In addition to its vibrant nightlife and culture, Montréal is home to stunning city parks and strenuous hikes up Mont-Royal, a local favorite.
However, despite the abundance of green areas among the stylish and busy streets, it can occasionally be enjoyable to take a day excursion outside the city limits. A rental car will provide you with freedom and flexibility while you explore beautiful forests and pockets of Québec culture, whereas trains and buses will only take you to a few locations.
If you feel hungry while traveling, stop at a casse-croûte (fried shack) for poutine (French fries, squeaky cheese curds, and delicious gravy) like a local.
Our top day adventures from Montréal can transport you away for a few hours.
Road trip to the Eastern Townships
Travel time: 1 hour
Although wine isn't yet well-known in Quebec, the Eastern Townships region, or Les Cantons de l'Est, is working hard to alter that. There are several vineyards pushing the limits of what we may anticipate from Canadian wine in this rich region, which is peppered with charming cottages reminiscent of those seen in New England.
Clos Saragnat is one particularly noteworthy location; its proprietor created ice cider, which is comparable to ice wine, and provides tastings. Vignoble du Ruisseau and Vignoble de l'Orpailleur are two more excellent wineries where you may have a tasting.
Additionally, the Eastern Townships are home to excellent gourmet food producers like Le Musée du Chocolat in Bromont and microbreweries like Brasserie Dunham. Visit the Trappist abbey Abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac further east to meet monks and sample their delectable chocolates, cheeses, and sparkling ciders.
The Eastern Townships can be reached from Montréal using: Travel southeast on Hwy 10 to the Townships after crossing the Samuel de Champlain Bridge. Sutton, Dunham, Bromont, Granby, and Frelighsburg are a few of the communities that are worth a visit.
Go hiking at a provincial park
Travel time: 30 minutes
There are 27km (16.7 miles) of hiking paths at Parc National du Mont-St-Bruno, which is only 30km (18.6 miles) from Montréal and close to the Longueuil district. Five lakes and a wealth of wildlife, including 200 different species of birds and endangered Western chorus frogs that sing a mating song, may be found in this beautiful park. In addition, the park offers cross-country skiing tracks in the winter and the ability to rent stand-up paddleboards and canoes.
How to go from Montréal to Parc National du Mont-St-Bruno: Take Ave de l'Acier after crossing the Samuel de Champlain Bridge. An alternative is to change at Terminus Sainte-Julie after taking a bus from Terminus Radisson Sud.
Taste maple syrup at a sugar shack
Travel time: 1 hour
In the spring, maple tree sap starts to thaw along with the snow. Maple syrup, the liquid gold of Quebec, is made by collecting and cooking the sap. At a cabane à sucre (sugar shack), Québécois celebrate syrup season (late February to April) by indulging in traditional cuisine drenched in syrup.
Fluffy crepes, glazed ham, tourtière (meat pie) with homemade ketchup, oreilles de crisse (literally, "Christ's ears," but referring to fried pork rinds), and country breads are all staples of traditional feasts, and everything is topped with copious amounts of maple syrup.
Rolling the syrup in the snow and licking it like a popsicle is also entertaining. Sugar shacks can be found throughout southern Québec and on the outskirts of Montréal, but Sucrerie de la Montagne in Rigaud is a reliable choice near the city and is open all year.
Directions from Montréal to Sucrerie de la Montagne: Take Hwy 40 west and leave at Riguad. The address of the sugar shack is Ch St-George.
Go kayaking, cycling and rock climbing in Val-David
Travel time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
The artistic, retail-heavy town of Val-David, which is surrounded by verdant Laurentian hills, serves as a starting point for adventure sports.
A cruiser bike may be rented from À l’Abordage to tackle the rails-to-trails Le P’tit Train du Nord cycle route back to Val-David, while kayaks can be rented for a family-friendly experience as you meander down the river. If you want to go farther or do something more daring, there are several locations where you may hire bikes and kayaks.
With hundreds of classic and bouldering routes, the Parc Régional de Val-David-Val-Morin, located on the outskirts of town, is a popular destination for rock climbers.
From Montréal, take Hwy 15 north to Val-David, or take the adventurous route and ride the P'tit Train du Nord.
Strap on your skis at Mont-Tremblant
Travel time: 1 hour and 40 minutes
With stunning routes that begin above the clouds and descend among snow-laden evergreen trees, Mont-Tremblant has been Quebec's top ski destination since 1939. With lots of stores, eateries, and resorts, the town below is designed to resemble a small European village—cute but endearing. After a day of skiing, warm up at Spa Scandinave.
During the summer months, Mont-Tremblant becomes a haven for hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and golf. For a nature getaway, head to the neighboring Parc National du Mont-Tremblant, which is a lot of fun to explore by canoe.
How to go from Montréal to Mont-Tremblant: Follow Highway 15 north until you reach the vacation town. There are shuttles throughout the town and a few buses from Saint-Jérôme.
See majestic mammals at Parc Oméga
Travel time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Although caribou, moose, elk, bears, and many more magnificent animals can be found in Canada's immense wilderness, there is little chance of encountering them in the wild. Herein lies the role of Parc Oméga. Hundreds of species of Canadian mammals are protected in the reserve, which maintains a delicate balance between safeguarding the creatures, their natural habitat, and the visitors.
Dozens of enormous elk will soon meet you as you carefully drive through the entrance. Don't worry, the lovely creatures are friendly; just buy a large bag of carrots to carry with you and stick one out the window. There is a farm where you can get out and wander around with deer, and the journey continues past caribou, ibex, wolves, cinnamon bears, and more.
How to travel from Montréal to Parc Oméga: On the Québec side, it is situated north of Montebello, about midway between Montréal and Ottawa. To take the tour, you will need your own car.
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