planetmom

We are planning to drive from Baltimore to Montreal in August with three teenagers. the girls like to shop/sightsee the boy likes to eat and be active. Any suggestions about a halfway stop, where to stay/ what to do in Montreal or the surrounding area? The kids are experienced travelers and can tolerate long rides. Are there apartments for rent in Montreal? We plan to stay 7-10 days.

Myer

I'm originally from Montreal but really haven't spent much time there in the past 20 years.

I suggest you post this in the Canadian forum under Quebec.

Montreal is a great city with an excellent downtown area.

Old Montreal (not the "Old City") is a good place to walk around. Montreal is an island with a mountain (Mont-Royal) in the middle (ok, a large hill).

A lot of restaurant downtown although I have my favorites but I'm not up-to-date in the latest.

Bar-B-Barn for the best ribs in the world. Corner Guy and St Catherine.
Gibby's in Old Montreal
And of course smoke meat sandwhiches - the Canadian equivalent of pastrami.

zootsi

Although it's a little more than half way, Saratoga Springs is a fun little city for a stop off. As the above said, there's a wealth of info on Montreal on the Canada site. For a prolonged stay, I would recommend renting in the plateau area. Montreal is one of the world's great cities, with a festival every week in the summer. Once you get outside Montreal, it gets quite rural. There is a fun wine and cider route in the Eastern Townships. Both Montreal and the surrounding countryside have some of the best bicycling trails in North America.

tomfuller

Have you given thought to changing the route on the return trip?
You could add Quebec City and small doses of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont before returning to Saratoga Springs if you like it.

planetmom

Tha nks! I will post under the Quebec forum

J62

One problem with Saratoga is that during August it's packed and hotels are very expensive due to horse racing season. (last week of July through Labor Day)

Hotels that normally run $100-150 during the off season jump to $250 or more per night. You can stay 30min north or south and it's not so bad.

There is no racing on Tue, so that day tends to be a little quieter in town. Just about every other night you'll need a reservation to eat anywhere - not too hard to get if you plan a little in advance.

Post back here as your trip approaches if you want more Saratoga info. This is my 1st full year in the area, and I'm learning all sorts of fun things to do in and out of town.

planetmom

I have heard Saratoga is very nice. Maybe it would be best to stay 30 minutes or so outside and just visit Saratoga