Toroto or Montreal

Peter J · 14 January 2008, 10:56

Hello,

I wonder if any of our Canadians friends can help me.

I have to come to Canada on business next month but I have a day free for sightseeing. My meeting is in Shawinigan about half way between Montreal and Quebec.

I was thinking of flying to Toronto as a base and doing a day trip on a plane to Montreal to go to Shawinigan then do the tourist bit in Toronto ( I understand there is a small but attractive waterfall nearby

)

Do you think this is a good plan and just how cold is it there this time of year? Will I freeze my nuts off in Niagara? Is Montreal better than Toronto?

Thanks for any guidance.

Peter.

Dirk Diggler · 14 January 2008, 11:07

I was there in September, and in my opinion I'd head for Toronto, Montreal is a dump! If you've never been to Niagara, it's a must, but just for the falls, for tourist'ing Niagara on the lake is superb, got a real old world feel to it!

prairie tuber · 14 January 2008, 14:58

Hate to say it, but if I were asked to compile a list of the top 30 communities to visit in Canada, those 2 would be at # 29 & #30. If it's any help, Toronto would be at #29. Niagara on the Lake is quite nice, as are a number of smaller communities within an hour's drive of TO.

Dirk Diggler · 14 January 2008, 18:07

My favourite was Quebec, it was like being in France, only the restaurant staff were polite. Mont Tremblant was also pretty cool, but that was probably because we stayed in a nice hotel!

Alan · 14 January 2008, 20:55

For an impression of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) think 'Slough' but on a much larger scale.

Miles of urban sprawl. Montreal at least has an old quarter. That being said a day in Toronto could take in the CN tower, Brewery district etc. Wherever you go it could be cold (-20C) and very snowy. More so in Montreal.

Wave as you fly overhead.

prairie tuber · 15 January 2008, 02:30

If you want to avoid the cold, Winnipeg is the place to be.

Peter J · 15 January 2008, 12:55

Thanks for the replies, guys.

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

Hate to say it, but if I were asked to compile a list of the top 30 communities to visit in Canada, those 2 would be at # 29 & #30. If it's any help, Toronto would be at #29. Niagara on the Lake is quite nice, as are a number of smaller communities within an hour's drive of TO.

Out of interest what would you put as #1 to #5? Winnipeg at #1 I guess

Alan · 15 January 2008, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter J

Thanks for the replies, guys.

Out of interest what would you put as #1 to #5? Winnipeg at #1 I guess

St John's, Newfoundland. Snowiest provincial capitol. More bars per capita than anywhere else in North America. Friendliest people in the world!

Rogue Wave · 16 January 2008, 03:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan

Wave as you fly overhead.

And don't go flinging no Jobbies.

It's been twenty years since I've been to Canada, but I thought Toronto was better

prairie tuber · 16 January 2008, 04:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter J

Thanks for the replies, guys.

Out of interest what would you put as #1 to #5? Winnipeg at #1 I guess

Naw... (at least not in the winter) In no particular order, I'd recommend these spots (based on places that I've actually been to;

BC; Victoria, Sydney, Campbell River, Gold River, Tofino-Uculet, Nelson, Osoyoos, Princeton, Field

Alberta; Canmore, Jasper, Edmonton, Calgary,

Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Mortlach

Manitoba; Leaf Rapids, Winnipeg, Grand Beach (in the summer) Bissett - Nopiming Region, Killarney

Ontario; Kenora, Atikokan, Nipigon, Wawa - Sault St. Marie, Algonquin Prov. Park (in the fall), London, St. Catherines - Niagara On the Lake

Quebec; Quebec City

New Bruswick;- Various places along the Bay of Fundy

Nova Scotia; Cape Breton Island along the Cabot Trail

PEI; anywhere

Newfoundland; Haven't yet been there but everyone I know that has gone there loves the place.

Stoo · 17 January 2008, 11:24

Shawinigan??? Who goes to Shawinigan in the winter? Actually, it's a beautiful area and the home town of one of our most, umm, persistent, Prime Ministers, Jean Cretien!

I was in Trawna this week again, and it it is a large, modern city with all the pros and cons associated with that. If you go, stay right downtown as that's where all of the interesting areas are. In summer, the waterfront is a great area, but it's pretty desolate now.

Montreal is as well, with the added benefit of having a very old historic area, a strong Francophone culture (although English is widely spoken). Personally, I love Montreal, but it might be in part that I spend a lot of time in Toronto.

I spent a week in Montreal recently and other things I noticed: more pretty girls than anywhere on earth, who look good even when wrapped in down; Montreallers love winter (like they have a choice) whereas Torontonians just hide from it; it's much cleaner; public transit is much better (just as well as since driving there isn't for the feint of heart)

Having said that Niagara is a pretty cool area. I grew up not far from it and I still have trouble imagining what was going through the head of the first guy to try going over it in a barrel!

Personally, I would fly to Montreal, have my meeting and and stay in Montreal. If for no other reason, it cuts down on flying time and airports...

Alan · 17 January 2008, 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoo

Personally, I would fly to Montreal, have my meeting and and stay in Montreal. If for no other reason, it cuts down on flying time and airports...

I'd echo that if for no other reason than there is a distinct possibility that your internal flights might be disrupted by the weather. (It being the middle of winter). You don't want to spend your time hanging around in an airport do you?!

Peter J · 17 January 2008, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

Naw... (at least not in the winter) In no particular order, I'd recommend these spots (based on places that I've actually been to;

BC; Victoria, Sydney, Campbell River, Gold River, Tofino-Uculet, Nelson, Osoyoos, Princeton, Field...

<snipped to save space>

...Newfoundland; Haven't yet been there but everyone I know that has gone there loves the place.

Blimey Toober! That is just about every where in Canada except for where I am going!!

I guess I'll have to go back again to go to the nice places. I have always liked the look of PEI since I saw it on "Anne of green gables" on the telly.

Alan · 17 January 2008, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter J

Blimey Toober! That is just about every where in Canada except for where I am going!!

I guess I'll have to go back again to go to the nice places. I have always liked the look of PEI since I saw it on "Anne of green gables" on the telly.

Ever been to South Devon? PEI is just like it.

jyasaki · 17 January 2008, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

Naw... (at least not in the winter) In no particular order, I'd recommend these spots (based on places that I've actually been to;

What, no Moose Factory?

jky

prairie tuber · 17 January 2008, 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

What, no Moose Factory?

jky

No, but I have been to Burger Factory and I have eaten moose burgers.... so I do feel somewhat connected to the community.

dverstege · 18 January 2008, 01:51

Depending on the date and were you stay, I may be able to get you to Niagara Falls and area.

Stoo · 19 January 2008, 22:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

What, no Moose Factory?

They're all being made in India now... outsourcing and all that..

dverstege · 04 February 2008, 13:29

Peter send me a PM to make arrangments. Tried to send couple of P/M's but I don't know if they got through to you.