Dorothy

Ok, so the boy and I are planning a trip to Canada in May/June this year. He's never been, so I would like him to see and do loads of things. So here's what I've got so far but would appreciate any thoughts on things we have to do and if there's something I have that we should skip.

1. Fly from Perth (Australia) to Hong Kong - 1 day stop in HK. HK to Vancouver.
2. Couple of days in Vancouver before getting on the train to Jasper (not sure if we should do Jasper stopover or Kamloops). A couple of days in Jasper before getting back on the train to Edmonton.
3. My sister lives in Cold Lake, so she can come down to see us. I'm not sure what's there to do in Edmonton, so need some help here. Maybe 2 days in Edmonton then fly to Halilfax.
4. Maybe 4 days in NS to see Peggy's Cove, Halifax, drive to Digby then ferry to St John and drive to Quebec City.
5. Quebec City for a day then drive to Ottawa. 4 days in the Ottawa area to include white water rafting then drive to Toronto via Hwy 60 across through Algonquin Park then down.
6. Southern Ontario isn't a problem for what to do since I was raised there. We're going to do Niagara Falls, CN Tower, Jays game, theater, visit family, Bruce Trail, etc.

If we spend 10 days in Southern Ontario that brings us to 28 days of travel. We have up to 35 days, so feel free to add anything you think we absolutely must see.

Shirtback

Sounds like an amazing trip! Depending on the boy's age & interests (& yours ), have you looked to see if there are any festivals/events on in Montreal around that time? Might be worth a stopover there too ?

Dorothy

Not looked at Montreal, but will. We're both 53, but young for our age. I'm hoping that the colour run will be on while we're there. I have done it here in WA the past couple of years and I think he'd like it.

Shirtback

I have no idea what the colour run is?

Dorothy

The Color Run™ Canada - The Happiest 5K On The Planet! It's a really fun day out.

moneypenny20

Can I come? What's so great about Peggy's Cove? Just had a google, lots of people but why?

dbd33

Recently, near Digby, we rented some horses and went for a trail ride on the beach. We did the same at Bryce Canyon. I should think that would be an activity easily organized in the Rockies and would allow a different view of scenery without all that wearying trudging hikers go in for.

While in Quebec City maybe have a butcher's at this:

Google Image Result for https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Chute_de_Montmorency.jpg

?

dbd33

Very pretty, built on rocks so buildings have unusual septic systems.

Shirtback

I'll second the Chutes de Montmorency (cable car up, walk down). Also the Ile d'Orleans is quite nice to visit.

Almost Canadian

I would choose a stopover at Banff rather than Jasper but I am not too sure as to how that affects the train journey. My uncle did a road trip from Banff to Jasper one May. He was shocked to have to clear 4 inches of snow off his vehicle when he woke one morning! Waterways may still be frozen at the time of year you are contemplating.

leith

Edmonton - absolute must - fit in a hockey game. The Edmonton Oilers hockey team is a Canadian icon. Your boy will have a great time.

Siouxie

An extra day or two in Hong Kong - there is so much to see and if it's unlikely you will be there again it seems an awful shame to only spend 1 day there. It's a fascinating city! Take a trip on the Star Ferry, go to the night market, walk around Ladder Street, take a tram, watch the Dragon Boat Festival (June 9th), go to Aberdeen and have lunch on the Jumbo Floating Restaurant, go to Stanley, ride on the Peak Tram, go to Ocean Park (and take a cable ride) watch the horse racing at Sha Tin, visit the 10,000 Buddha monastery.... to name just a very few!

JamesM

I'd take a couple of extra days in Vancouver and go to Vancouver Island.

10 days in Southern Ontario is a long time as a tourist. Even if you do go to Hooters everyday.

Novocastrian

I'd go the other way round and spend the time in Europe.

Peggy's Cove, dear me.

Oink

You're going to love Edmonton. They have a big shopping centre, amazing architecture, lots of big pick-up trucks, a Keg and a Montana's, where you can apparently get a beer that served in a boot shaped glass.