Ontario and Québec, Canada

Toronto, Ontario

Flight time: 7hrs 1mins

Average day temp: Sep 18⁰C /Oct 11⁰C /Nov 5⁰C

Average rainy days: Sep 12 /Oct 14 /Nov 14

Average rainfall: Sep 40mm /Oct 40mm /Nov 50mm

Montréal, Québec

Flight time: 6hrs 5mins

Average day temp: Sep 16⁰C /Oct 9⁰C /Nov 3⁰C

Average rainy days: Sep 13 /Oct 17 /Nov 16

Average rainfall: Sep 90mm /Oct 70mm /Nov 90mm

Toronto (Ontario) and surrounding area highlights

• Toronto welcomes global movie stars in September for the Toronto International Film Festival.
• Take the 58 second ride on a glass fronted elevator to the top of the CN Tower for views of up to 100 miles, and experience the world’s highest outdoor walk, if you’re feeling really brave!
• Niagara Falls sits on the Niagara River, where Lake Erie drains into Lake Ontario. It’s actually a group of three waterfalls, spanning the border between the USA and Canada.
• There are plenty of places to take in the breathtaking scenery around Toronto:
  o  Make a detour on your way to Niagara Falls to drive the Niagara Parkway, or “River Road”, between Queenston and Niagara-on-the-Lake. At its most vibrant in early October…and especially on a Sunday, Sir Winston Churchill described it as; “the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world”. Make the most of the trip and visit some of the local wineries on your way.
  o Algonquin Provincial Park is one of the most popular parks in Ontario and the oldest provincial park in Canada. The only way to explore the interior of the park is by canoe or on foot but you’ll be rewarded by the vast maple hills, rocky ridges and thousands of lakes. Check out the Fall Colour Report for advice on the best viewing times.
  o  The Bruce Peninsula is one of the most scenic points on the Bruce Trail, an almost-500-mile hiking trail across some of Ontario’s best natural scenery. Sitting between Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, there are 14 parks on the peninsula and several lighthouses, which create spectacular vistas. Check out the colour report for the best time to visit.

Ottawa (Ontario) and surrounding area highlights

• Take in some of the incredible works at the National Gallery of Canada.
• Visit the Parliament and take advantage of the free tours.
• Grab something to eat and drink at the ByWard Market.
• Step back in time at the Canadian Museum of History.
• Stroll along the Rideau Canal, which becomes the world’s largest outdoor skating rink every winter.
• In under 2 hours you can get to Thousand Islands, a group of more than 1,800 islands in the St. Lawrence River, straddling the border of the USA and Canada. On the American side is Heart Island and the elaborate German-style Boldt Castle.

Montréal (Québec) and surrounding area highlights

• Venture through the cobblestone streets of Old Montréal, which is full of French charm, museums, historical landmarks and gorgeous architecture. Some of the highlights include the ornate Notre Dame Basilica at Place d’Armes, Bonsecours Market, picturesque Sant-Paul Street and the Old Port.
• Food, glorious food! You’ll be spoilt for choice in Montréal. Thanks to its location, Montréal's restaurants are abundant in lobsters, scallops, and other fruits de mer. Other local specialties include poutine, Montréal-style smoked meat, bagels and, of course, plenty of maple syrup! Sample fresh local delicacies at Atwater and Jean-Talon markets. There is also a strong craft beer community in the city.
• Mount Royal Park is THE place for autumnal colours in Montréal and includes skyline views from the hilltop, but it’s also possibly the busiest place too. Other options include Mount Royal Cemetery, The Morgan Arboretum, Montréal Botanical Garden and Bois-de-Liesse Park.
• An autumn trip to Montréal is timed perfectly to catch one of the best professional ice hockey teams, the Montréal Canadiens, playing their pre-season games in September, before things get into full swing later in October.
• Options to see stunning fall foliage outside the city include:
  o Only a couple of miles from the city centre is Iles-de-Boucherville National Park. Set in the middle of the St. Lawrence River and formed of 5 little islands. It offers green spaces, and waterside trails for walkers, cyclists and canoeists to escape the city.
  o  The Laurentians is just north of the city and makes for an easy day trip. Here you'll find gentle rolling mountains, crystal-clear lakes and winding rivers you can explore by foot, bike or horseback. It’s also dotted with picturesque villages including Mont Tremblant, Sainte-Adèle and Saint-Sauveur.
  o  On the way to Québec, you may want to detour to the stunning Parc Mauricie.

Québec City (Québec) and surrounding area highlights

• Be charmed by the streets of the charming Old Québec, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985. Explore the fortifications dating to the 17th century and watch the changing of the guard at La Citadelle. Be enchanted by the pretty Place Royale and browse charming boutiques.
• Treat yourself to afternoon tea, a drink or even dinner at the most-photographed hotel in the world, the imposing Château Frontenac.
• Not to be outdone by its neighbour, Montréal, Québec also offer some exquisite dining experiences at its restaurants. It was also the birthplace of poutine and locals like their maple syrup here too!
• Visit Île d'Orléans, 30 minutes from the city centre, where you can find vineyards, cider producers, chocolate shops, vinegar makers, cheesemakers, and enjoy a picnic in one of the picturesque villages looking out over the St. Lawrence River (see also Chutes Montmorency waterfall below).
• Sanctuaire Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is also only about half an hour from the city centre, pilgrims have been visiting this beautiful shrine for over 350 years.
• There are plenty of options to explore the outdoors near Québec:
  o Jacques-Cartier National Park is a provincial park located 50 kilometres north of Québec City and host to one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in Québec, the spectacular Vallée de la Jacques-Cartier.
  o Northeast of Québec is the Chutes Montmorency waterfall, cascading down an 84-meter escarpment. The falls are higher than Niagara Falls, and a narrow pedestrian suspension bridge crosses the Montmorency River to île d'Orléans, enabling you to watch the water rush over the edge right beneath your feet.
  o Parc National des Hautes‑Gorges-de-la-Rivière‑Malbaie contains some of the highest rock faces east of the Rockies and lends itself to some breathtaking hiking.
  o The scale of the Saguenay fjord, just north of Québec City, is truly breathtaking. At 62-miles long it is the only navigable fjord in North America.
  o  If you’re early in the season, you can take in the beautiful Tadoussac Bay from Pointe Noire and may just be able to glimpse a passing whale.