Hi everyone,

I want to take a long weekend in mid-august with my three younger brothers (8,11,12 yrs old) but I would like to stay in Canada so I can avoid all the hassle of getting paperwork together to allow them to cross the border. Do you guys know of somewhere within lets say a 4hr drive that would be a fun place for kids that age? If there is a small beach that would be great, but I need some fun kid centered activities to keep them busy, but not cost a fortune.

I would like something like Lake George, NY but within Canada. Any suggestions??
Thanks a bunch!


Layla

If they haven't been to the 1000 island area I think they would enjoy that. my sons also enjoyed Fort Henry in Kingston. Boldt castle is interesting but requires the paperwork involved in the border crossing
http://www.frommers.com/destinations...755027879.html

South and east of Montreal our kids have enjoyed the Canadian Railroad museum and Fort Chambly and Fort Lennox (on Isle au Noix, reached by boat)

How about Ottawa/Gatineau-Hull? There's lots of outdoor activities for them at Gatineau Park, there's the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, lots of museums in Ottawa, plus you could go skating or biking along the Rideau Canal. There's Vincent Massey Park and Hog's Back Falls and Mooney's Bay for more outdoor fun, plus Dow's Lake.

You could even throw a bit of education in there without them realizing it.

Four hours can get you pretty far (almost to Toronto if the QPP&OPP aren't out in force!) so you have plenty of options.

Besides the good suggestions you've already received, Algonquin park, Laurentides, Eastern Townships come to mind.

Hi Layla,

Perhaps Lac Beauport.

JQ

Hi guys,

Great suggestions! Sorry it took me so long to respond to this thread, I was about to ask again when I realized I had already posted!

I will look into all those options, thanks you! Do any of you have any experience crossing the border with underage siblings? Has it been a hassle? I have a feeling the answer will be yes so I'm pretty much forgetting about a US weekend.

Once again, thanks so much for the tips. If anyone knows of anywhere else don't be shy!

Oh...has anyone been to the sandbanks? Any idea how far they are from here or whether that would be of interest to an 8, 11, and 12 year old?

Thanks much!!

Layla

Hello Layla:

Upper Canada Village, 110 kms west of Montreal, just past Cornwall.

In the same area, Long Sault Provincial Park has a very nice beach, with boat and paddle boat rental.

Ottawa, of course, with great museums, especially the Museum of Civilization and its Children's Museum.
At that age, my children also enjoyed the Science and Technology Museum and the Nature's Museum.

I have been crossing the US/Canada border with my children, on average 3 times a month for the past 15 years and it is not a hassle. However, I am always prepared for one.

I always have a letter from my wife acknowledging the fact and giving her permission and contact information. I never had the letter notarized and it never made a difference.

Last year, a mother took her son across the border and drowned him, just to get back at her husband. If you do choose to cross keep an open mind and appreciate that distinguishing terrorists, criminals and potential murderers from regular folks in a few minutes is not an easy task.

In addition, if you choose to leave the country or the province, get supplemental medical coverage.

Mark

About the Sandbanks, there was an article in the Montreal Gazette not too long ago:http://www.canada.com/topics/travel/...8d&k=15943
Very informative. I was myself at that park once only.