canada lake

3 weeks itinerary Canada with the kids, the beginning of an adventure!

First time overseas for the kids, first RV vacation… This was all very exciting. We didn’t know what to expect from this itinerary in Canada. But it turned out even better than we could imagine! It was the beginning for us of our adventure to explore the whole world with our children.

map Canada

3 weeks Itinerary Canada

We fly with British Airways from Brussels to Toronto, with a stop in London. A fast and cheap way of getting here. Here you read more about finding cheap flights! Once arrived in Toronto, we stayed in a hotel for three days. This gives us the perfect opportunity to explore the city and adjust to the time difference. I was worried that the time change would be hard on the kids, but they ended up being far more adaptable than us! Let’s start this Canada roadtrip!

Day 1-2-3-4: Toronto

Toronto is a bustling metropolis and the capital of Ontario, as well as the largest city in Canada. It’s a vital economic hub that is home to a diverse population of over 6 million people. Having spent time here, I can tell you that Toronto’s vibrant and dynamic atmosphere offers endless entertainment, cultural, and business opportunities. But it was sometimes a bit too much a metropole and it was a bit too American for us. But I must say that there’s always something exciting happening in this lively city. It is a good first stop on our itinerary and a perfect place to start our Canada roadtrip.

What to do in Toronto with kids?

To be honest, this city charmed to us the least of all the places we visited during this trip. There was a public transport strike which made it difficult for us to move around.

We visited the following places:

  • The CN Tower: the best view over the area, not a good idea if you are afraid of heights
  • The Royal Ontario Museum: beautiful building, interesting museum, even for small kids
  • St. Lawrence Market 
  • Roy Thomson Hall
  • Take a walk or bike ride on the Martin Goodman Trail – a scenic path along Lake Ontario
  • … and we spent a lot of time wandering around and eating ice creams

Day 5: Toronto – renting an RV – first stop: Brighton

After three days in Toronto, we can finally pick up our RV from Cruise Canada. After watching an introductory video and getting some practical information, we were ready to hit the road! We opted for a 6-person RV to ensure we had plenty of space. It turned out to be the right decision. These RVs are much wider than the European models, and the kids immediately feel at home in their new house! After a quick restock at the nearby Walmart, we are on our way on this roadtrip!

Getting out of Toronto seems to take hours, this city is huge!

We stay at a KOA campsite (Brighton KOA). These campsites have excellent facilities and you have plenty of space. After this good experience we stayed at a KOA campsite every night. We didn’t book any of them in advance.

Along the road from Brighton to Kingston there are many nice picnic spots, playgrounds, … perfect to enjoy some slow travel with the kids.

Day 6-7-8: An absolute highlight on this itinerary in Canada: Thousand Islands National Park

The first highlight along our route is Thousand Islands National Park. Located on the St. Lawrence River, this park is part of the Thousand Islands archipelago and offers a variety of recreational activities. Hiking, camping, boating, fishing, and wildlife watching… it’s all possible here. Home to over 200 species of birds and various mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, the park is a haven for nature enthusiasts like us! Several picturesque islands within the park, like Heart Island with its famous Boldt Castle, are accessible by boat or kayak. The park also boasts several hiking trails, including the popular Landon Bay Trail, which offers scenic views of the St. Lawrence River. Thousand Islands National Park is a beautiful natural area. It provides visitors the opportunity to explore the stunning landscape and diverse wildlife of the region. A highlight you may not skip!

We choose to do a boat trip in the park with ‘Rockport boat line’. Fun for the children, and an enthusiastic guide gives us a lot of information and nice anecdotes.

Along the Thousand islands Pkwy there are a lot of things to see and to do. There is a visitor centre and a watchtower, perfect for a great view over the whole area.

We stay here at the 1000islands/Ivy lea KOA camping site.

Day 9: Montreal

After a few days in nature, we return to civilization and head to Montreal. Montreal is our next stop on this itinerary in Canada and the largest city in the province of Quebec. It is also the second largest city in Canada after Toronto. The official language in Montreal is French, and many of the city’s residents insist on speaking it. The atmosphere of Montreal reminds us of Paris.

We stay at a KOA campground not far from the city. It’s convenient to park outside Montreal and take the metro to the center. Unfortunately, we have some bad luck with the weather here—it’s cold and rainy…

10 things to do in Montreal:

  1. Visit Old Montreal: Take a stroll through the historic neighborhood and admire the beautiful architecture, boutiques, and restaurants. This part of Montreal feels a lot like Paris!
  2. Explore Mont-Royal: Hike up to the peak of this hill in the center of the city for stunning views. You can have a drink at the top.
  3. Visit the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts: Discover the extensive collection of artworks from around the world.
  4. Enjoy a bagel from St-Viateur or Fairmount Bagel Bakery: Montreal-style bagels are world-famous and these two bakeries are the most famous.
  5. Check out the food scene: Montreal is known for its culinary diversity, with French, Jewish, and Quebecois influences.
  6. Visit RÉSO, a huge shopping center known as the largest underground complex in the world
  7. Visit the Biosphere: Discover the environment and climate through interactive exhibits and activities at this ecology museum on Saint Helen’s Island.
  8. See the Montreal Botanical Garden: Explore one of the world’s largest botanical gardens, with beautiful exhibits and themed gardens.
  9. Bike the Lachine Canal: Rent a bike and ride along the historic canal pathway to explore the city and its surrounding neighborhoods.
  10. Visit the Notre-Dame Basilica: Admire the beautiful architecture and stained glass windows of this historic and iconic church in Old Montreal.

Itinerary Canada: Quebec (Day 10-11)

After a day in Montreal, we drive straight on to Quebec City. The sun is back, and we find a spot at the KOA campground in Québec. From here we can take a shuttle bus to the city center.

We absolutely love this city! It’s a small, charming place filled with cozy nooks, beautiful buildings, street musicians, and great restaurants. Our day in Quebec City feels way too short!

Day 12-13-14: Mont Tremblant National Park

No KOA camping this time. We stay at Camping Parc la Conception, our next roadtrip stop in Canada, beautifully situated by a river with a playground, perfect for the kids!

We originally planned to spend the day hiking in the national park. But our arrival in the town with the same name took us by surprise. Instead of the rugged wilderness we had imagined, we were greeted by luxury hotels, a sightseeing cable car, and plenty of children’s entertainment. It wasn’t what we expected, but the kids were thrilled! We took the cable car from the town to the top. We hiked back down along the ski slope, which turned out to be a surprisingly delightful and scenic trail.

Day 15-16-17-18: Algonquin National Park

We decide to skip Ottawa. Although I put a mark on it when I was preparing this Canada itinerary. But visiting three cities (Toronto, Montréal, and Québec) in three weeks seems like plenty. We also want to spend enough time exploring the stunning Canadian wilderness. So, we spend the night at Renfrew KOA and head to Algonquin National Park the following day.

We stay at the Pog Lake Campground within Algonquin National Park. It’s a hit with the whole family as we try to spot as many animals as possible! Although the kids’ excitement makes wildlife spotting a bit challenging, we all enjoy the adventure.

The park features several hiking trails, ranging from short loops around lakes to longer treks deep into the woods. We opt for a few shorter trails that are manageable for the children. All the trail information is available at the visitor center.

Canoeing in this region is simply a must, and we couldn’t resist the opportunity! We decided on a short and easy trip, mindful that the kids might struggle to stay still in the canoe for too long. To our relief, it turned out to be a breeze. Ruben was happily occupied with the whistle on his life jacket, so no extra entertainment was needed. And of course, the promise of ice cream at the end of the journey kept everyone motivated and excited!

Day 19-20-21: Niagara Falls

We decided to “save the best for last” by scheduling Niagara Falls at the end of our roadtrip in Eastern Canada. The Niagara Falls KOA campground was our place at night, which, though a bit crowded, was still fine for a few days.

We opted for the full experience by visiting the falls from both the Canadian and American sides. While both offer breathtaking views, the long wait at the border—hours, in fact—left us questioning whether it was worth the time. On the Canadian side, we took the iconic Maid of the Mist boat tour and walked behind the falls. Both were nothing short of spectacular and should be on everyone’s list. However, after several peaceful days immersed in the tranquility of Canada’s forests, the high-energy, amusement park vibe on the Canadian side of the falls felt a bit overwhelming.

We also visited Niagara-on-the-Lake, a charming and cozy town where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario. It was a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the tranquility! And so our itinerary in Canada comes to an end. But we are sure, there will be a next time!

Want to see more itineraries for families with kids? Check it out here

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