It’s a new year, and with it arrives a fresh opportunity to hit the road in your RV or trailer.
A world of possibilities awaits you, from day trips to extended vacations, from sea to sea and everywhere in between.
This year we’ll continue to feature great destinations across North America, all of which are ideal to visit with an RV or trailer. We look at cities, parks, countryside and seaside locations, scouring the continent to find the best places for your recreational vehicle adventures.
In this first issue of the new year, we’re exploring three of Canada’s top destinations for 2019. Some are within easy reach of your home base in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario & the Outaouais, while others allow you to hit the open highway for long stretches. Depending on your timeline and budget, we’re confident that one or all of these lovely spots will be a hit with you and your family in 2019. Sit back, buckle up and let’s start the ride!
Montreal & Quebec City
Just two hours away from the National Capital Region is one of Canada’s urban gems: Montreal. The centre of business and culture in Quebec as well as the second largest city in Canada, Montreal boasts year-round fun in a sophisticated yet down-to-earth setting. You’ll find RV parks and campgrounds on the edges of the city, which have decent proximity to many of the local attractions.
Perhaps Montreal’s biggest drawing point is the Old Port or Vieux Port. Running along the waterfront and going on for several blocks in every other direction, this is the old town of Montreal that dates back as early as 1611. Basque in the history and culture that the Old Port offers, with its many dozens of restaurants (several of which are award-winning) and mixture of cuisine and backgrounds. This part of the city also has great shopping, museums, and plenty of places to just stroll and take in the charms of an old city. Elsewhere in Montreal you’ll find downtown with a further array of shopping, museums, restaurants and culture activities. North of downtown is an overlook with a great view of the city – Mount Royal. The narrow streets that lead up to this spot from the downtown core aren’t exactly RV-friendly, but you can access this area and the nearby St Joseph Oratory from the north and west.
A few hours northeast of Montreal is Quebec City, often referred to especially by Francophones as simply “Quebec.” Imagine the Old Port of Montreal expanded by 2x or 3x – that’s the historic part of Quebec City. Also a port city on the St Lawrence, Quebec City is smaller than Montreal but decidedly more French / Quebecois. Quaint eateries dot the many small streets of Vieux Quebec – great crepes and pastries, cidre and much more – while the Plains of Abraham and old city walls make for great walking. The areas in between Montreal & Quebec City are easily driven by highway and offer ample stopover locations as well as local sights. Combining Montreal and Quebec City can easily be a week well spent – more if you choose (side-trips abound).
Winnipeg
Surprised to see Winnipeg on this list? Fair enough. It usually isn’t the first place that comes to mind when picking an RV destination for a Canadian road trip. Yet Winnipeg is worthy of your itinerary planning attention. For starters, The Peg is a great stop on the way to the Rockies and/or other parts of Western Canada and the Prairies. Even better, “Winterpeg” (as it’s sometimes referred to tongue-in-cheek by many Canadians) is coming into its own as a travel destination. It’s actually fantastic year-round nowadays, but shines brightest in those spring, summer and fall months. Boasting culture, museums, attractions and a burgeoning dining scene, Winnipeg is a real gem. Experience The Forks, the top tourist destination in Manitoba, which offers top quality shopping, food, local craft beer and much more (think ByWard Market in Ottawa). Then check out the new Canadian Museum for Human Rights, truly a spectacle both inside and out. The museum was completed in 2014 and instantly became iconic to Winnipeg (much as the CN Tower does to Toronto or Parliament does for Ottawa). This is an amazing ascension of “man’s climb from darkness to light” that goes through 12 different galleries, crowned by the “Tower of Hope” which offers outstanding views of the city beneath.
Prince Edward Island
We’ve covered the Maritimes in detail during previous articles. PEI is a genuine jewel to be discovered on its own or in tandem with a Maritimes journey (which, not coincidentally, can include stops in Montreal and/or Quebec City on the way). Known for its red sand, lobster suppers and of course Anne of Green Gables, Prince Edward Island is Canada’s smallest province in terms of size (5700 sq km) as well as one of the least populated provinces (at 150,000 it’s smaller than many cities). That means you can cover it well on an RV journey! Take in the home of Canada’s confederation in Charlottetown. Drive to one of its many famed beaches and dig your feet into that red sand! Then take in the Anne of Green Gables museum before hitting a down-home lobster supper at a local church or community centre. Stay long enough, and you just might be so taken in with PEI’s grassroots vibe and genuinely warm hospitality that you may never want to leave!
Let Travel-Mor Trailer Sales be Your Canada RVing Partner
No matter where your journeys take you, let Travel-Mor Trailer Sales be your partner in the RV experience. Whether you’re looking to buy or rent a trailer or RV, need service on your vehicle, or just want to talk shop about RV’s and your next RV adventure, we want to speak with you! Give us a call or contact us today to find out more!
