Planning a trip to Quebec City, Montreal, Niagra Falls
Aug 25th, 2009, 02:39 PM
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Planning a trip to Quebec City, Montreal, Niagra Falls
Hello,
My wife and I are planning a trip to Quebec City, Montreal, Niagara Falls, and all that is interesting to see along the way. We will be flying into Montreal on September 10th, and will most likely rent a car to visit anywhere we wish within reasonable driving distance. We will be flying back on September 17th most likely from Buffalo, NY. Do you think this is a reasonable amount of time to visit these locations and soak in all there is to see, or are we cramming too much into this trip. Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
My wife and I are planning a trip to Quebec City, Montreal, Niagara Falls, and all that is interesting to see along the way. We will be flying into Montreal on September 10th, and will most likely rent a car to visit anywhere we wish within reasonable driving distance. We will be flying back on September 17th most likely from Buffalo, NY. Do you think this is a reasonable amount of time to visit these locations and soak in all there is to see, or are we cramming too much into this trip. Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Aug 25th, 2009, 03:51 PM
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Dependin g on how intrested in old French cities, I'd probably recommend skipping Quebec City.
That gives you a couple of days in Montreal (which has lots of old French city parts to it), a day or two in Ottawa, which has its own set of minor mountains, lots of excellent museums -- one for every taste -- and parks, flowrs, canals... and then you could pick one of two main routes to Toronto, through either Huntsville or Kingston.
A couple more days in Toronto, and then you drive to Niagara on the Lake and Niagara Falls, figure out how to get rid of the rental car, and go to the Buffalo airport and fly home.
That's doable; trying to add two days or more to get all the way to Quebec City is excessive.
BAK
That gives you a couple of days in Montreal (which has lots of old French city parts to it), a day or two in Ottawa, which has its own set of minor mountains, lots of excellent museums -- one for every taste -- and parks, flowrs, canals... and then you could pick one of two main routes to Toronto, through either Huntsville or Kingston.
A couple more days in Toronto, and then you drive to Niagara on the Lake and Niagara Falls, figure out how to get rid of the rental car, and go to the Buffalo airport and fly home.
That's doable; trying to add two days or more to get all the way to Quebec City is excessive.
BAK
Aug 25th, 2009, 06:27 PM
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I disagree with BAK on this one... I would land in Montreal and immediately drive to Quebec City... QC offers a Parisian/european flavor to your trip, and is unique in culture and language, much different than French Canadian Montreal... after two days, drive back to Montreal for two and then take the long drive for a night in toronto.... that leaves you two nights in Niagara and then home... there are also preset tours that you can buy that include the cities and eliminate the need to drive... call your travel agent...
Aug 25th, 2009, 11:22 PM
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My husband and I were in Quebec City in May and found that four full days was not long enough. If we ever again feel the urge to take the long, long train trip across the country, we would go to straight to Quebec City and stay there.
I did like seeing Niagara Falls for the first time though.
I did like seeing Niagara Falls for the first time though.
Aug 26th, 2009, 06:25 AM
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So there's your choice... see old Montreal, and then pretty much repeat it in Quebec City, and skip Ottawa.
Or say enough is enough with the old stone buildings and the art galleries aimed at tourists (and excellent restaurants) after you've been on Montreal, and head for Ottawa, with the National Gallery and the Museum of Civilazation and the War Museum and the Aviation Museum and the Gatineau Mountains and canls to take boats rides in/on.
Probably worth trying to find Ottawa and Quebec City municipal tourism sites.
And don't forget the travel time going est from Montreal to QC and then back again.
Or say enough is enough with the old stone buildings and the art galleries aimed at tourists (and excellent restaurants) after you've been on Montreal, and head for Ottawa, with the National Gallery and the Museum of Civilazation and the War Museum and the Aviation Museum and the Gatineau Mountains and canls to take boats rides in/on.
Probably worth trying to find Ottawa and Quebec City municipal tourism sites.
And don't forget the travel time going est from Montreal to QC and then back again.
Aug 26th, 2009, 04:22 PM
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" see old Montreal, and then pretty much repeat it in Quebec City"
I live in Montreal and also disagree with BAK on this one...a visit to Old Montreal does not equal a visit to Quebec City. They're architecturally different and Quebec City has views you won't get in Old Montreal with the cliffs surrounding. The French language spoken in Quebec City is differently accented than in Montreal and culturally, Quebec City differs pretty radically, being 95% francophone and a good bit more insular, whereas Montreal Island is much more anglo-franco blend, larger, mutlicultural and quite outward-looking. Frankly, in my opinion, a fascinating contrast, and I enjoy both cities, appreciating each for its merits... but do find them quite divergent.
Cheers, Daniel
I live in Montreal and also disagree with BAK on this one...a visit to Old Montreal does not equal a visit to Quebec City. They're architecturally different and Quebec City has views you won't get in Old Montreal with the cliffs surrounding. The French language spoken in Quebec City is differently accented than in Montreal and culturally, Quebec City differs pretty radically, being 95% francophone and a good bit more insular, whereas Montreal Island is much more anglo-franco blend, larger, mutlicultural and quite outward-looking. Frankly, in my opinion, a fascinating contrast, and I enjoy both cities, appreciating each for its merits... but do find them quite divergent.
Cheers, Daniel
Aug 26th, 2009, 05:04 PM
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Maybe I should give up -- right after I meet the tourists from far away (Americans?) who appreciate the difference in accents between Montreal and QC more than they appreciate the National Gallery.
Seven days, gotta get to a plane in Buffalo...
Maybe we should have them spend half a day at the Granby Zoo, too.
Seven days, gotta get to a plane in Buffalo...
Maybe we should have them spend half a day at the Granby Zoo, too.
Aug 26th, 2009, 07:08 PM
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haha true about the accent, even some anglo-Montrealers can't tell the difference.
However, I think my other points were valid, the two cities really give quite different flavours of French-speaking Canada, a living, breathing, atypical experience which is more interesting to some visitors than an art museum. I found Ottawa nice but rather sedate; first time I visited Quebec City, the ambience made me want to live there, such I felt was its magic! As a result, I cannot discourage a potential visitor who has already prioritized Quebec City from seeing it. I realize there is a difference in opinion here, but my opinion is it's not only unfair but also inaccurate to sum Quebec City up as just "more old stone buildings". Over 400 years of history have created a unique culture there, whether perceived by visitors or not.
I say 3 days Montreal, 2 days Quebec City, drive to Niagara Falls (1 day), do activities there (1 day) and then go to Buffalo airport. True, something needs to be skipped; if Mtl, QC and Niagara Falls are the OP's desire, I think stops in Toronto and Ottawa sadly must go.
However, I think my other points were valid, the two cities really give quite different flavours of French-speaking Canada, a living, breathing, atypical experience which is more interesting to some visitors than an art museum. I found Ottawa nice but rather sedate; first time I visited Quebec City, the ambience made me want to live there, such I felt was its magic! As a result, I cannot discourage a potential visitor who has already prioritized Quebec City from seeing it. I realize there is a difference in opinion here, but my opinion is it's not only unfair but also inaccurate to sum Quebec City up as just "more old stone buildings". Over 400 years of history have created a unique culture there, whether perceived by visitors or not.
I say 3 days Montreal, 2 days Quebec City, drive to Niagara Falls (1 day), do activities there (1 day) and then go to Buffalo airport. True, something needs to be skipped; if Mtl, QC and Niagara Falls are the OP's desire, I think stops in Toronto and Ottawa sadly must go.
Aug 27th, 2009, 07:00 AM
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Hooray for Daniel... my thoughts exactly... to try to force someone to visit a city not on their list is a bit of a reach... but to bash a beautiful city like Quebec to win your point is unacceptable... The same poster has also bashed the US side of the Niagara Falls and I doubt whether he has spent much time there recently.... 'nuff said... love you Brian...
Aug 27th, 2009, 07:49 PM
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Well, I had a great time in Quebec City recently (and have posted an almost complete trip report with my observations). I haven't been to Montreal yet, so can't comment on it, but we found plenty to do in 3.5 days in Quebec City while hardly setting foot in a museum.
And I was fascinated by the different accents I heard in Quebec City -like that of the people who pronounced "fraise" and "chaise" as FRIZE and SHIZE rather than FREHZ and SHEHZ like I learned in high school French class. Or the woman (who was a native) who spoke French with what sounded to me like a New Jersey accent.
Depending on where/how long you stay and what you want to do, you might not need the car in Quebec CIty, so you might want to compare the cost of train tickets against the cost of the car plus gas plus parking.
And I was fascinated by the different accents I heard in Quebec City -like that of the people who pronounced "fraise" and "chaise" as FRIZE and SHIZE rather than FREHZ and SHEHZ like I learned in high school French class. Or the woman (who was a native) who spoke French with what sounded to me like a New Jersey accent.
Depending on where/how long you stay and what you want to do, you might not need the car in Quebec CIty, so you might want to compare the cost of train tickets against the cost of the car plus gas plus parking.
Aug 28th, 2009, 09:54 PM
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Thank you to everyone for the very enlightening information for our trip to Quebec, Montreal and Niagara Falls! Your opinions will certainly help us “hone” in our travel plans. Now can I please get some advice on reasonably priced by “nice” hotels that we can stay in for Quebec and Montreal?
Again, your input is greatly appreciated!
FYI, we are flying in from southern California trying to get away from the fires and earthquakes!!
Again, your input is greatly appreciated!
FYI, we are flying in from southern California trying to get away from the fires and earthquakes!!
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