maribethp

Husband and I will travel from SE Pa to Canada in late September. Our time is not a factor. We would like to visit QUebec City, Niagara Falls, and the Thousand Islands. Is this a plan? If you think so, what should we be sure to see? we are 70 and do not plan to scale any mountains or kayak down falls, just enjoy, tour, eat, rest. Thanks

UTour

Have you been any of these places before? How do you plan to get from place to place? Also, what's your preferred type of attraction? Are there any locations/sites that are particularly interesting to you?

This will help narrow things down a bit but certainly the trip is eminently do-able

u

garyt22

If you want to drive, make a circle and head west... First stop, the Finger Lakes... Corning, Ithaca, Watkins Glen...

Then head for the Falls... Lots to do and see including Maid of the Mist, Casinos, Nature of the Falls...

You could then stop in Toronto or head up to Thousand Islands... Next stop Montreal...

Then its off to Montreal.... add that to your trip


Quebec City is next.... then back to cross the Border at Montreal...

Head south stopping in Saratoga, Lake George or Albany before heading back to Eastern Pennsylvanis...

The entire loop is about 1500 miles or 26 hours of driving but it is broken up into smaller sections by your stops...

Its a lot of driving, but if you are not in a hurry, it is a beautiful trip... Have Fun

maribethp

Thanks. That is just what I needed. WE enjoy eating out, scenic views, have done the Niagara things but not for about 55 years. We are not gamblers or hikers. we will be driving. IS there a way to avoid Lake George? We were there a few years ago.

maribethp

We do have passports, by the way.

garyt22

Just keep driving and choose another stop... Saratoga is nice

ELiz_Travels

Lots to do in Toronto, so suggest you stop there for a couple of nights. Go to the theatre, take in the view from atop the CN tower, have a meal in one of the ethnic neighbourhood (Italian, Vietnamese, Greek,Portuguese,--lots to choose from) visit the fabulous Royal Ontario Museum and Art Gallery of Ontario.

Between Toronto and the Thousand Islands, I suggest a detour south of the 401/transCanada highway/Macdonald Cartier freeway to Prince Edward county. Visit a winery if you like, take in the beach at Sandbanks provincial park, explore the quaint village of Picton.

September is often the best time of year to visit southern Ontario, IMHO, so enjoy your visit.

UTour

Seconding Eliz_Travels' suggestion about visiting Prince Edward County. There's a downloadable winery map here:

http://bit.ly/Prince_Edward_County_wine_trail

The Loyalist Parkway is a lovely drive and since time is your friend, I'd recommend it. Have you considered visiting Ottawa? It's a bit off your route but not painfully so.

u

maribethp

We are open for suggestions. i will have knee replacement in late October so this is our fun trip before all of that.

gardendiva

Instead of staying in Niagara Falls, you will most likely find Niagara on the Lake a bit more enjoyable. It is about 10 minutes outside of Niagara Falls. Quaint town with many surrounding wineries.

I was looking at the Thousand Islands website last week. It seems like you could spend a few day just there.

MsLizzy

I agree with these suggestions: starting from the west, check out Niagara-on-the-Lake near Niagara Falls, a quaint town but full of theatre and wineries....then heading east past Toronto, a detour just off the 401hwy at Port Hope,Colbourne taking hwy31 through Prince Edward County at apple time: Brighton, Bloomfield, Picton...taking the Glenora Ferry (short and free) and continue 31 along Lake Ontario to Kingston - a beautiful city. Then the loyalist parkway as recommended. I often go to The Thousand Islands. There are boat tours from Gananoque and Rockport around the islands and/or to Boldt Castle on Hart Island. Well worth the visit. Since it is in the USA side of the river, we Canadians need our passport to visit it these days. I much prefer the tours from Rockport as the boats are smaller and can go around more of the many smaller islands. There is also a nice, casual restaurant on the water. From there continue to Brockville, north Hwy 416 to Ottawa for a few wonderful days....so much to see and do. Cross to Quebec in Ottawa/Gatineau and take the road along the north side of the Ottawa River to Montreal, staying at least one evening at the very special Fairmont Montebello. It is very special, a large log chateau with a very good restaurant. You can reach Quebec City easily from Montreal north or south of the St. Lawrence river.

Hope this helps