Canada trip ahead

[PMCErnie]

We've been to Niagara Falls, Toronto and Montreal. Thinking about heading to either Ottawa, or Quebec City, in early summer. Which city would you Canadians suggest we visit first? We're leaning toward the French experience.

 

[Ruissimo]

We've been to Niagara Falls, Toronto and Montreal. Thinking about heading to either Ottawa, or Quebec City, in early summer. Which city would you Canadians suggest we visit first? We're leaning toward the French experience.

Montreal is beautiful... never been to the others though.

Enjoy!

 

[rmwweb]

It really depends on what kind of experience you are looking for. Quebec city is definitely a great experience - the old city is well worth the trip alone. I haven't spent a lot of time there but there are definitely some great restaurants inside the walls of the Old City. It's a bit like visiting Europe without the transatlantic trip. My wife is telling me to tell you to just go there and don't waste time debating the issue.

I live in Ottawa, and it is home to the National Art Gallery, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the National Arts Centre plus of course the Parliament Buildings and several other museum's if that sort of thing is what you are looking for. There are also lots of outdoor music festivals going on in Ottawa during the summer so if that is something you are interested in you might want to do a google search to figure out when you want to be here.

Either way, you should have a great time.

RW

 

[fadymansour]

Montreal's old port in the summer is great. And depending when you come, there is a lot of activities/festival in Montreal! Montreal and Québec City are only 2 hours apart... I mean 15 min in a Genesis...

 

[Gurkha]

Ever been to Montreal during the Jazz fest - end of June to 1st week of July?
Ottawa will not give you a 'French experience', Quebec city certainly will.

 

[Hockeypuck]

My wife and I did a driving tour going from Montreal to Quebec City and then on to PEI before heading home .We enjoyed all three locations. My recommendation for Quebec city would be to stay in the old walled part of the city. The restaurants are fun and food is good. Try to eat outside. Daily entertainment in the square is fun especially when watched from a bar nearby. The changing of the guard at the fort is a must see as well as a tour of the Governors Palace and the fort itself. Also, there was a fantastic multimedia show at the waterfront that is just spectacular. Have Fun!

 

[PMCErnie]

Thanks for the kind replies. We've decided to do the Quebec City/Montreal trip this time, saving Ottawa for another time. We'll drive there via the Adirondack Northway and maybe return south through Maine.

Does anybody have any tips on restaurants and hotels in the walled city, or nearby? We are Hilton Honors club members and usually stay at the Hilton chain places like their Garden Inn and Hampton Inn.

 

[Hockeypuck]

This is the hotel in Montreal that we stayed at. It's not a typical chain hotel as you will see but very interesting.

http://www.lhotelmontreal.com/

In Quebec City we stayed at the Le Champlain Hotel. Read their reviews on Trip Advisor. There is limited parking at the hotel and it requires advance reservation but we parked the car at the nearby public garage since we did everything on foot in Quebec City.

 

[PMCErnie]

Whoa, we are getting ready to vacation in Montreal and Quebec City next week and now we hear about violent student tuition riots in those cities. Not exactly the conditions that we want to drive our new car into, not to mention our personal safety. In Quebec City we would be staying near Parliament square. Can you Canadians offer some advice? Should we just postpone this trip till July, or are these students just about finished rioting.

 

[Gurkha]

Whoa, we are getting ready to vacation in Montreal and Quebec City next week and now we hear about violent student tuition riots in those cities. Not exactly the conditions that we want to drive our new car into, not to mention our personal safety. In Quebec City we would be staying near Parliament square. Can you Canadians offer some advice? Should we just postpone this trip till July, or are these students just about finished rioting.

I would stay away from downtown Montreal these days.
Anything outside downtown seems to be okay, but the students are still causing problems on a daily basis.

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[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

Whoa, we are getting ready to vacation in Montreal and Quebec City next week and now we hear about violent student tuition riots in those cities. Not exactly the conditions that we want to drive our new car into, not to mention our personal safety. In Quebec City we would be staying near Parliament square. Can you Canadians offer some advice? Should we just postpone this trip till July, or are these students just about finished rioting.

Damn kids should stay off the lawn!

 

[PMCErnie]

Decided to postpone Quebec and do Asheville, NC and Dollywood, TN instead this trip. If Dolly attacks us I can cope. Canada's loss. Maybe we'll get there someday.