Montreal, Quebec City and where else?

[Frwinkley]

We are planning a trip for July 2022. We will be attending a function in Montreal and will spend a few days there. We will add Quebec City to our trip (we’ve been to both places before). We will be driving from Pittsburgh PA but breaking the trip up and staying somewhere (maybe Kingston) on the way up.

We want to add another destination to our trip, and are considering Mont Tremblant. I only know of it because of friends that ski there.

We love mountain towns in the summer (Banff is one of our favorites). We enjoy hiking, walkable downtown areas and are avid photographers. We’re not at all adverse to driving to worthwhile sights.

Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

[mommasita]

Hi there. I’m a Montrealer, born and raised, I love Tremblant. My sister has a place there. There are normally a lot of festivals going on in July, if you like that. Jazz and blues, it attracts a lot of people, it’s outdoors. People often stay in St.Jovite , which is 2 min away from Tremblant, and much cheaper.

There are beautiful places to walk, downtown Tremblant. Small casino there, cable cars.

 

[Frwinkley]

It sounds wonderful! We love live music too. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

 

[thr33boys]

If you plan on staying in Kingston on your way up, you could add a stop in Ottawa. Aside from the Parliament buildings, the Rideau locks, and museums, there are numerous trails within the city. Of course, directly across the Ottawa River is Gatineau Park which offers an abundance of trails in varying sizes offering an escape from the city.

Montreal is only 2 1/2hrs east of Ottawa.

 

[Hopeful8]

I agree with Mommasita, as a born and raised Montrealer, Mont Tremblant is gorgeous and has a lot of what you like. Beautiful scenery, nice village feeling and loads of fun, outdoor activities. We moved away about 8 years ago and go back every summer to Tremblant to visit family and have fun with our kids.

 

[wdwmom3]

I love Tremblant. Love the pedestrian village. And so many amazing activities. Last time we went horseback riding through the mountains. My kids still talk about it.

You may also want to check out Ottawa. Amazing city with tons of great museums. I would recommend the Museum of History if you go there.

 

[Frwinkley]

Sounds like Tremblant is the place for us!

is there a location (even a hotel, condo), that you would recommend?

We typically like to be away from the central action, perhaps staying up in the mountains with easy access to activities. I’m not sure if that makes sense. In Telluride Colorado for example, we stayed up in the mountains with a gondola used to get down to the Main Street. This was in the summer. Since I’m unsure of the layout of Tremblant, I’d like some help choosing a location.

Thank you again for such kindness.

 

[wdwmom3]

Sounds like Tremblant is the place for us!

is there a location (even a hotel, condo), that you would recommend?

We typically like to be away from the central action, perhaps staying up in the mountains with easy access to activities. I’m not sure if that makes sense. In Telluride Colorado for example, we stayed up in the mountains with a gondola used to get down to the Main Street. This was in the summer. Since I’m unsure of the layout of Tremblant, I’d like some help choosing a location.

Thank you again for such kindness.

We stayed in a 2 bedroom rental in the pedestrian village. That was right in the centre of the action, right at the bottom of the ski hill. But there are many many options for various hotels, condos, townhouses etc.

If you don’t want to be in the pedestrian village there are some rentals that are short walk away. Or there are options on golf courses etc.

You could check out this site

https://www.tremblant.ca/

 

[Hopeful8]

We always stay at Les Manoirs, an easy 10 minute walk to the village and activities but not in the hustle and bustle of the pedestrian village. There are tons of fabulous places that are similar: Altitude, Equinoxe. Plateau. etc. We usually rent through VRBO but last year booked through Rendez Vous Tremblant and they had a great cancellation policy because of Covid. We had booked Plateau sur la Montagne #240-3 (we were bringing our dog so this is one of the dog friendly rentals).

 

[disneyfan123]

I'd skip Kingston and stay in Ottawa. Kingston is a nice little town but there isn't a lot to do there. I lived most of my life in Ottawa; July will be hot and humid, but the summers there are really good, and there is lots to do. Museum of History, Museum of Nature and the Science and Tech are all great (good for kids too, if you have them). Lots of great walking/bike paths and the Gatineau hills have some great hiking too. I'd recommend Bluesfest, the 2nd largest blues music festival in the world (that over the years has morphed from lots of blues artists, to lots of pop/rock artists, with a few blues artists thrown in for good measure), but sadly it's been cancelled again this year due to COVID.

 

[disney_runner]

I don't know if you're looking for some more adventurous things to do, but we enjoyed the zip-line and ropes courses at Acro-Nature (in Morin-Heights) and the water park at Parc Aquatique (in Saint-Sauveur). It's kind of on the way from Montreal to Tremblant. Highly recommend both, they were a blast!

 

[mommasita]

If anyone is familiar with Tremblant, just wanted to show you what my sister sent me. They got 85mm of water overnight is the village. So sad . Long weekend and everything,

 

[Nahanni]

The Gaspe region is an area I'd like to explore, to the east of Quebec City. The seaside looks very scenic (cliffs/fjords, seabird colonies, whale watching), hiking trails in the woods/mountains and rustic Quebec charm. I don't know how much time you need to go to get the full experience but here's an overview:

https://on2continents.com/gaspe-peninsula-road-trip-itinerary/
Can any locals or visitors offer up any tips?

 

[mommasita]

Sounds like Tremblant is the place for us!

is there a location (even a hotel, condo), that you would recommend?

We typically like to be away from the central action, perhaps staying up in the mountains with easy access to activities. I’m not sure if that makes sense. In Telluride Colorado for example, we stayed up in the mountains with a gondola used to get down to the Main Street. This was in the summer. Since I’m unsure of the layout of Tremblant, I’d like some help choosing a location.

Thank you again for such kindness.

https://www.reservations.com/hotel/...Yf7AzhWp_LNQZlzz7kpErJ6S0_q_sWsBoCpAYQAvD_BwE
Sommet des Neiges is on the mountain, direct access to hiking trails. I’m not sure if this is too close to the village for you. I do know what you mean.

My sister mentioned this hotel. https://www.axhotel.ca/en/

I always stay at my sister’s place, (while she isn’t there ), we can walk to the village in about 5-10, which I like. Hope this helps

 

[wdwmom3]

https://www.reservations.com/hotel/...Yf7AzhWp_LNQZlzz7kpErJ6S0_q_sWsBoCpAYQAvD_BwE
Sommet des Neiges is on the mountain, direct access to hiking trails. I’m not sure if this is too close to the village for you. I do know what you mean.

My sister mentioned this hotel. https://www.axhotel.ca/en/

I always stay at my sister’s place, (while she isn’t there ), we can walk to the village in about 5-10, which I like. Hope this helps

We stayed there. It is at the top of the pedestrian village, right near the gondola that takes you to the top of the mountain and the one that goes to the casino. It’s easy access to hiking trails etc. But also right there by restaurants etc.

 

[mommasita]

The Gaspe region is an area I'd like to explore, to the east of Quebec City. The seaside looks very scenic (cliffs/fjords, seabird colonies, whale watching), hiking trails in the woods/mountains and rustic Quebec charm. I don't know how much time you need to go to get the full experience but here's an overview:

https://on2continents.com/gaspe-peninsula-road-trip-itinerary/
Can any locals or visitors offer up any tips?

I have been twice, I was very young. My Father insisted that we see each part of Canada from coast to coast before we ever travelled anywhere else. He was so proud to be a Canadian. I don’t remember much, but I do have many Gaspesien friends, and boy their pictures are marvelous! Hopefully others have help. It is so beautiful

 

[Frwinkley]

My goodness! Thank you for all of these great suggestions; I have lots to research!

 

[lisaviolet]

Do you bike?

The Eastern Townships is a breathtakingly beautiful area, full of trails.

I went to school in Lennoxville but have a soft spot for North Hatley.
Many gorgeous towns.

The area in Quebec sits just north of the NY/VT/NH border. That is a gorgeous drive across the Finger Lakes, over Lake Champlain, hitting Burlington and crossing into Montreal that way either at Rouses Point NY/Noyan QC or Derby Line, VT/Stanstead QC or any of the borders in between. Standstead crossing puts you near quite a few beautiful towns on the water ( Lac Memphremagog/Lac Massawippi)

https://www.easterntownships.org/
*By the way the ride between Kingston and Montreal is a snorefest. If you do do it try to the 1000 Islands Parkway instead.*

If you do come that way I find Hudson, QC a beautiful town to visit.

But once again my strongest suggestion is to check out the Eastern Townships.

So many gorgeous spots -

An abbey -

https://www.abbaye.ca/

http://www.northhatley.org/en/
There are some award winning stays and cuisine in that town linked above. Places like Hovey Manor and The Piggery for live theatre.

The Ripplecove Inn further down towards Ayers Cliff, is also popular.


https://suttontourism.ca/
http://www.quebec-guidetouristique.travel/activites-quebec/index.php?type=57&en=en&region=13
https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g6613133-Activities-Eastern_Townships_Quebec.html
https://www.google.com/amp/s/api.na...c/amp/travel/article/eastern-townships-quebec
The ride down from St. Catherine de Hatley is an absolute dreamscape.

You see more by taking the smaller roads and staying off the autoroute, until you are finished sightseeing. But the autoroute through Orford and Magog is lovely.

And once again if you bike, it is the best way to see it all.

Have a wonderful time.

 

[mort1331]

I have been twice, I was very young. My Father insisted that we see each part of Canada from coast to coast before we ever travelled anywhere else. He was so proud to be a Canadian. I don’t remember much, but I do have many Gaspesien friends, and boy their pictures are marvelous! Hopefully others have help. It is so beautiful

THis is what I did before I travelled the world. Lets you come back and appreciate all that we have to offer coast to coast. Highly recommend this to everyone if they can.

 

[pixie_mtl]

The Gaspe region is an area I'd like to explore, to the east of Quebec City. The seaside looks very scenic (cliffs/fjords, seabird colonies, whale watching), hiking trails in the woods/mountains and rustic Quebec charm. I don't know how much time you need to go to get the full experience but here's an overview:

https://on2continents.com/gaspe-peninsula-road-trip-itinerary/
Can any locals or visitors offer up any tips?

The Bas-Saint-Laurent is one picturesque area to visit! Once you hit route-132, you're in for one scenic ride. You're driving along the St-Lawrence river but locals call it the sea. On your way to Gaspé, it is worth stopping for a night or two to explore some of the small towns: St-Jean-Port-Joli, Rivière-du-Loup, Kamouraska, Rimouski to name a few. For the whale watching, the site is located in Tadoussac; that is in Côte-Nord region. In my opinion, 7-10 days is enough to explore those two administrative region at a reasonable pace. Avoid travelling during "construction week holidays" which is the last 2 weeks of July (July 18-31, 2021).