My husband and I will be taking a road trip at the very beginning of September. We will be leaving Guilford, CT, traveling through Quebec City and the North Shore, then on to Acadia before traveling home. We are mid-60's, moderately active (10 - 12K steps a day, e-bikes, short hikes on flat and rolling terraine. enjoy nature and natural beauty, good food, drink and lodging but not into fussy. We will be doing a mix of self-catering and small inns/cabins/B&B's. We try to avoid a lot of 1 night stops. I have drafted an itinerary and feel fine with the distances. I'd love input on the itinerary. I 3 nights Old Quebec, 3 nights in Baie-Saint-Paul and 3 nights in Tadoussac a good plan or should I add/subtract. We are flexible and driving so we aren't confined to the number of days. I'd like to keep it around 16 total. I've listed possible activities. Recommendations on drives, restaurants, lodging, activities are welcome. North Hatley Quebec 1 night - on lake? cabin, inn, b&b

Quebec City 3 nights in Old City - romantic, higher end but comfy not fussy

• Explore upper and lower town
  
• Guided tour of Château Frontenac,
  
• Walking tour or Food Tour
  

Baie-Saint-Paul 3 nights - self-catering or semi-self-catering, walk to town

• Consider stop on the way to explore Ile d’ Orleans
  
• Route des Saveurs (Flavor Trail).
  
• Route 362 from Baie Saint Paul to La Malbaie (explore La Malbaie)
  
• Basilica of Sainte Anne-de-Beaupre
  
• Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area
  
• Parc national des Grands-Jardins
  
• Économusé du Fromage - cheese museum
  
• Charlevoix Maritime Museum
  

Tadoussac 3 nights - self catering - beautiful views, doesn't have to be walk to town

• Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre Tadoussac
  
• Saguenay River Fjord boat trip
  
• Dunes
  
• Rent e-bikes
  
• Take a drive north on 138 in the Cote-Nord toPointe-Aux-Outardes Nature Park
  
  • Innu Nation
    
  • Dinner Baie-Comeau
    

Edmundston or Temiscouata Overnight stop - 1 night

Bar Harbor/Acadia 4 nights - self-catering, easy access to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor

• Park Loop Road
  
• Explore Bar Harbor
  
• Jordan Pond House
  
• Lulu Lobster Boat Ride
  
• Rent e-bikes for the Carriage Roads
  

Home

Thank you.

I have little to say, but maybe my few comments will bring your post to the attention of others who might be of more help.

Of the places you plan to visit, I've been to only Quebec City, and that was a long time ago -- but I thoroughly enjoyed it! IMO, it's a great city for roaming. I'm a great fan of Inuit art; you might enjoy visiting some of the many galleries that feature Inuit pieces. I also greatly enjoyed the Musee national des beaux arts du Quebec. For dinner, Aux Anciens Canadiens is a local institution. I have fond memories of my meal there, and it still gets very good reviews.

Enjoy your trip!

Hello, Sister!

Sounds like a great road trip! I can add a few ideas to the thread, based on my visits/ preferences.

Quebec City

A hotel suggestion that would (IMO) match your comment “higher end, non-fussy” is Auberge Sainte Antoine in the lower town. We love the location for a lot of reasons and the hotel is very comfortable with great service.

A restaurant suggestion to look into is LeClan. We’re not foodie/tasting menu people but we felt very comfortable at this restaurant and enjoyed their approach to a tasting menu that highlights local ingredients.

We also enjoyed the Strom Spa by the river or even just the walk there from lowertown and then up the Cap Blanc stairs to the plains to upper town is a favourite for us.

Charlevoix
Hotel & Spa Le Germain Charlevoix in Baie St Paul is a unique property and very comfortable. There are so many activities in that area- too many to list here. Exploring via Google maps will show you the many hiking/walking trails etc in the area.

On the drive to Tadoussac I would suggest taking a detour from Route 138 at Port au Persil (with a stop at the Cidrerie- their products are delicious and the woman who served us was very amiable with lots of knowledge of the area). Another detour is at Baie Des Rochers. Look for “ Sentier Chute a Ma Grand-Mere” or Baie des Rochers Municipal park in google maps.

Tadoussac

In Tadoussac we stayed at Au Cachalot Caché le gîte hôtel. Their loft room was private, comfortable and spacious with a small kitchen where we could prepare our own breakfast (I don’t recall if there was a stove- we didn’t really cook).

A restaurant suggestion in the town is Cafe Boheme (make a reservation to avoid waiting).

We didn’t go on a whale watching cruise. Instead we drove out to the Cap de Bon Desir Interpretation centre (drive east towards Les Escoumins) where we sat on the rocks and watched the humpbacks for a few hours! We also did a Mer et Monde kayak excursion where we could hear whales but not see them due to the fog.The fog broke and we realized the whales had passed right beside us!

A great hike in that area is at the Fjord du Saguenay national park, Sainte Marguerite area. We took the trail that lead us to the beluga whale lookout where we had a great view of the fjord and some beluga whales in the distance.

Have a wonderful trip (and fun planning)!

I can't say enough great things about Quebec City. We spent a week there, twice, and loved every second of it. But we went in Summer when there is an explosion of activity, especially festivals and street performances. Maybe that lessens in September?

My one tip in the old town is to get croissants at Chez Temporel.


Our favorite excursion form the old town was seeing the National Longhouse Ekiokiestha'. It is part of a large complex, Maison Huron-Wendat. Nearby, people go canoeing and hiking the St Charles River which passes through parks and neighborhoods.

Hello sister4
Sounds like a wonderful trip, We visited Old Quebec City a number of years ago and loved the French atmosphere. It was really charming.

We spent a day biking on the Il de Orleans and it was a pretty ride.

On your return to the USA , I can recommend Bay Meadow Cottages in Bar Harbor. Small cottages with kitchenettes and a charming spot on a little cove. Ir's been a few years since we were there and it appears they have upgraded the furnishings.

Many other cottage communities require a week stay and Bay Meadow has always allowed shorter stays.

That road trip sounds incredible! You’ll definitely have a mix of everything, from big city vibes to breathtaking nature. I’d start by exploring Montreal — the food scene there is next level, plus you can stroll around Old Montreal for that European charm. Quebec City is another must-see, with its cobblestone streets and historic charm. Then, head east towards Acadia National Park. The park’s coastal views and hiking trails are perfect for nature lovers. Take your time and enjoy some local eats along the way, too!