1Artist

I am just starting to research our 2 week trip the end of August. We start in Buffalo NY and want to see Niagra, then drive (crossing where?) to Canada, then driving to Quebec, crossing back to the US (where?) and driving back to Buffalo.

Any hints on this travel trip? What to be sure not to miss?

Hope this query is not too broad.

Thanks,

1Artist from San Diego

BAK

Lots of choices.

You can cross from Buffalo to Fort Erie, Ontario, and then drive along the shore of the Niagara River (parkland) to Niagara Falls, (the cith and the waterfall) and then continue to Niagara on the Lake (tourist town, in the bet sense of the words)

Or you can stay inthe states a bit longer, drive to Niagara Falls N.Y., and cross into Canada there.

Quebec isa province,and Quebec City is a city in Quebec, and often we get them mixed up.

If it was me...

Niagara Falls to Niagara on the Lake to Toronto, north to Huntsville, east to Ottawa, east to MOntreal, west along the shoreline of the St. Lawrence River to Gananoque.

Her, we've got a problem. If you have a good reason to go to Syracuse and Rochester, take the Ivy Lea Bridge to the USA, just before the St. Lawrence River reaches Lake Ontario. Just drive south through Watertown on the dullest road in the US of A, and turn west at Syracuse.

But, probably more intresting, is to contiue past Ganoque to KIngston, then along the lake to the ferry to Prince EDward County (different from Prince EDward Island, which is 1000 miles away) and cross Prince EDward County and back to the mainland and continue back to Toronto.

From Toronto, you can head back over roads your already travelled, for only about an hour and a half maximum, to the US border and catch your plane.

Ottawa's full of art galleries; Huntsville and area is full of beautiful scenery, the St. Lawrence includes the Thousand Islands...

Depending on the kind of artist you are, there are lots of places to stop and paint or draw; if you're some other kind of artist you'll probably find lots of intrest too.

BAK

1Artist

Dear BAK,

Thanks for all the suggestions...this gives me a good place to start.

1Artist

LauraInOntario

Depending on the time of day you hit the border, you may be stuck in an ugly wait. Yes, you can come across in Buffalo which is less busy than the Rainbow bridge in Niagara Falls, but the bridge with less wait time is usually the Queenston-Lewiston one north of Niagara Falls.

Also, you need to think about where you'll be wanting to take a break and/or stop for the night. There's a lot to see and do in the Niagara area. The falls has plenty of kitschy touristy stuff and is fun that way if you can stand the tacky factor. Niagara-on-the-lake is sweet and boutique-y with a slower pace...best fudge on earth too! Then there's the fact that you're driving smack-dab through wine country with MANY wineries to stop and tour if you want.

If you want to stop around St Catherines, you'll want to take in Port Dalhousie.

Have you got kids? This will also factor into where you stop.

Enjoy your trip! Laura

1Artist

Hi Laura,

Our "kids" are in their forties!

We will be flying into Buffalo from San Diego and will be tired. Just need a place close to the airport and will not be sightseeing the first evening.

We will rent a car and drive over to Niagra on the Lake and stay there. Is one night enough?

I am not sure yet where we will stop on the drive from NOL up to Quebec City (Old Quebec)? then cross back to the US and back to Buffalo.

We only have 12 days. Hope that is enough, because I already have the plane reservations.

Thanks,

Louise

garyt22

When you arrive in Buffalo, head directly to Niagara Falls... There are several excellent Fallsview hotels on the Canadian side including the Fallsview Casino and Resort, Embassy Suites, the Oakes hotel and the Marriott. You can then wake up, grab a quick breakfast and walk across the Rainbow bridge to the US side...there are shuttles from the casino at Fallsview to the Niagara casino right by the Bridge... walk to Goat Island and there you can buy an activity pass booklet that includes the Cave of the Winds, Maid of the Mist, people mover and other attractions... after completing these US side activities, wander back to Canada...

Have your fill of the view and Canadian side and then head to Niagara on the Lake... you can either stay at Niagara Falls and take the twenty minute drive to NOTL or choose to stay in NOTL... there are several B&B choices or hotels such as vintageinns.com.

NOTL offers the Shaw Festival with six theatres and several plays to choose from and over 50 wineries, with tours, tastings and excellent regional food... if you check other postings for Niagara on the Lake there are dozens of recommendations. Also don't miss the Whirlpool Jet Boats from NOTL for a world class adventure into the rapids...its a great once in a lifetime trip that will make your trip...

Personally, I would do two nights in the Falls(including your first rest night) and then do two nights in NOTL, then head for Toronto for two nights, Montreal for two, Quebec for two and then head back at the North border toward Albany, and back across the State of NY, considering stops in the Adirondacks, perhaps Cooperstown, the Finger Lakes, and then back to Buffalo... have fun!!!

1Artist

Wonderful suggestions. Thanks Gary!

when

I would recommend crossing into Canada via the Peace Bridge from Buffalo, and taking the scenic Niagara Parkway route along the Niagara River to Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-th-Lake. Depending on your interests, there is a lot to do in and around NOTL, so you may want to stay 2 nights. Two websites to check out are http://www.tourismniagara.com and http://www.niagaraonthelake.com. It's only a 1.5 hour drive to Toronto (except traffic can be awful during morning commute time), so I would recommend getting a late AM start, spending half a day and the next day there, then going on to Montreal the following morning. It's about 6 hours to Montreal from Toronto. You could spend several days in Montreal, but you may want to consider staying a couple of days on the way to Quebec City and, if you liked Montreal, stop for another night on your way back. It's about 3 hours from QC to Montreal. I would cross back into the US at the 1000 Islands bridge west of Montreal. Have a great trip.