What should we do in Canada?
August 9, 2007 5:34 PM Subscribe
We're driving across Canada over the next two weeks. We'll be stopping in Montreal, Wakefield, Saskatoon, Edmonton and landing in Sorrento,BC for a music workshop. Do you have suggestions about where (or what) to eat/sleep/see in any of these cities?
A little more about us - we prefer good food rather than lavish accommodations, would love to camp a night or two, and prefer unique places to tourist traps.
A little more about us - we prefer good food rather than lavish accommodations, would love to camp a night or two, and prefer unique places to tourist traps.
You might want to check out the Wakefield Steam Train.
posted by BozoBurgerBonanza at 7:26 PM on August 9, 2007
posted by BozoBurgerBonanza at 7:26 PM on August 9, 2007
My boyfriend and I made the drive from Toronto to Edmonton this May, and my most serious piece of advice is this: absolutely make sure you watch your gas gauge in western Ontario, because it is a very pretty but very empty area of the country. I don't know what your itinerary is or whether you'll be driving through all three of these cities in the same day, but make sure you fill up in Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, and Thunder Bay, or you'll be sorry. The stretch between Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay is especially empty, and we found out the hard way that the gas stations along the way close early on Sundays, so be careful.
Fuel-related problems aside, however, I can attest that Edmonton is a nice place to visit. If you're bringing bikes along, the river valley is good for that. I also see that you'll be driving through Banff National Park, and I hear that it's a really nice place for camping.
posted by Trinkers at 8:00 PM on August 9, 2007
Fuel-related problems aside, however, I can attest that Edmonton is a nice place to visit. If you're bringing bikes along, the river valley is good for that. I also see that you'll be driving through Banff National Park, and I hear that it's a really nice place for camping.
posted by Trinkers at 8:00 PM on August 9, 2007
Caravan Farm Theatre is a unique cultural experience outdoors in the wilderness near Armstrong, not far from Sorrento. Where else can you watch Shakespeare with the sound of owls hooting and coyotes yipping at the moon? They're performing The Blue Horse until August 26th.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 8:25 PM on August 9, 2007
By "good food", do you mean you're foodies, or just that you like to eat? Got any specific preferences? I can recommend a few places in Montreal.
posted by loiseau at 8:42 PM on August 9, 2007
posted by loiseau at 8:42 PM on August 9, 2007
If you want to camp, I recommend Lake Superior Provincial Park between Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay and Banff, Jasper and Yoho National Parks in the Rockies. If you have the time, drive from Edmonton to Sorrento via Jasper so that you can take in the Icefields Parkway. Leave time to stop along the way; most of the stops are well worth the time (going early or late in the day helps avoid the buses full of tourists). I like to camp at Mosquito Creek on that route (I've never seen significant bugs there), but all the smaller campgrounds in the National Parks are nice. Takkakaw Falls (in Yoho National Park) is well worth the short drive off the highway (and there is a very nice campground there as well). You can also check out and/or camp at Elk Island National Park before Edmonton (Bison!). Camping is not so much fun on the prairies, in my experience, but many towns have municipal campgrounds if you decide to go that route. There is also a nice park as soon as you cross into Manitoba on Highway 1 (and are still in shield country). If you like to hike, email me and I can make some recomendations along your route.
There is a lot to do in Montreal, so I'll just mention the basics. You can take a walk around the old port area, walk up to the top of Mount Royal, or head out to the islands in the middle of the St. Laurent. You probably won't do to badly looking for someplace to eat by starting at the intersection of St. Laurent and Prince Arthur and heading North and East until you find something you like.
When in Wakefield, you should take a drive up to the top of Champlain Lookout in Gatineau Park. The Black Sheep Inn often has good live music. Surely you will want to stop in Ottawa as well and take a walk by the market area and visit the locks on the Rideau Canal (or walk along the canal). The National Art Gallery is right downtown as well and worth a visit.
In Edmonton, the river valley is very nice for a walk. The Strathcona area (across the river from downtown) is nice for food, drink, and ice cream (visit the Marble Slab on Whyte Ave.). If you are there on Saturday visit the farmer's market just north of Whyte Ave.
Sadly, I've never stopped in Sorrento (and only briefly in Saskatoon).
posted by ssg at 10:25 PM on August 9, 2007
There is a lot to do in Montreal, so I'll just mention the basics. You can take a walk around the old port area, walk up to the top of Mount Royal, or head out to the islands in the middle of the St. Laurent. You probably won't do to badly looking for someplace to eat by starting at the intersection of St. Laurent and Prince Arthur and heading North and East until you find something you like.
When in Wakefield, you should take a drive up to the top of Champlain Lookout in Gatineau Park. The Black Sheep Inn often has good live music. Surely you will want to stop in Ottawa as well and take a walk by the market area and visit the locks on the Rideau Canal (or walk along the canal). The National Art Gallery is right downtown as well and worth a visit.
In Edmonton, the river valley is very nice for a walk. The Strathcona area (across the river from downtown) is nice for food, drink, and ice cream (visit the Marble Slab on Whyte Ave.). If you are there on Saturday visit the farmer's market just north of Whyte Ave.
Sadly, I've never stopped in Sorrento (and only briefly in Saskatoon).
posted by ssg at 10:25 PM on August 9, 2007
The Latin Quarter in Montreal is full of tourists and, yet, totally fun.
posted by John of Michigan at 11:21 PM on August 9, 2007
posted by John of Michigan at 11:21 PM on August 9, 2007
Response by poster: Thank you for all of the great suggestions!
louiseau, we would definitely be considered foodies - I'd love any suggestions you have for Montreal. We have pretty broad taste, the only thing in particular that we are looking for is some Ethiopian (we can't get it in Wetern Mass) somewhere along the trip.
posted by a22lamia at 3:11 AM on August 10, 2007
louiseau, we would definitely be considered foodies - I'd love any suggestions you have for Montreal. We have pretty broad taste, the only thing in particular that we are looking for is some Ethiopian (we can't get it in Wetern Mass) somewhere along the trip.
posted by a22lamia at 3:11 AM on August 10, 2007
The area between Sorrento and Saskatoon is quite familiar to me and if you are looking for interesting food, look in Edmonton. People there have money to burn and that supports some diversity. Camping is very popular here in BC and it's best to book in advance in summer, especially for weekends. On the other hand, I'd avoid many places on weekends as parties are rampant. Camping BC is the place to find and book a convenient camp site in BC.
posted by Listener at 6:00 AM on August 10, 2007
posted by Listener at 6:00 AM on August 10, 2007
Montreal probably has Ethiopian, but if that doesn't work out Ottawa has at least two I can recommend: Horn of Africa on Rideau Street just East of Nelson Ave and Blue Nile on Gladstone Avenue just East of Percy St.
posted by cardboard at 6:20 AM on August 10, 2007
posted by cardboard at 6:20 AM on August 10, 2007
Blue Nile on St-Denis in Montreal is amazing Ethiopian.
They have a nice terrasse out front and a great decor if you want to eat inside. Not too expensive and authentic.
posted by jek at 6:27 AM on August 10, 2007
They have a nice terrasse out front and a great decor if you want to eat inside. Not too expensive and authentic.
posted by jek at 6:27 AM on August 10, 2007
Seconding the Black Sheep Inn in Wakefield for a concert. (I've never slept there, so I can't give you a recommendation on their accommodations.) Check out their concert schedule to see if there's anything coinciding with your trip.
posted by teg at 7:35 AM on August 10, 2007
posted by teg at 7:35 AM on August 10, 2007
Oh, the cool street in Saskatoon is Broadway, and in Edmonton it's White Avenue. In Montreal, it's just about everywhere.
posted by teg at 7:38 AM on August 10, 2007
posted by teg at 7:38 AM on August 10, 2007
The Blue Nile in Montreal on St-Denis (just above Sherbrooke) is quite wonderful and inexpensive. Boustan's on the corner of De Maisonneuve and Crescent is the best Lebanese 'street food' you'll get. Wonderful potatoes and garlic sauce and the Shish is delicious.
But if you haven't had poutine, you gotta get some of that. I am partial to Mondo Fritz (St-Laurent just below Duluth) but their gravy is vegetarian and some will say that isn't quite traditional enough for them. If you want the proper stuff, La Banquise is good and open pretty late.
Also, breakfast happens late in Montreal but it can be quite good. L'Avenue on Mont Royal right near St-Hubert is awesome and has some of the best seasoned homefries.
Finally, if you're in town on a Sunday, at least walk by the Bongos (or Tam-Tams) at the eastern base of the mountain (just south of Mont Royal on Parc). People gather, play frisbee, drink beer, play music, and pound on their drums.
posted by mbatch at 9:57 AM on August 10, 2007
But if you haven't had poutine, you gotta get some of that. I am partial to Mondo Fritz (St-Laurent just below Duluth) but their gravy is vegetarian and some will say that isn't quite traditional enough for them. If you want the proper stuff, La Banquise is good and open pretty late.
Also, breakfast happens late in Montreal but it can be quite good. L'Avenue on Mont Royal right near St-Hubert is awesome and has some of the best seasoned homefries.
Finally, if you're in town on a Sunday, at least walk by the Bongos (or Tam-Tams) at the eastern base of the mountain (just south of Mont Royal on Parc). People gather, play frisbee, drink beer, play music, and pound on their drums.
posted by mbatch at 9:57 AM on August 10, 2007
I've lived in Saskatoon for most of my life, and I have to say that there isn't much "interesting" to see here in relation to a lot of other places.
That said - the Western Development Museum is an interesting thing to see if you're into historical type stuff. Wanuskewin is apparently quite neat, though I've never actually been there myself.
It's kind of tourist-trappy, but The Saskatoon Berry Barn has always had good breakfasts every time I've been there.
As for accomodations - though I may be biased, I think the camping around here is superior to camping in most other places. Lots of trees - ie secluded sites - good clean facilities, reasonable prices. Avoid the weekends though. I haven't been out camping this year, but I understand that some areas have been hit with a lot of dead trees this year due to the insane precipitation we've had lately.
Pike Lake is the nearby "default" camping place for us, and it's good, if not as nice as some of the beautiful northern lakes around here (couple hours drive)
Saskatoon in the summer is very much event oriented though, so depending on when exactly you're going to be here - you might be able to check out stuff like Folkfest. Folkfest is a multicultural thing focused on food and native dance/art/whatever (or drinking, depending on which pavillions you hit)
What to do in Saskatoon will give you a bit of an overview of some events I guess.
Ukraine day in the park (from that link) just reminded me about the Ukrainian Museum of Canada. I haven't been there in a decade or more, I understand they've done a bunch of work on it recently.
I dunno how much of that stuff appeals, but I thought I'd throw it out there.
posted by Nodecam at 12:07 PM on August 10, 2007
That said - the Western Development Museum is an interesting thing to see if you're into historical type stuff. Wanuskewin is apparently quite neat, though I've never actually been there myself.
It's kind of tourist-trappy, but The Saskatoon Berry Barn has always had good breakfasts every time I've been there.
As for accomodations - though I may be biased, I think the camping around here is superior to camping in most other places. Lots of trees - ie secluded sites - good clean facilities, reasonable prices. Avoid the weekends though. I haven't been out camping this year, but I understand that some areas have been hit with a lot of dead trees this year due to the insane precipitation we've had lately.
Pike Lake is the nearby "default" camping place for us, and it's good, if not as nice as some of the beautiful northern lakes around here (couple hours drive)
Saskatoon in the summer is very much event oriented though, so depending on when exactly you're going to be here - you might be able to check out stuff like Folkfest. Folkfest is a multicultural thing focused on food and native dance/art/whatever (or drinking, depending on which pavillions you hit)
What to do in Saskatoon will give you a bit of an overview of some events I guess.
Ukraine day in the park (from that link) just reminded me about the Ukrainian Museum of Canada. I haven't been there in a decade or more, I understand they've done a bunch of work on it recently.
I dunno how much of that stuff appeals, but I thought I'd throw it out there.
posted by Nodecam at 12:07 PM on August 10, 2007
The East African Restaurant (Ethiopean food) in Ottawa is rated quite high.
posted by BozoBurgerBonanza at 7:55 PM on August 11, 2007
posted by BozoBurgerBonanza at 7:55 PM on August 11, 2007
Montrealers are very proud of their particular type of bagel. Smoked meat, similar to corned beef and also associated with Jewish cuisine, is considered another Montreal delicacy. Au Pied de Cochon is probably the most widely known restaurant in Montreal. It's the only one I've ever heard of. David Rosengarten publishes a monthly food newsletter and his November 2006 issue has an article about Montreal. He covers all three of these items. For bagels, he recommends St. Viateur. For smoked meat he recommends Schwartz's (or Schwarz's Charcuterie Hebraique as the sign says). About Au Pied de Cochon he says "For people who like somewhereness in their restaurants on the road - this is as somewhere as it gets" and refers to "massively heavey, but massively satisfying dishes."
He also says that La Maison Kam Fung has better dim sum than any place in New York. Of L'Express, he says that "the bistro food was excellent."
Anyway, I've never been to Montreal but I think that Rosengarten is generally reliable and the restaurants are generally well regarded or considered to be the examplar of their type.
posted by stuart_s at 9:59 AM on August 12, 2007
He also says that La Maison Kam Fung has better dim sum than any place in New York. Of L'Express, he says that "the bistro food was excellent."
Anyway, I've never been to Montreal but I think that Rosengarten is generally reliable and the restaurants are generally well regarded or considered to be the examplar of their type.
posted by stuart_s at 9:59 AM on August 12, 2007
Just in case you're still checking in...on the way to Edmonton from Saskatoon, see if you can find Crooked Bush:
14.5km W of Hafford on Highway 40 (pass Speers to Flint), 16 km N, then 2.5km E. Watch for signs at Flint ant 16km mark
posted by Nodecam at 12:04 PM on August 13, 2007
14.5km W of Hafford on Highway 40 (pass Speers to Flint), 16 km N, then 2.5km E. Watch for signs at Flint ant 16km mark
posted by Nodecam at 12:04 PM on August 13, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
The Edmonton fringe theater festival is coming up.
posted by canoehead at 6:28 PM on August 9, 2007