Lunch stop on the road from Burlington VT to Quebec City
Jul 24th, 2011, 11:20 AM
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Lunch stop on the road from Burlington VT to Quebec City
We will drive from the airport in Burlington to Quebec City. Can anyone suggest an interesting stop for lunch? Any must sees/dos along the way?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Jul 25th, 2011, 05:51 AM
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I hope you find some recs. The trip via Interstate was not a gourmet's dream. We wound up eating in desperation in a MacDonald's in the Eastern Townships where no one spoke English.
But Quebec is worth it..
But Quebec is worth it..
Jul 25th, 2011, 07:23 AM
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cmcfong-- You've got about 5 hours of driving to do to make it to la Vieille Capitale (Quebec City), with the border crossing and Montreal traffic your major variables. So, as I see the map, I'm thinking your plan might be to head up to skirt Montreal so as to grab Autoroute 20 (unless you're oonsidering the 10 to Sherbrooke, 55 to Drummondville, which would be moderately longer).
Ackislander is right... the places to stop right off the autoroute in my experience have been not so inspiring. Pity that it doesn't showcase more interesting spots in this province. Main suggestion I have is stopping a bit before or after the heavier Montreal area traffic. There are things I do like in between (such as the Fort at Chambly, Mont Saint-Hilaire/ Richelieu River in Beloeil, old Trois Rivieres) but if you're driving in one day, each of these may require a bit more of a detour/ map-investigating to get to the charming part than you may desire.
A friend mentioned Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, while not the most charming town apparently, she says there are some good restaurants.
Have a great time in Quebec City, wherever you do stop on the way! Daniel
Ackislander is right... the places to stop right off the autoroute in my experience have been not so inspiring. Pity that it doesn't showcase more interesting spots in this province. Main suggestion I have is stopping a bit before or after the heavier Montreal area traffic. There are things I do like in between (such as the Fort at Chambly, Mont Saint-Hilaire/ Richelieu River in Beloeil, old Trois Rivieres) but if you're driving in one day, each of these may require a bit more of a detour/ map-investigating to get to the charming part than you may desire.
A friend mentioned Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, while not the most charming town apparently, she says there are some good restaurants.
Have a great time in Quebec City, wherever you do stop on the way! Daniel
Jul 25th, 2011, 10:10 AM
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There are no "must see/dos" along the way (other than lunch).
Assuming you taking Rt. 15 to Rt. 30 to Rt 20...Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is not on the way, the detour could add 1 hour to your total trip time.
I would just Google map Drummondville (roughly mid-way between Burlington and QC), enter "Restaurants" into the search box, and read some restaurant reviews. After that, dining options are very slim until you reach Quebec City.
Try posting on Canada board too.
Assuming you taking Rt. 15 to Rt. 30 to Rt 20...Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is not on the way, the detour could add 1 hour to your total trip time.
I would just Google map Drummondville (roughly mid-way between Burlington and QC), enter "Restaurants" into the search box, and read some restaurant reviews. After that, dining options are very slim until you reach Quebec City.
Try posting on Canada board too.
Jul 25th, 2011, 11:04 AM
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Thank you for the responses. They are most helpful. After a check of the options it looks like a picnic might be our best choice.
Daniel, thank you for the good wishes. I am really excited about the trip. We did decide to add a visit to Charlevoix region after irecommend suggested it. Should be great!
Daniel, thank you for the good wishes. I am really excited about the trip. We did decide to add a visit to Charlevoix region after irecommend suggested it. Should be great!
Jul 25th, 2011, 11:16 AM
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Hi cmc, don't have any recommendations for stops, we drove from NH up to Quebec City and ended up stopping at a French fast food restaurant on the way (not great), first time I saw Poutine 
.
One recommendation for Quebec though, we loved Toast and if you like fois gras, you will be in heaven.
On a side note, we were in Billings back in June and had dinner at Walkers (your recommendation) and had a really nice meal before heading to Yellowstone. Thanks!
Happy Travels!
.One recommendation for Quebec though, we loved Toast and if you like fois gras, you will be in heaven.
On a side note, we were in Billings back in June and had dinner at Walkers (your recommendation) and had a really nice meal before heading to Yellowstone. Thanks!
Happy Travels!
Jul 25th, 2011, 04:01 PM
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Not sure how soon on the trip you would want to stop for lunch? If relatively soon after Burlington arrival, here are a few options depending on the route you take (note I don't agree with bardo1 that "Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is not on the way, the detour could add 1 hour to your total trip time [from Burlington] I think it depends which route you take)
if you go up Rte 89 from Burlington there is nothing much right off the route 133. But it would go through St Jean sur Richelieu so the suggestion of considering stopping there makes sense to me. the older part of that town along the river is quite nice with a few restaurants. We have eaten some quite a few years ago for dinner but I don't know of any current lunch options.
One place right off of rte 133 in Quebec, before you get to the highway section is Restaurant La Suisse in Pikes River. We have had dinner there but I am not sure about lunch. I know they have a big garden. This is a Swiss-German restaurant with fondue and I think raclette, so not typical Quebec food at all.
Rte 133 also goes through farm country and a lot of the farm stands sell corn on the cob boiled/served right there--a fast food option my husband really enjoys.
On this same general route you could easily stop at Chambly which is a pleasant town--but again I have no specific restaurant suggestions. Chambly also has the National Historic site/fort mentioned by Daniel_Williams
If you go a different route form Burlington through the Vermont Champlain Islands and over to Rte 87 (US) to Rte 15 in Canada, the Blue Paddle in South Hero and North Hero House restaurants in the island are good places for dinner. Again, not sure about lunch and not sure how soon you will want to stop.
if you go up Rte 89 from Burlington there is nothing much right off the route 133. But it would go through St Jean sur Richelieu so the suggestion of considering stopping there makes sense to me. the older part of that town along the river is quite nice with a few restaurants. We have eaten some quite a few years ago for dinner but I don't know of any current lunch options.
One place right off of rte 133 in Quebec, before you get to the highway section is Restaurant La Suisse in Pikes River. We have had dinner there but I am not sure about lunch. I know they have a big garden. This is a Swiss-German restaurant with fondue and I think raclette, so not typical Quebec food at all.
Rte 133 also goes through farm country and a lot of the farm stands sell corn on the cob boiled/served right there--a fast food option my husband really enjoys.
On this same general route you could easily stop at Chambly which is a pleasant town--but again I have no specific restaurant suggestions. Chambly also has the National Historic site/fort mentioned by Daniel_Williams
If you go a different route form Burlington through the Vermont Champlain Islands and over to Rte 87 (US) to Rte 15 in Canada, the Blue Paddle in South Hero and North Hero House restaurants in the island are good places for dinner. Again, not sure about lunch and not sure how soon you will want to stop.
Jul 25th, 2011, 05:25 PM
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owlwoman, I am delighted our suggestion worked for you! Hope your trip was super. While I am no fan of foie gras (vegetarian) my travel companion is and she will be delighted to have the suggestion. I have seen Toast recommended a couple of times. I believe we will be spoiled for choice in Quebec City.
VTtraveler, I will be taking along your suggestions. My friend is the driver and I am going to give her the option of route selection. Personally I would love the corn on the cob!
Thank you all so much.
VTtraveler, I will be taking along your suggestions. My friend is the driver and I am going to give her the option of route selection. Personally I would love the corn on the cob!
Thank you all so much.
Jul 26th, 2011, 02:54 AM
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So I just thought of another possibility off the route going on Rte 15. Just north of the US border you will come to the exit for Hemmingford. There is a very well-known ciderie that was the first one to produce ice cider. According to this tourist link it has a restaurant and picnic area
http://quebec.travel/qc-en/attractio..._33707791.html
Here is more information on the Cider Route which includes other stops
http://www.canada.com/topics/travel/...6-4d5e7bd41673
I think of stopping at La Face Cachée de la Pomme every time we take that route from Montreal but we are always short of time.
On the other route, Rte 133, there is a store connected to an apple orchard. It is on the left of the highway and I am pretty sure it is in Henryville. If it is open it sells ice cider and also good apple muffins and pies.
http://quebec.travel/qc-en/attractio..._33707791.html
Here is more information on the Cider Route which includes other stops
http://www.canada.com/topics/travel/...6-4d5e7bd41673
I think of stopping at La Face Cachée de la Pomme every time we take that route from Montreal but we are always short of time.
On the other route, Rte 133, there is a store connected to an apple orchard. It is on the left of the highway and I am pretty sure it is in Henryville. If it is open it sells ice cider and also good apple muffins and pies.
