Our amazing 9 Day Toronto to Quebec City Road Trip Itinerary

Eastern Canada completely surprised me in the best way.

Our Toronto to Quebec City road trip turned out to be one of our most memorable trips to date. From the power of Niagara Falls to the historic charm of Old Montreal and the European feel of Old Quebec City, every stop felt distinct and worth the drive. The scenery, the waterfront views, the historic architecture, and the perfectly paced days made our itinerary feel incredibly balanced.

We started with the Hornblower Cruise, which takes you right up to the base of the falls. Even with the poncho, expect to get misted. Being that close to the powerful Horseshoe Falls was the highlight of our visit.

Next was Journey Behind the Falls, where you descend through tunnels and step out onto lower observation decks behind the rushing water. The perspective from below really shows the force and scale of the falls.

We then made shorter scenic stops at the Floral Clock and the Niagara Whirlpool lookout, both quick but worthwhile additions that show different sides of the Niagara River.

We skipped the Skylon Tower, but it is an option if you want aerial views and have extra time.

On a previous trip, we had explored the U.S. side of the falls, including Cave of the Winds and Goat Island, so this time we focused entirely on the Canadian side. If you have the proper visa or entry permissions to US, it is easy to walk across the Rainbow Bridge and experience both sides.

By the end of the day, we felt like we had covered the essential Niagara highlights without rushing.

➡️ We booked this guided Niagara Falls Attractions tour that included Hornblower Cruise and Journey behind the falls

Day 3: CN Tower in Toronto and Drive to Gananoque

We spent the morning in Toronto with a visit to the CN Tower for skyline views before beginning the drive east toward the Thousand Islands region. By afternoon, we were on the road to Gananoque, a small town that serves as a gateway to the Thousand Islands and the starting point for many boat cruises in the area.

Visit the CN Tower

We wanted to focus more on the scenic and historic destinations along this road trip rather than spending time in big cities, so we did not plan much sightseeing in Toronto.

That said, we did make a stop at the CN Tower, one of Toronto’s most iconic landmarks. The views from the observation deck stretch across the city skyline and Lake Ontario, and it is a great way to get a bird’s eye view of the city.

If you have extra time in Toronto, you could also visit nearby attractions like Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada or stop by St. Lawrence Market for lunch.

Drive to Gananoque

In the afternoon, we started the drive to Gananoque, a small town in the Thousand Islands region. The drive from Toronto to Gananoque takes about three hours along Highway 401.

Gananoque is a popular base for exploring the Thousand Islands and the starting point for many boat cruises in the area. We stayed overnight at this Comfort Inn & Suites, which was a convenient place to rest before our cruise the next morning. We only needed the hotel to sleep, so we were not looking for anything fancy. Plus, this hotel included breakfast.

Visit Boldt Castle

The main stop on the cruise was Boldt Castle, located on Heart Island. Although we departed from Canada, the castle itself sits on the U.S. side of the river.

Visitors go through U.S. customs on the island, and since we were carrying our U.S. passports, the process was quick and easy.

We had about two hours to explore the castle on our own, which felt like the right amount of time. The interior rooms were impressive, especially the grand dining room and the library, which give a glimpse into the scale of the original vision for the estate.

The grounds around the castle were beautifully manicured, and we enjoyed walking through the gardens and exploring the smaller buildings scattered around the property. The views of the surrounding islands from the castle grounds were also beautiful.

Boldt Castle was originally commissioned by hotel magnate George Boldt as a grand gift for his wife. Construction stopped after her sudden death, leaving the castle unfinished for decades before restoration began.

There are also boat tours that depart directly from the U.S. side of the Thousand Islands, including from Clayton and Alexandria Bay in New York.

➡️ We booked this 5-Hour 1000 Islands Cruise with a stop at Boldt Castle

Drive to Ottawa

After the cruise ended, we continued our drive east to Ottawa, which took about 1.5 hours.

Ottawa sits along the Ottawa River and is home to Canada’s federal government and several national museums. We stayed overnight in Ottawa before exploring the city the next day.

We stayed with family in Ottawa, but if you are visiting the city, I recommend staying near Parliament Hill so you can easily walk to many of the main sights. Good options include the historic Fairmont Château Laurier, the centrally located Lord Elgin Hotel, or the DoubleTree by Hilton Ottawa Downtown.

Day 5: Explore Ottawa and Drive to Montreal

We spent the morning exploring a couple of highlights in Ottawa before continuing our road trip east to Montreal. Ottawa is Canada’s capital city and sits along the Ottawa River, with several national museums and government buildings concentrated near the downtown area.

Canadian Museum of History

Our first stop was the Canadian Museum of History, located just across the river from downtown Ottawa in Gatineau. The museum focuses on Canada’s history and Indigenous cultures and is one of the most visited museums in the country.

One of the highlights for me was the Grand Hall, which features towering totem poles and large windows overlooking the Ottawa River and the Parliament building across the water. My kids enjoyed the children’s museum here.

Parliament Hill

After the museum, we stopped at Parliament Hill, the seat of Canada’s federal government. The Gothic style buildings sit on a hill overlooking the river and are one of Ottawa’s most recognizable landmarks. We walked around the grounds and admired the architecture before continuing on our drive.

If you have more time in Ottawa, consider taking a walk along the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that runs through the heart of the city. The scenic pathway along the canal is a nice place for a stroll with views of downtown Ottawa.

Drive to Montreal

In the afternoon, we drove from Ottawa to Montreal, which takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. Montreal has a completely different feel compared to the cities we had visited so far, with strong French influence, historic streets, and lively neighborhoods. We checked into Le Square Phillips Hotel, where we stayed for the next two nights while exploring the city.

Day 6: Exploring Montreal

We spent the day exploring Montreal using a hop on hop off sightseeing bus, which was a convenient way to see several of the city’s main attractions without worrying about navigating or parking.

Montreal has a strong French influence and a very different character compared to the cities we had visited earlier on this trip. The historic streets, European-style architecture, and lively waterfront areas made it one of the most enjoyable cities on our road trip.

Mount Royal

We started the morning with a stop at Mount Royal, the large park that sits above the city and gives Montreal its name. From the lookout point near Kondiaronk Belvedere, we had sweeping views of downtown Montreal and the St. Lawrence River. The park is huge, and you can easily spend a full day here if you have extra time.

Old Montreal

Later in the day, we explored Old Montreal, the historic heart of the city. This area has cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a very European feel that reminded me more of cities in France than North America. We enjoyed walking through the narrow streets, browsing shops, and admiring the historic architecture. This was my favorite part of visiting Montreal.

If you want to learn more about the history and architecture of this area, you can also join a guided Old Montreal walking tour, which is a great way to explore the district while hearing stories about the city’s early history.

Old Port of Montreal

From Old Montreal, it is an easy walk to the Old Port of Montreal, which runs along the St. Lawrence River. The waterfront area is lively with walking paths, restaurants, and open spaces where people gather to relax and enjoy the views of the river.

La Grande Roue de Montréal

One of the standout attractions in the Old Port is La Grande Roue de Montréal, the large observation wheel that offers panoramic views of the city and river. The ride is smooth and enclosed, making it a comfortable way to enjoy the skyline from above.

As the bus looped through different parts of the city, we also passed several notable landmarks along the way. These included the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Montreal Science Centre near the Old Port, Basilique-Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde, and the lively Chinatown district. Even when we were not stopping, it was enjoyable to see many of Montreal’s historic buildings and beautiful streets from the bus.

Day 7: Notre Dame Basilica and Drive to Quebec City

We loved Old Montreal so much that we spent our second day exploring a few more sights in the historic district before starting the three-hour drive east to Quebec City, where we would spend the next three nights.

Notre Dame Basilica

One of the most beautiful landmarks in Montreal is the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, located in Old Montreal. Even if you are not usually interested in churches, this one is worth visiting. It reminded me of the Notre Dame we visited in Paris.

The interior of the basilica is stunning, with vaulted ceilings, intricate wood carvings, and colorful stained glass windows that depict scenes from Montreal’s history. The area outside the church was lively and busy with tourists, street vendors, and horse carriage rides.

Exploring Old Montreal and Old Port

After visiting the basilica, we spent some more time walking through Old Montreal and the nearby Old Port. The area has a relaxed atmosphere with street performers, outdoor cafés, and plenty of spots to sit and enjoy the surroundings. We also tried a few family-friendly activities here, like ziplining and obstacle rope courses.

If you have more time, you can also join a guided Old Montreal walking tour to learn more about the history of the area.

Montréal Underground City

Before leaving Montreal, we briefly explored the Underground City Montreal, a massive underground pedestrian network that connects shopping centers, metro stations, office buildings, and hotels throughout downtown.

We stopped at one of the underground food courts for a quick bite, which was a fun way to experience this unique part of the city. The network is huge and stretches for miles beneath downtown Montreal, allowing people to move around comfortably during the city’s long winters.

Optional: Jean Talon Market or Montreal Botanical Garden

If you have extra time in Montreal, you could also visit Jean-Talon Market, one of the city’s most famous food markets, or explore the Montreal Botanical Garden, which is considered one of the largest botanical gardens in the world.

Drive to Quebec City

In the afternoon, we drove from Montreal to Quebec City, which takes about three hours along Highway 40. We checked into Hotel du Vieux-Québec, located in the heart of Old Quebec, where we stayed for the next three nights. I was especially excited to explore Quebec City, which ended up being my favorite stop on this road trip.

Day 8: Exploring Old Quebec

We spent the day exploring Old Quebec, the historic heart of Quebec City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its cobblestone streets, stone buildings, and fortified city walls, the area feels more like a European town than a typical North American city. The French influence is strong here, and French is the main language spoken throughout the city. Old Quebec was my favorite stop on this entire road trip.

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

The most recognizable landmark in Quebec City is the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, the grand castle-like hotel that dominates the skyline of Old Quebec. The hotel is truly magnificent and easily one of the most impressive buildings in the city.

Right outside the hotel is Dufferin Terrace, a long wooden boardwalk overlooking the St. Lawrence River. The terrace offers beautiful views of the river and the surrounding landscape and is a pleasant place to stroll while enjoying the scenery.

One of my favorite viewpoints was from the Pierre-Dugua-De-Mons Terrace. From here, you can see the Château Frontenac, Dufferin Terrace, the port, and the St. Lawrence River all in one frame. It is a fantastic photo spot.

Rue du Petit Champlain

One of the most beautiful streets in Old Quebec is Rue du Petit Champlain, located in the Lower Town. In my opinion, this is the most beautiful street in the world. Period. Nothing else compares, not even the charming streets we walked through in Paris.

The street is lined with colorful historic buildings, small boutiques, and cafés, and it feels incredibly picturesque at every turn.

Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec and Escalier Casse-Cou

To move between Upper Town and Lower Town, we took the Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec down and then climbed back up using the historic Breakneck Stairs, also known as Escalier Casse-Cou. Both are fun experiences and offer great views of the surrounding historic district.

The Citadelle of Québec

We also walked around the Citadelle of Quebec, a large star-shaped fortress located above the city.

It was interesting to explore the grounds, and seeing the soldiers stationed outside reminded me of the guards outside Buckingham Palace in London. There were some fun photo opportunities here as well.

Parliament Building

We also passed by the Parliament Building, home to the National Assembly of Quebec. The historic building’s architecture and surrounding gardens make it another interesting stop while exploring the city.

Walking through Old Quebec and exploring its historic streets was easily my favorite part of this trip. The city has so much charm, and I would love to come back someday and spend more time wandering around.

Day 9: Montmorency Falls and Île d’Orléans Area

On our final full day in Quebec City, we explored a few scenic spots just outside the city. The area around Quebec City has several beautiful attractions within a short driving distance, making it easy to add a half-day trip before wrapping up the road trip.

➡️You can also take this Half-Day Tour to Montmorency Falls and Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré from Quebec city

Montmorency Falls

Our first stop was Montmorency Falls, located about 15 minutes from Old Quebec. The waterfall is actually taller than Niagara Falls, dropping about 83 meters. We enjoyed walking around the park and taking in the views of the falls from different viewpoints, especially from the suspension bridge at the top of the falls.

Île d’Orléans or Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré

We didn’t visit these on our trip, but if you have more time, you could drive to nearby Île d’Orléans, known for its farms, small villages, and local food stops. Another option is visiting Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Basilica, an important pilgrimage site located just outside the city.

Albert Gilles Copper Art Museum

Next, we stopped at the Albert Gilles Copper Art Museum, a small but interesting museum dedicated to copper craftsmanship. The museum showcases beautiful copper artwork and explains the techniques used to create the pieces. Our family loves copper utensils, so we especially enjoyed this stop. We also made small copper art souvenirs to bring home.

Rue du Petit Champlain in the Evening

In the evening, we returned to Rue du Petit Champlain in Old Quebec. The street becomes especially lively in the evening with lights, restaurants, and people strolling through the area. It was a perfect way to wrap up our last evening in Quebec City.

The next morning, we packed up, said goodbye to Quebec City, and flew back home after an unforgettable vacation.