Pre-Cruise ideas - Montreal to Boston itnerary

[Jade13]

We have been to Montreal before and looking for an alternative if we fly in 2 days prior to our cruise which departs Montreal on a Saturday.

 

Is there a way to combine with Niagra Falls and how would we get there (closest airport) and than on to Montreal? Perhaps one night one place and than night before cruise in Montreal.

 

What are the other options/cities near Montreal?

 

Thanks.

[Sandyrella]

Niagara Falls is about an 8-9 hour drive from Montreal. The closest airport is Toronto's Pearson Airport but it is still another 2 hour drive from there. Another option is Buffalo which is about 30 minutes from the U.S. side of the Falls. I think it's a little busy to try to do this and see some Montreal sites in two days.

 

Montreal is a wonderful city with so much to offer. Two days is still too short...maybe make plans to see Niagara Falls another time? I'm not sure what time of year you are coming here but Montreal in the summer time has such a fantastic joie de vivre (joy for life).

 

If you are coming in the Fall, a day trip to the Laurentians is a great way to see some beautiful foliage. If you don't want to spend two nights in Montreal, perhaps a night at Mont Tremblant, about a 2 hour drive north?

[Sandyrella]

An overnight in Ottawa may also be an option. Ottawa is a two hour drive from Montreal.

[Earl Rosebery]

Niagara is much too far. I would go to Grey rocks Inn in Ste. Jovite or Knowlton. Knowlton is one of the prettiest towns in North America. 1 hour drive.

[Sandyrella]

Niagara is much too far. I would go to Grey rocks Inn in Ste. Jovite or Knowlton. Knowlton is one of the prettiest towns in North America. 1 hour drive.

 

 

Unfortunately, Gray Rocks Inn is now closed but the drive up north is still a good idea.

 

You are right, Knowlton is a very pretty down and also worth the drive out the the Townships.

[RickT]

As mentioned, Niagara Falls is definitely too far from Montreal to be worth it unless you decide to fly into Toronto first (still over an hour from Toronto). My suggestion would be to:

- See Cirque du Soleil if the timing works http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/cirque-2010/tickets.aspx

- Go visit Quebec City (approx 2 hrs away)

- See more of Montreal (you don't say when you'll be there)

- Go visit the Laurentians (Mt Tremblant is nice)

- Come to Ottawa (Canada's capital) (approx 2 hrs away).

[alise007]

I second the Ottawa suggestion! We spent 5 days this past July (over Canada Day week) and had a wonderful time visiting the museums and Parliament.

 

We stayed on the Quebec side at the Hilton Casino Lac Leamy--incredible views of Ottawa across the river!

 

If you don't want to drive the train ride would be easy to Montreal. We didn't get to see/do everything we wanted in the week. We actually drove up from North Carolina and stopped along the way--Watertown/1000 Islands area was also enjoyable for a day. I just couldn't find an affordable flight so we opted to drive.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

You can fly to Toronto via Porter Airlines (flyporter.com) quickly and fairly cheaply. The advantage is that you end up in downtown Toronto. So you could just take the shuttle bus to the Royal York Hotel and get a bus tour to Niagara. If you really want to see Niagara, this would be the way to do it. If you were flying into Montreal, it might make sense to fly directly, since you'll already be at the airport (and you could probably store your luggage at the airport.)