Road trip from Pittsburgh Pa to Quebec City

[Frwinkley]

We will be staying in Kingston for one night on the way up, but am wondering where to stay on the return trip. Not interested in Toronto, Niagara Falls or Buffalo since we've been there before. We are thinking about Ottawa, but that would still leave us with close to a 9 hour drive to Pittsburgh. We're ok with that (did Montreal to Pittsburgh once in a straight shot). I was just wondering if there is someplace closer that we should consider.

 

[ccudmore]

Assuming you’re crossing the border at Watertown, Kingston and Ottawa (where I live. So much to see and do here) are the only real choices i can think of if you’re looking for cities. A couple other options would be to rent a house boat for a few days in Smiths Falls (they have a new operation that rents luxury house boats for cruising the Rideau Canal) or stopping at Upper Canada village in Cornwall.

If you’d like to travel a bit further west, Prince Edward County is like the Hamptons of Ontario. Spectacular beaches, wineries, restaurants and lots of small charming towns. Picton is the hub of the county and has several festivals throughout the summer and Fall.

One further option would be the Finger Lakes region in up state NY, but by then your almost home.

 

[Frwinkley]

Thank you for your reply. I think we'll stick with Ottawa.

 

[ccudmore]

Thank you for your reply. I think we'll stick with Ottawa.

Let me know if you need any info about Ottawa. It’s our adopted home town and we love it here.

 

[Frwinkley]

Is the area between Byward Market and downtown a good location for a one night stay? We'd like to park the car and walk if possible.

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

[bankr63]

The area between the Byward and Downtown would be about a block long Yes, that is a very central location. Easy walk to many of the museums and events. Great dining in the area.

Are you travelling with kids (ages)? What are your dining preferences? Are you a museum or art gallery type person?

 

[PanamaMike]

Any time I go to Ottawa for work, I get booked into here;
http://www.embassyhotelottawa.com/default-en.html
Short walk to the Canal, Parliament Hill and the Byward Market.

 

[ottawamom]

Which hotel you can stay in really depends on the price point you are interested in. Any of the downtown hotels are easy walking distance to everything you'll likely want to see. Do a search and check out a few reviews or post back here with possibilities the people here will give you an insiders feedback.

 

[Frwinkley]

No kids traveling. Just DH and myself. I'm considering the Metcalfe. I like staying in non-chain hotels when traveling to different cities.

 

[ottawamom]

Looks like a great choice. It's in a perfect spot for walking everywhere you will want to go in the downtown area. The building as I'm sure you already know was once a local Y. I remember going there when I was really little to watch my brothers do some sort of a swim demonstration. I'm sure the renovation to boutique hotel is just beautiful.

You'll be a quick 3 block walk to Parliament Hill (changing of the guards at 10:00am daily). After that it's a five minute walk to the Byward Market (lots of restaurants and wandering). The Art Gallery is nearby or you can walk a little further over the bridge to the museum of History. If you like the topiaries at the flower and garden festival at Disney be sure to take in Mosaiculture in Gatineau.

 

[ccudmore]

For an adults-only stay the hotel I always recommend is the Andaz. It's brand new, really cool decor, reasonably priced and right in the middle of the market.

 

[lisaviolet]

If you change your mind do know that coming down from Quebec City into the Eastern Townships of Quebec is a gorgeous drive. There are many beautiful small towns, many of them on picturesque lakes. North Hatley and Ayer's Cliff being two of my favourites. The view below from St. Catherine de Hatley is breathtaking. If you are a cyclist the area has a ton of trails.
There is a five star inn in North Hatley ---- Hovey Manor. There is also the Ripplecove inn (not sure if it is still running).
That means possibly crossing at Stanstead QC/Derry Line Vermont. The rest of the trip is lovely through Vermont and the Adirondacks of New York. As is crossing over Lake Champlain.

Enjoy your trip.

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Ottawa has a few suite hotels in the downtown core, at very reasonable prices. Albert at Bay Suite Hotel has massive suites. The building outside is ugly as sin but the suites are huge and the staff is great. Another is Les Suites. Albert is the other side of the Parliament buildings, west. And Les Suites sits closer to the Byward Market. Ottawa has/had free street parking on the weekend, .if you hit one of those days. But I will let someone else chime in, don't want to give erroneous information.