Next year once I move back to New England, I want to visit Canada. The 3 cities I am thinking of choosing are: Montreal, Quebec City and Toronto. Basically anything within driving distance from my starting point. (Vernon, CT) I went to Montreal for one day - 10 years ago and I barely remember it. I just remember really liking Old Montreal, and I heard that Quebec City is a lot like Old Montreal!
I did take 3 years of French in High School, but that was a little while ago now. Of course I could always brush up though on my French understanding if I decided to go with any city in the Quebec provence.I have heard there is a lot of French speaking in Quebec City.
What city would you recommend for someone to visit? Which one has good city tours? I am thinking of staying for 3 days.
Thank you in advance for your suggestions!
Shawn Robin2011-07-21T06:52:34Z
Favorite Answer
It all boils down to your personal interests.
Quebec City is the perfect choice if you're most interested in history, culture and cuisine. The Old City of Quebec is over 400 years old and the only walled city left in North America. I personally prefer it to Old Montreal. If you want to feel like in you're in Europe, enjoy narrow cobblestone streets and lovingly preserved buildings, great food, and hearing everyone talking French then taking a tour in a caleche (a horse drawn, open-topped carriage) is definitely for you.
If you want modern action and big city excitement, however, then Toronto is your best option. It's basically Canada's version of New York City. The view from the CN Tower gives you an idea of how big it is: http://cache.virtualtourist.com/2626940-Downtown_Toronto_viewed_from_CN_Tower-Toronto.jpg (The CN Tower is a must-see tourist attraction. There's observation decks, a section with glass floors, a revolving restaurant and more.) Like New York is for America, Toronto is our biggest city, a major financial capital, and so multicultural that going from restaurant to restaurant and neighbourhood to neighbourhood is like take taking a trip around the world without leaving North America. (Toronto's so multicultural that if you dial 9-1-1 in an emergency they'll respond in your choice of 400+ languages.) It's internationally known for its shopping, nightlife, entertainment, live events, and attractions. So if you want modern, hip and happening then Toronto is the place to go.
I've been to Quebec City back in May on a school trip and it was a pretty awesome trip to say the least, I mean it has alot of history and it has some historic landmarks.. however if your going on vacation there don't expect alot of beaches since basically it's only good to visit for the landmarks and nothing more.
About 3 years ago I went to Toronto and it was pretty breathtaking, while I didn't see alot of landmarks I did see the CN Tower for the first time from a distance and it was amazing that a landmark like that you could even see from a distance and still be blown away by.. Toronto is also a pretty safe city as is any other city but there are some dangerous spots you should avoid at night time.. If you can just try to stay with people you know or if your not bringing people just be safe at night time because you never know what might happen.
I was in Montreal but only for like 3 hours for a train transfer and while I didn't see anything I did happen to see the Victoria Bridge which is an awesome piece of history as it was built back in the 1860s but like Quebec City don't expect alot of beaches and it's basically a place where it's only for the scenary and the sports but nothing more really.
I think it all depends on the person really but if I were you I'd go to Toronto because there you know that everything is in English and you won't have to worry about remembering French and you can still have a good time.. For City Tours my answer would be Quebec City and there it's almost all French like Montreal but some people do speak English if you really can't understand them.
What I suggest is to make 2 stops, as you have 3 days to visit. Montreal and Quebec city are a 2.5 hours drive... so why not visit both places? As per the language, it is not hard to be understood with only English in Montreal, but in Quebec City it might. However, just try your best: people here do not mind speaking in English with someone who's trying to speak French, but do mind when someone implies he should be served in English.
There are great tourism opportunity in both cities. In Montreal, Old Montreal and the Vieux-Port are a great starter. Plus, if you visit during the summer, you might be able to catch an outdoor festival, which are really appreciated by the tourists. And if you're into shopping, you should visit downtown on Ste-Catherine street or St-Denis. And there are great restaurants, bars and grills! In Quebec, there are great tourists spot too, more historic though. The Plaine d'Abraham and the boardwalk are the main attractions in my opinion.
In brief, my suggestion is a 2-day-in-Montreal-1-day-in-Quebec trip!
If you want a great dining experience, you can't really beat Montréal, especially in summer. The choice of bars, restos, cafés and other outlets is huge, especially on St Denis. There is plenty to see in this metropolis, though in the height of summer the temperatures can be very extreme!
Québec City is better for the historical minded, or people who prefer a more tranquil life when on holiday. Being anglophone won't be a problem, as there are huge numbers of tourists there and the locals are fairly bilingual- though they will thank you for trying your French!
I live near Montréal, and would recommend Québec city over my locale any day. It's quieter, and yet reasonably priced even off season. It may not be the cultural hub of Canada, but it has its share of events and culture, and the main thing that sells it to me, is the fact it is slightly further North than Montréal, and the climate in summer is slightly cooler.
Maybe combine the two? Stay in Montréal and take a day trip to QC via train or the very affordable Orleans Express?
For the best Canadian experience Quebec city, Montreal or Ottawa. Toronto is a great city of North America but I wouldn't recommend it for a distinctively Canadian experience.