3 choices), transportation and if necessary admittance fees.  Mine was $115 CDN for St Jacobs and $155 for the Canoe Museum and Liftlock cruise in Peterborough

They usually leave the senior centres at 8am or 8:30 and are back by 6:30pm - my first one was one time both ways and the second late by a half hour both ways.

On the first, The itinerary included 1.5 hours at St Jacobs market - although they advertised 2 hours in the email and then they shortened it.  1.5 hours for lunch and then a guided tour on the bus of mennonite country for 2 hours before leaving for home. 

The lunch was delicious at Anna Maes. 

On the second it included 2 hours at the Canoe Museum (too long) and then 1 hour for lunch and then over 1.5 hours at the harbour waiting for the 2 hour lift lock cruise.  You can walk the whole harbor in less than 15 minutes. 

The lunch was horrible at Square plates - most didn't eat it.

Cons:  

They only accept Mastercard or cash for payment 

The bus is usually full with 50 people on my first tour and 42 for the second tour.

They play silly games on the bus (both times)

You need to get there a half hour before they leave as seniors get there really early to get front seats on the bus. I was there 20 minutes early and sat right at the back.

You need to be able to go with the flow and not worry when they shorten times  or lengthen times in the places you are visiting 

The bus while newish had pretty uncomfortable seats for the long drive back and forth.  It was clean and had a washroom at the back (for both trips)

Given the good and then bad contrast of the two tours I will be cautious about booking another.  I would highly recommend you look up the restaurant and attractions and read the reviews before booking with them.

Overally they do several of these a year ... many are to plays/musicals with lunch, the casinos but there are also ones to attractions in Ontario.  You will be supporting the senior centre.

Hope this helps

Marcia