| The Loopers' Best Kept Secret... | | | | Down East Loop Facts: |
| Affectionately nicknamed by cruisers "The Little | | | | - Where it starts: New York City |
| Great Loop", the Down East Loop consists of | | | | - Where it ends: New York City |
| mostly inland waterways of Northeastern | | | | - Route: New York City, Hudson River, Lake |
| America and the lower east of Canada. Beginning | | | | Champlain, Quebec, Quebec City, Tadoussac, |
| in early to mid June, the Little Loop takes cruisers | | | | Perce Rock (the most photographed sight), New |
| from New York City back to New York City | | | | Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, |
| totaling approximately 2400 nm. This makes the | | | | Maine, Boston |
| trip perfect for a 3-month summer cruise. The | | | | - Good time to start: Early to mid June |
| Down East Loop is considered to be a less | | | | - Arrive in Quebec early July |
| demanding route compared to the Great Loop | | | | -Depart Portland, Main mid to late September to |
| but no less exciting and adventurous for its | | | | avoid storms |
| cruisers. This route provides the best of the | | | | - What role does the AGLCA play? |
| Great Loop without the time commitment. This | | | | America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association's |
| really is the ideal cruise for boaters without the | | | | members and fellow cruisers offer first hand |
| ability to give up an entire year to cruise. | | | | knowledge. Their tips and tricks will ensure that |
| Where and what can you explore on the Down | | | | new Loopers will have the most rewarding and |
| East Loop... | | | | fun cruising experience doing the Down East Loop. |
| As cruisers Susann & Alan Syme aboard | | | | Things to do on the trip/Places: |
| their M/V Kaos describe, "The trip is filled with | | | | - Quebec: shopping, go to the movies, eat Gelato, |
| cultural diversity. From the large cities of New | | | | explore the city, visit the grocery store, if you |
| York, Montreal, Quebec City, Halifax and Boston, | | | | time it right they have huge celebrations "they |
| steeped in history to small historic fishing villages | | | | really know how to party", historic ports, bistros, |
| of Nova Scotia and Maine. This diversity | | | | sidewalk cafes, Chateau Frontenac and boardwalk, |
| encompasses both the USA & Canada, with | | | | "Old Quebec" which has a very "European" feel |
| exposure to the English, French and Acadian ways | | | | and picturesque views, a chocolate |
| of life." It is easy to see that diversity is abundant | | | | museum**Brush up on your French! |
| on the Down East Loop in both culture and cities. | | | | - Montebello: Le Cheteau Montebello, Papineau |
| Commencing in the Big Apple, the Down East | | | | estate |
| Loop starts off with a bang! Cruising into NY | | | | St Anne de Bellevue: nice little town |
| harbor and seeing the Statue of Liberty is | | | | - Montreal: Port d'Escale marina. It is right in the |
| described by most cruisers as an incredibly | | | | heart of Old Montreal, with brick streets and |
| emotional experience. The busy streets of one of | | | | grand architecture, look for traveling shows such |
| the United States' largest cities provide enough | | | | as Cirque du Soleil |
| sightseeing to keep any traveler occupied. | | | | - Ottawa: "We love Ottawa! Ok, this has got to |
| Whether it's attending a Broadway production or | | | | be the best city ever," say Leslie and Doug |
| enjoying the historic sights of the city, New York | | | | Folkerth. "We'll be here for several days, but |
| has something for everyone. | | | | there are just so many things to see and do, we |
| After taking in the Big Apple, cruisers will head up | | | | could stay here forever and still not see anything. |
| the mighty Hudson River into Canada. Here in | | | | First off we went to Byward Market, which was |
| Quebec, Down East Loopers can be found | | | | founded in the 1820s and has lots of outdoor |
| shopping, going to the movies, eating Gelato, | | | | stalls and indoor shops. |
| exploring historic ports, enjoying hundreds of | | | | Then to RCMP where we saw the horses and got |
| bistros and sidewalk cafes, and sight seeing in | | | | a tour of the stables. We went past all the |
| picturesque Old Quebec. If you have a sweet | | | | various government buildings, through Chinatown, |
| tooth, don't forget to visit the chocolate museum! | | | | and stopped for lunch at the omnipresent Tim |
| After visiting Quebec, Loopers are on their way | | | | Horton's, Gateneaus, which is like a state park. It |
| to Montreal. A stop in Ottawa is a must while | | | | was really beautiful, and we also visited the estate |
| here. Down East Loop cruisers Leslie and Doug | | | | of McKenzie King and Kingswood. He was a much |
| Folkerth explain their visit with passion: "We love | | | | beloved prime minister of Canada for quite a |
| Ottawa! Ok, this has got to be the best city ever. | | | | while, toured the Parliament, Royal Canadian Mint |
| We'll be here for several days, but there are just | | | | and the Currency Museum, Museum of Civilization." |
| so many things to see and do, we could stay | | | | - Erie Canal: Remington Gun Factory and Museum, |
| here forever and still not see anything." Leslie and | | | | Sylvan Beach: a little resort town, Eddie's: old |
| Doug suggest visiting the Byward Market which | | | | family run restaurant |
| was founded in the 1820s and has lots of outdoor | | | | - Waterford: Last town before actually being in |
| stalls and indoor shops, RCMP (Royal Canadian | | | | the Eerie Canal |
| Mounted Police), Chinatown, Gateneaus which is | | | | - New York: very emotional coming in to see the |
| similar to a state park, and the estates of | | | | Statue of Liberty. |
| McKenzie King and Kingswood. | | | | |