https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 15:16:17 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-to-canada#post-408862 Wed, 21 Nov 2012 06:25:40 +0000 sslm 408862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@glimmersnaps: lol Canada isn't a frozen tundra but Ottawa is!!! In the winter anyways... It's gross and hot here in the summer. I hope you have fun :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-to-canada#post-408808 Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:15:45 +0000 tysonja 408808@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>oops a little late on commenting, but just wanted to echo the suggestions for the byward market area, museum of civilization, and warm clothing! i grew up in Ottawa and we'll be traveling there to spend christmas in a few weeks, too! :)</p> <p>hope you have a great trip! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-to-canada#post-408803 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 23:48:53 +0000 glimmersnaps 408803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ooh thanks guys for all the suggestions! I'm so glad that you all seem to agree that I should get DS a snowsuit. I had thought of it when I saw one in a consignment shop but then I thought maybe I was just being a dumb American thinking Canada is some kind of frozen tundra ;) I think it will be better than me worrying he's too cold/may get sick. This will definitely be the coldest he's ever felt.</p> <p>I'm getting excited for the trip! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-to-canada#post-407193 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 06:24:21 +0000 sslm 407193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@glimmersnaps: honestly I would take the train between the cities. It's about an hour and 45 mins and takes you right into downtown Montreal! Driving is a pain, Montreal traffic scares me and then you'd have to park somewhere!! </p> <p>I'm in Ottawa! There are a ton of museums to see, and of course the parliament buildings. I second the idea of the by ward market too. It will probably be really cold and I'd definitely recommend a snowsuit! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-to-canada#post-407153 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 01:16:57 +0000 sera_87 407153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Either car or train would be your best bet between Ottawa-Montreal. And YES to the snowsuit. It's -3C right now.</p> <p>For Ottawa ... have a shawarma &amp; a beavertail, check out the museums &amp; the National Gallery (we have a TON - Science &amp; Technology, Museum of Civilization, Museum of Nature, War Museum (although I'd personally skip that one)). The canal won't be open yet which is a pity....<br /> Here's a few ideas you might want to check out: <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g155004-Activities-Ottawa_Ontario.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g155004-Activities-Ottawa_Ontario.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-to-canada#post-407109 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 23:17:59 +0000 prettylizy 407109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with PP's you will need to keep your LO bundled, Ottawa and MTL get pretty chilly. </p> <p>Staying at the Fairmont is a great place right downtown. Check out the Byward Market, Sparks Street Pedestrian Mall, bop around the parliment buildings or the library of parliment. I agree, the Museum of Civilization is pretty cool too. </p> <p>I don't know too much about MTL, but Rue St. Catherine is great for shopping :) Have fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-to-canada#post-407094 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 22:50:57 +0000 heartonastring 407094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm actually just on the train on my way back home from Montreal. DH and I were there for a long weekend and I lived there for five years in the early 2000s. I absolutely adore it.</p> <p>We like to rent an apartment via airbnb.com in my old neighbourhood (the plateau), but if you're looking for hotels I like being along Sherbrooke, as its quite central and easily accessible to a variety of neighbourhoods. </p> <p>In terms of what to do while you're there: the Old Port is a big draw but ridiculously touristy. It's a nice place to walk around, but I highly recommend avoiding eating down there, as most restaurants in the area are tourist traps. </p> <p>Montreal is a city of neighbourhoods and its fun to explore hem as they each have heir own feel. Some areas to look into, depending on your interests: The Plateau, Mile End, St. Henri and, of course, the Old Port.</p> <p>For restaurant recommendations: Chowhound has a very active Quebec board.</p> <p>Weather: it will be cold and a snowsuit would be appropriate for your LO. It hovered around 0 degrees Celsius this past weekend and December can be downright frigid (but thankfully not as bad as January and February).</p> <p>Feel free to PM me if you think of any specific questions.</p> <p>ETA: While in Ottawa, your LO might like the children's museum at the Museum of Civilization....it used to be pretty awesome...not sure if its changed at all. Definitely worth looking into. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-to-canada#post-407085 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 22:41:28 +0000 Freckles 407085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When you're in Ottawa, check out ByWard market (<a href="http://www.byward-market.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.byward-market.com/</a>). It is actually very close to the Fairmont, about a 5 minute walk. Don't forget to buy a beaver tail. Yum, yum. I'm not that familiar with Ottawa, but i do know that it will be quite cold in December. I would probably make sure that your LO has a snowsuit!</p> <p>The train is a good option, though it's only a 2-3 hour drive in between the cities. </p> <p>Montreal is such a pretty city, i wish i had spent more time the last time i was there. Old Montreal, or near McGill are nice options. St. Laurent is where all the bars are so i'm not sure if you want to be in that area. Have fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-to-canada#post-407082 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 22:39:50 +0000 NerdBee 407082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi! I've don't live in Ottawa or Montreal but have visited several times.</p> <p>Will you have access to a car? The best way to get around is by car but train is probably your next best option. </p> <p>There's not much to do in Ottawa except for visiting Parliament Hill.</p> <p>Montreal is fun for shopping and eating. St. Catherine Street is where the shopping is. Old Port is a nice area to stay. It is near the water and is very picturesque with cobblestone streets, small shops and tons of restaurants. It reminds me of Paris. </p> <p>Iconic food that you must eat while in Montreal:</p> <p>- Montreal smoked meat at Schwartz<br /> - Poutine! You can get this dish at alot of restaurants but a really fun place with a huge variety of different poutines is La Banquise. </p> <p>That's what I can think of the top of my head. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions.</p> <p>It can get pretty cold in December. A snow suit would probably not be a bad idea. The wind chill in Ottawa can get pretty bad but it really depends on whether we are having a mild year or not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-to-canada#post-406983 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 21:20:48 +0000 glimmersnaps 406983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey Canadian friends (and non-Canadians who have been there!) we are going to Ottawa and Montreal for a few week in mid Decmber and I have a few questions...</p> <p>What are fun things to do in Ottawa? I'll be mostly alone there with DS (21 mos.)</p> <p>What's the best way to travel between the two cities? Train?</p> <p>Where's the best area of town to stay in Montreal? What's fun to do there? DH will be free to go with us here.</p> <p>How cold will it be?? Do I need to buy DS like a snow suit??</p> <p>Thanks so much for any advice you can give me! DH will be attending a conference in Ottawa so we are staying at the Fairmont downtown while there. </p>