PamSF

We're in the early planning stages for our Fall 2005 trip. We will be in the Hudson Valley, the Berkshires and Connecticut(to visit our goddaughter at college). We plan to be there for leaf peeping. What city in Canada would be a likely(and relatively easy) drive for us, if any. We would be interested in Halifax if that seemed a likely stop as well. Quebec,Toronto or Montreal all seem appealing. We are West Coast folksso have no idea bout travel times.

Scarlett

Hi Pam~
You can get on the NY State Thruway and go north straight, past Lake George, through the Adirondacks and to Montreal.
Driving time would be less than 4-5 hours..since it took us 6 from NYC to Montreal. It is an easy straight drive.

Mazey

Canadian cities that are within driving distance to Connecticut would include Montreal (6-ish hours), Ottawa (7-ish hours), Toronto/Niagara Falls area (8-ish hours), just to name a few.

Halifax is more like a fourteen hour dive, which is certainly doable depending on how much time you have/want to devote to this trip.

Mazey

Oops, I meant Halifax would be a fourteen hour drive! You certainly wouldn't want to dive there, lol!

AnselmAdorne

Pam, you've got lots of great choices within a reasonable driving distance. You might add Quebec City to your list of possibilities, it's only a couple of hours east of Montreal. My wife and I were there in September and loved every moment of our visit.

We included the Charlevoix region, a further (and easy) drive along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. You can expect spectacular scenery and warm hospitality.

Anselm

brookwood

Montreal, Ottawa, and Quebec City are within range. Montreal is very sophisticated and cosmopolitan. Quebec is fun to visit for a couple of days.

The drive to Halifax is complicated by poor roads. The distance is not all that great, but there is no good way to get there by car.

I drove from Halifax to Boston, and it was a grind until we picked up the Interstate. But even that was not great because it was pouring rain the whole way. I learned what a Northeaster is that day! Wind, rain, and poor visibility.

PamSF

Can anyone give me an idea about peak color time? I assume it will be earlier than in the Hudson Valley.

Mazey

Depends where in the Hudson Valley you'll be. Upper Hudson Valley will peak in early October. Lower Hudson (say south of Peekskill) will peak the last couple weeks of October while the mid-Hudson Valley will peak the second or third week in October. Connecticut peaks around the same time as the mid-Hudson Valley.

Obviously the above depends on next summer and fall's weather conditions. Columbus Day is always a sure bet to see at least some color everywhere, except the coastlines os NY and southern New England.

Scarlett

I remember one year driving up and staying at the Sagamore and the colors were just peaking ... around the second week of Oct.
The Adirondacks will have less color ( or look it) because there are SO many evergreens. The Hudson Valley part of the drive will be the most colorful..sigh, the Berkshires and that area are soooo beautiful in the fall.

BuffaloGirl

I would go up the Adirondack Northway straight to Montreal. And if you could fit in a few more days, then add on Quebec City. Both cities would be fabulous to walk around in the fall.

Have fun!

HogtownJim

If you would like to experience whale watching, Tadoussac Quebec is an excellent destination.

Tadoussac is about 120 miles downstream from Quebec City situated at the confluence of the Saguenay and St Lawrence Rivers.

Blue Whales come to visit and their is a resident pod of belugas.

For info, see
http://www.fjordbest.com/ajt/whales1.html

radiofanatic

You do not want the NYS Thruway - that runs east and west. You want the Northway which starts in the south in Albany, NY and goes up through the canadien border and to Montreal. Very easy to navigate. On the way, you could stop at Lake George, Lake Placid - both of which are nice.

Scarlett

That is called the Northway? From NYC straight north is not the Thruway?
Geez, I have told so many people the wrong directions then!

BuffaloGirl

Don't worry, Scarlett. You didn't get anyone lost. The section of 87 that runs through Adirondack Park is also referred to as the Adirondack Northway!

Scarlett

LOL, Thank you Buffalo Girl, phew

Incognito

People who live North of Albany never call I-87 north of Albany Adirondack Northway. Never! It is called the NORTHWAY. Please do not confuse those who are trying to get proper directions.
Pam, how long would you like to stay in Canada? Agree with the others about Halifax.

BuffaloGirl

Perhaps the people living north of Albany call it the Northway (I've called it both); however, do a google search of Adirondack Northway. You'll get a page of info. regarding the Adirondack Northway a/k/a Route 87 I don't think anyone is going to get lost!

Incognito

Perhaps people like you call it Adirondack Northway which is incorect, check DOT website Hard to admit your mistake?

BuffaloGirl

Results of a search on the New York State DOT website - news section:

http://dotweb1.dot.state.ny.us/news/2003.shtml

Scroll down to June 17th under June 2003. The heading is: NYSDOT Sets Work On Adirondack Northway (Essex County).

Another quote in the NYS DOT website says: "The New York State Department of Transportation will soon resume construction on four bridges carrying the Adirondack Northway over Pollock Road in the Town of Colonie and over Sand Creek Road in the Village of Colonie in Albany County. Last year, NYSDOT made improvements to Pollock and Sand Creek Roads beneath the Northway structures."

Oh, and the signs that say "Adirondack Northway" must be my imagination.


Incognito says: check DOT website Hard to admit your mistake?

BuffaloGirl say to Incognito: Check DOT website... Hard to admit your mistake?

I'm up outta here!