O Canada! She’s a beauty but she’s also at your convenience. Hop in your car, aim the GPS north and you’ve got an international trip.
But where to go? We tapped Lonely Planet’s Caroline Trelfer to offer some classy destination dupes that sub in for a few of our favorite 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 expect: This breezily charming, retro-accented small town anchors 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 stay: Embrace the maximalist 19th-century vibe of the town by staying at the historic Prince of Wales hotel. with wood-paneled walls and overstuffed chairs. Or, opt for the riverfront Harbour House Hotel, which has a superb spa.
What to do: There are more than 100 wineries here, all specializing in cool climate varietals so take your pick (book a tour with the Winery Guys so you can really indulge). “This is one of the few places in the world 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. Once you’ve sobered up, head out to the Shaw Festival, named after George Bernard, which runs through the summer and fall drawing a quarter million folks each year. One highlight for 2025: Cole Porter’s classic “Anything Goes.”
Where to eat & drink: Pick up a Canadian-style, crunchy-topped butter tart at the Niagara Home Bakery, Trelfer added, but sit down for supper at Treadwell Cuisine, a high-end farm-to-table spot with a superb locally skewing wine list. “The best value is the three-course dinner tasting menu, with or without pairings,” she said, which starts at $84 per person.
Need to 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 public for tee time.
Swap the Adirondacks for the Laurentians
Drive time from NYC: Around nine hours.
Vibe: Canuck country living.
What to expect: This is a winter ski destination that’s more than appealing in summer and fall, with more than 16 parks and reserves in the region. “They’re known for rolling hills, thousands of fresh-water lakes and cozy log-cabin chalets,” said Trelfer.
Mark on a map: Val David is the regional hub.
Where to stay: 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 six rivers, and is the ideal 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 at the 80-year-old diner, Au Petit Poucet — try the maple-smoked ham, or pouding chômeur, a syrup-drenched bread pudding. Make sure to spend a summer evening on the terrace at the Archibald Microbrewery.
Need to 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 New England.
What to expect: This is Old Country, and much of the area has remained untampered with for centuries. “It retains the look of an 18th-century British colonial settlement, with many buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries intact,” said Trelfer.
Mark on a map: St. Andrews is the base for exploring the entire peninsula.
Where to stay: Most rooms at the Treadwell Inn in the heart of town have private balconies, the ideal perch to sit 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 can 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 plenty of courses nearby, including an award-winning one at the Algonquin.
Where to eat & drink: Grab seafood chowder or a grilled lobster sandwich at the Niger Reef Tea House, then compare the recipe with the same chowder at the Gables. Expect a creamy, shellfish-packed soup at both.
Need to know: The waters here rise and fall dramatically, meaning there’s a major difference when tide is in or out. The shape of Passamaquoddy Bay, and the tidal resonance, mean they rise and fall 28 feet or so twice each 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 expect: Think the East End of the 1960s or ’70s, an artsy enclave where the main appeal is vineyards, crafts breweries and high-end thrift stores.
Mark on a map: Look for the towns of Picton, Bloomfield, and Wellington.
Where to stay: One major moment here was the opening of an outpost of the Toronto hipster hub the Drake hotel 10 years ago (many locals refer to life “before the Drake” and “after the Drake”). It brought a renewed energy to the area and is still the prime perch. Otherwise, try a cottage at the Lake on the Mountain Resort.
What to do: Trelfer’s tip for the beaches at Sandbanks Provincial Park here is crucial. “You need a day-use reservation,” she said, which can be booked five days in advance via the park website, “It’s recommended, especially for busy summer weekends.” The best family beach is Outlet, though you’ll likely skip the crowds heading to Lakeshore. The famous dunes here are, of course, at Dunes Beach.
Where to eat & drink: Scarf fresh oysters on the lakeside at the Sand and Pearl Oyster Bar and try some natural wines at Stella’s Eatery. Make sure to carve out time for a wine tasting tour, though, and check the Prince Edward County Winegrowers Association website to plan the best route for you (Hillier is a great starting point)
Need to know: The beaches here can be rocky rather than universally sandy, as they’re on a lake, so bring waterproof shoes.
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