Trip to Eastern Townships

Old Jul 8th, 2022, 09:38 AM
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Trip to Eastern Townships

My husband and I decided to head to Quebec this fall. Louise Penny, a mystery author I follow (many of you do too) lives in the Eastern Townships and we plan to spend a week or so in that area. We will drive north from suburban Boston
In addition to seeing some of the sites that are mentioned the books, there seems to be enough things to do and see. As long as Larry can speak French, he’ll be happy. The books are centered in a fictional town, Tree Pines, which was based on the town of Knowlton.
We have been to and love both Montreal and Quebec but are thinking that we want to avoid cities in all likelihood (Covid dependent). QC is less urban so might be a possibility.
Have any of you visited the eastern Townships? Any recommendations on sites, lodging, and restaurants?
We no longer love long distance driving and are trying to figure out where to go for another week or so. Because of vision issues, I no longer drive highways or at night, so DH is the main driver. We can drive south through New York, Vermont, or New Hampshire.
Any suggestions for any part of this trip, which is not Europe but feels more doable to us due to Covid and airplane travel.
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Old Jul 8th, 2022, 01:00 PM
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We have been many times. The main attractions for us are the wineries, the bike trails and the beautiful countryside. A little townships 101:
From Montreal to about Granby the countryside is basically flat, mostly open farmland, great for road biking, apple orchards, wineries. As you head east the land becomes more mountainous and Vermont like, with lakes, forest, small farms. Some of the nicer towns to stay at would include Bromont, Sutton, Knowlton, Magog, North Hatley and Ayers Cliff. Magog is by far the biggest and most popular, with a nice beach, pedestrian lakeside promenade, and many fun restaurants and shops. There are a handful of inns and b&b's in Magog and some other lodging options in nearby Orford. Sherbrooke is the the biggest city - not particularly memorable, but nice enough. Other cites include Granby (known for it's zoo) and Cowansville. These are pleasant little cities with some good places to eat and shop.
The tiny town of Dunham is the epi center of the wine district. There is a very good tapas restaurant in Dunham. Lots of beautiful wineries in the area. The wines are not Napa quality, but the wineries are fun to visit. The Saint Benoit Abby just outside Magog is a scenic spot to visit - they make their own cheeses and such. There aren't a huge selection of places to stay other than in Magog, North Hatley or Bromont. We often stay at the Hotel Bromont, a clean and basic 2* place with a nice indoor pool and nice views. Bromont has a fun brew pub and a handful of good restaurants. There aren't any world class tourist sites in the townships, but it's a beautiful relaxing area to spend a week.
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Old Jul 8th, 2022, 01:31 PM
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Hi justretired,

Zootsi does an excellent job covering highlights of the Eastern Townships and appears to have more experience with the region than I, despite the fact that I live in nearby Montreal.

I quite like Magog, especially strolling along the lakefront, which is quite beautiful in its own way with hilly terrain surrounding the lake. I would recommend visiting the Merry House (a museum in a way) in Magog to get a sense of the history of the region. There are some charming restaurants on the rue Principale as well as on the riverfront.

Other than Magog, I have only seen Sherbrooke and Stanstead. Sherbrooke seemed a pleasant town with a bit of 19th century history that I’d like to get to know better (other settlements in Quebec are older) and Stanstead QC/Derby Line VT I found to be charming as well as interesting in that the US-Canada border runs through it, providing a fascinating duality. This said, neither are known for being a major draw in the region like Magog or some of the others Zootsi mentions like North Hatley or Bromont (there are parts of the Eastern Townships that are more scenic with rolling small mountains and valleys than others).

Best wishes,

Daniel



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Old Jul 10th, 2022, 07:13 AM
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We go there frequently for one night stays.

The wineries we usually visit are;
Val Caudelies
https://valcaudalies.com/
Domaine du Ridge
https://domaineduridge.com/
Vignoble de l'Orpailleur
https://orpailleur.ca/

For dinner and accommodations we always stay at Auberge West Brome.
https://www.awb.ca/

In Sutton, we always stock up on Quebec cheeses and other goodies at La Rumeur Affamée.
https://www.facebook.com/rumeursutton

Farnham Ale and Lager is where I stock up on my favorite beer (#35)
https://farnham-alelager.com/

Coming from Boston, instead of crossing the border at Stanstead, get off the I91 and head for Troy/Jay Peak and cross the border there.
https://www.ezbordercrossing.com/lis...roy-highwater/





Last edited by cdnyul; Jul 10th, 2022 at 07:17 AM.
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Old Jul 10th, 2022, 09:55 AM
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We spend some time in the ET in 2016 - we based ourselves in Magog but if you like B&Bs there are way more choices in the smaller towns/villages.
The distances were not far, with daylight being short and not doing any night time driving we managed to see more then originally planned

we went on a quest to find as many covered bridges as possible even though some were on gravel roads; the roads which were in good shape.
We did not visit wineries but did stop at Abbey St Benoit du Lac; we were mostly on a photography tour and looking for birds and wildlife.
We detoured to Sherbrooke one day, we hit rush hour traffic, it was not a good place to be.
we stopped at a tourist info centre to get paper maps as the car did not have GPS; that was a good idea as we also received good info.
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Old Jul 11th, 2022, 11:30 AM
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Thank you so much for your generous advice and suggestions. Because I love the Louise Penny Tree Pines mysteries, we will certainly explore Knowlton and visit some of the sites mentioned in the books. My husband has not read the books, and you've given us a taste of some of the other things to do in the area.

A few questions, please:

1. Do Americans need any other documentation to visit Canada? It's been several years since we've been to Quebec
2. We are exploring inns, B&Bs, and even vacation rentals for our trip. Since we don't know what the variant situation will be in September, we want to try to be as safe as we can be Covid wise. We are fully vaccinated and will wear masks if necessary.
3. Any suggestions on outdoor dining in the region?
4. I know that the foliage season is before ours in Boston. Does anyone know when the peak is. driving north through New Hampshire or Vermont will be glorious, but maybe quite crowded.

Thanks again. .
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Old Jul 12th, 2022, 02:07 PM
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hi
1. to enter Canada you need to be fully vaccinated then fill out the ArriveCAN which you get at the official site. Keep looking at that site to see if any changes near your departure.
google arriveCAN app to get the link as they will not let me do links yet (need 10 posts).
2. for masks you need to look at the Quebec government website. Each province is different with Covid rules
3.
4. end of Sept to first 10 days of Oct is a good bet for colours
we got these pics in 2016 in October - you will have to copy and paste to get the link flic.kr/s/aHskFY3sDN
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Old Jul 12th, 2022, 06:00 PM
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You shouldn't have any problem finding places with outdoor dining, it's very popular in Quebec.
Driving up through NH or VT on interstates is never crowded, even during foliage, except for possibly the toll booth on I-93 in Hooksett NH.
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Old Jul 14th, 2022, 06:42 AM
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A few things to add to the posts above:

Interesting museums/sites nearby include Fort Chambly and this museum
https://museemissisquoi.ca/home

in Knowlton, the Auberge knowlton claims to be the inspiration for the bistro in Louise Penny's books. It doesn't look the way I've pictured the bistro but it does have good food including some duck specialties. Lac Brome is known as a source of duck in QC. The auberge rooms get generally good reviews but I would think the location is too busy.
The book store in Knowlton has a special corner devoted to all things Gamache/Penny
https://www.bromelakebooks.ca/contact
It also has links to a tour group that might give you some ideas of places to visit.

If you do go to Quebec City, you'll want to visit the Morrin Center (called the Literary and Historical Society in Bury Your Dead.)

St Benoit du Lac, the abbey mentioned in other posts, is definitely worth a stop. If you like Gregorian chant, it is interesting to go to the Vespers service.
https://www.abbaye.ca/en/about-the-abbey/
The abbey has apple orchards but I think September is probably too early to get the fruit.

I hope you have a great trip!





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Old Jul 14th, 2022, 10:44 AM
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Thanks, Vttraveler. Great information. if we drive south to Boston, and make a stop or two, any suggestions? We used to vacation with the kids ( when they were younger) at Tyler Place, and know and love that corner of Vt. We were thinking of a stop at the Shelbourne Museum, which we haven't been to in several years. Also been to the Meredith area of Winnipesauke NH and a little but around Woodstock and the white Mountains. We aren't huge hikers, and causal walkers. Any suggestions for traveling and stopping south? Thanks.
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Old Jul 15th, 2022, 08:00 AM
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Thanks you all for your generous contributions to our planned trip to the Eastern Townships. I've been researching and feel we can fill a week with activities outside of a few days seeing Three Pines spots. There are wineries, parks, small towns, and cities to visit.

In trying to figure out where to base ourselves, we are looking for a nice inn o r B&B is central and that has or is near restaurants that have outdoor dining.

Any thoughts? Thanks.
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Old Jul 15th, 2022, 08:14 AM
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justretired-- Here are some additional places you might consider visiting in VT:

Ethan Allen Homestead in Burlington
https://ethanallenhomestead.org/about/

Rokeby museum in Ferrisburgh
https://rokeby.org/about/

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park
https://www.nps.gov/mabi/index.htm

Granite Quarries in Graniteville and Hope Cemetery in Barre (https://vermonter.com/hope-cemetery/) -- could combine this with a visit to the State House and/or the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier

A favorite spot over the border in New Hampshire is the St. Gaudens National Historic Park in Cornish, NH
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Old Jul 15th, 2022, 10:12 AM
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A timely and useful post---good luck OP JR! Taking notes for this fall too. Mrs Z is from Montreal but hasn't been back in ages. And I worked in that city plus many small towns across la belle province way back in the '70s.
Hope that the Wanted Posters have been taken down by now.
I am done. the end.
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Old Jul 15th, 2022, 10:46 AM
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Zebec, we've been to and love both Montreal and QC, and probably will miss them on this vacation. We are trying to vacation Covid style and probably will avoid urban areas. We live outside Boston and we haven't traveled for a few years.

Vttraveler, thanks for all yoru suggestions.
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Old Jul 15th, 2022, 12:12 PM
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I have never been to the Mt Tremblant area. But two travelers whose opinions I trust, point to the Lake Viktor neighbourhood there as something of a best-kept secret in those parts.
Btw, note that some Anglo former-residents of Montreal who long-ago chose to relocate in Ontario, remain leery of returning while recalling their 'not-always-positive' treatment by old Quebecois neighbours.
I am done. The return
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Old Jul 22nd, 2022, 05:52 AM
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You should have a passport, although some of the other i.d. Americans use might pass. Or might not.

This link is aimed at members of the US FAST and NEXUS schemes: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-v...dv-eng.html#s3

For a distinctive "wine", look for ice cider, resembling ice wine but less sweet, more tart, and cheaper. Nice for the end of a meal, especially pork.
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Old Sep 12th, 2022, 01:51 PM
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This link was just posted on a new thread
https://www.chemindescantons.qc.ca/index_en.php
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