What began as a carefully mapped journey through eastern Canada became a road trip rich in landscapes, cities, and coastal impressions. Starting in Toronto, I followed a planned route through Montreal and Quebec City before heading east to the dramatic cliffs of Forillon National Park and the maritime atmosphere of Halifax. From there, the trip continued south through three U.S. states, each adding its own character to the experience, before circling back to Montreal.
Day 1 to 4 (15.08.2025 - 18.08.2025)
After arriving in Toronto and settling in, the trip kicked off with a scenic visit to Niagara Falls, navigating a few unexpected detours before reaching the Skylon Center for convenient parking. From there, the day unfolded with visits to panoramic viewpoints overlooking both the American and Canadian Falls, plenty of photo stops, a break under a shady tree for lunch, and additional views from the border bridge before heading back without any traffic issues. A rainy night brought a slower start the following day, which was spent browsing the historic Distillery District, exploring the impressively wide Kew Beach barefoot along the shoreline, and ending with a ferry trip to Toronto Centre Island to watch a colorful sunset before returning to the city for nighttime views of the illuminated CN Tower. The next morning, I didn’t rush out of Toronto, taking my time before hitting the road. A spontaneous decision to join a three-hour Thousand Islands cruise in Gananoque added an unexpected highlight, with scenic waterways, islands of all sizes, and pleasant conversations with fellow passengers. After docking right on schedule, the journey continued toward Montreal where I spent the night at a motel.
Day 5 to 6 (19.08.2025 - 20.08.2025)
In Montreal, the day began with a visit to Mont Royal, exploring its lookouts and the iconic cross before heading downtown. A small park discovered by chance added an unexpected stop, followed by a walk through Chinatown, which turned out to be a compact area marked by two gates, lanterns, and numerous restaurants. Hunger eventually led to a highly rated Indian restaurant, where the food exceeded expectations. As evening approached, navigating heavy traffic out of the city added significant delay, and the journey to Quebec City stretched longer than planned. Upon arrival, there was just enough energy left to check in for the night. The next morning in Quebec City started with a simple breakfast before setting out to explore the historic center. Key highlights included Place Royale, Château Frontenac, St. Louis Gate, the Citadelle, and the charming Quartier Petit Champlain. After grabbing a sandwich for the road, the trip continued toward Rimouski for a midday break at a Tim Hortons and a short visit to the picturesque Pointe-au-Père lighthouse and shoreline. The day ended with a late arrival at a motel, wrapping up a full day of sightseeing and driving through eastern Québec.
Day 7 (21.08.2025)
The day began with a drive toward Forillon National Park, where entry was free and the scenery immediately impressive. After a brief visit to the interpretation centre and a quick lunch, the route continued to Cap-Bon-Ami for a hike up to the Belvédère du Mont-Saint-Alban. The steep climb was challenging but rewarded with sweeping 360° views over the coastline and the Forillon peninsula. After descending the trail and taking in a few more sights, the journey continued toward Campbellton, with a final stop at Tim Hortons for a short break and a simple dinner before arriving at the motel.
Day 8 to 10 (22.08.2025 - 24.08.2025)
Most of day eight was spent driving from Campbellton to Halifax, with short breaks in Miramichi for lunch and in Shediac to see the coast and its famous Giant Lobster statue. After checking in near Dartmouth, the evening continued with a walk along the Halifax waterfront and a delicious lobster roll from a local food stand, followed by a small snack before heading back for the night. The next morning began with a visit to Dartmouth’s Shubie Park, which was closed due to drought conditions, so the route shifted to a viewpoint across from the Halifax waterfront for photos of the skyline and bridge. From there, the journey continued to the charming fishing village of Peggy’s Cove and its landmark lighthouse, with a spontaneous extension to Lunenburg to explore its colorful streets and coastal scenery before ending the day at a hotel in Moncton. An early alarm the following morning ensured arrival at Hopewell Rocks before the tide rose too far, allowing time to walk on the ocean floor and capture dramatic views of the cliffs and coves. After lunch in Saint John, the trip continued toward the U.S. border at St. Stephen, where an initially stressful crossing was eventually resolved smoothly after a routine check. Once cleared to enter, the drive continued to Machias for an early arrival, a relaxed evening, a casual dinner, and time to plan the next steps of the journey.
Day 11 to 12 (25.08.2025 - 26.08.2025)
A rainy Monday turned into a relaxed day of slow exploring, starting with a hearty diner breakfast in Bangor before browsing a nearby discount store and then taking a first, misty drive through Acadia National Park’s scenic loop road. With low clouds and limited visibility, it was hard to tell yet whether the park would be worth a longer visit, but the evening ended comfortably at a motel just outside the area. The next day, clearer skies completely transformed the experience: after mailing postcards, the journey continued up Cadillac Mountain during the reserved time slot, where sweeping views in every direction revealed the true beauty of Acadia. From there, stops at Sand Beach, the Ocean Path, and the Gorham Mountain Trail offered rugged coastal scenery and rewarding overlooks, before moving on to Jordan Pond for a well-earned meal and a final hike toward Bubble Rock. After a full day of trails, viewpoints, and nonstop photography, the drive continued south to Freeport for a late but welcoming check-in, marking the end of one of the most scenic days of the entire trip.
Day 13 to 16 (27.08.2025 - 30.08.2025)
The visit to Mount Washington began with a ride on the historic Cog Railway, climbing into dense fog that only briefly revealed glimpses of the surrounding landscape. The following day at Franconia Notch State Park offered a striking contrast, starting with a walk through the lush, river-carved Flume Gorge before heading toward Cannon Mountain with a quick stop at the Basin. A cable-car ride to the summit opened up sweeping mountain views along the loop trail and from the observation tower, followed by a peaceful picnic near the top station. The day wrapped up with the Artist’s Bluff Loop, providing one final scenic overlook to complete a beautiful day in the White Mountains. On August 29 the journey continued to Vermont, with stops in Woodstock and Montpelier, plus a taste of a local specialty—the Maple Creemee—marking the final day in the U.S. and the third state visited on this trip. In the afternoon the route led back across the border into Canada for an overnight stay in Montreal before flying home the next day.
