Epic Roadtrip Across Two Provinces and Four States
This summer we packed up the car and set off on a 10-day adventure that carried us through 2 Canadian provinces and 4 U.S. states, racking up almost 3,000 kilometers along the way. The drives were long (and a little tiring), but each stretch of the road had something new waiting for us.
From cozy lakeside cabins in Finger Lakes to sandy Cape Cod beaches, rugged trails in the White Mountains, and the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal, we managed to fit a little bit of everything into one trip.
Day 1 - Into the Finger Lakes
We crossed the border at Niagara Falls and cruised into New York State, where the road trip officially kicked off in the Finger Lakes. Our first stop was at Muranda Cheese, sampling local cheeses paired with wine before heading over to Finger Lakes Cider House. Sitting outside with ciders in hand, live music playing, and views stretching over farmland and the lake.
As the end of the day, we drove to our campsite by Seneca Lake, lit a fire, and ended the night catching up with family around the campfire under the stars.
Day 2 - Ithaca & Onward to Massachusetts
We spent the morning exploring Ithaca's trails, specifically Buttermilk Falls Park, tasted more cider at South Hill Cider then hit the road again, driving east until we reached Wayland, MA, where we wrapped up the day.
Day 3 - Cape Cod Arrival
After a quick walk at Greenways Conservation Land, we made the drive to Cape Cod. For lunch, we dug into lobster rolls and clam chowder at Captain Parkers Pub before hopping on our bikes for a ride along the Cape Cod Rail Trail. We wrapped up the day with a beachside stay.
Day 4 - Chatham Lighthouse & Seaside Wedding
We started the morning with lighthouse and beach views in Chatham, stopped for lunch at Brax Landing, and ended the day with an unforgettable wedding by the ocean.
Day 5 - Beach Day
It was a day all about slowing down. We switched between the pool and the beach, played a bit of soccer in the sand, and let the ocean set the pace for a full day of pure relaxation.
Day 6 - Outer Cape & Provincetown
We drove up to the north side of Cape Cod to explore Herring Cove Beach and wander through Provincetown, with its colorful shops and busy Commercial Street. Lunch was at The Canteen, where another round of lobster rolls hit the spot. In the afternoon, we stopped at the historic Marconi Wireless Station and walked the White Cedar Swamp trail before making the long drive inland to Malborough for the night.
Day 7 - Boston Day
We kicked off the day playing badminton a few hours at the Boston Badminton facilities. In the afternoon, we headed downtown to walk the Freedom Trail, exloring Boston's historic streets. At the end of the day we had dinner at Jack's Abby Craft Lagers.
Day 8 - Into the White Mountains
Drove around four hours and half to White Mountains to explore the trails around The Basin and Kinsman Falls. Fueled up at Polly's Pancake Parlor and in the afternoon we hiked the Artists Bluff loop trail. End up the night setting up our tents to camp in the mountains.
Day 9 - More Trails & Crossing to Quebec
We packed up camp and headed into the nearest town for breakfast at The Station Bristo before starting our day at Diana's Baths, a trail that winds along gentle cascades and falls. From there, we continued to Glen Ellis Falls and then stopped for lunch in Pinkham Notch, a popular starting point for hikers tackling the Mount Washington Summit. Over lunch, we chatted with hikers about their climb and past summit adventures. By the afternoon, we were back on the road, winding through northen New Hampshire and Vermont before crossing the border into Quebec and arriving on Montreal by evening.
Day 10 - Old Montreal & Homeward Bound
We spent half a day wandering the streets of Old Montreal, grabbing bagels, and soaking up the European-style charm before hitting the road back to Oakville to close the loop on our trip.
Looking Back
The trip was a mix of landscapes, food stops, hikes, and family time. All packed into ten days on the road. It wasn't always easy, but every kilometer was worth it. The days flew by, leaving me with a head full of new memories (and probably to much to process at once).
If I could change one thing, it would be the one day stops in places like Boston, The White Mountains and The Finger Lakes. A single day in each barely scratched the surface. Lesson learned for the next road trip.
Out of everywhere we visited, The White Mountains stand out as my favorite. I feel like we didn't even explore a fraction of what it has to offer. Hearing hikers talk about summiting Mount Washington got me wondering, what would it be like to push myself on a real mountain hike? And maybe even check out the mountain bike trails there someday?