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Eastern Canada, featuring Ontario and Québec, with highlights such as Niagara Falls, the Great Lakes, and Toronto, boasts stunning landscapes that captivate all who visit.
Canada is vast, and planning a two-week trip to Eastern Canada is not easy, given there’s so much to see and do.
Here, you’ll find my itinerary and tips for a two-week road trip you can follow:
Contents
Planning a Trip to Eastern Canada
Finalizing my travel plans and itinerary for Eastern Canada, particularly for Ontario and Québec, took some time.
⭐️ Travel tip: To plan a trip fast and stress-free, I always use my free travel planning checklist. You can check it out here:
Initially, I planned to visit Montréal and Québec City, as well as Ottawa.
However, I discovered the possibility of whale watching in Northern Québec while browsing other travel blogs online.
It has always been my dream to see whales in the wild.
Therefore, I decided to change my route and skip the cities to see the Beluga and Minke whales in Tadoussac.
Read more about it in my article and experience guide: Whale Watching in Tadoussac: The Best Tour
It might inspire you for your tour through Eastern Canada. For some locations, you’ll also find accommodation tips.
These are places I particularly liked. At the end of the article, you’ll find additional tips for planning an unforgettable Eastern Canada trip.
Itinerary for a 2-Week’s Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec
I began my Eastern Canada journey with a flight to Montréal. I ended the journey in Toronto, saving many hours of driving.
Additionally, booking a flight to Montréal and back from Toronto was cheaper than a round trip to Toronto.
Day 1: Arrival in Montréal
After landing in the evening at Montréal’s Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau International Airport, I headed north by rental car.
Driving straight to Tadoussac as a solo traveler would not have been feasible.
The drive from Montréal to Tadoussac takes between 5 ½ and 6 hours.
There’s also the option to do this whale-watching tour from Québec City, which means less driving for you.
After exploring the Québec City hallmarks, this trip will certainly complete your vacation in this beautiful city.
However, I had already booked my rental car by then.
I drove 1 1/2 hours and stayed at Drummondville.
Day 2: Journey to the Whales in Tadoussac
In the morning, I continued from Drummondville to Tadoussac. Just before Tadoussac, the road ends and continues on the opposite bank.
This means getting onto the ferry with the car.
The ferry operates 24 hours a day and is free of charge.
Driving onto the ferry is quick and easy. During the crossing, you can visit the observation deck to enjoy the rugged landscape and views of the Saguenay Fjord.
At certain times, you might even see Beluga whales from the ferry if you’re lucky.
I wasn’t, but I later learned why there were no whales here around noon.
I spent the afternoon at the Marine Center in quaint Tadoussac and then walked along the Islet Trail which I highly recommend.
This trail is the most scenic among the hiking trails in this area.
The trail, consisting of wooden boardwalks, winds along Tadoussac Bay. Here, if you’re lucky enough, you can also spot whales.
I was particularly excited about the next day.
That’s when the whale-watching tour was scheduled.
If you want to stay at the hotel with the best view overlooking the bay, you should check out the Hotel Tadoussac. I had a great room with an undisturbed view of the beach and the area.
Day 3: Whale Watching
There are two options for whale watching in Tadoussac: either by Zodiac or a larger boat.
I chose the Zodiac, and it was the better choice. The boat took us much closer to the whales than the larger ship, and at the end of the trip, we even went into the Saguenay Fjord.
Seals live here, and there is an impressive waterfall that flows directly into the fjord. The larger ship, however, does not go into the fjord.
The 2 ½-hour Zodiac trip allowed me to see Beluga whales, including some with their young.
We also spotted a Minke whale. At certain times, due to the special location, Blue whales, Sperm whales, Orcas, and other whale species are also present.
You can read my article about the best whale-watching tours here or go to this site and book your tour here:
Book a whale-watching tour here
Read about my experience here: Whale Watching Tours Tadoussac
After another walk along the shore, I drove south with a heavy heart. If I had known how much I would like Tadoussac, I would have stayed longer.
My journey continued to Trois-Rivières. The city is located in the south of the province of Québec on the shore of the Saint Lawrence River.
I stayed overnight in Trois-Rivières.
Day 4: Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières is known for the Sanctuaire Notre-Dame-du-Cap church. It stands out due to its size and striking architecture.
Next to the church is a beautifully landscaped park with an old stone bridge. I highly recommend taking some time to visit the church as well as the park.
In Trois-Rivières, I didn’t stay long as my day’s final destination was Gananoque.
This small town at the outlet of Lake Ontario and the beginning of the Saint Lawrence River is known as the 1000 Islands area.
From here, boat tours start along the 1000 Islands.
In the afternoon, however, I explored the small town of Gananoque.
Right next to the tourism office is an idyllic, small park with typical Canadian chairs, various sculptures, and an old locomotive.
At Laverne’s Eatery, it’s very cozy, and as it started to rain heavily, I spent some time there. They were very friendly and I enjoyed coffee and a salad.
Day 5: 1000 Islands from Gananoque
In the border area between Canada and the USA (New York State), the 1000 Islands are located. With the Gananoque Boat Line, you can take a boat trip around some of these islands, which are partly inhabited and partly uninhabited.
You have the option of a 1-hour, 2.5-hour, or 5-hour boat trip. Alternatively, you can book a boat tour around the 1000 Islands online in advance. 1000 Islands Visitors Center Website
I chose the 2.5-hour version. During the 5-hour version, you can also visit Boldt Castle, located on US soil. However, you need to bring a valid passport for this.
Without a passport, the boat repeatedly crosses the border between Canada and the USA.
The boat trip is recommendable.
If I had time I would have joined the helicopter tour over the 1000 islands because everyone raves about this experience.
From Gananoque, my road trip continued towards Algonquin Provincial Park.
I stayed in Huntsville for 2 nights to be close to the park.
After the 5th day in Eastern Canada, the epic road trip continues to some of the most beautiful national parks.
Exploring Canada’s Most Beautiful National Parks
The national parks in Eastern Canada are referred to as Provincial Parks. I spent 2 days in Provincial Parks in Ontario. Here, nature is still as untouched as one imagines Canada to be.
Make sure to visit at least one of the parks. I went on a solo walking tour, as well as a hiking tour in Algonquin Park, as well as the Awenda Park close to Midland.
Day 6: Algonquin Provincial Park
Algonquin Provincial Park, spanning 2,982.64 square miles (7,725 km²), is Ontario’s largest national park and also its oldest provincial park, established in 1893.
A drive through Algonquin Provincial Park alone showcases Canada’s pure natural beauty.
The park is home to over 140 bird species, 50 mammal species, and 30 reptile and amphibian species, all of which are non-venomous.
In Algonquin Provincial Park, you can camp, picnic, swim, canoe, and hike.
If you have enough time you should plan to hike along the numerous trails.
There are 15 different trails, varying in length.
During my visit at the end of May, some trails were closed due to flooding.
The trails range from flat to inclined, but all are easily manageable.
My favorites were the Spruce Bog Boardwalk and the Lookout Trail, which are also the most popular in the park.
Algonquin Provincial Park: The Lookout Trail
According to a ranger, the Lookout is the most popular trail, attracting visitors from all over the world. It was my first destination.
At mile 25 (kilometer 40) from the West Gate, the Lookout Trail branches off to the left.
The trail is 1.3 miles (2.1 km) long, leading through a forest to a viewpoint. It is marked as difficult on the park map, but I found it more of a walk than a challenging hike.
I was lucky to find flowers in the forest that only bloom in May, including the Red Trillium. Also, since I was alone and quiet, I encountered several small, curious animals along the way.
The highlight of the Lookout Trail is the view of Lake of Two Rivers and Little Rock Lake from the viewpoint at 1722 feet (525 meters) above sea level.
I would have loved to stay longer to enjoy the view, but there were quite a few mosquitoes at that time.
Algonquin Provincial Park: Spruce Bog Boardwalk
The Spruce Bog Boardwalk, near the Lookout, is 0.9 miles (1.5 km) long and wheelchair accessible. Most of it runs on wooden boardwalks. It’s a great spot for moose sightings.
Unfortunately, I had no luck seeing moose, possibly because some hikers were too loud, enjoying the “waffle” instead of nature.
I’m sure they didn’t see a single animal. However, I observed a squirrel up close and saw frogs. I found the nature and views of the Spruce Bog Boardwalk more beautiful.
If there’s enough time, I would definitely recommend exploring both these trails and another one.
At the entrance to Algonquin Provincial Park, along with a park map, there’s a newspaper listing all the trails and their locations.
Other Attractions in Algonquin Provincial Park:
The Tourist Information Center near the East Gate has an exhibition on local wildlife, plants, and the original life of settlers in the park. There’s also a beautiful view of part of the park from the terrace.
Tip for Algonquin Provincial Park: Consider a guided canoe tour through the pristine nature. Find more tips and activities in Algonquin National Park here.
Day 7: Midland
The drive from Algonquin Provincial Park to Midland takes about 2.5 hours (or 1 ¾ hours from Huntsville).
Near Midland is “Ste. Marie Among the Hurons,” a museum village depicting the life of the Iroquois and Jesuits during the early settlement of Ontario.
Sainte-Marie is a Jesuit settlement founded in 1639 on Wendat territory.
The settlement was rebuilt on the site of the original settlement and can be explored on a tour.
Lindsay Earle, a history student, guided me through the settlement in original clothing, explaining the life and challenges of that time.
The houses in Ste. Marie Among the Hurons are open to visitors, featuring demonstrations of cornbread baking and iron forging. They also display animals that were kept by the settlers.
The Wendat Longhouse is especially interesting. A family lived in it, and as the family grew and needed more space, the longhouse was simply extended.
In addition to the outdoor tour, there’s a cinema explaining the lifestyle and life in the settlement, as well as a museum.
Ste. Marie Among the Hurons is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Find all the information and current admission prices here.
Accommodation Tip: Perch by the Bay in Midland on Airbnb.
Day 8: Awenda Provincial Park and Midland
Awenda Provincial Park, part of the Ontario Parks, was officially designated a Provincial Park in 1975 and opened to campers in 1979.
The park has several lakes, access to Georgian Bay, trails, and camping options.
I hiked the Beaver Pond Trail, 0.4 miles (approximately 700 meters) long, which features wooden boardwalks.
Nearby is the Beach Trail, which runs along Georgian Bay. There are beautiful small sand beaches where dogs are explicitly allowed.
The Wendat Trail around Kettle Lake is about 2.49 miles (approximately 4 kilometers) long and is one of the park’s most popular trails. I enjoyed it the most.
MIDLAND
Midland itself is a small, quaint town on the shores of Georgian Bay, part of Lake Huron.
The Mural Walk in Midland is interesting, with many murals throughout the city depicting historical scenes.
The largest historical mural in North America is located at the Pier of the Midland Town Dock. It is approximately 78 feet high (about 24 meters) and 249 feet wide (around 76 meters).
In addition to the murals, the city library, known for hosting events, and the art galleries are also worth visiting.
Day 9: Vaughan Mills Mall
From Midland, I made my way towards Toronto, where I planned to return my rental car at the airport in the evening.
Along the route between Midland and Toronto, I stopped at Vaughan Mills Mall, a large shopping center featuring Canadian brands such as Roots, along with various American brands and designers.
Conveniently located near the airport, I returned the rental car there before taking the UP Express train to downtown Toronto.
Day 10: Toronto
On my first day in Toronto, I attended a business meeting for my business, TheFemaleTravelpreneur.
The meeting took place at the Four Seasons in Yorkville, an upscale neighborhood.
Afterward, I explored Yorkville Avenue, known for its luxury shopping.
At the end of the avenue, I discovered Sorelle & Co., an elegant and stylish café renowned for its vegan cakes and sweets, along with delightful vegan matcha lattes and coffee.
Day 11: From Toronto to Niagara Falls
Visiting the Niagara Falls is a must-see experience. Located about 1 ½ hours from Toronto, I dedicated a whole day to this excursion, booking my tour through GetYourGuide.
The tour, lasting the entire day, began with a morning visit to Niagara Falls, specifically the Horseshoe Falls.
We had lunch at the Sheraton Hotel, where the 12th-floor panoramic windows provided a stunning view of both the Canadian and American sides of the waterfalls.
Although the balcony on the 12th floor offered an even more spectacular view of the Horseshoe Falls, I preferred to stay back due to my fear of heights.
Post-lunch, we descended via the incline railway to the Hornblower Cruise, which brought us up close to the Horseshoe Falls.
Despite wearing a pink poncho, I couldn’t escape getting misted while standing in the front row.
The tour then proceeded to Niagara-on-the-Lake, a quaint and charming town.
Before returning to Toronto, we capped off the day with an enjoyable ice wine tasting near Niagara-on-the-Lake.
It was, indeed, a successful excursion.
Book your day trip to Niagara Falls here.
Day 12: Toronto
Toronto, the largest city in Canada, is surprisingly walkable.
Key attractions include a visit to the top of the CN Tower, exploring Ripley’s Aquarium, the fascinating Street Art in Toronto, and the vibrant St. Lawrence Market – all must-dos for any visitor.
Stay tuned for more on the top 10 Toronto attractions and additional tips, coming soon.
Days 13/14: Toronto, Homeward Flight, and Arrival
On my last day, before heading to Toronto Airport in the afternoon, I explored the Distillery District in Toronto.
This neighborhood, a quaint quarter of the city, is filled with charming cafés, restaurants, galleries, and shops.
As its name implies, it was once home to a whiskey distillery. Although the distillery has since closed, the historic 19th-century buildings remain a sight to behold.
Following a hearty brunch in the Distillery District, my road trip and journey through Eastern Canada concluded as I made my way to Toronto Airport.
Here are a few tips to help you plan your trip to Eastern Canada:East Canada Road Trip – Tips for Planning Your Trip to Canada
Final Thought about this epic Eastern Canada Road Trip
On my two-week road trip across the East Coast, I discovered the beauty of Ontario and Québec. From the iconic Niagara Falls to the Great Lakes and cities like Montreal and Toronto, every moment was amazing.
Imagine yourself witnessing the majestic Beluga and Minke whales in Tadoussac, just as I did, or hiking through Algonquin Park. My experiences, from the town of Midland to the awe-inspiring 1000 Islands, are more than just memories. If my journey sparks your wanderlust, I’d love to hear about your travel dreams or plans.
About the Author
Christina Leutner is a travel expert and author from Austria. She writes about European destinations, especially Austria and Germany. She loves road trips, city trips, luxury travel, and outdoor adventures.
Christina has been sharing her travel experiences on CitySeaCountry for over 10 years.
zuletzt aktualisiert am November 24, 2025