O Canada! She’s a beauty but she’s also at your convenience. Hop in your automotive, aim the GPS north and also you’ve got a world trip.
But where to go? We tapped Lonely Planet’s Caroline Trelfer to supply some classy destination dupes that sub in for a couple of of our favourite summer escapes this side of the border.
Swap the North Fork for Niagara-on-the-Lake
Drive time from NYC: About seven hours.
Vibe: Small town Victoriana.
What to anticipate: This breezily charming, retro-accented small town anchors certainly one of Canada’s best wine regions and comes complete with killer waterfront perches.
Mark on a map: Niagara-on-the-Lake sits right on the border with America, just across the river from Youngstown.
Where to remain: Embrace the maximalist Nineteenth-century vibe of the town by staying on the historic Prince of Wales hotel. with wood-paneled partitions and overstuffed chairs. Or, go for the riverfront Harbour House Hotel, which has an excellent spa.
What to do: There are greater than 100 wineries here, all specializing in cool climate varietals so take your pick (book a tour with the Winery Guys so you may really indulge). “That is certainly one of the few places on this planet known for ice wine, made with grapes picked and pressed several months after the initial harvest while they’re still frozen in December or January,” said Trelfer. When you’ve sobered up, head out to the Shaw Festival, named after George Bernard, which runs through the summer and fall drawing 1 / 4 million folks annually. One highlight for 2025: Cole Porter’s classic “Anything Goes.”
Where to eat & drink: Pick up a Canadian-style, crunchy-topped butter tart on the Niagara Home Bakery, Trelfer added, but sit down for supper at Treadwell Cuisine, a high-end farm-to-table spot with an excellent locally skewing wine list. “The very best value is the three-course dinner tasting menu, with or without pairings,” she said, which starts at $84 per person.
Must know: It’s home to North America’s oldest golf club, a nine-holer on the shores of Lake Ontario established exactly 150 years ago — and open to the general public for tee time.
Swap the Adirondacks for the Laurentians
Drive time from NYC: Around nine hours.
Vibe: Canuck country living.
What to anticipate: It is a winter ski destination that’s greater than appealing in summer and fall, with greater than 16 parks and reserves within the region. “They’re known for rolling hills, hundreds of fresh-water lakes and comfortable log-cabin chalets,” said Trelfer.
Mark on a map: Val David is the regional hub.
Where to remain: The seven minimalist A-frame cabins at Farouche Tremblant are embedded in a 135-acre forest, allowing complete natural immersion, plus there’s a small Nordic farm on the property for locavores.
What to do: Bike a stretch of the 140-mile Le P’tit Train du Nord, a one-time railway line turned activity track or head to the Mont Tremblant ski resort, which is quilted with biking trails outside ski season. Parc National du Mont-Tremblant features 400 lakes and 6 rivers, and is the perfect place for a hike or two amid rare silver maples and red oaks.
Where to eat & drink: Come for a Quebecois specialty at breakfast or lunch on the 80-year-old diner, Au Petit Poucet — try the maple-smoked ham, or pouding chômeur, a syrup-drenched bread pudding. Be sure to spend a summer evening on the terrace on the Archibald Microbrewery.
Must know: The Laurentian peaks are at a much lower average elevation than the Adirondacks, priming them for families and more amateur outdoorsy types. Try a beginner route at Via Ferrata du Diable.
Swap Cape Cod for Andrews-by-the-Sea
Drive time from NYC: Eight-and-a-half hours to Calais, Maine, then 20 minutes over the border.
Vibe: Newer Recent England.
What to anticipate: That is Old Country, and far of the world has remained untampered with for hundreds of years. “It retains the look of an 18th-century British colonial settlement, with many buildings from the 18th and Nineteenth centuries intact,” said Trelfer.
Mark on a map: St. Andrews is the bottom for exploring the complete peninsula.
Where to remain: Most rooms at the Treadwell Inn in the guts of town have private balconies, the perfect perch to sit down out and watch the bay. Otherwise, try the more resort-like Algonquin — its red-roofed, mock Tudor design inspired Stephen King’s description of the Overlook Hotel in “The Shining” after he stayed there.
What to do: There are whale-watching cruises from June to October, leaving from market wharf, or you may simply stroll down the gift shop-lined Water Street. Visit the painstakingly restored octagonal Pendlebury Lighthouse, too, dating back to the 1830s. Given the town’s name, you’d expect superb golf here, and indeed, there are many courses nearby, including an award-winning one on the Algonquin.
Where to eat & drink: Grab seafood chowder or a grilled lobster sandwich on the Niger Reef Tea House, then compare the recipe with the identical chowder on the Gables. Expect a creamy, shellfish-packed soup at each.
Must know: The waters here rise and fall dramatically, meaning there’s a significant difference when tide is in or out. The form of Passamaquoddy Bay, and the tidal resonance, mean they rise and fall 28 feet or so twice every day.
Swap the Hamptons for Prince Edward County, Ontario
Drivetime from NYC: Around seven-and-a-half hours.
Vibe: Maple syrup meets Norman Rockwell
What to anticipate: Think the East End of the Sixties or ’70s, an artsy enclave where the most important appeal is vineyards, crafts breweries and high-end thrift stores.
Mark on a map: Search for the towns of Picton, Bloomfield, and Wellington.
Where to remain: One major moment here was the opening of an outpost of the Toronto hipster hub the Drake hotel 10 years ago (many locals confer with life “before the Drake” and “after the Drake”). It brought a renewed energy to the world and remains to be the prime perch. Otherwise, try a cottage on the Lake on the Mountain Resort.
What to do: Trelfer’s tip for the beaches at Sandbanks Provincial Park here is crucial. “You would like a day-use reservation,” she said, which may be booked five days prematurely via the park website, “It’s really helpful, especially for busy summer weekends.” The very best family beach is Outlet, though you’ll likely skip the crowds heading to Lakeshore. The famous dunes listed here are, in fact, at Dunes Beach.
Where to eat & drink: Scarf fresh oysters on the lakeside on the Sand and Pearl Oyster Bar and check out some natural wines at Stella’s Eatery. Be sure to carve out time for a wine tasting tour, though, and check the Prince Edward County Winegrowers Association website to plan the very best route for you (Hillier is an amazing place to begin)
Must know: The beaches here may be rocky moderately than universally sandy, as they’re on a lake, so bring waterproof shoes.
O Canada! She’s a beauty but she’s also at your convenience. Hop in your automotive, aim the GPS north and also you’ve got a world trip.
But where to go? We tapped Lonely Planet’s Caroline Trelfer to supply some classy destination dupes that sub in for a couple of of our favourite summer escapes this side of the border.
Swap the North Fork for Niagara-on-the-Lake
Drive time from NYC: About seven hours.
Vibe: Small town Victoriana.
What to anticipate: This breezily charming, retro-accented small town anchors certainly one of Canada’s best wine regions and comes complete with killer waterfront perches.
Mark on a map: Niagara-on-the-Lake sits right on the border with America, just across the river from Youngstown.
Where to remain: Embrace the maximalist Nineteenth-century vibe of the town by staying on the historic Prince of Wales hotel. with wood-paneled partitions and overstuffed chairs. Or, go for the riverfront Harbour House Hotel, which has an excellent spa.
What to do: There are greater than 100 wineries here, all specializing in cool climate varietals so take your pick (book a tour with the Winery Guys so you may really indulge). “That is certainly one of the few places on this planet known for ice wine, made with grapes picked and pressed several months after the initial harvest while they’re still frozen in December or January,” said Trelfer. When you’ve sobered up, head out to the Shaw Festival, named after George Bernard, which runs through the summer and fall drawing 1 / 4 million folks annually. One highlight for 2025: Cole Porter’s classic “Anything Goes.”
Where to eat & drink: Pick up a Canadian-style, crunchy-topped butter tart on the Niagara Home Bakery, Trelfer added, but sit down for supper at Treadwell Cuisine, a high-end farm-to-table spot with an excellent locally skewing wine list. “The very best value is the three-course dinner tasting menu, with or without pairings,” she said, which starts at $84 per person.
Must know: It’s home to North America’s oldest golf club, a nine-holer on the shores of Lake Ontario established exactly 150 years ago — and open to the general public for tee time.
Swap the Adirondacks for the Laurentians
Drive time from NYC: Around nine hours.
Vibe: Canuck country living.
What to anticipate: It is a winter ski destination that’s greater than appealing in summer and fall, with greater than 16 parks and reserves within the region. “They’re known for rolling hills, hundreds of fresh-water lakes and comfortable log-cabin chalets,” said Trelfer.
Mark on a map: Val David is the regional hub.
Where to remain: The seven minimalist A-frame cabins at Farouche Tremblant are embedded in a 135-acre forest, allowing complete natural immersion, plus there’s a small Nordic farm on the property for locavores.
What to do: Bike a stretch of the 140-mile Le P’tit Train du Nord, a one-time railway line turned activity track or head to the Mont Tremblant ski resort, which is quilted with biking trails outside ski season. Parc National du Mont-Tremblant features 400 lakes and 6 rivers, and is the perfect place for a hike or two amid rare silver maples and red oaks.
Where to eat & drink: Come for a Quebecois specialty at breakfast or lunch on the 80-year-old diner, Au Petit Poucet — try the maple-smoked ham, or pouding chômeur, a syrup-drenched bread pudding. Be sure to spend a summer evening on the terrace on the Archibald Microbrewery.
Must know: The Laurentian peaks are at a much lower average elevation than the Adirondacks, priming them for families and more amateur outdoorsy types. Try a beginner route at Via Ferrata du Diable.
Swap Cape Cod for Andrews-by-the-Sea
Drive time from NYC: Eight-and-a-half hours to Calais, Maine, then 20 minutes over the border.
Vibe: Newer Recent England.
What to anticipate: That is Old Country, and far of the world has remained untampered with for hundreds of years. “It retains the look of an 18th-century British colonial settlement, with many buildings from the 18th and Nineteenth centuries intact,” said Trelfer.
Mark on a map: St. Andrews is the bottom for exploring the complete peninsula.
Where to remain: Most rooms at the Treadwell Inn in the guts of town have private balconies, the perfect perch to sit down out and watch the bay. Otherwise, try the more resort-like Algonquin — its red-roofed, mock Tudor design inspired Stephen King’s description of the Overlook Hotel in “The Shining” after he stayed there.
What to do: There are whale-watching cruises from June to October, leaving from market wharf, or you may simply stroll down the gift shop-lined Water Street. Visit the painstakingly restored octagonal Pendlebury Lighthouse, too, dating back to the 1830s. Given the town’s name, you’d expect superb golf here, and indeed, there are many courses nearby, including an award-winning one on the Algonquin.
Where to eat & drink: Grab seafood chowder or a grilled lobster sandwich on the Niger Reef Tea House, then compare the recipe with the identical chowder on the Gables. Expect a creamy, shellfish-packed soup at each.
Must know: The waters here rise and fall dramatically, meaning there’s a significant difference when tide is in or out. The form of Passamaquoddy Bay, and the tidal resonance, mean they rise and fall 28 feet or so twice every day.
Swap the Hamptons for Prince Edward County, Ontario
Drivetime from NYC: Around seven-and-a-half hours.
Vibe: Maple syrup meets Norman Rockwell
What to anticipate: Think the East End of the Sixties or ’70s, an artsy enclave where the most important appeal is vineyards, crafts breweries and high-end thrift stores.
Mark on a map: Search for the towns of Picton, Bloomfield, and Wellington.
Where to remain: One major moment here was the opening of an outpost of the Toronto hipster hub the Drake hotel 10 years ago (many locals confer with life “before the Drake” and “after the Drake”). It brought a renewed energy to the world and remains to be the prime perch. Otherwise, try a cottage on the Lake on the Mountain Resort.
What to do: Trelfer’s tip for the beaches at Sandbanks Provincial Park here is crucial. “You would like a day-use reservation,” she said, which may be booked five days prematurely via the park website, “It’s really helpful, especially for busy summer weekends.” The very best family beach is Outlet, though you’ll likely skip the crowds heading to Lakeshore. The famous dunes listed here are, in fact, at Dunes Beach.
Where to eat & drink: Scarf fresh oysters on the lakeside on the Sand and Pearl Oyster Bar and check out some natural wines at Stella’s Eatery. Be sure to carve out time for a wine tasting tour, though, and check the Prince Edward County Winegrowers Association website to plan the very best route for you (Hillier is an amazing place to begin)
Must know: The beaches here may be rocky moderately than universally sandy, as they’re on a lake, so bring waterproof shoes.
