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It’s one of those rides you won’t forget.
Key Points
Via Rail’s Ocean connects Montreal and Halifax with stops near Quebec City, Moncton, and other gateways to Eastern Canada’s top attractions.
Travelers can visit UNESCO-listed Old Quebec, the Bay of Fundy’s Hopewell Rocks, and Halifax’s historic waterfront along the route.
Spring through fall offers the best experience, with September and October bringing peak fall foliage and ideal conditions for sightseeing.
When it comes to beautiful train routes in North America, most travelers often think of the sprawling network of railroads that crisscrosses the U.S. However, some of the most stunning train rides on the continent can actually be found in Canada.
One of three sleeper trains in the Great White North, Via Rail’s The Ocean crosses 840 miles through the East Coast in roughly 24 hours. The journey runs from east to west, either starting or ending in Montreal or Halifax. In between, riders can take in idyllic scenes of local life along the St. Lawrence Seaway, with small villages, farmland and forests, bays and coastal views—and if you’re lucky—a moose sighting or two.
If your aim is to see as much scenery as possible, you can enjoy more daylight hours on the eastbound train. Josephine Wasch, senior manager of international and domestic sales at Via Rail, recommends grabbing a Sleeper Plus cabin, which has amenities such as an in-cabin shower, priority seating in the dining car, and access to locally inspired onboard entertainment and talks.
“You can learn how to catch a lobster and do tastings featuring New Brunswick and Nova Scotia beers and wines,” she says.
During your time onboard, keep in mind that Wi-Fi can be spotty. While sending and receiving texts shouldn’t be an issue, Wasch recommends downloading books, shows, and movies before boarding. However, the big draw will be soaking in the sights and exploring the charming cities and small towns along the way to your destination.
Here’s what you need to know before riding Via Rail’s The Ocean.
Montreal, Quebec
Montreal’s Central Station, or Gare Centrale, is the second busiest rail station in Canada, just behind Toronto Union Station. Spanning an entire city block, its exterior blends into the surrounding urban setting, but in the main hall, walls are adorned with art deco friezes depicting quintessential scenes of Canadian life.
Sitting directly on top of the station is the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth. The historic hotel has always had a connection to the rails. It was originally constructed by the Canadian National Railway Company in 1958—but most guests might remember it as the 1969 setting of John Lennon’s and Yoko Ono’s “Bed-In.” Alternatively, Four Seasons Hotel Montreal is a 15-minute walk from the station and makes the Montreal Museum of Fine Art and the shopping district on Sainte-Catherine Street West easily accessible on foot. Ask for a table by the windows at Marcus Restaurant + Terrace for a fantastic view of the city’s iconic multistory mural of revered Canadian, Leonard Cohen.
Strolling Old Town Montreal is a must, as is a coffee at Café Olimpico, which has an outpost in the neighborhood at Hotel William Gray. “Aura” at the Notre Dame Basilica is an immersive art experience created with light by local creative studio Moment Factory. And La Grande Roue, the giant Ferris wheel in the Old Port on the edge of the St. Lawrence River, has unmatched views of the city.
Sainte-Foy, Quebec
Sainte-Foy is a suburb of Quebec City that sits across the St. Lawrence River from the capital city, and you shouldn’t miss the chance to explore Old Quebec. The walled city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and wandering its cobblestone streets will make you feel like you’re in Europe without having to leave North America. Within the old town, you’ll find Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, the oldest stone church in North America; a historic (and still operating) funicular that connects the upper and lower parts of the old town; and just outside the fortifications, the Plains of Abraham. A National Historic Park, the Plains of Abraham was the 1759 battle site between the French and British that indelibly shaped the future of Canada.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, known as the “castle on the hill,” is a regal option for an overnight stay. The storied hotel sits within the walled city and overlooks the St. Lawrence River. For a more contemporary option, Monsieur Jean Hotel Particular takes inspiration from Mondrian for its decor.
Moncton, New Brunswick
The Via Rail station is just a five-minute drive from the downtown core of New Brunswick’s largest city. Staying within the city—perhaps either at the Maison Évangéline and Lester Lofts—positions you well to explore the region’s most famous natural landmark, the Hopewell Rocks. Located in the provincial park of the same name, the tides of the Bay of Fundy ebb and flow each day, with water levels rising and falling upwards of 50 feet every six hours. When the tides are out, you can walk on the ocean floor and get up close to the dozens of freestanding sea stacks (aka the “rocks”). When the tide is in, though, you’ll only be able to see the tops of them.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
The end (or start) of the journey puts you at the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, so a stroll along the sea is a must-do. Have a seat at Queen’s Landing, where colorful Adirondack chairs line the waterfront. Alternatively, you could hit the harbor and use the steps as a launch pad for paddleboarding or kayaking. The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 tells the story of the country’s multicultural strengths, and the Citadel, a National Historic Site, is a hilltop fort overlooking the city. Don’t be alarmed if you hear a big boom echoing across the city. Every day at noon (except for Christmas), a cannon is fired from the citadel, a tradition that started in 1857 to help ships in the harbor set their time-keeping instruments. The fishing village of Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse and Village is worth a half-day trip. Muir Hotel offers a luxury stay on the harbor’s edge, while Sutton Place Hotel overlooks the lush green lawns of Citadel Hill.
Best Time to Ride
The Ocean runs three times per week on a year-round schedule. Spring through fall is the optimal time to make the most of the journey and experiences available at its stops. Winter is a good time for a quieter trip, though restaurants and activities in the smaller towns can be limited as many close during the off-season.
“Most of them are family-owned businesses; they give it their all [during high season], and then they just want to hibernate,” says Wasch.
Spring through fall is perfect for those wanting to use the trains’ stops as launching points for coastal road trips. You can use Halifax as your home base if you want to explore Nova Scotia, Moncton is ideal for a trip to Prince Edward Island, while Rimouski, Quebec, is a gateway to the picture-perfect Gaspé Peninsula loop. The heart of fall foliage season, from September to October, is arguably the most popular time to ride The Ocean.
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
