San Diego to NYC via Canada
Feb 17th, 2011, 11:37 AM
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San Diego to NYC via Canada
Driving with my sister from San Diego to Vancouver, across Canada, then home to NYC. Our plans include major cities and nat'l parks along/close to the Trans-Canadian, but I wonder if anyone has some suggestions for interesting, off-the-beaten-path stops along the way?
Feb 17th, 2011, 12:41 PM
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That's a long distance with lots of potential stops. What are your interests beyond National Parks and Big Cities? History, charming small towns, scenic and/or nature spots, hiking, canoeing, fishing, etc.?
In addition to National Parks, there are a number of Provincial Parks which are worth a visit if you have time e.g. off the top you might consider Dinosaur Provincial Park and the nearby Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleontology in the Drumheller Alberta area. In Ontario 3 particularly scenic Provincial Parks are Lake Superior, Killarney and Algonquin. There are a variety of historic towns too - if those interest you we can take a look at the map and see which are closest to your route.
BUT - how much time do you have? It sounds like you're not in any particular rush if you're planning on hitting all major cities and National Parks.
ALSO - When??
In addition to National Parks, there are a number of Provincial Parks which are worth a visit if you have time e.g. off the top you might consider Dinosaur Provincial Park and the nearby Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleontology in the Drumheller Alberta area. In Ontario 3 particularly scenic Provincial Parks are Lake Superior, Killarney and Algonquin. There are a variety of historic towns too - if those interest you we can take a look at the map and see which are closest to your route.
BUT - how much time do you have? It sounds like you're not in any particular rush if you're planning on hitting all major cities and National Parks.
ALSO - When??
Feb 17th, 2011, 01:41 PM
#3
Agree with mat54- When and how many miles do you want to drive per day? If you don't have a vehicle that has to go back to NYC, it is possible to go entirely by rail and rent a car at your layover cities.
After you leave Vancouver, you will want to stop in the Rocky Mountains, Banff/Lake Louise if by car or Jasper by train.
Maybe Moose Jaw or Regina SK in the prairies and certainly Winnipeg Manitoba. Twice I have taken the train from Winnipeg to Churchill on the Hudson Bay. That is about as far out-of-the-way as you can get.
Do you want to cross over the Big Mac and go through Michigan or go through Toronto and cross at Niagra Falls?
After you leave Vancouver, you will want to stop in the Rocky Mountains, Banff/Lake Louise if by car or Jasper by train.
Maybe Moose Jaw or Regina SK in the prairies and certainly Winnipeg Manitoba. Twice I have taken the train from Winnipeg to Churchill on the Hudson Bay. That is about as far out-of-the-way as you can get.
Do you want to cross over the Big Mac and go through Michigan or go through Toronto and cross at Niagra Falls?
Feb 19th, 2011, 05:13 PM
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Thanks for the replies.
Going in June. Driving the entire way. Crossing into the US in New Brunswick after Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Need to break up the drive between Dinosaur Prov Park and Ottowa with interesting stuff - history, charming small towns, scenic and/or nature spots, hiking, canoeing all qualify!
Churchill will have to wait for now. What's cool about Moose Jaw and Regina - why should I plan to stop there?
Going in June. Driving the entire way. Crossing into the US in New Brunswick after Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Need to break up the drive between Dinosaur Prov Park and Ottowa with interesting stuff - history, charming small towns, scenic and/or nature spots, hiking, canoeing all qualify!
Churchill will have to wait for now. What's cool about Moose Jaw and Regina - why should I plan to stop there?
Feb 23rd, 2011, 09:59 AM
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Well, I can elaborate on some nature/scenic suggestions in Ontario (still not knowing how much time you have).
Thunder Bay area (small city) has some interesting attractions. Sleeping Giant Provincial Park on Lake Superior is scenic with lots of nature and hiking trails. Other scenic attractions include Kakabeka Falls and spectacular Ouimet Canyon. The Thunder Bay area is known for amethyst, and there are open pit mines where you can collect your own specimens.
Lake Superior Provincial Park is stunningly beautiful and again has a variety of nature and hiking trails as well as ancient native petroglyphs. You would probably stay in either the small town of Wawa (close to the north(west) park entrance - mostly small motels), or the larger town (small city) of Sault Ste Marie maybe 2 hours south(east) of the park (several big chain hotels plus others).
Killarney Provincial Park is another area of spectacular scenery on northern Georgian Bay, featuring classic Canadian (Precambrian) shield landscapes of exposed granite and quartzite with forest, lakes, streams, etc. Limited accommodations include Killarney Mountain Lodge. Several very nice hiking trails but fewer than the other parks. Canoeing is popular. The townsite is small but cute with a famous fresh Fish & Chips stand.
After that you can take the southern Trans Canada route via Hwy 400 or Hwy 11 (there are several Trans Canada options in Ontario - take the one that more-or-less hugs the shores of Lake Superior and Georgian Bay). Then head east on Hwy 60 and stop in or near Algonquin Provincial Park, another very popular spot for nature and scenery with excellent trails, many lakes, forest clad hills and abundant wildlife. Canoeing is also popular here. 3 Lodge style resorts in the park or a large selection of accommodations on the outskirts including cabins, chalets and full service resorts.
Ontario Provincial Parks website has details on trails etc. for all of above: http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/index.html
Note - June can be buggy in this part of the world - get some spray. However June is I think the best time for wildlife observation. Moose are almost a sure thing, especially in Algonquin along the main highway 60 close to sunset.
You're now only about 3 hours from Ottawa.
If you chose to venture into Southern Ontario on your travels, there are many more "developed" sights to see including wine regions (Niagara Peninsula and others), big cities (e.g. Toronto), small charming theatre towns (Stratford and Niagara-on-the-Lake), the Thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence, etc. Let us know how far you plan to wander....
Thunder Bay area (small city) has some interesting attractions. Sleeping Giant Provincial Park on Lake Superior is scenic with lots of nature and hiking trails. Other scenic attractions include Kakabeka Falls and spectacular Ouimet Canyon. The Thunder Bay area is known for amethyst, and there are open pit mines where you can collect your own specimens.
Lake Superior Provincial Park is stunningly beautiful and again has a variety of nature and hiking trails as well as ancient native petroglyphs. You would probably stay in either the small town of Wawa (close to the north(west) park entrance - mostly small motels), or the larger town (small city) of Sault Ste Marie maybe 2 hours south(east) of the park (several big chain hotels plus others).
Killarney Provincial Park is another area of spectacular scenery on northern Georgian Bay, featuring classic Canadian (Precambrian) shield landscapes of exposed granite and quartzite with forest, lakes, streams, etc. Limited accommodations include Killarney Mountain Lodge. Several very nice hiking trails but fewer than the other parks. Canoeing is popular. The townsite is small but cute with a famous fresh Fish & Chips stand.
After that you can take the southern Trans Canada route via Hwy 400 or Hwy 11 (there are several Trans Canada options in Ontario - take the one that more-or-less hugs the shores of Lake Superior and Georgian Bay). Then head east on Hwy 60 and stop in or near Algonquin Provincial Park, another very popular spot for nature and scenery with excellent trails, many lakes, forest clad hills and abundant wildlife. Canoeing is also popular here. 3 Lodge style resorts in the park or a large selection of accommodations on the outskirts including cabins, chalets and full service resorts.
Ontario Provincial Parks website has details on trails etc. for all of above: http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/index.html
Note - June can be buggy in this part of the world - get some spray. However June is I think the best time for wildlife observation. Moose are almost a sure thing, especially in Algonquin along the main highway 60 close to sunset.
You're now only about 3 hours from Ottawa.
If you chose to venture into Southern Ontario on your travels, there are many more "developed" sights to see including wine regions (Niagara Peninsula and others), big cities (e.g. Toronto), small charming theatre towns (Stratford and Niagara-on-the-Lake), the Thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence, etc. Let us know how far you plan to wander....
