Travel in South East Canada

It is looking like we might get to do a 6-7 week trip this summer with the granddaughter and we are considering a loop that would run up into Canada at Niagara Falls, hit Montreal and Quebec areas, then follow along the St. Lawrence Seaway into New Brunswick and maybe hit Nova Scotia before dropping back into the states and wandering back to Maryland. I would definitely like to hit the Bay of Fundy for the huge tidal change. Chloe will be almost 12 and is very interested in Nature and Science and just generally seeing new things. We prefer nature and outdoors over urban areas and big cities but plan to at least do a day or two checking out each of the big Canadian cities we are passing through.

We've never traveled in Canada so we are looking for any words of wisdom, advice or suggestions. We would be leaving Maryland the last week of June and returning the first or second week of August. We will have no pets on board and are fine not taking liquor across the border. We know we will need passports for all three of us as well as a notarized letter from each of Chloe's parents authorizing us to take her out of the country. The letters may not be required anymore but can't hurt to have along.

Any thoughts?

Yes on passports.  Yes on authorization letter.  NO guns.  Use a debit card to get Canadian currency at an ATM once you cross the border.  The exchange rate should still be favorable to offset any fees.  You might also look into travel health insurance.  Sales tax in Ontario is 13.5% (health care isn't free).  The Provincial Parks we've been to run somewhere around $40.+.  Take bug spray!  Watch your speed.  100 km is 60 mph.  Our son and family live in London ON so we haven't been further East than Thousand Islands yet.  The Atlantic provinces and New England will probably be our Fall trip this year.  Tim Horton's is good for donuts, coffee and tea.  They are everywhere.  Canadian Tire is fun place to wander if you need tools or housewares.  They also sell tires. 

On your way back- last March and April, a small zoo near Binghamton N.Y. was a Youtube sensation live streaming a pregnant giraffe and the birth of her calf.  That zoo, Animal Adventure Park, is fun to visit.  I'm sure Chloe would love to feed the critters.  They do have some room for RV parking.

BTW Canadians do speak English but have some British terms thrown in so, the meaning of some words is kinda funny.  A simple French dictionary could keep Chloe entertained as all the signs and product descriptions are in both languages.

Let us know of any special places we should visit this Fall.  Patti

One other thing for Chloe...  if you can make it over to P.E.I., she might like to read some Anne of Green Gables this winter.  The house is on the island.  Patti

Particularly in the Province of Quebec, French is the predominant language. If you know even a little French the natives will appreciate it. When we use a credit card, we favor American Express. The conversion rate and charges seem to be more reasonable than MasterCard, or Visa.

Niagara Falls is an awesome place!  I'd recommend stopping on the New York side then going to the Ontario side.  There's the boat ride taking you right into the mist of the falls and an elevator ride taking you to tunnels right behind the falls both are really neat!  Be sure to stop at a tourist information center and chat up the attendants about area attractions.  Look at maps closely you may be better off going back into New York rather than try to go up and through Toronto on your way to Montreal.  Toronto can be a breeze or an absolute nightmare I've had both.  Good advice has been given for passports, authorization letters, and weapons (includes guns, knives with long blades, mace, and a few other items research this list further before you go).  I normally use my credit cards when travelling in Canada (verify yours will work there) for cash I try to find a bank as they usually have the best exchange rates.  You can typically find one in almost any shopping mall.  A French language guide will be very helpful in Quebec as all the road / highway signs are in French only the other Provinces they are in English and French.  The Bay of Fundy is really neat, I think my favorite was the trick waterfall where a 20'+ waterfall at low tide disappears under the tidal surge and boats head out fishing over where there was a waterfall only a few hours earlier.  Cape Breton Highlands in far north eastern Nova Scotia  is beautiful!  Drive the route with the ocean / seaway on your right so it's easier to pull off to enjoy the views.  Your way home could take you to Acadia National park or the White Mountains in New Hampshire both worthwhile stops.

Your question makes me want to go again!  Hope this helps!

Gary

Thank you all for the great info. There is still a chance we will go that way but our slightly OCD granddaughter is focusing on the continuation of the trip up to Voyageurs that we planned last year. She had a great time on the part we got to but her mind seems locked onto what we missed, like a mental to-do list waiting to be checked off. It didn't help that the US map with state stickers got delivered... serious excitement over that. She's looking to tour and camp in every state. Maybe I'll see if they sell a Canada sticker map so we can get her up to the Bay of Fundy, Niagara Falls Canada Side and all the other cool stuff we want to experience.

We're going to the rally in Duluth, MN in September so it looks like we'll drive up there this summer, then back to Maryland for a month, then back to Duluth for the rally, then to the Poconos in PA for a friend's wedding THEN wander back to the west coast to continue our retirement full time in the rig. Actually we'll be full time by the end of August but scheduled for a bit. We hope for a slow wander west but we'll apply for an interpretive host job and if we get it, we may have to move a little faster.