YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Canada/US Travel Ideas

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Canada/US Travel Ideas https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:48:28 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Staysfit on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2386784 Sun, 25 May 2025 15:02:30 +0000 Staysfit 2386784@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Just a word of encouragement about border crossing.  DH recently gave a talk at Queens University and had no problem crossing the border, either way.  <div> </div><div>RachelNZ, it sounds like you have a wonderful opportunity to visit family and friends.  DD26 lives in Denver and I really love visiting. There’s a vibrant youthful energy, and maybe more to do than in Boulder.  Boulder is obviously smaller, has more green space, better Mountain View’s and access, and is at slightly higher elevation. Denver has a lot of beautiful architecture, older buildings, arts and crafts style houses mixed with modern and Victorian era homes.  The neighborhood and parks are interesting and pretty in a different way from Boulder. I would check for festivals, concerts or other outdoor or indoor events. Denver has a great zoo, an interesting botanical garden, a science museum, and some great art museums downtown. There is a Powell’s Books, (a huge used book store) in which I could spend hours.  Sculpture park by the Arts Complex is interesting to see and so is the Colorado State Capitol Building. Maybe it’s because I’m nerdy, but I really enjoyed the tour of the Denver Mint.  The museums and mint are great options if it’s too hot outside or raining.  There’s a large pedestrian friendly shopping area downtown,16th street.  From Denver you are a shortish drive from all sorts of hiking and kayaking, or bicycle rentals. If you plan on any shopping, I found it easier in Denver than Portland. Canaan beach in Northeast Oregon is pretty. A visit there can take only a couple hours, and you may be able to access it on a drive between Vancouver and Brandon. DD31 lived in Portland for a couple years so I have also been there multiple times. Tall, stately trees line many of the streets.  I have been to most of Portlands city parks, and they are particularly nice.  </div><div> </div><div>Portland’s Japanese garden, which someone mentioned above, is unique and probably worth your limited time. The Pittock Mansion tour is a decent option for a hot or rainy day, the trail outside the Mansion winds across a hill, or you can choose the shorter steep route.  We saw both on the same day.  We found walking between the Japanese Garden and the Mansion was no problem.  Washington park was DD’s favorite city park for hiking. I agree it’s a great place.  It has the water reservoirs for a good part of the area and the trails get to a fairly high elevation and provide great views.  You can feel like you are in the middle of nowhere while you are in the city and it did not seem crowded.  Around Portland there are some “must see” waterfalls, however, I was mostly underwhelmed by the falls themselves.  They were crowded with too many tourists. Nevertheless, I had fun with my family on the hikes to and from the falls. </div><div> </div><div>A drive from Portland, we went to Mount Hood for a hiking. We checked for active fire warnings in the location we planned to hike before going.In my opinion, travel to the park and trails around Mount Hood requires good map and compass skills, or a handheld GPS and perhaps for safety it would be good to have access to a Sat Phone.  When I was there, the roads were not always well marked because routes had been changed quickly due to fires. Cell service was too spotty for GPS map services. The views were amazing and well worth the time and effort of figuring out logistics.  </div><div> </div><div>Portland has a few great ice cream shops downtown.  Salt and Straw and Kate’s are the places DD took us.  Portland has a zoo, and an art museum. They also have a Powells Books.  If you like doughnuts (I am not a fan), there’s Voodoo Doughnuts.  (They have them in Denver also).  I think Voodoo is known for having lots of flavors, pink boxes, and there’s always a line. </div><div> </div><div>If cities are part of your agenda as a break from the great parks, Denver and or Portland are great choices.  I prefer Denver to Portland for reasons that are hard to articulate. In part, I found Denver easier to navigate both as a pedestrian and when driving a car. I could easily walk anywhere I wanted to go in Denver, and if I wanted, public transportation was easy to figure out. Parking is a well known nightmare in Denver. They are known to issue tickets, place boots on tires and/or tow cars.  I would find a reliable place to park.  Pay the fee and then walk and/or use public transportation.  Navigating and parking in Portland were difficult,  parking fees were more expensive in Portland. The city parking meters make use of Parking Kitty, which you should download and set up in advance.  Portland is built on two sides of a river.  It has many one way roads and bridges downtown, so getting places is not always intuitive or easy when driving or walking. It can take 30 minutes or more to travel only a couple miles because of need to take vexing detours because of the one way roads or to get to a bridge, etc.  Public transportation was also more confusing.  Sorry Portland, it’s definitely confusing for a tourist.   </div> Suz on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2386555 Wed, 21 May 2025 19:34:29 +0000 Suz 2386555@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Rachel, I am late to this but if you want specific thoughts about Vancouver Island, let me know, and also let me know if you are in Victoria and you want to go for coffee or tea! I will be in and out of town this summer but would love to meet in person if it works.  I echo the concerns about border crossings...should be okay but I would make sure you have a backup plan!  There is some info about the Island and Vancouver from me on the threads that Jenni and Janet referenced. I was supposed to meet Jenni (but got hit by a car on the way -- no joke!) and I *did* meet Janet when she came through.  kerlyn on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2386029 Tue, 13 May 2025 22:38:33 +0000 kerlyn 2386029@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Just wanted to add...if you do come down through Minnesota, there are some gems there.  Along the MN-Canada border are 2 beautiful parks...Voyaguers National Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.  Both offer cabins and boat rentals (canoes or even houseboats) to explore all of the remote and wildlife-filled islands.  Then south to Duluth, you're on very tip of the largest freshwater lake in the world, where 1000 ft. lakers and salties (oceangoing vessels) come through the canal almost daily.  Then up the rugged north shore of Lake Superior...so many gems here...but Split rock lighthouse, Gooseberry Falls, Tettegouche to name a few.  Grand Marais is a charming artsy town with great views and fresh fish!  My out-of-town guests have always been stunned by the massive ocean-like presence of Lake Superior, and the super interesting history of the local Native American tribes and the french fur-traders. Angie on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2386001 Tue, 13 May 2025 14:08:50 +0000 Angie 2386001@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Rachel NZ, if you find yourself in the incredible city of Seattle, tea or lunch with me is on the table :)  Janet, that is INCREDIBLE info. WOW. Thank you! Some of it is familiar to me too. Such a range of terrain to explore. RachelNZ on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2385987 Tue, 13 May 2025 09:08:34 +0000 RachelNZ 2385987@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I really like Japanese gardens Sal, they're always so calming so will definitely check that out. Those rock formations look so cool Robin!  Thank you so much for your detailed reply Janet It is such great info and I will work through how that may adjust our plans and may reach out to you for some further advice. kkards, that's good to be aware of. I have read some news about the cuts impacting the parks so will aim not to get too committed to the idea of specific places and adjust as we go. We are going to see many amazing places anyway so missing some may just be the way it is. kkards on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2385949 Mon, 12 May 2025 18:43:07 +0000 kkards 2385949@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ People I know-neighbors who retired from the park service, and an ultra marathon/mountain biker/extreme camper I work with have expressed concerns about the parks not having enough staff this summer to be fully operational. So if you go be prepared for some thing’s to be on reduced hours, others not to be open at all, and services to be minimal. If you’re traveling during fire season be sure you have a plan and you could have established exit routes and meet up points. My understanding is the fire fighting teams gave been hit hard LJP on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2385946 Mon, 12 May 2025 18:02:47 +0000 LJP 2385946@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Comments deleted . Janet on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2385940 Mon, 12 May 2025 13:42:08 +0000 Janet 2385940@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, this is one of my favorite topics! Having done a big solo driving trip across the entire continental US (and numerous other shorter road trips), and having been to 49 out of 50 states, I’ve got some experience! :-D Sad to say, I am concerned about the very things LJP mentions. I would definitely research border crossings and prepare accordingly. Also, yes, some of the more popular National Parks require timed reservations in the summer months. They got overwhelmed with visitors during the pandemic and many instituted restrictions to help visitors have a better experience and to help the rangers and park employees not get overwhelmed. Arches NP in Utah is wonderful but we needed a timed entry pass even in October, but it was well worth it! The trails were not overly crowded and at each parking area we found a spot with no trouble. It is very hot there in summer though, so plan accordingly (early morning hikes are best) if you visit there. It’s right near Moab, which is a fun town. I’m a huge fan of the southern Utah desert, and have been numerous times to Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Grand Canyon, Canyonlands, and Grand Staircase-Escalante. I could fill a month in that area alone. But again, very warm in summer (Bryce and Cedar Breaks are higher elevation and cooler), and Zion in particular gets very popular. Badlands in South Dakota is fun and can be experienced in a rather short visit since it is very accessible. On the flip side of that, some less popular parks like John Day Fossil Beds in Oregon, Dinosaur National Monument in Utah, and Theodore Roosevelt NP in North Dakota are remote and less visited but still fascinating. Glacier NP is gorgeous and close to the border — in fact, the northern part of the park is in Canada. The primary route to explore Glacier is Going to the Sun Road, which I think now requires a timed entry pass in summer. I haven’t been there in over a decade so I’m not sure how that’s going these days (I know they’ve had some very significant road construction recently), but it is spectacular scenery. Yellowstone and Grand Teton are also wonderful but super popular in summer. I prefer fall for a lot of those more popular sites. If you decide to spend the time closer to Vancouver in the Pacific Northwest, there are few trips I have loved more than visiting Seattle and Portland for a few days of city exploring and then touring around the Olympic Peninsula, Mount Rainier, Mount Saint Helens, and the North Cascades. With extra time, I’d drive down the coast and visit the redwood forests, and pop inland for a visit to Crater Lake. Huge bang for the buck as far as many beautiful places in relatively short driving distances. Also, as much as I adore and support the National Parks, there have been cuts to funding and staffing. That may make things more difficult. Or it may mean that not as many people plan to visit this year? I’m not sure. As far as the plan to drive from Brandon down through Minnesota to Iowa and then on to Denver, you’re adding a lot of travel time unless there is a specific reason to head to Iowa. I’ve ridden a bicycle 500 miles across Iowa and it’s lovely in its way, but I suspect you’d find that drive long and not terribly interesting. I would drop right down into the Dakotas and then head into Montana/Wyoming and on from there. Denver is ok, but if you’re looking to visit cities along the way, Boulder is a bit more fun and interesting, and there is a ton to do in the Rockies. Of course Rocky Mountain National Park is right there too. It appears that perhaps you’ve planned so far based on where the major interstate highways travel? They’re mostly wonderful for getting you quickly across the country, but they are fast-moving and often heavy traffic with lots of large trailer trucks, and you don’t see much from those roads. My personal preference is for the “blue highways,” the secondary highways that have lower speed limits but also take you through little towns and more scenic areas. You’ll be more likely to experience local flavor rather than the interstate rest-stop chains attached to gas stations. It all depends on your goals and preferences though! Oh, on the way from Vancouver back to Brandon, you’d be crossing the Canadian Rockies which are spectacular — on our honeymoon we drove from Vancouver to the Rockies and enjoyed a little stop in Kamloops. It’s a beautiful drive. I haven’t driven in Canada between there and points east, but I’d be curious to do so! Ok, clearly you’ve gotten me totally invested! If you would like me to help you with a realistic itinerary of US destinations, I’d be happy to do that. I’m pretty good at it after all these years. You are coming a long way to visit, and I would want you to have an amazing experience! 1 Badlands 2 Roosevelt National Park 3 Glacier 4 driving through eastern Washington state 5 Olympic Peninsula RobinF on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2385936 Mon, 12 May 2025 12:52:49 +0000 RobinF 2385936@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sounds like a fun trip! My daughter lives in Salt Lake City and I can ask her questions for you, if you want. She has been to all of the national parks in the area. Recently she sent us pictures from Goblin Valley State Park that looked amazing. Maybe less crowded too.  Jenni NZ on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2385921 Sun, 11 May 2025 08:45:23 +0000 Jenni NZ 2385921@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Saskatoon has a nice summer Shakespeare I have been told, a lovely river and a great art museum. We saw the latter two in June 2023 but not Shakespeare. There’s a cool small museum about all the Ukrainian immigrants also, but I went to that back in 2009 and can’t remember its name Sal on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2385909 Sun, 11 May 2025 03:56:24 +0000 Sal 2385909@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I was in Portland in January. We did a nice hike in the Columbia River gorge up to a view point. There are lots of options there and at Mount Hood. I also enjoyed the Japanese Gardens. Downtown is a bit sketchy in places -but I had no issues. I did some browsing and added one second hand Columbia jacket - if you are interested in consignment or second hand shopping I can let you know a couple of places I went!! RachelNZ on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2385896 Sat, 10 May 2025 19:39:33 +0000 RachelNZ 2385896@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Jenni - I will search those forum posts for some ideas as well. We are going to Saskatoon for an agricultural show with our friends so will get a bit of time in Saskatchewan as well. Chris - That's good to know about the National Parks, I will start looking to find out which ones we want to try book in. We don't love super busy spots but it probably emphasises that we should book the tour early as well. DH is more of a see how it goes traveler, when I know there are certain things you need to commit to or you risk not being able to do them at all.  Lisa and Indigo - We are definitely wary of the border crossing aspect - we have decided to cross only once (when DH has been previously they would cross multiple times) and if we get turned back we will stay in Canada. We will be keeping an eye on it right until we leave our friends place.    Thanks for the walk recommendation Bonnie, exactly our sort of thing. JAileen, Lake Tahoe looks beautiful and like it could slide into our route very easily! JAileen on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2385887 Sat, 10 May 2025 15:08:18 +0000 JAileen 2385887@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ If you’re going to Salt Lake City and then to Portland, Lake Tahoe is not that far out of your way.  Mark Twain called it the jewel of the Sierra.  As it happens, August is one of the best times to visit, too.   Indigoprint on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2385886 Sat, 10 May 2025 14:05:00 +0000 Indigoprint 2385886@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It is sad to say this, but I echo LJP. LJP on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2385884 Sat, 10 May 2025 13:42:21 +0000 LJP 2385884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ To clarify - of course not all border crossings are problematic , but detentions and phone confiscations have happened . I can’t imagine risking that in this political climate . Stay in Canada ! Bonnie on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2385883 Sat, 10 May 2025 13:25:43 +0000 Bonnie 2385883@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My favorite walk/hike in Yellowstone Nat. Park is Storm Point, The whole park is a favorite and a must see in mho. Hope you have a wonderful trip and keep us posted on how it goes. I'm a bit nervous myself on our  current trip to the East Coast but it has been great so far. We have not been through any boarder crossings so I can't advise about that. Why not stay in Canada, it's a fabulous country.   LJP on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2385882 Sat, 10 May 2025 13:11:34 +0000 LJP 2385882@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ All I can say is that the current administration in the US has made border crossings between the US and Canada (and back and forth) tricky and unpleasant .  I'd do your homework (and not just from a US website ) about travel documents , ( expiry dates , etc ) and cell phones .  I don't want to be an alarmist, but no one I know is travelling between the US and Canada right now and if they are, burner phone purchases aren't unheard of.  That being said, the drive back from Vcr to Manitoba is awesome and you'll have to plan to visit Banff , or Jasper , Riding Mtn National Park etc. Chris987 on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2385876 Sat, 10 May 2025 12:31:00 +0000 Chris987 2385876@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Was just talking to friends about this.... many of the most popular US National Parks require advance reservations for a specific entry time, even though they may be free to enter (Not sure about cost). Resn's can be made via web sites. July/Aug are of course the most popular months and can be extremely crowded, so you have to make the reservations weeks ahead of time. Moab is one that is very popular due to youtubers influencers like the ones your DH watches. Also, one friend was at Moab last year and said the experience was somewhat negative because of all the instagram/youtubers taking photos of themselves everywhere she went.  Just something to consider depending how you feel about being in crowded places. Jenni NZ on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2385865 Sat, 10 May 2025 01:19:42 +0000 Jenni NZ 2385865@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I did an Off-Topic post in early 2023 about Vancouver Island amongst other things, and I think Janet also did one since then as she went to do photography there. She also met Suz! I don’t know any of the other places. Our family is in Saskatchewan not Manitoba. RachelNZ on "Canada/US Travel Ideas" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/canadaus-travel-ideas#post-2385863 Fri, 09 May 2025 23:14:50 +0000 RachelNZ 2385863@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ DH and I will be travelling through Canada and the US over July/August this year and I wondered if the YLF hive-mind has any suggestions for off the beaten track towns or activities we should look into :)  We will be flying NZ>>Vancouver>>Winnipeg and then spending about a week with family friends near Brandon. We are borrowing a vehicle and will go on a four-week road trip before spending another week with our friends.  The rough road trip plan is to drop down from Brandon through Minnesota to Iowa, across to Denver/Salt Lake City, up through Portland/Seattle, then onto Vancouver (as we just fly through otherwise) before heading back across to Brandon.  We are planning to try find spots we can base ourselves for 3-4 nights and then do day-trips but also have time to have down time in the area we are staying. We will then feel all right having some bigger driving days to move to a new base.  We are relatively active and will do a few 2-4 hour walks in some of the National Parks. The only things we definitely have in our plan thus far are a 4WD tour in Moab (DH watches some YouTubers based there) and we will have a few days on Vancouver Island. I would also like to take a look at some stores, just for interest as I don't think I'll be looking for anything in particular but if something catches my eye ;) Any ideas are super helpful as I know we won't be able to do everything that we possibly could but it would be great to get a wide range of experiences.