Black Friday Shopping is Back! How You Can Best Take Advantage of the Canada / US Border Opening

Since November 8, Canadians can now travel to the United States for non-essential travel for the first time in more than a year. The opening of the U.S. border signals the return of one of the great Canadian travel excursions: the road trip south. 40% of Canadians have been wanting the Canada-U.S. border to reopen and U.S. travel advisories removed, according to asurvey conducted by Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada earlier this year. This travel restriction lift signals the return of millions of Canadians travelling to the U.S., with 37% of Canadians indicating that the U.S. is the first place they plan to travel to outside of Canada.

"Cross-border travel between Canada and the U.S. is a critical part of the tourism industry, as the U.S. is Canada's greatest partner in trade. The opening of the borders gives hope of returning to pre-pandemic levels of travel," said Beata Cieplik, Regional Vice President Canada, Marketing Commercial and Revenue of InterContinental Hotel Group."Canadians have always had an appetite for travel into the U.S. and enjoy shopping, watching sports games, visiting friends and family and taking in the sights."

An American-bound road trip is a Canadian rite of passage and what better time to make up for lost retail therapy than on Black Friday? To make celebrating the return of cross-border travel easy, we've highlighted three road trips perfect for Black Friday shopping and paired them with ideal hotel accommodations certain to bring comfort and warm memories to any trip abroad.

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Montreal to Boston

During the drive to Boston, five hours fly by while Montrealers take in the scenic surroundings of Route 89 through the green mountains of Vermont and southern New Hampshire. Once in Beantown visitors can head to CambridgeSide, one of the biggest shopping centers in the Boston area. Once you've maxed out on all the Black Friday deals, take a 20-minute drive on the waterfront and stay at theInterContinental Boston for their Dine and Stay package where guests can receive a $50 Dinner Credit for room service or on-site dining at Miel Brasserie and Rumba.

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Toronto to Buffalo

The quintessential day trip for the Toronto-based shopper has always been a drive south on the QEW, across the border to theWalden Galleria. But the shrewdest of shoppers know that spending a weekend south of the border can be even more fun (while letting you claim more of the goodies you copped on your way home)! Just one kilometre away from the mall is theHoliday Inn Express Cheektowaga North East. On-site amenities include an indoor heated salt-water pool and a fully functional fitness center.

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Vancouver to Seattle

Take one of the most scenic train rides in the world to get from Vancouver to Seattle it'll be well worth the ride. The perfect Black Friday adventure starts at theUniversity Village, an outdoor mall with a mix of locally-owned boutiques, signature retailers and several dining options. Stay close by the village at theCrowne Plaza Seattle Downtown, and take in a gorgeous view of the Seattle Space Needle from the hotels 34^thfloor"view room".

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Windsor to Chicago and Detroit

Travel with pets on a road trip to Chicago and stay at theInterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile where guests can take advantage of pet-friendly hotel deals including bonus IHG rewards points, pet amenities and perks.The Magnificent Mile is also, coincidentally, the best place to shop in Chicago, featuring incredible retailers and accompanied by the quirks of the city like street performers and historic buildings.

Just across the Detroit River, travellers can stay at theHotel Indigo Downtown Detroit, just a stones throw (8-minute walk!) away fromSomerset Collection, an upscale shopping paradise in the northwestern suburbs of Detroit destined to have the greatest deals on the highest quality items.

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Thunder Bay to Minneapolis

In Minneapolis, travelers can walk to the famousMall of America from theHoliday Inn Express Suites Minneapolis-Downtown and take advantage of extended Black Friday store hours. All stays also include free breakfast and complimentary Wi-Fi.

The re-opening of the U.S. border is hugely positive for Canadians and Canadian travellers can take advantage of fantastic hotel accommodations at U.S. cities just a drive away. If youre planning on taking more trips as travel restrictions are lifted , become an IHG Rewards member. Earn 10 points for every $1 USD or 5 points for every $1 USD at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites, at nearly 6,000 hotels resorts around the world.