Parks Canada Offers The Perfect Getaway Just North Of The Champlain Valley

                                           

               

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu celebrates 350^th anniversary with special events, located just an hour drive from Plattsburgh

Parks Canada is proud to welcome visitors and boaters for a new, exciting season at the historic sites and canals of the Richelieu Valley. Dive in as Parks Canada celebrates 350 years of history at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu by visiting the majestic forts and travelling the serene waterways that shaped Canada and the United States. With bilingual services, quality facilities and the very favorable exchange rate for US travelers, Parks Canada’s attractions are the ideal place for this year’s summer vacation, all located less than an hour drive from Plattsburgh.

Celebrate Over 350 Years of History

Celebrating its 350^th anniversary this year, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is offering special events for adults and children alike. The Richelieu Valley is rich in history and culture, offering visitors scenic views that lead to military forts, green meadows to picnic on and picturesque villages. Among the many captivating sites, Fort Chambly National Historic Site allows visitors to relive the daily life of soldiers from the New France era, while Fort Lennox National Historic Site lets them discover the British and American armies, which helped shape these countries.

2 for 1 Offer for Boaters in the Historic Canals

Having played a fundamental role in the development of trade between Canada and the United States, the Chambly and Saint-Ours historic canals provide unparalleled access to the summer's major attractions, whether by boat, bicycle, or on foot. With an easy telephone reporting system at the border, boaters will embark on a fascinating journey on one of the most beautiful navigation networks in the world. After reaching the Saint-Ours Canal, visitors can experience a night on a splendid island in Parks Canada's brand new oTENTik accommodations. From May 20 to June 30, 2016, Parks Canada is offering a 2-for-1 discount on lockage fees, with a coupon available to download here.

Highlights include:

• Fort Chambly and Fort Lennox are impressive structures that will take visitors through the history that helped shape Canada and the United States 300 years ago. The sites are open from May 23 to October 10, 2016.

• From May 20 to June 30, 2016, travelers can take advantage of the 2-for-1 offer on lockage and travel one of the most beautiful navigation systems with a coupon available to download here!

• The Richelieu Valley, both urban and rustic, offers a must-see attractions and events for adults and children alike.

• Parks Canada protects a vast network of natural and heritage places, including 46 national parks, 168 national historic sites, and 4 national marine conservation areas.

Just north of Lake Champlain, the Richelieu Valley has a lot to offer for visitors who have a passion for history, heritage, arts and culture. With the great outdoors, agricultural tourism and food, Parks Canada's historic sites and canals provide for unforgettable experience. “As Canada’s largest provider of natural and cultural tourism, Parks Canada’s destinations provide unique opportunities to connect with history and nature. The Government of Canada is proud to welcome Canadian and international visitors to experience and enjoy the very best of what Canada has to offer in one of the finest and most extensive systems of protected natural and cultural heritage areas in the world”, said Luc-André Mercier,Director, Quebec Waterways, Parks Canada.

Please visit these web sites:

www.parkscanada.gc.ca

www.parkscanada.gc.ca/ fortchambly

www.parkscanada.gc.ca/ fortlennox

www.parkscanada.gc.ca/canals

Canadian Government Celebrates Opening Of Parks Canada's 2016 Visitor Season

Parks Canada places are gateways to discover our amazing natural and cultural heritage, and their use and enjoyment should be accessible to everyone. This year, Parks Canada is featuring more of what visitors love, making 2016 the perfect time to experience our national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas.

New and innovative programs and services will allow more Canadians, including youth and newcomers, to experience the outdoors and learn about our environment and history. Whether you are looking for a truly Canadian outdoor experience, a fun and educational children's program, or to get involved in an ecological restoration project, there is something for everyone.

National parks and protected areas are a priority for the Government of Canada. That's why, Budget 2016 announced $16.6 million over five years to expand the Learn to Camp program, develop new programming to tell Canada's stories, and encourage Indigenous story-telling and eco-tourism opportunities. We will also preserve our national parks and expand the system of protected areas.

Parks Canada also continues to make significant investments in infrastructure, particularly in campgrounds, day use areas and trail rehabilitation, and add more oTENTik accommodations across the country.

Parks Canada places belong to all Canadians and represent the very best that Canada has to offer. Please take some time this summer to discover and enjoy one our national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas."

The Honourable Catherine McKenna
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

How To Get The Most Out Of Free Admission At Canada’s National Parks

by Teresa Bitler

Flickr/Jeff Wallace

To celebrate the nation’s 150th birthday, Canada is waiving admission fees to its national parks, marine conservation areas, and historic sites in 2017. Can’t wait? Any annual pass purchased this year will remain valid for 24 months, giving you two years for the price of one. Considering that admission to one park for a family of up to seven is $19.60 ($14.25 US), paying $136.40 ($99.19) for two years of unlimited admission is a bargain.

So, how do you make the most out of this opportunity, especially if you don’t live in Canada? Here’s how.

Make a planFirst, decide where you want to go. The Canadian park system is divided into six regions: Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, Canadian Prairies, Western Canada, and Northern Canada. One of the best ways to explore the country’s parks is to pick a region and base your trip there. (You can find a list of the regions, featured experiences within the region, and suggested itineraries here.)

Once you have an idea of where you’d like to go, consider your pass options. Are there two or three parks you want to visit in a specific region? Your best bet may be to wait until 2017 when you can get in for free. However, if you want to see parks in two separate regions, it might make sense to purchase a pass this year that gives you access for up to 24 months.

Pro tip: Not all sites within the park system charge entrance fees. Do some research before you go to see if the sites you want to visit actually cost money.

Decide when to goFree admission is going to mean crowds, especially during the summer when school is out. If that’s when you have time to go, plan in advance. Make reservations now for hotels, rental cars, camp sites, and tours.

If you can, though, you may want to go during the low or shoulder season. The parks will probably still be more crowded than usual because of the free admission, but you won’t have to pay high-season rates for lodging. (On the other hand, some restaurants or attractions may close or have limited hours during the low season.)

Best bet: Schedule your trip for September or October. Not only will the kids be back in school, but temperatures are still moderate at that time of the year. Plus, time it right, and you may see fall foliage.

Choose how to goSure, you can drive your car and stay in hotels, but you have other options for visiting Canada’s national parks and sites. The first is to rent an RV. A standard RV that can accommodate up to five people can cost anywhere from $343 (US dollars, mileage not included) to rent for one week in April 2017 from Cruise America to $1,600 for a week during July 2016. But, you wouldn’t have to pay for hotels and you could prepare your own meals.

Another option is to go by train from one city to another, visiting the national parks in each area. The advantage to this approach is you’ll see parts of Canada that aren’t accessible any other way; the downside is once you get to your destination, say Vancouver, you’ll still need to find transportation to the nearby parks. Although Rocky Mountaineer offers exceptional packages, we recommend VIA Rail if you want to create your own itinerary and spend more time at the parks. Book early, though. With free admission to the parks, it’s going to be even tougher to reserve a rental car, RV, or seat on a train.

Find a place to stayNearby hotels, motels, and resorts make great bases for a national parks vacation, but why not optimize your time by actually staying in the park? Many of the parks, like Jasper National Park, have in-park lodging available as well as campgrounds where you can tent or RV camp; some even have yurts, teepees, and cabins available. (Camping permit and fees apply during 2017.)

But, what if you don’t have camping gear or want to travel with it? Parks Canada has two options that might work for you. The first is an equipped campsite ($55 per night, approximately $40 US). When you arrive to one of eight parks, your tent will have already been set up and outfitted with sleeping pads, a stove, propane, and lantern. Additional gear can be rented from local vendors.

Parks Canada also offers oTENTik lodging at several of its campgrounds ($120 per night, approximately $86 US). A cross between an A-frame cabin and a tent, these structures are mounted on a raised floor and include three beds (accommodations for up to six people). You’ll still have to bring or rent bedding, cookware, and other necessities. Again, book early if you want to guarantee a room or campsite during 2017.

- See more at: http://blog.shermanstravel.com/2016/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-free-admission-at-canadas-national-parks/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Escapes%20Newsletter%20%28Myrtle%20Beach%20sponsorship%20w/Family%20Content%29%20-%2003.19.16&utm_term=%5BUS%20REGION%5D%20EAST-OF-MISSISSIPPI#sthash.y9zJaoXn.dpuf