Summer vacation in Canada?

[Fredrik]

Me and a couple of friends are thinking of going to Canada this summer for 1-2 weeks. There will be a 6 year old in the company. We are aiming for the general area around Toronto or Montreal and perhaps a visit to Niagara Falls.

Does anyone from the area have any suggestions of what to see, explore and what to avoid? We will probably rent a car, but tours are also an option. We are not necessarily going for hotels, any suggestions of alternative accommodations are welcome.

I am aware of the distances involved in traveling between Toronto and Montreal, but I am unsure if we are going for a road trip, the six year old needs lots of physical activities.

[Wesley Crusher]

Forget about Canada and come to California.

[Cru Jones]

Montreal to Quebec City to whale watching at Tadoussac. Nice circuit we did a few years back.

[GB-man]

Sounds like fun. Normally I would say pass on Niagara Falls but the 6 year old will find lots to do there.

Clifton hill is packed with over priced carnival style amusements that kids tend to like and there are two casinos if the adults are inclined. There is also an indoor water park that kids seem to love called great wolf lodge.

I highly recommend the jet boat tour that leaves from niagara on the lake (~30 mins away from NF). As long as the kid is 44 inches (112 cm) tall he can go as well. Takes you up through the rapids of the lower niagara and is a lot of fun on a hot day.

http://www.whirlpooljet.com/

Toronto and Montreal are two of my favorite cities in North America. Endless things to do and I will leave the suggestions to the locals as I live about 30 mins from niagara falls in the states.

[Jmas]

I go to Montreal every summer almost, I'd recommend trying poutine there if that's your thing. Check out Old Montreal, old and beautiful buildings there.

[nick c]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Montreal to Quebec City to whale watching at Tadoussac. Nice circuit we did a few years back.

Originally Posted by GB-man

Sounds like fun. Normally I would say pass on Niagara Falls but the 6 year old will find lots to do there.

Clifton hill is packed with over priced carnival style amusements that kids tend to like and there are two casinos if the adults are inclined. There is also an indoor water park that kids seem to love called great wolf lodge.

I highly recommend the jet boat tour that leaves from niagara on the lake (~30 mins away from NF). As long as the kid is 44 inches (112 cm) tall he can go as well. Takes you up through the rapids of the lower niagara and is a lot of fun on a hot day.

http://www.whirlpooljet.com/

Toronto and Montreal are two of my favorite cities in North America. Endless things to do and I will leave the suggestions to the locals as I live about 30 mins from niagara falls in the states.

[Muzz]

If you are into art, I absolutely recommend to visit Kleinburg!!! Just out of Toronto and visit McMichael Art Gallery to take in the Group of 7.

When I was a kid not only did I live in Kleinburg but that gallery was my 2nd home.

[sea-dweller]

Montreal is a great city in the summer. Old Montreal and Quebec City are recommended.

[rodo]

i would skip niagara falls. Muskoka is really nice in the summer, or look up Chateau Montebello. It's somewhat on the way from Toronto to Montreal (if you go through Ottawa)

[KDS777]

I would skip Niagara Falls. It's a small city trying to be a copycat of Las Vegas. Everything there is dramatically overpriced.....and the falls are "meh" after about 30 seconds.

The drive from Toronto to Montreal is nice......and of the two cities Montreal is my favorite by far.

[datejustrms]

You should check out Quebec City. It's only about 3 hours north of Montreal. It is a very quaint city with a lot to do. It's also very walkable. The Montmorency Falls are close to the city and a nice attraction to see.

[pain888]

I go to Toronto once a year in July, i still at Richmond. Across from my hotel is a Rolex AD. LOL

[1st amg]

If you are here for July 1, this year is canada big birthday, massive celebration in the countries capital Ottawa, all sorts of amazing things to see and do. It is supposed to be the celebration of celebrations....only anout 1 1/2 hr from Montreal and about 4hrs from toronto.

[Fredrik]

Thank you all for the suggestions!

The current plan is actually to go late June early July, I am not quite sure yet if it is good or bad with the celebrations, it might be hard to get hotel rooms and car rentals.

We are trying to fit in Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City, and if we go to Niagara Falls it will probably be a couple of days at the end, maybe taking a domestic flight(if available) down there.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

Thank you all for the suggestions!

The current plan is actually to go late June early July, I am not quite sure yet if it is good or bad with the celebrations, it might be hard to get hotel rooms and car rentals.

We are trying to fit in Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City, and if we go to Niagara Falls it will probably be a couple of days at the end, maybe taking a domestic flight(if available) down there.

You have a lot of ground to cover. I would forgo Niagara Falls. Hotel prices will be sky high around Canada Day weekend (rooms that are normally $1-200 night will be $4-500) and it will 100% not be worth the cost. Sadly I haven't been to Ottawa but Montreal and Quebec City are fantastic.

Unfortunately all those locations will be very expensive Canada Day weekend (July 1st) so plan accordingly.

[Fredrik]

Originally Posted by GB-man

You have a lot of ground to cover. I would forgo Niagara Falls. Hotel prices will be sky high around Canada Day weekend (rooms that are normally $1-200 night will be $4-500) and it will 100% not be worth the cost. Sadly I haven't been to Ottawa but Montreal and Quebec City are fantastic.

Unfortunately all those locations will be very expensive Canada Day weekend (July 1st) so plan accordingly.

Well, it looks like we probably will go later then. Most likely early August instead. I am going to try to plan this now, fortunately we are not locked to any dates or anything.

[rodo]

Quebec city is nice because it's very European, but you're from Europe so I don't know if it makes much sense. Definitely skip Niagara falls. Like someone said, it's a wanna be, low budget Las Vegas

[Spartacus]

Montreal had too many attractive women and fun bars. Terrible place

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Spartacus

Montreal had too many attractive women and fun bars. Terrible place

If all else fails. I am going to Montreal for a month. Period. Love that town.

[Runner1975]

If you only had three days in Montreal, what would be restaurants/bars and interesting places not to miss? I've heard "downtown Montreal" is friendly and safe for walking to/from spots, even later in the evening --- would you folks agree? I'm really looking forward to a trip there, as well, at the beginning of June. Thanks so much for suggestions.

[Mattman1]

If I had less than 2 weeks I would skip the east coast and hit up British Columbia and Alberta, more specifically Victoria,Vancouver, Banff, Jasper, and maybe northern bc and Alberta if you are looking for rugged nature.

[Mattman1]

Throw Calgary in their too

[1st amg]

Originally Posted by Runner1975

If you only had three days in Montreal, what would be restaurants/bars and interesting places not to miss? I've heard "downtown Montreal" is friendly and safe for walking to/from spots, even later in the evening --- would you folks agree? I'm really looking forward to a trip there, as well, at the beginning of June. Thanks so much for suggestions.

You will be fine in Montreal. for pubs and restaurants, try the streets of Crescent, De la Montagne, Peel and that whole area....make sure you make it to old Montreal (port area), its a stunning and romantic place to visit and eat, lots of amazing restaurants...then just a stroll down Catherine St is a great place to see many stores and simply just people watch. Another great area for restaurants and and bars is St.Laurent st and area....all these places are just a cab ride away. Have fun!

[TK-710]

If you want to do Niagra Falls I would recommend staying at Niagra on the Lake and day tripping to the falls. IMO a much nicer atmosphere for the rest of the day.

[Runner1975]

Thank you, 1st amg. I've wanted to see Montreal for a long time --- I appreciate getting these recommendations.

[jatco]

Originally Posted by Runner1975

Thank you, 1st amg. I've wanted to see Montreal for a long time --- I appreciate getting these recommendations.

If you only want to go due North, then you cant go wrong with Montreal, Old Montreal. Love it...! - But.. if you want some Nature, clean air, beautiful city scapes and then some, head west to Vancouver....!! You wont be disappointed...
That what drew me here...!!

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by jatco

If you only want to go due North, then you cant go wrong with Montreal, Old Montreal. Love it...! - But.. if you want some Nature, clean air, beautiful city scapes and then some, head west to Vancouver....!! You wont be disappointed...
That what drew me here...!!

All respects due thomas but OP is coming from Sweden so it's south whether he comes to Montreal, Vancouver or Quebec City

[jatco]

Originally Posted by Mattman1

Throw Calgary in their too

Originally Posted by GB-man

All respects due thomas but OP is coming from Sweden so it's south whether he comes to Montreal, Vancouver or Quebec City

..Actually West, from Sweden -. but either way, .. with 2 weeks to see Canada, one, can still make it west...time permitting.......
Do as you please, - and again, Montreal is wonderful...!!!
You gotta search it all out and see how much you can see, in the given time you have...!!
Canada is a Big country....!! - -
I do, did enjoy Sweden on my last visit.......!!
.
We have family coming to Vancouver from Denmark this summer, so it's all up to you, as to how much you want to do...!!!

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by jatco

..Actually West, from Sweden -. but either way, .. with 2 weeks to see Canada, one, can still make it west...time permitting.......
Do as you please, - and again, Montreal is wonderful...!!!
You gotta search it all out and see how much you can see, in the given time you have...!!
Canada is a Big country....!! - -
I do, did enjoy Sweden on my last visit.......!!

Point being there isn't a spot in Sweden where the OP could head due north and end up in any of those cities but I digress.

Agreed Canada is an amazing country with vast cities and countryside worth exploring

[swils8610]

Not sure how far north your going but Lake Louis and Banff are amazing. The Canadian Rockies are simply stunning. Other than seeing the actual Falls in Niagara Falls it's a def pass. It's way overpriced and a tourist trap. Def not worth spending any time there. Stay away from the American side. It's a dump.


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