Comment 31726

By local yokel (anonymous) | Posted June 12, 2009 at 14:27:21

I've been to QC twice- at the end of the '60s and about 10 years ago. On my first trip, people still lived in the homes in the lower town. Building restoration was relatively recent, and consisted mostly of re-fits for local businesses moving into the upper town. By the second trip it was all boutiques and restos. History was tangible, but more by suggestion than example. In fact, it seemed to me more like a Disney/history theme park built on the bones of old buildings than an actual historic destination. Had a good time though.

A lot of what's impressive about QC is the geography itself. The river junctions, the island, the over-bearing cliffs. And, what people have done with the geography, over the years and now. I do think Hamilton has similar prospects, pinched between a Great Lake and the Niagara Escarpment, two very impressive pieces of geography so often taken for granted by locals. It's part of that old "potential" thing that we seem slow to develop, though the RBG, the west-harbour development and the Bruce Trail are significant beginnings.

You are right, Ben. In terms of development, QC is inspiring. A funicular? Why not? A cliff-side boardwalk? Why not? Grand historic hotels on the brow? Why not? Shops and restaurants on the waterfront? Why not? Historic walkways for strolling the links between these attractions? Why not? Make even more of our history, including the visit by LaSalle, opening the interior of the continent? Why not? I cannot see how such things necessarily limit other economic visions.

Two recommendations, if you're still on vacation. One is the ferry from Quebec City to Levis. For the price of 2 bus tickets (there and back) you get a romantic evening cruise with a stunning view of the city skyline.

Second is the port itself. If your vacation timing is right you'll walk past at least one, big, ocean passsenger liner. I was surprised how impressive these ships are--the sheer immensity. They are also attractive pieces of architecture.

Passenger traffic has all but disappeared upstream in the St. Lawrence System (see, that's part of our water-feature benefits: we're on the St. Lawrence Seaway) but when I hear people say Hamilton can't attract significant travel and convention business because we haven't the hotel space, and we can't get the hotel space because we haven't enough convention business, I keep thinking that one or two passenger cruise ships parked at Pier 4 might be a short-term, relatively low-risk way to crack that nasty cycle and get the ball rolling.

Not that I know anything about the tourism and convention business.

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