Fall trip

[maggie2]

We are plannning to visit our daughter at Wesleyan University in CT and are planning on flying from Vancouver to Toronto renting a car and driving to Quebec then into New England. We have 2 weeks in total any ideas on routes and scenic drvies

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

The highlights of the drive from Toronto to New England were described in this post. While in central Connecticut, you might want to consider daytrips to Mystic, CT and Newport, RI.

AZBuck

[RedCorral]

Hi,

If this happens to be around the end of September to the middle of October, there are lots of fall color opportunities. The Kankamagus Highway across New Hampshire is spectacular, as are just about all the roads in Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts at this time of year. Actually, they are all wonderful at any time of year!

For a unique living history experience I highly recommend Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA (yes, the spelling is intentionally different). And for something different, but similar, Hancock Shaker Village west of Pittsfield, MA (on the western side of the state) is a terrific place to explore Shaker history and ingenuity.

Of course, Massachusetts is full of historical sites from the time of the Revolution so you can easily fill your time with interesting stops along the way.

Do save some time for the lavish "cottages" in Newport, RI. They are fabulous.

Craig Sheumaker
co-author of the travel guide: America's Living History-The Early Years

[Quebec Gen]

Fall is a perfect time to go whale watching an see the foliage in Quebec. The Eastern Townships Region (just north of VT, NH and ME) is particularly stunning and offers a lot of opportunities for day-hikers.

If you'd like a taste of European Culture, something that really stands out from the rest, head to Quebec City, a World Heritage Site, where you can experience language immersion, historical stone buildings, sites and battlefields, latin-style nightlife, museum, fine cuisine, music, outdoor performances almost year-round and breath-taking views of the city and the St. Lawrence River. Go to Terrasse Dufferin, Chateau Frontenac, the Funiculaire, rue St-Jean, quartier St-Roch, ask the locals about ongoing festivals, Petit Champlain, place Royale (movie location for Catch me if you can), for nightlife go to Grande Allée, for miracles go to Ste. Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine and while you're in that area, look for Canyon Ste. Anne and Montmorency Falls. Orleans Island offer tons of opportunity for pic-nics. For a nice walk by the waterfront, go to Jacques-Cartier Beach in Cap Rouge. Take a day or night cruise on the Louis Jolliet.

You could take the New-France and the Whale Route (QC-138) from Quebec City to Les Escoumins. En route, stop by the Charlevoix Casino in La Malbaie and take a lunch break at one of the many cheese boutiques along the way. You will find many art galleries everywhere. L'Ile aux Coudres is also worth the detour (route 362) from Baie St. Paul. The ferry is free. For a longer ferry ride, go to St. Siméon, the whale capital and go accross the River to Rivière du Loup.

To get to Tadoussac, you have to take a ferry accross the very impressive Saguenay fjord. There is no bridge there because it is a major passage for whales and the current is very strong. once again, this ferry is absolutely free. Tadoussac was founded in 1599 and therefore is one of the oldest cities in North America. Pierre Chauvin established a trading post there in 1600. You can visit a replica for a small fee. Hotel Tadoussac was the movie location for the movie Hotel New Hampshire, starring Jodie Foster. Either Tadoussac or Les Escoumins is a great starting place for whale-watching excursion or scuba-diving. Although, if you want to save some money, look for Centre de plongée Atlan (41, rue des Pilotes) in Les Escoumins. Just park your car, go to the waterfront, sit on a rock (bring some warm clothes : hat, scarf, gloves, the whole nine yards) and watch the show.

Hope you'll try some of those suggestions. You won't regret it!

Genevieve