Assist me with a trip to Canada?

[brendon_small]

My wife and I were discussing today where to go this fall. We would like to go somewhere that isn't too far away, specifically because we have been all over the country this year. In recent months, we have been to California (for work), South Carolina (for fun), and Minnesota (for school). We would like another trip for fun before it gets too cold. Recently, we discussed Canada as an option.

From Ohio, we are looking to drive. Where would be a good week trip into Canada? It doesn't have to be tourist-y, or even into a big area. We are from a small town and love the outdoors, and are basically just looking for ideas. Also, we will be traveling with a 3 year old. What should we know ahead of time?

Brendon Small

[Le Ministre de l'au-delà]

Well, the part of Ontario that's just across Lake Erie from you has lots to offer - in no particular order, the Stratford and Shaw Festivals will still be going well into October, there is some beautiful hiking along the Niagara Escarpment, the Welland Canal is fascinating for boat geeks like me, depending on how much driving you want to do, there are lovely areas in the Bruce Peninsula, Tobermory is exquisite (and depending on what part of fall you're talking about, you might need to be that far north to see the colours.), even Niagara Falls, ON has a certain brash, carney charm to it. Restaurants and wineries galore - we've only scratched the surface of what we can do with gastronomie in this part of the world.

If you're into an urban experience, there's Toronto with its many museums, galleries, the Science Centre (which is fantastic for kids in the 3 year old range.). Centre Island is one of my favourite parts of Toronto, and I also recommend it highly for the 3 year old crowd.

[fizzestothetop]

My boyfriend and I went to Canada last summer for our vacation. We had never really been so we asked the boards for help and ideas. We started out in Niagara Falls (Canada side) and from there went to Montreal (went to a nice brew pub while we were there but other than that I could take it or leave it for future trips), then camped a night at :a Mauricie National Park (which was way the hell out in the middle of no where but absolutely beautiful and relaxing). After that we went to Quebec for a few days and Quebec City was by FAR our favorite part. I loved everything about it and would love to go back some time. If you're not interested in doing a ton of driving all over the place, I'd at least recommend checking out Quebec City.

[Skammer]

My wife and I spent our honeymoon in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, staying at various B&Bs and hotel/motels (and one resort for a few nights). This was the middle of September and the weather was perfect for hiking/exploring outside (high 60s/low 70s). The Bay of Fundy is fascinating, the seafood (especially scallops) are amazing, there's a lot of interesting history and scenery. We drove to Maine and took the ferry across.

Highlights included Digby and the nearby fort (Ft. Anne?), Peggy's Cove, Halifax, Charlottetown, Bear River, and Dalvay by the Sea.

[emacknight]

Since you're driving, I'd say head up the 90 to Niagara. Touristy as hell but kind of something everyone needs to do.

From there head towards St Catherines the Niagara valley region. It's loaded with wineries if you're in to that sort of thing.

After that, you need to go to African Lion Safari. The place is awesome and perfect for kids.

After that I'd say drive to Toronto; as mentioned above it's loaded with things to do. The zoo is great, as is the science museum, and there is both a water park and an amusement park just north of the city.

Both Montreal and Quebec City are worth the visit, but they are also 6 and 8 hours from Toronto respectively. Ottawa, Canada's capital city, is 4 hours north, and has a lot of the 'capital' type stuff.

[The Flying Dutchman]

I heard the Goderich, Ontario just lost the distinction as being Canada's prettiest town but still...

When you cross over at Detroit, its just up the Huron coast, and Goderich is on the way to all the neat stuff at Georgian Bay.

[Little Nemo]

Toronto's a great city but if you're traveling on a vacation, I'd recommend Montreal instead. There's nothing to distinguish Toronto from an American city but Montreal has a foreign feel - it's like driving to Europe.

[Leaffan]

Originally Posted by Little Nemo

Toronto's a great city but if you're traveling on a vacation, I'd recommend Montreal instead. There's nothing to distinguish Toronto from an American city but Montreal has a foreign feel - it's like driving to Europe.

Ditto this. And if you can somehow make it to Quebec City, you'll think you've actually reached Europe. Quebec City is ...... a jewel of a place. With 400 year old buildings, cobblestone streets, and a foreign language, it's the best staycation ever.

(Don't worry about not being able to speak French. You'll survive just fine!)

[Waffle Decider]

I'll third the suggestion for Quebec if you don't mind the long drive. I've just done a trip there from Chicago. It's such a weird (in a good way) fusion of Europe and North America. For me, the strangest part is actually outside of Montreal and Quebec City. There's a European feel in those cities, especially in their more historical parts, which is all very nice and kind of what you expect. Yet when I took the "scenic route" (Chemin du Roy) from Montreal to Quebec City, it definitely had a very strong North American vibe. It is just like any other rural highway in North America, yet everyone and everything is French along the way. I thought that is so cool.

[Gatopescado]

Better value, better time, better country- Stay in the USA. Go to Yellowstone or Glacier, Moab or Zion. Washington D.C., maybe. Kentucky Lake, Great Lakes, Lake Tahoe, Lake Mead. The Gulf Coast could use a boost, and they are giving away stuff to entice you to come. Take a trip down the Mississippi or up the Missouri. Montana is awsome! Idaho is right next door to awsome!

In short, Screw canada!

[Mahaloth]

Gee, thanks, Gatopescado. That was nice.

Anyway, I'd head to Stratford and catch a Shakespeare play. From there, I'd head to Niagara Falls, The Canadian side is better anyway.

Just remember to convert KM to MPH on the speed limits.

[Little Nemo]

Originally Posted by Gatopescado

Idaho is right next door to awsome!

British Columbia?

[trupa]

Originally Posted by Gatopescado

Better value, better time, better country- Stay in the USA. Go to Yellowstone or Glacier, Moab or Zion. Washington D.C., maybe. Kentucky Lake, Great Lakes, Lake Tahoe, Lake Mead. The Gulf Coast could use a boost, and they are giving away stuff to entice you to come. Take a trip down the Mississippi or up the Missouri. Montana is awsome! Idaho is right next door to awsome!

In short, Screw canada!

Sir, your tone is offensive, your post is devoid of insight, or indeed of any useful information beyond the plain fact of your own boorishness and parochial ignorance. Instead of your intended effect, you have rather contributed to further tarnishing the already much maligned reputation of your own country, more precisely, of it's citizens.

[Spoons]

Originally Posted by Gatopescado

Stay in the USA.... Great Lakes....

You do realize that four out of five of them are half in Canada, don't you?

[Chris Luongo]

Brendon,

I've only been to Montreal, several times. While I greatly like it, and will go there again this September, it is probably farther away than you want to drive.

The only reason I stepped into this thread is to remind you that these days you and your wife will definitely need to have U.S. passports. No idea about the 3-year old, maybe him/her too.

If you don't already have passports, get to work on it as soon as you can, because it takes a little while to receive them. (You can pay extra for expedited processing if necessary, I believe.)

[emacknight]

Considering that you're driving (I just assumed from Cleveland), I might suggest something that looks like this:

Day 1: Leaving early head north/east on the 90 to Niagara Falls, about 4 hours; get a Tim's, see the falls, stay in St Catherine's.

Day 2: 1.5 hour drive north to African Lion Safari. Stratford is about an hour west of the park and has the Shakespeare stuff. To save money I'd spend the night well outside of Toronto.

Day 3: Take the Gardiner into downtown Toronto. It's a major city with lots to do, if you want suggestions I can give you a lot of them. The waterfront is really nice, as are the Toronto Islands in the harbour. In the evening make your way east of the city and stay some where cheap that is about an hour out of the city. Evening traffic will be a bit better after 7pm.

Day 4: It is a 6 hour drive to Montreal from Toronto, which is why I recommended staying outside of the city. On driving trips like this I prefer to break up the driving. This will get you into Montreal around noon. Again, another major city with lots to do and see. Make sure you try poutine at least twice.

Day 5: If you are able to get out of Montreal, Quebec City is about 2 hours (or 7 if they are still doing road work in Montreal). Make this a day trip then drive back towards Montreal for your second last night.

Day 6: From Montreal it is about a 3 hour drive towards Kingston, which has the Thousand Islands area. I went once as a kid and it was amazing. It is also a major crossing back into the US.

Day 7: Get your last Tim's, cross into NY, and spend 7 hours working your way back to Cleveland.

[Little Nemo]

Originally Posted by Chris Luongo

The only reason I stepped into this thread is to remind you that these days you and your wife will definitely need to have U.S. passports. No idea about the 3-year old, maybe him/her too.

If you don't already have passports, get to work on it as soon as you can, because it takes a little while to receive them. (You can pay extra for expedited processing if necessary, I believe.)

I believe anyone under the age of sixteen can cross the border if accompanied by a parent or guardian with a valid passport. You do however have to have proof of identification for the child like a birth certificate.

[Cat Whisperer]

Screw Idaho!



I think it's important for people to travel internationally, even if it's just the country right next door. It helps give you perspective, comparing what you know to new things.

[brendon_small]

Hey everyone! I haven't been on the boards in a few days but the suggestions are great so far. I guess I should mention as a point of reference that we are south of Columbus, near Chillicothe, so our drive is a bit different than one from Cleveland, but honestly, I don't mind driving on long trips at all. We made Minnesota a decent 2 day trip due to a grumpy toddler, but have driven straight through to Orlando before and such.

I will be going through all the responses and talking them over with the wife this evening after I get some work done, so hopefully I can contribute some more. Thanks to everyone so far.

Also, we are planning on addressing the passport issue soon. I just found out I am probably going back to California for work in November, so we will be aiming for a trip in October if possible.

Brendon Small

[suranyi]

Originally Posted by Little Nemo

I believe anyone under the age of sixteen can cross the border if accompanied by a parent or guardian with a valid passport. You do however have to have proof of identification for the child like a birth certificate.

No, even a child needs his or her own passport nowadays. We had a get a passport to take our seven-month-old baby to Montreal in July.

[Little Nemo]

Originally Posted by suranyi

No, even a child needs his or her own passport nowadays. We had a get a passport to take our seven-month-old baby to Montreal in July.

Were you flying or driving into Canada? Because the requirements can be different.

According to the Canadian Border Services Agency website:

When you enter Canada, a CBSA officer may ask to see your passport and a valid visa, if one is necessary. If you are a citizen of the United States, you do not need a passport to enter Canada. However, you should carry proof of your citizenship, such as a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization, as well as photo identification. If you are a permanent resident of Canada or the U.S, you should bring your Permanent Resident Card with you.

The United States Department of State website adds the following:

Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card or NEXUS card (see below) satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens. If U.S. citizen travelers to Canada do not have a passport, passport card or approved alternate document such as a NEXUS card, they must show a government-issued photo ID (e.g. Driver’s License) and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or expired U.S. passport. Children under 16 need only present proof of U.S. citizenship.

...

When returning to the United States from Canada, it is very important to note that all U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport to enter or re-enter the United States via air. For entry into the United States via land and sea borders, U.S. citizens must present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Drivers License or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document. The only exception to this requirement is for U.S. citizens under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious, or other youth group) who need only present a birth certificate (original, photocopy or certified copy), Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or naturalization certificate.

So an adult can drive into Canada with just a birth certificate and a driver's license. But an adult needs a passport or its equivalent to drive back into the United States. Somebody under the age of 16 can enter Canada and return to the United States via automobile with just a birth certificate.

[loshan]

I live 8 miles south of the border and had no problem at all taking my 12 yo Texan niece to Trail and Nelson, BC last month with nothing but her birth certificate (certified original) and a notarized note from her mother giving her permission to travel with me.

ETA: The border agent also told me that although they will tell you "must" have a passport to return to the US, they cannot deny entry to a citizen. Therefore, even though they don't like it, they will let you back in with the same driver's license and birth certificate that got you into Canada.

[Little Nemo]

Originally Posted by loshan

The border agent also told me that although they will tell you "must" have a passport to return to the US, they cannot deny entry to a citizen. Therefore, even though they don't like it, they will let you back in with the same driver's license and birth certificate that got you into Canada.

I'll admit I was wondering how that would work. (I have a passport and have never been tempted to try to call their bluff.) I sort of figured they would make you report to the nearest consulate and get some kind of emergency passport (at extra expense) before letting you back in.

[Waffle Decider]

Originally Posted by loshan

ETA: The border agent also told me that although they will tell you "must" have a passport to return to the US, they cannot deny entry to a citizen. Therefore, even though they don't like it, they will let you back in with the same driver's license and birth certificate that got you into Canada.

Sure, but only after an intimate encounter with the rubber gloves.

[Cat Whisperer]

I wouldn't risk it - I'd just get a passport (and did!). You get the wrong agent on the wrong day who just had a fight with his girlfriend...

[suranyi]

Originally Posted by Little Nemo

Were you flying or driving into Canada? Because the requirements can be different.

We were flying, and for that a passport is definitely required. You are correct to note that a passport is not always required for crossing the border by car. But the rules are changing all the time, so I personally would just get the passport in that case too.

[Mahaloth]

Originally Posted by suranyi

No, even a child needs his or her own passport nowadays. We had a get a passport to take our seven-month-old baby to Montreal in July.

We enter through Detroit somewhat often(3-4 times a year, anyway) and no passports are required for anyone, even the baby.

They just ask a few questions, we answer honestly, and off we go. We're only usually there on day trips though. Few days, maybe.

[chizzuk]

Originally Posted by suranyi

We were flying, and for that a passport is definitely required. You are correct to note that a passport is not always required for crossing the border by car. But the rules are changing all the time, so I personally would just get the passport in that case too.

We drove into Canada (via I-81) this past weekend and used passports, but they didn't ask for them and I don't know what would have happened had we handed over something else. The sign just said "Have I.D. Ready." We had no trouble coming or going with US passports (the Canadian border guys actually asked more questions than the American side), but two cars in front of us going into NY with Quebec plates really got hassled and we had to wait for almost 10 minutes behind them while the Border Patrol searched their cars and scrutinized their documents. I don't know if it was because we were US citizens and they weren't, but we were prepared to have a hard time seeing what happened to them and instead sailed through in 20 seconds.

[suranyi]

Originally Posted by Mahaloth

We enter through Detroit somewhat often(3-4 times a year, anyway) and no passports are required for anyone, even the baby.

They just ask a few questions, we answer honestly, and off we go. We're only usually there on day trips though. Few days, maybe.

Have you done it since June 1, 2009? Since then adults, at the very least, need a passport to cross into the U.S. by car.

Cite:

http://www.consular.canada.usembassy...equirement.asp