Monterey

After staying in Montreal for the jazz festival, we're travelling to North Hatley to Manoir Hovey for several days. Any suggestions for sights to visit in the Eastern Townships during the days (interesting towns, events, restaurants for lunch, etc.)? Dates are July 6 - 8. Thanks.

pattysuericia

Go to Knowlton -its a charming little town with lots of nice places.,go to the lakeside town of Georgeville on Lake Memphremagog,go to Sutton.
Best of all order a free comprehensive booklet-go on this website www.bonjourquebec.com or call 1-877-266-5687 this will give you lots of info

pattysuericia

Hi Monterey

Go to this site(click on english)
www.easterntownships.cc
or call toll free 1-800-355-5755

pattysuericia

Here's another site:www.quebecregion.com
don't forget to claim your hotel tax-save receipts & get the form at the hotel & file the necessary refund form

AlexA

Manoir Hovey is a wonderful choice. On a short trip like yours, you may not want to leave the premises, except for a hop into town, especially if you love watersports!
What do you like to do?
North Hatley itself is a nice town with a few casual restaurants, several antique and and craft shops and 2 small supermarkets if you need to stock up on snacks for a trip.
Right outside North Hatley is The Piggery, and English language summer stock theater that is very popular. Prices are very reasonable and the setting is charming. Magog, a larger resort town about a 15 minute drive away has many many stores and restaurants but isn't exactly quaint.

There are themed driving tours listed in the Eastern Townships' tourism agency's pamphlets (that are probably listed on the website pattysuericia gave you, or you can pick up the brochures when you get there) You can drive around and look at beautiful barns and farmland, see sites of historic interest, visit a small museum or 2, go to the Abbey (forgot the name) where the monks make wine and fabulous cheeses

Monterey

Thanks to everyone for your input. This will be our third visit to Manoir Hovey...you're right, AlexA, we've never left the wonderful inn except for a hike or visit to North Hatley. Last visit, we stopped en route at a huge flea market in Bromont which was great fun. The Abby sounds interesting, so I researched and came up with Abbaye St-Benoit du Lac. If this is the Abby you were referring to, we'll be sure to visit. Has anyone heard of Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook? Worth a visit? I've also come across the Pinnacle Estates which makes "the world's best ice cider"... what's your opinon? The area would appear to have much to offer, but it truly takes an insider to offer an opinion when time is short. We also like antiquing and art.
Thanks both to pattysuericia and AlexA. Any additional input would be greatly appreciated.

jgmc

Aside from the wonderful winter sports, where else do you eat, and what else might you do, in the Eastern Townships in December? We're staying at Manoir Hovey -- have stayed before and love it, but looking for new ideas. Thanks.

curiousx

Let us know if you see Johnny Depp - in September he was staying at Manoir Hovey while working on a film version of a Stephen King novella, 'Secret Garden, Secret Window' Quebec premier Jean Charest also has a home in North Hatley.

mitchdesj

jg, the dining room at the Ripplecove Inn is wonderful, we stayed there recently; they also have a nice pub so you might want to go there; the Ripplecove Inn is in Ayer's Cliff,on lake Massawippi, a short drive from Hovey. We also went to Spa Eastman, for massages; many services offered there.
Do try and visit the Abbey; you will be astounded at it's beauty, it's world renowned although not broadly know; DH's uncle has been a monk there all his life; they have a shop where they sell the cheese they make amongst other things. Sadly, I have not been there in years. They have gregorian chants for mass on sunday; the inn should have info on when to visit.
A few hours strolling in the village of Knowlton should be nice also. The town center of Magog is very commercial, don't bother unless you want to shop, although there are many decent average restaurants there.

ventdest

Hi Monterey,
Yes, it is the Abbaye Saint-Benoit-du-Lac. Beautiful and peaceful place. La gorge de Coaticook is not breath-taking, but the footbridge is somewhat impressive (if you're not just back from the Grand Canyon ) Go there to enjoy a nice walk. While in the Coaticook area, if you read French and like poetry, you might want to check out a place out of the ordinary in a village out of the way... It is the Poetic Trail, in Saint-Venant-de-Paquette. It shows in 3-4 flower gardens and self-guided trails the history of poetry in Quebec. Very inspiring! The trails start from the small church, which it is worth seeing too. (http://www.amisdupatrimoine.qc.ca/amipat.htm)