mimiwhite

Hello!

My husband and I are planning a road trip this summer from Minneapolis to Montreal, and then up to Quebec City. This is our first time exploring Canada. We don't have a strict time frame (we could be gone for 2-3 weeks), and we'll be embarking in mid-July.

We are on the budget of two nonprofit staffers, so it won't be a luxury trip, but we can splurge on one or two experiences.

Does anyone have a recommended route we should take? What are some "can't miss" spots along the way? Are we missing an opportunity by taking this route, and while we're on the East Coast, should we be visiting other places in Canada? We are both adventurous, but not looking for camping or "roughing it". We don't mind out of the way spots, and we're both very into art/theatre/music and good food. Beautiful scenery would be great, too.

Thanks for any insights you can offer; we're excited to explore!

Amanda

zootsi

With 2-3 weeks you can really explore this unique part of the world. Besides the actual cities of Montreal & QC (both are fabulous), you can do a few nights in the French Canadian countryside. The Eastern Townships, the area east of Montreal is dotted with wineries, apple orchards, and some nice little towns. Magog is quite picturesque. Northeast of Quebec City is the beautiful Charlevoix area.
Go to the Quebecoriginal website, and request their free guidebooks for the cities and some of the districts you might want to explore. These books are very helpful.

garyt22

You might add Stratford, Ontario and Niagara on the Lake to your route... Both have amazing theatre festivals in the summer plus great restaurants, the Niagara wine region, plus a quick stop at Niagara Falls...

Vttraveler

I see you have also listed PEI and Nova Scotia in your tags. I would not recommend trying to go that far but would concentrate on QC and places along your route there and maybe north of QC to the Chalevoix area.

This Montreal tourist website has some very good information. During the summer there are Sweet Deals at many hotels that give good rates if you stay 3 nights.
http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/

tomfuller

Two or three routes to consider. Go on one of them and come back on another.
1. Go to Detroit and take the tunnel over to Windsor Ontario and go east on the Mac Donald.
2. Continue north on I-94 from Detroit to Port Huron and cross at Sarnia.
3. Stay on I-90 through Cleveland OH to Buffalo and then cross into Canada at Niagara Falls.
I don't know what the gas prices are in Canada but the US dollar is worth about $1.41CDN.

mimiwhite

Thank you all very much; we have been forced to edit some of our trip, but I will certainly take your recommendations to heart as we plan!