Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City Traveling Admin, June 17, 2023 Located in North America, the country is famous for ice hockey, the maple leaf, two widely popular (Bieber and Trudeau), and Putin. If I were to describe it in one word, I would say it is diverse. The place is inhabited by people from all walks of life, from Asian and Middle Eastern to European communities. These diverse cultural backgrounds are translated into their food ranging from Chinese fast food, kebabs, pizza and pasta. This is Canada, huh? Other articles you can read: There are a lot of places to visit in Canada, but this guide will focus on the eastern part considering I only had eight days for sightseeing: Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City. If you have more time, add Ottawa (Canada’s capital) and Prince Edward Island on your trip to eastern Canada. “Sup to?! “ Toronto, the provincial capital of Ontario, has a few nicknames: The Six, Hogtown, and TO to name a few. It is the home of the Raptors, Blue Jays, and Maple Leafs, the city’s basketball, baseball, and hockey teams, respectively. But “Tee-Oh” isn’t just about sports. It is one of the best cities that showcase diversity in Canada, which you will notice if you take a quick look around. Table of Contents Going around TorontoWhere do you stay in Toronto?Where to eat torontoThings to do in TorontoGetting around MontrealWhere do you stay in Montreal?Where to eat in montrealThings to do in MontrealWhere do you stay in Quebec City?Getting around Quebec CityWhere to eat in Quebec CityThings to do in Quebec CitySample itinerary and expenses for an 8-day Canada tripAbout the author Going around Toronto Upon disembarking from Toronto Pearson International Airport, take bus 192 to the Kipling subway station. You can then take the subway to your hotel. The best thing about public transport is that you can use the ticket you bought for the bus on several connections – such as the subway or tram (streetcar) – as long as it is one way to your next destination. Be sure to remember your sights: Union Station for the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, Rogers Center (baseball stadium), Air Canada Center (basketball and ice hockey), Dundas Station for Dundas Square, and Nathan Phillips Square (it’s within walking distance of Dundas Square). Where do you stay in Toronto? For a place to rest and relax, The only backpacker’s hostel It is a hostel that I recommend. It has a bar at the entrance, which makes it convenient to socialize – similar to other great hostels I’ve tried. To get there, take the tube to Donlands. When you come down just ask about Cafe onlyDon’t worry, you’ll be within walking distance of the station. You can also find a list of recommended hotels in Canada here. But, if you’re looking for something different than the standard hotel room experience, the rental toronto loft apartments It could be a great choice for you. Where to eat toronto Take the 514 Streetcar, exit the Cherry Street Loop, and walk to the Distillery, a historic district. Alternatively, you can take the 504 streetcar, exit King and Parliament, and walk a couple of blocks south. There are a few dining options to choose from, but I’d recommend the Mill Street Brewery for a variety of beers. Things to do in Toronto Watch the jaw-dropping view from the top of the CN Tower The CN Tower was once the tallest tower in the world, standing at about 553 metres. That was, of course, long before the Burj Khalifa was erected. The tower symbolizes not only the city of Toronto, but also the whole of Canada. Take the elevator to the observation deck where you can absorb the panoramic view of the city. Just a warning: if you look down, it can be a little scary; The glass floor creates the illusion that you might fall at any moment! If the idea of heights doesn’t make you giddy enough, you can satisfy your inner daredevil by embarking on a more adventurous activity called Edge Walk. As the name suggests, you’ll walk around the side of the tower secured in a full body suit and harness attached to the railings above and around the tower. Walking made you hungry? You can eat there, at 360 Restaurant, which serves Canadian cuisine. I love visiting the tallest buildings in any city. It gives you a perspective overlooking the place which makes you feel like you have invaded the place. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment. Visit the Ripley Aquarium My Toronto-based friends said I had to go here – an aquarium that holds nearly 16,000 aquatic animals, but I didn’t. Personally, I’d rather put on a wetsuit and dive into the sea by myself than watch sea creatures swimming in the tanks. However, if you want to experience it for yourself, make a reservation “sky sea” Package to encounter both the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium head-on for a cheaper price. Watch a sporting event When I think of Toronto, the first thing that comes to mind is the Toronto Raptors. It’s a no-brainer for an avid NBA fan like myself. Watching a live match has always been a childhood dream and I finally made it a reality. Even if you’re not a fan of sports, the live game is a must! The experience is completely different than when on TV, where you’ll feel the hype build up with everyone else. Hearing the music and roar of the crowd right on is sure to get your blood pumping! If basketball isn’t your cup of tea, try watching baseball or ice hockey. Stroll along Dundas Square They say it’s the mini version of Times Square in New York. This place may not be exactly big, but the place is Instagram worthy. This is where you will find the well known tourist attractions: street performers, tourist information centres, shopping centres, restaurants, big advertisements, cinema etc. Photoshoot at Nathan Phillips Square Lots of people are leveling their IG game here, right next to City Hall. Take as many shots as you want and hit that blogger. Day tour of Niagara Falls You wouldn’t have been to Canada if you hadn’t seen this beauty – the “mother of all waterfalls”, as I call it, between the US and Canada – Niagara Falls. You can take the public bus or drive to get there, but I would recommend booking a guided day tour King Tours To rest. They provide you with rides to pick you up to and from your hotel. Join the others and hop on the bus as you head towards Niagara Falls for a Horn-blower boat cruise! It’s like being in a movie as you get closer and closer to the mighty falls – the thundering sound, splashing cool water and dark atmosphere is an exhilarating experience you don’t want to miss. Grab a quick snack after the boat ride before heading to your next stop: Niagara-on-the-Lake, a picturesque town where you can do all your sightseeing. End the tour with a wine tasting at a favorite winery. Don’t forget to try the chilled wine! Jason’s hot tip: You can choose to spend the night near the falls. There are a lot of attractions in the area. It’s like a big theme park with fun rides, magic shows, and casinos. You can find a list of all casinos near Toronto here. Bonjour, Montreal! Did you know?: The province of Quebec is predominantly French, mainly because the first explorers in the region were French, and thus culturally influenced Quebec’s largest city: Montreal – home to the city’s Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team. Getting around Montreal Coming from Toronto, you can take a bus or train to Montreal (the bus is the cheapest option), then walk from Dundas Square until you reach the bus station. Buy some beef and licorice to make your eight-hour commute to Montreal (with transfers in Ottawa) more bearable. Upon arrival, you can use the metro to get around the city. Note the Mont Royal hiking station and the Champ de Mars station for Old Montreal. Where do you stay in Montreal? I recommend staying in Alexandria Montreal. This is a modern looking inn with a great lobby, free maps, and free breakfast. It is a 7-minute walk from the bus and metro stations. Where to eat in montreal Try their famous smoked meats Schwartz Deli (3985 Paul Saint Laurent). It’s near Le Plateau-Mont-Royal. Ask around to locate the store. Things to do in Montreal Hike Mount Royal I love hiking, so I consider this activity to be the best thing to do in Montreal. Wander at your own pace through a trail or forest to the other side. Some entry and exit points may confuse you, so my advice is just to follow the crowd. The duration of the hike depends on how much time you use to take in and enjoy the view of nature and the city at the top. Visit Old Montreal Enjoy a great experience. Witness a blend of North American and European culture, and marvel at French-inspired architecture. Highlights are the Basilica of Notre Dame and the Vieux Port de Montreal. “J Time, Quebec.” Quebec City is just like Montreal – a mix of old and new, from cobbled streets to interesting street art. It is probably the most romantic city in the province of Quebec, most notably Old Quebec City. The ambience reminds me of a small French town – calm and quiet, but above all charming. Where do you stay in Quebec City? Auberge Internationale de Quebec Excellent place to stay, located in Old Quebec. However, the owner of the man is a bit strange and not very accommodating. Getting around Quebec City From Montreal Central Bus Station, take the 3-hour bus to Quebec City. Once you arrive, walking is the best way to tour the city. You can walk all the way through Old Quebec. If you feel overwhelmed, just take the cab back to your hotel. Take a bus trip if you are going to a remote place like Montmorency Falls. If you’re going to the airport, grabbing a taxi is said to be the easiest way. Where to eat in Quebec City Pottenville!!! Make your own poutine with the toppings of your choice. Elegantly fried poutine. Toppings and sauce are added, and the basics are cheese and gravy. Who in the world doesn’t love french fries?! Things to do in Quebec City Visit Old Quebec Just like in Montreal, you have to visit its old version: Old Quebec. Be fascinated by the castle-like European architecture. The highlight of this hotel is the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, the famous hotel in Old Quebec. Watch Montmorency Falls Take Bus 800 for the 20-minute ride from downtown Quebec City to the Falls, which is the last stop. Montmorency Falls pales in comparison to the grandeur of Niagara Falls, but it’s still a beautiful sight to see and serves as the perfect backdrop for a quick selfie on the bridge. Sample itinerary and expenses for an 8-day Canada trip Here is a sample itinerary for eight days in Canada, similar to what I did last April 2017 starting with Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City and back. Note that this will serve as a reference only. You can cut costs by booking buses months in advance, avoiding expensive meals, and opting for the cheapest seats at an NBA game. * Burgers in fast food restaurants cost less than 10 CAD and a Chinese meal (duck and rice) costs about 17 CAD. About the author Jason Gutuato He writes technical reports during the day and travel stories at night – an engineer by profession and a traveler by heart. He’s done a lot of crazy things from diving between North American and Eurasian plates to jumping out of a plane. He is on a quest to conquer this world and bring out the adventurer in all of us. Take Peek at his adventures and find him Whereesjason.com. Social media: Instagram: wheresjason_ig Are you on Pinterest? Install these! In closing, let us remember that every ending brings forth a new beginning . As we conclude this article, may we embrace the lessons learned, the insights gained, and the possibilities that lie ahead. Together, let us step forward with courage and optimism, for the journey continues, and our potential knows no bounds. Source_by_twomonkeystravelgroup.com See also Overlanding from Kabul to Herat via Minaret of Jam by local transportation Traveling CityMontrealQuebecToronto