Looking to do semi budget Maine, Canada road trip.

[elf]

Hi All, I can't afford Disney or Europe trip, where my kids are ready to go, but our budget isn't. So I got passports last year in preparation for anything.

We are a great road trip family, kids are 12 & 14. They actually like watching Rick Steves and Samantha Brown European trips.

Is this insane? We live on Long Island near NYC.

We want to see Maine, Bar Harbor, Quebec (prefer Quebec)or Montreal for a glimpse of European feel and heading to Niagara Falls then coming home. All in 9 days.

I did a google maps it's a lot of driving but I think we can do it and I'll take a vote this weekend with dh and kids.

Are there any ferries between Quebec and Toronto to shorten the driving time? Couldn't find any.

 

[rewok]

Doable, yes, relaxing, no!

Like you said, it's a lot of driving over 9 days, but that is a very personal decision. (It sound like the typical vacation an European without visual knowledge of North American distances try to do, at least in your case you're well informed)

"Dropping" by Niagara Falls on the way back is very much out the the way. Just driving Quebec-Niagara you're looking at 10-11 hours of driving, plus the traffic crossing Montreal (there is no real method of going around the island) and I'm guessing traffic around Toronto as well. The drive from Maine Coast to Quebec City is not on highways, you're going through forest, and can get long. My choice would be to take the Niagara Falls out, and just spend more time on the Maine Coast (very pretty) & Quebec City, then drop into Montreal, or find somewhere else you'd like to explore on a more direct route.

I can confirm that there is no ferry on the St-Lawrence River.

If you have more questions, just ask, I've travelled quite a bit around Montreal.

 

[elf]

Thank you Rewok. I did the maps on google, but I could not tell what type of road it was from Maine to Quebec is it mountainous as well as being a smaller road?

 

[beansmom]

i'd be curious about going to Canada thru Maine as well. We live close enough to maybe do it, especially since I want to go to Acadia as well.

If you do the drive, you can drive by Stephen King's house in Bangor. It's really creepy cool--fun to go by if you are a fan.

 

[rewok]

Thank you Rewok. I did the maps on google, but I could not tell what type of road it was from Maine to Quebec is it mountainous as well as being a smaller road?

You will have to go through mountains at some points, but just part of the drive (maybe 30%). And these are not big mountains.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

HUGE amount of driving. Why not pick one of those (Maine, Quebec, Niagara) and enjoy them more? (Or combine, say, Niagara and Toronto or Bar Harbor and the Bay of Fundy). Save the others for another trip.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

i'd be curious about going to Canada thru Maine as well. We live close enough to maybe do it, especially since I want to go to Acadia as well.

If you do the drive, you can drive by Stephen King's house in Bangor. It's really creepy cool--fun to go by if you are a fan.

Just to clarify, Bangor is no where near Quebec or Montreal! Would be on the way to Canada only if you were going to New Brunswick/on through to Nova Scotia/Prince Edward Island. {also quite a drive now there is no ferry from Bar Harbor...}

 

[plummer925]

Not sure if you knew or not, so I'll just point it out (to avoid disappointment later!) - you need a passport to travel between Canada and the USA.

 

[beansmom]

Just to clarify, Bangor is no where near Quebec or Montreal! Would be on the way to Canada only if you were going to New Brunswick/on through to Nova Scotia/Prince Edward Island. {also quite a drive now there is no ferry from Bar Harbor...}

oh...duh. LOL. And THAT is why I haven't been to Canada thru Maine yet.

OP did say that she has passports, btw.

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

I agree with the other posts...That is a lot of driving. I think taking a trip to Quebec would be really fun with the kids. I felt like it had a real European feel to the city. Whatever you decide it will be really fun.

 

[plummer925]

OP did say that she has passports, btw.

Oops - somehow missed that!

 

[elf]

Thanks all! Yes I have passports, lol My brother has a house in Costa Rica that they invite us to but I can't seem to get reasonable air when it's school break and now is the rainy season. I just wanted to be prepared in case I win the lottery or something.LOl

I think after reading this and checking out google maps and doing a daily itinarary we will go up the Maine coast, then northwest to Quebec and go to Niagara Falls on another trip at a different time.

We almost always drive to Florida and we lived in Orlando area for a year and made the drive to NYC quite a few times, not to mention our year sojourn in North Carolina which we drove back every month just for the weekend.

 

[swilshire]

We also enjoyed Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia after a trip through Maine. We probably spent more than we would have at Disney, so don't count on it being really cheap.

I did notice lots of campgrounds in Canada, so you might tent it or pull a small trailer and keep costs down.

Sheila

 

[elf]

Thanks everyone.
Swilshire that's what I always tell everyone , when I sit down and really figure out a budget somehow I spend less at Disney. Probably because I'm budget concoius when I go to Disney.We Share dinners, eat breakfast in room, bring ponchos, bringing all snacks and water, etc. I really buy very little when in Disney.

The rooms I'm looking at are $150-$200 a night. Renting a popup or trailer was $1000. So I see it will probably cost as much. But we want to try something different.

 

[Soulsearching]

Hi All, I can't afford Disney or Europe trip, where my kids are ready to go, but our budget isn't. So I got passports last year in preparation for anything.

We are a great road trip family, kids are 12 & 14. They actually like watching Rick Steves and Samantha Brown European trips.

Is this insane? We live on Long Island near NYC.

We want to see Maine, Bar Harbor, Quebec (prefer Quebec)or Montreal for a glimpse of European feel and heading to Niagara Falls then coming home. All in 9 days

I did a google maps it's a lot of driving but I think we can do it and I'll take a vote this weekend with dh and kids.

Are there any ferries between Quebec and Toronto to shorten the driving time? Couldn't find any.

About a year ago we went to Old Quebec, a lot of history there. So pretty, we did a walking tour, which taught us a lot about the old city. There is also horse and carriage tours if it is too hot.

There is a large castle turned into a hotel which also gives tours. The tour is done with people in costume. Although my husband and I did not get much out of this tour, children loved it because their tour guides were in character.

There is a ton of shops to explore, music to sit and listen to and tons of restaurants.

We actually walked out of the stone gates every night. There you will find restaurant row. So many restaurants to pick from and their menus with prices are in front view.

There is also a Farmers Market in the old city that you can go to, eat at, food shop and explore.

The cruise ships come in there also. So it could get crowded. We went in September, so I am not sure how the summer months are with crowds.

We stayed in a B&B there, I can't say I loved it. So I won't recommend the one I stayed at, but I would definitely go back.

Hope this helps.

 

[elf]

Thanks for the info.

I actually booked hotel with my SPG points and cash. So I got four nights for less than $200 total at 4 points Sheraton in Levi? They have shuttle to a ferry that is 10 min ride to quecec. Would have liked to stayed in Old Quebec but those hotels were all over $200 per night, once I counted in kids (they all seemed to charge for kids) and tax.

I would love any other restaurant or touring recs.

 

[magsmum]

Thanks for the info.

I actually booked hotel with my SPG points and cash. So I got four nights for less than $200 total at 4 points Sheraton in Levi? They have shuttle to a ferry that is 10 min ride to quecec. Would have liked to stayed in Old Quebec but those hotels were all over $200 per night, once I counted in kids (they all seemed to charge for kids) and tax.

I would love any other restaurant or touring recs.

We just got back from a Canada road trip last night. We went north through VT to see friends just over the border in Sutton. We then went to Montreal and stayed at the Westin which was in great walking distance to Vieux Port. In Montreal we really enjoyed the Montreal Jazz Festival but I think that's over now. We then took 40 to Quebec and we stayed at the Sheraton Four Points in Charlesbourgh-upgraded to a junior suite as spg gold members. We did one night cash and points and the rest on a AAA rate. It was an easy/quick drive straight into Quebec. We found parking easily for $10 along quai St. Andre. The first day we parked up by the Parliament building (more expensive and major hill walking). Check out the free Cirque du Soleil performance under the 440 overpass along Rue Charest Est. We arrived at 7:30 for the 9 pm gate opening. DH took the kids for ice cream while I sat on a backpack and read. Head for the hill on the left once the gate is opened- there is a cement block that our 6 year old was able to stand on to see. Also up on the hill there is a metal fencing area that has great viewing. My kids LOVED it! There is also a free movie chronicling the history of Quebec that is shown on the grain silos along quai St. Andre at 10 pm called Moulin a Images. We brought a blanket and set up on a metal bench-like thing in from of a cafe- again bought ice cream from a little shop and hung out until the show started. You can also sit at a cafe table with drinks and watch if you prefer.

We also drove to the basilica of St. Anne de Beaupre, and then went to Ile d'orleans and Parc de la Chute-Montmorency (awesome waterfall higher than Niagara but not as wide). The falls were loved by my family and I see a trip to Niagara in our future. We also enjoyed the Citadel and just walking around vieux-Quebec (haute-ville and basse-ville).

What type of food do you like? We found food to be expensive...

We drove straight home from Quebec into Maine and took 201 down to 95. Stopped for a great seafood dinner in Ogunquit and then home. Saw a moose on the way down to the great joy of my DD.

 

[elf]

Thank you Magsmom what great info.

The first thing my kids asked when I mentioned Maine is "are we going to see any Moose?" That would be the highlight of any trip for them. Where did you see the moose?

I'll probably do all the things you suggested they all sound like something we would enjoy.

Kids are adventurous with food but we prefer things more on the casual side from sushi, to casual cafes to cheap burgers to Salad are what we like. I would like to try some local food items crepes, etc.

While we try to eat healthy at home I do plan to stop at one or two places mentioned from the food channel in Maine.
Any places you really enjoyed?

I'm definately looking up that $10 parking that's the cheapest I've heard of.

 

[ammag]

hi- I am from Maine originally, visit a few tim a year. most of my knowledge is the southern coast but my parents live near Lincoln- the boonies- so may be able to answer some questions about northern maine as well. message me if you want!

what food channel restaurants will you try? what kinds of food do you like?

 

[Tinetine]

Hi ! I'm actually from Montreal, and we travel pretty often to Main and upstate New York, so I'd be glad to give you any information you need !
First thing I would say is that Quebec city is very pretty ! But there are also a lot of hills, it can get very tiring. One other thing to not as well is that prices in Quebec are MUCH higher than those in the USA. Gas is at around 1.40$ a liter so I think 5,60 a gallon if my conversion is right. Food and every day things are also very expensive.
There are a few creperies in Quebec city.