1st trip to Canada
 

My husband and I plan to visit Quebec (his 2nd time and my 1st).We have 1 week alloted for Canada . While in this part of Canada what other MUST SEE cities or places whould we visit? We're also open to driving around if worth the effort .Niagra Falls too far to visit from Quebec? Thanks hope some of you can help us.

With only 1 week, you probibly should just do Quebec. Driving from Quebec city or even Montreal to Niagra is probibly 13, 14 hours.

Niagara Falls is about 6 hours plus one hour plus two hours of pretty hard driving. Montreal to Toronto, across Toronto, and then to Niagara Falls. And if you are starting out in Quebec City, add another two hours.

Hints, tips, etc. Quebec is a province and Quebec City is a city, like New York State and New York City. Let's assume you meant the province in your original message.

The most important parts, for only a week, would be Quebec City, which is historical and looks European, and Montreal, which is big and vibrant and looks modern, with a lot of history thrown in.

You can drive from QC to Mon. in a couple of hours, or you can take a day, either along the shores of the St. Lawrence River or by travelling through the vacation country called The Eastern Townships, which extends more or less from QC to Montreal and down to the Vermont border. there are nice inns in this area, and you might leve QC after lunch on day, saty the night in the Eastern Townships, and then drive into Montreal the next day.

Montreal is worth several days of your visit.

North of Montreal are the Laurentian mountains, another vacation area, with resorts. It's popular all year round, although pretty qiet in October and November. Again, leave Montreal in the Mmorning, stay overhight in, perhaps, mont Tremblant, and return to Montreal the next day. You could do the round trip in a day if you want.

If you have more spare time, think about going to ottawa, only a two hour, or so, drive away. It's Canada's capital city, beautiful buildings, a wonderful art gallery, many museums (fine art, airplanes, guns and tanks, railway trains, money...)

Part of the planning relates to how you arrive and depart from Quebec province. ifyou are driving from the mid-west, you go by Niagara Falls on the way.

BAK

Great idea on seeing Quebec City - lots of history and very nice city.

I might suggest you spend 3 days in Quebec City - drive 2 hours to Montreal - spend 2 days and drive 2 more hours to the Nation's Capital Ottawa. You can then depart from Ottawa.

Ottawa has much to offer including the Parliament Buildings, the National Gallery of Canada, great museums, a vibrant market area and the Gatineau Hills as a stunning backdrop.

These three cities will provide you with great variety and a nice snapshot of Canada.

Suggestions to see Toronto and Niagara might not be practical for you - way too much driving for only a week in Canada. Toronto is approximately 9 hours driving from Quebec City.

Enjoy your trip.

CANJPH has it right, although I personally wouldn't spend that much time in Quebec City. Two days would be more than enough for a lot of people, myself included. It's very very touristy.

Quebec City, Montreal, and Ottawa are all nice cities but they will not give you a snapshot of Canada anymore than visiting Baltimore, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh will give you a snapshot of the United States. For one thing, Quebec City and Montreal are both French speaking and Ottawa has a significant French influence, although English is the language of the majority of Canadians. Canada is a big country, bigger than the United States (3,800 miles from Atlantic to Pacific). These three cities are within 300 miles of each other.

Actually I tend to think "snapshot" is great word to describe what visiting these 3 cities is...just as much as visiting Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Philly TRULY is a "snapshot" of the US. After all, what is a "snapshot" other than a picture taken briefly showing one aspect of a destination. These 3 Canadian cities are as much a snapshot as Calgary, Moncton and Iqaluit are...or really anywhere in Canada.

Anyhow, onto another thought. I enjoy visiting Quebec City very much, and think that there's plenty to do for 2 days; I've never had any trouble keeping busy there. (Meander along the old buildings of the Haute Ville, then check out the Basse Ville, stroll along the river views of Plains of Abraham, enjoy the gardens, wooded paths and river views from Parc Bois de Coulonge, shop and admire Rues Cartier, St. Jean and Maguire in Sillery, are just a few ideas.) Also, while I recognize that there IS a significant touristy element, Quebec is a real breathing city, the capital of the province and home to 600,000 denizens who work for not only govt but a variety of industries...I've visited about 8 times and can tell you that there are plenty of fascinating, not-so-touristy parts.

thanks to all you Fodorites namely :Rusty,MikeT,CANJPH,BAK,LissaJ,Daniel Willams... the info you have given us are very helpful . We are now in the process of planning out our itinerary based on your advices and experiences. Its Quebec City that we will be visiting, just driving from New York City

Hey UditGa2001,

Glad the advice in this thread is helpful to you.

We have been to Quebec City many times and really think you could see much of the area in about 2-3 days. When you have seen Old Quebec, The Plains of Abraham area and seen things like the Ste. Anne de Beaupre Catholic Shrine (spectacular), you have seen many of the unique features. This will also give you time to sample a few of the wonderful restaurants and hospitality.

If you do have time - making an effort to see Montreal and Ottawa would definitely be worthwhile. It is worth going to Ottawa to sample a beavertail -a great pastry with sugar and lemon.

Old Montreal is very romantic and the shopping and restaurants in the city is great.

The Parliament Buildings in Ottawa are also worth the trip as is the National Gallery of Canada (a spectacular building).

I'm sure you will have a great time with any option you choose.

Good Luck!!!