Things to see across canada - from Calgary to St. John's!

[elpepe]

Hey I'm taking a little road trip from calgary to our eastern newfie friends... I was wondering what you guys think are the best things to see on the way there. I'm guessing there are people here from all over... so what should I NOT miss? What cool places, buildings, bridges, bars, stores, mountains, valleys, neighborhoods, forests, lakes, anybloodythingatall should I see on the way?

If you had the chance what would you go and see once again?

gimme some ideas!

[sputnik]

I would skip going through Canada over the Great Lakes and cut through the US.

[94teg]

I'll be doing the same trip, but im coming back from labrador to Calgary.... Leaving July 22nd from Labrador

[elpepe]

Originally posted by sputnik
I would skip going through Canada over the Great Lakes and cut through the US.

why's that? on the map it looks like going through the states is the longer way....

[TimG]

the trip between Winnipeg and Sudbury/north bay is great if you like trees.

Edit: Off the top of my head, a few "cool" things to see in southern/eastern ontario

CN Tower (toronto)
Old Fort Henry (Kingston)
1000 Islands area at Gananoque (go on a tour boat)

In Ottawa:

The Diefenbunker (in Carp just outside of ottawa)
Parliament buildings, Supreme Court, PM's residence, blablabla .
crapload of museums in the ottawa area, especially the new War museum.
Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Fairmont Chateau Montebello (about a 45 minute drive east of Ottawa in Quebec)

[Supa Dexta]

I was more impressed with niagra falls than I thought I would be... Its a nice spot...

st. catherines street in montreal, hell of a time to be had there...

[TimG]

What time of year are you heading out there?

If it's in the fall, you HAVE to drive thru Gatineau Park and take in all of the colours.

Quebec City also has some nice scenery.

I'm not sure if this would be on your way, but Gaspe and the Bay of Fundy are cool.

There's also the Confederation bridge that links PEI to the mainland.

[Vagabond142]

Seriously, take a day and wander around Quebec City's older quarters. There is a crapload of history to be seen by wandering juuuuussst off the touristy path. It won't be marked history, but there will be old stone houses, the street vendor that has been on the same corner selling the best damned poutine created, the old cobblestone street areas, and things of the like.

From the road, definitely go to Niagara Falls, and the Confed Bridge is just a massive monument to take in. If you're an engineer, you'll be even that much more impressed

[elpepe]

Thanx guys! lots of good ideas!

I forgot about the niagra falls! definitely gotta see that...

Montreal - already found my hotel close to st. catherines

I might check out some of the stuff metioned here about
Ottawa... not as boring as I thought! Gatineau Park sounds nice for example... too bad I won't be there in the fall

1000 Islands - will have to research what that is.....

Confederation bridge - on the list

Walking about Quebec city - sounds good to me!

keep em coming! I think I can fit few more places in there!

I'm leaving in few days by the way!

[Supa Dexta]

yeah I forgot about the older areas of montreal and quebec, good to see all the old stonework and buildings with copper and whatnot.... Halifax is good for a look around as well.. There is usually a tall ship or two in the harbour in the summer to check out, but the city itself has a lot of history and touristy crap..ha...

The bridge is impressive, its just too bad you cant see anything from it while in a car, and theres no stopping on it..

13k is a hell of a span...

http://www.nationmaster.com/wikimir/...tionBridge.jpg

bunch of great beaches down there, pei will be a lot busier, but sylvan lake aint got shit on them'...

[TC2002]

Originally posted by elpepe
Thanx guys! lots of good ideas!

I forgot about the niagra falls! definitely gotta see that...

Montreal - already found my hotel close to st. catherines

I might check out some of the stuff metioned here about
Ottawa... not as boring as I thought! Gatineau Park sounds nice for example... too bad I won't be there in the fall

1000 Islands - will have to research what that is.....

Confederation bridge - on the list

Walking about Quebec city - sounds good to me!

keep em coming! I think I can fit few more places in there!

I'm leaving in few days by the way!

Montreal is probably my favourite place to visit in Canada so far. Check out this website: http://www.bonjourquebec.com/ca-en/accueil0.html It was a great help for my trips there. St. Catherines is the place to be.

If you're into jazz clubs... "Upstairs" jazz club has live music (well, so do many other ones), and I really liked the atmosphere there...not pricy at all.

Artsy much? The Montreal Fine Arts museum is free, unless you want to check out the special exhibit.

My advice for Montreal (especially in the summer) is to walk. Getting a metro pass is not worth your while, especially if your hotel is in the centre of everything. You might want to check out their fresh bagels and smoked meat sandwiches while you're there.

If you are allergic to cigarette smoke, I HIGHLY recommend you to take some allergy pills with you.

Just check out the website link. I don't feel like typing out everything good about Montreal. FYI.

I agree with people telling you to hit Old Quebec (Quebec City). Amazing photo opps.

EDIT: Oh yes, one more thing: free internet access at McGill student centre... if you are an internet junkie and want to check your email while you're out there.

[elpepe]

thanx ALL for the suggestions! this is good stuff! Now I got some planning to do...

maybe I'll post some pics in a month or two if I'm not too lazy!

[ZMan2k2]

Stop at the Bay of Fundy, watch the tide come in! Amazing! Nothing like watching the tide rise 30ft or more.

Peggy's cove Nove Scotia. Just amazing. Not much more I can say.

Do a drive along the coast in Nova Scotia. The small towns along the water are really interesting, and the photo op's are plentiful.

[elpepe]

Thank you zman! I like those ideas...

[Tik-Tok]

Take a nap between Calgary and Southern Ontario... not much in between, and as long as your alignment is good, you won't veer off the road.

[Supa Dexta]

find some good pizza, donairs and garlic fingers when your in the east...