When we went to Canada we paid for everything in American cash and they gave us the Canadian change. (Luckily Sean and my mother in law knew the exchange rate because they lived in International Falls MN and go to Canada all of the time so we didn't get screwed )

I just exchange a couple hundy right when I cross the border in Sarnia. You could go to the Casino for a little more. At the border if you exchange I think it's 500 or more you get a better rate.

Just get some cash at the ATM in the airport... If you are staying in a hotel, use whatever leftover Canadian cash you have to pay down your hotel bill at the end of your trip before checking out. That way you are not stuck with a bunch of Canadian $$ to deal with, eh...

I am a currency trader by trade, I can tell you for certain do not ever use your credit card, and even worse pull out US money here. YOU WILL AND ARE GETTING PICKED OFF!, the same goes for me stateside. Never use visa, exchange rate swaps are one of the most profitable parts of there business.
The best thing to do is get cash in the country at the local ATM. You will get the spot rate plus a few beeps, VISA and MC can be as much as a few hundred beeps.
Cash is king.

RT

What's a beep?

basis point

ahhh.

will strippers take beeps too?

our strippers will take ANYTHING

A buddy of mine paid with a tennis racquet, and it wasn't even his.