Urban Rivers: Northeast

Raft to restaurant in a jiffy

The La Chine rapids are one of the reasons for the town's existence. Before a canal was dug, larger vessels were prevented from venturing any further, forcing the development of a port town for the fur trade. These days, Montreal is a favorite destination for people who want a taste of old-world French culture without having to shell out for trans-Atlantic airline tickets. Vieux-Montreal is charming, with enough grit to keep it from being cloying: and it's right on the river. The city has two major island parks: Parc Helene-de-Champlaine and Parc des Iles-de-Boucherville. Want to run the La Chine rapids? Well, you can book a raft trip that takes off from right in town. If you want a little more between you and the river than a thin sheet of rubber, book an excursion on a jet boat. Either way, you can step off the dock and be in a bustling bistro in no time flat.