Learn me Montreal/Quebec road trips

The soon-to-be Mrs. Twin_Cam and I are planning a honeymoon by car (duh) that will take us up north through New Hampshire to visit some family, and then north into Canadia to Montreal and then north and east some more to Quebec City.

Anything I should know about driving there? Do I need to get an international driving license? Any laws different than here? Any quirks, other than they use a silly measurement of distance that isn't miles? Any cool car-related things we should see? The total time for the trip is 14 days, figuring 2 days driving time to get there and back, so 10 days to mill around and do things, be tourists, and drink tons of beer and eat lots of awesome almost-French food.

No need for a special driver license. The rules of the road are generally the same here as in the US. Yes, we are on the metric system, so expect to be pulled over if you see our 100km speed limit sign and pull that number on a MPH speedo . Old Montreal is nice, good restaurants and touristy - so generally no language barrier issues. Quebec city is great, lots of old world charm. Highway 20, going to Quebec city can be a pain in the ass though, there always seems to be construction going on. Sounds like a nice trip - have fun!

Not sure when you're going but through the end of June and beginning of July, Montreal has a Jazz festival that is a great time. Even if you're not that into jazz, it is a great event and 90% of it is free.

In Quebec it is illegal to make a right turn on a red light. Other than that, traffic lights are sideways in Montreal, and all the signs are in french.

Vieux Quebec, the old, walled section of Quebec City, is a fantastic place for a honeymoon.

Montreal is a great place to be a single guy.

Quebec City is also the home of Kart Vader.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw-59o7RUlo

They have a little event on Ile Notre Dame in June every year...

HappyJack wrote: In Quebec it is illegal to make a right turn on a red light. Other than that, traffic lights are sideways in Montreal, and all the signs are in french.

Nope - you can turn right on red in Quebec. It's been that way for several years now. However, you can't on the island of Montreal though (similar to Manhattan).

Mont Tremblant...

Take in a hockey game at Bell Centre,you won't regret it. The best place to watch a hockey game,and that is coming from a Bruins fan!! Even if you don't like hockey it will be worth it,trust me. Bonus points if it is a playoff game,but tickets will be hard to come by even for a regular season game.

-C

eastpark wrote: No need for a special driver license. The rules of the road are generally the same here as in the US. Yes, we are on the metric system, so expect to be pulled over if you see our 100km speed limit sign and pull that number on a MPH speedo . Old Montreal is nice, good restaurants and touristy - so generally no language barrier issues. Quebec city is great, lots of old world charm. Highway 20, going to Quebec city can be a pain in the ass though, there always seems to be construction going on. Sounds like a nice trip - have fun!

Yea and expect to get passed by a lot of people if you are ONLY doing 100 km/h (62. 1 mph)!

They drive like frickin' maniacs!

Mazdax605 wrote: Take in a hockey game at Bell Centre,you won't regret it. The best place to watch a hockey game,and that is coming from a Bruins fan!! Even if you don't like hockey it will be worth it,trust me. Bonus points if it is a playoff game,but tickets will be hard to come by even for a regular season game. -C

+1

I saw the Flyers trounce the Habs one time. Leclair got a hat trick.

Do you have a Passport? Does Pennsylvania offer an enhanced license?

Dan

Do not be surprised when you learn that the Canadian's head is hinged differently.

Truly you will find that they know everything about the US (many can name the current and past US Presidents.) As an American you will likely know little about their country so be sure to be polite and ask them who their current President is.

Parking in Montreal is pretty nuts, way worse than even a lot of European cities. The last time I was in Montreal I parked overnight on a one-way street, only to find the next morning that it had changed direction without warning. Some locals told me it was a weekend/weekday thing. (I didn't get any ticket.)

I personally prefer sharing the road with Quebec drivers, over somebody from Ontario.

Basic defensive driving rule in Quebec is "they will take the spot"...in Ontario it's "they don't see you.."

I also suggest to take Hwy 40 between Montreal and Quebec City along the north shore of the St Lawrence River even though your GPS will suggest Hwy 20 on the south shore. The 40 was in much better condition as of last year, and there is considerably less traffic once you get east of Montreal.

Lots of touristy things to do in Quebec City, especially if you are interested at all in history...and lots on neat little restaurants inside the old city. I recommend "La Parmesan" restaurant if you like Italian fare... http://restaurantparmesan.com/ where you can check the Gilles Villeneuve memorabilia. (the owner sponsored GV in the early years ).

Bring your passports to cross the border...it will just make life easier for you..

Oh...and we call our President a "Prime Minister"....

Better check on the cross border thing. I have a NYS enchanced drivers license. Peace of cake at the border. I love to drive in Quebec, fast but they have good left lane practices. If you are faster, they will move over. Provided they are not from the US.

ggarrard wrote: Basic defensive driving rule in Quebec is "they will take the spot"...in Ontario it's "they don't see you.."

So true. It's no coincidence that the Villeneuve family is from Quebec. It's more like driving in Europe. Expect a greater speed differential on the highway, you won't see as much of the cruise control drag racing, you're more likely to get passed with a 20 mph speed differential. And the roads are awful, particularly in Montreal. But if you head into the hills, they're awful AND fun to drive.

As for the turn right on red - that is regional, or was when I moved to the US.

When you're in old Quebec, ask about the free Cirque du Soleil show. It's basically the training camp, so you get to see a show where they're working out the kinks in individual acts. Very high level, but not quite at Vegas levels. It's underneath a freeway overpass, one of the highlights of our trip.

Take the north shore route from Montreal to Quebec and stop at the Gilles Villeneuve Museum in Berthierville.Consider adding Ottawa to the agenda if time permits. There's a lot of museums and other historical points of interest there, and it's only a 2 hour drive from Montreal.

eastpark wrote: Nope - you can turn right on red in Quebec.

Must be a regional thing, LOTS of places I couldn't turn right on red in Quebec the last 3-4 years I've been there.

Slightly off topic, but if you and Mrs. Twin Cam, have a baby, will that make him/her Quad Cam?

Just wondering.

If you want advice on Ottawa, I'm your guy. Grew up there

Keith... I'm sitting here looking out at frozen Dow's Lake. I grew up in Quebec City but moved to Ottawa in '75...

I was one of those that would blow by on the highway... but I seem to have tempered that a bit - guess it's an age/Ontario thing

Be sure your auto insurance covers you in Canada. Passport or enhanced DL to cross. Old Quebec City IS great for honeymoon--did that 1.5 years ago. Stayed in a B&B inside the old city. Be sure to visit the waterfall just to the east of the city. And walk the city as many times as you can especially at night. Great food, very European atmosphere, entertaining street performers.

Montreal is not that hard to navigate. If you've driven in Manhattan. Mostly rectilinear. Go to the Latin Quarter and eat at Pasta Napoli--great Italian food!

Oh yeah--leave the radar detector at home as they are illegal in all of Canada. I've had friends been made to run them over with their own car by the police. And if you have a real nice car or truck you can expect it will get a look from the thieves. Even in the hotel parking garages.

We go to Canada frequently. I like Montreal. Indoor Karting as well!

If you go in winter, I think snow tires are mandatory.