Top 6 Exciting Day Trips Near Montréal

Montréal’s charming city parks and “the mountain” Mont-Royal serve as delightful urban retreats, yet a day trip allows for a deeper appreciation of the region’s natural beauty.

Using a rental car is the most effective method to explore the surrounding countryside, where verdant hills interlaced with waterways and elements of Québécois culture await discovery. Moreover, no Québécois road trip can be considered complete without sampling poutine (French fries, squeaky cheese curds, and rich gravy) from a casse-croûte (fry shack).

Here are six recommended day trips from Montréal to help you get started.

1. Go hiking at a provincial park

Travel time: 30 minutes

Located just 30 km (18.6 miles) from Montréal, near the suburb of Longueuil, is the opportunity to hike along 27 km (16.7 miles) of trails at Parc National du Mont-St-Bruno. This lovely park features five lakes and a wide variety of wildlife, including 200 species of birds and endangered Western chorus frogs that emit a mating call. Additionally, the park offers rental canoes and stand-up paddleboards, along with cross-country skiing trails during the winter season.

Directions to Parc National du Mont-St-Bruno from Montréal: Drive over the Samuel de Champlain Bridge and take Ave de l’Acier. Alternatively, you may take a bus from Terminus Radisson Sud and change at Terminus Sainte-Julie.

2. Road trip to the Eastern Townships

Travel time: 1 hour

While Québécois wine may not yet be widely recognized, the Les Cantons de l’Est (Eastern Townships) region is actively working to change that perception. This picturesque landscape, reminiscent of New England with its quaint cottages, is home to various wineries redefining Canadian wine expectations. A notable venue is Clos Saragnat, known for its ice cider—akin to ice wine—and offers tastings. Other esteemed wineries include Vignoble du Ruisseau and Vignoble de l’Orpailleur.

Furthermore, the Eastern Townships boast excellent microbreweries, such as Brasserie Dunham, and gourmet food producers like Le Musée du Chocolat in Bromont. Further east, visit the Trappist monastery Abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac to sample their exquisite cheeses, chocolates, and sparkling ciders.

Directions to the Eastern Townships from Montréal: Drive southeast over the Samuel de Champlain Bridge and continue on Hwy 10 toward the Townships. Recommended villages to explore include Sutton, Dunham, Bromont, Granby, and Frelighsburg.

3. Taste maple syrup at a sugar shack

Travel time: 1 hour

As spring approaches and the snow begins to melt, the sap in maple trees is harvested and transformed into Québec’s renowned liquid gold—maple syrup. Québécois celebrate the syrup season (late February through April) by indulging in traditional meals generously drizzled with the syrup at a cabane à sucre (sugar shack). Classic culinary offerings include fluffy crêpes, glazed ham, tourtière (meat pie) served with homemade ketchup, oreilles de crisse (the term translates to Christ’s ears, referring to fried pork rinds), and hearty loaves of bread—all complemented with ample maple syrup.

Visitors also enjoy the delightful experience of rolling syrup in snow and savoring it like a popsicle. Sugar shacks are present on the outskirts of Montréal and throughout southern Québec, with a reliable option near the city being Sucrerie de la Montagne in Rigaud, which operates year-round.

Directions to Sucrerie de la Montagne from Montréal: Drive west on Hwy 40 and take the exit to Rigaud. The sugar shack is located on Ch St-George.

4. Go kayaking, cycling and rock climbing in Val-David

Travel time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Encircled by the verdant Laurentian hills, Val-David is a vibrant town filled with artistic shops that also serves as a hub for adventure sports.

For a family-friendly outing, À l’Abordage facilitates kayak rentals for leisurely paddling down the river, followed by bicycle rentals for traversing the rails-to-trails Le P’tit Train du Nord bike path back to Val-David. Additional rental options are available if you wish to extend your time outdoors or seek more challenging activities.

At the edge of the town, Parc Régional de Val-David – Val-Morin is favored by rock climbers, featuring numerous traditional and bouldering routes.

Directions to Val-David from Montréal: Take Hwy 15 north, or alternatively, embark on a cycling adventure along Le P’tit Train du Nord.

5. Ski the slopes at Mont-Tremblant

Travel time: 1 hour and 40 minutes

Since its establishment in 1939, Mont-Tremblant has become Québec’s premier ski destination, offering breathtaking runs that descend from above the clouds through evergreens laden with snow. The town below resembles a quaint European village—with many shops, restaurants, and resorts. After a day on the slopes, consider unwinding at Spa Scandinave.

During the summer, Mont-Tremblant evolves into a hub for hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and golfing. Visit nearby Parc National du Mont-Tremblant for an immersion in nature, where canoeing offers a unique exploratory experience.

Directions to Mont-Tremblant from Montréal: Drive north on Hwy 15 until you reach the resort town. Additionally, a limited number of buses run from the town of Saint-Jérôme, along with shuttles throughout the town.

6. Feed majestic mammals at Parc Oméga

Travel time: 1 hour and 45 minutes

Canada’s vast wilderness is inhabited by a multitude of majestic species including caribou, moose, elk, and bears; however, the likelihood of encountering them in their natural habitat is minimal. This is where Parc Oméga plays a crucial role. The reserve safeguards hundreds of species of Canadian mammals while carefully balancing the needs of the animals, their ecosystems, and the visitors.

Traveling slowly through the entrance, visitors will soon be welcomed by enormous elk. Purchasing a bag of carrots allows you to feed them from your vehicle, allowing for a gentle encounter with these magnificent creatures. The tour continues through habitats of caribou, ibex, wolves, cinnamon bears, and more, including a farm where you can interact with deer.

Directions to Parc Oméga from Montréal: The park is located north of Montebello, approximately halfway between Montréal and Ottawa on the Québec side. Use your own vehicle to navigate the tour.

Editor’s note: This article was sponsored by Québec following Montréal’s selection for GoTravelDaily’s Best in Travel 2024. Sponsorship does not influence the editorial selection of destinations, which is solely determined by GoTravelDaily’s editorial team.

This article was originally published on July 9, 2019, and updated on September 19, 2023.

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