Top 6 Day Trips from Montréal

Montréal boasts beautiful city parks and the breathtaking Mont-Royal, but to truly experience nature, a day trip is the way to go.

Renting a car is the ideal option for exploring the countryside, where you'll find lush hills, winding waterways, and a taste of Québec's rich culture. Don’t forget, no road trip in Québec is complete without indulging in poutine (fries, cheese curds, and savory gravy) from a casse-croûte (fry shack).

Here are six of our top picks for day trips from Montréal to inspire your adventures.

1. Enjoy a hike at a provincial park

Travel Duration: 30 minutes

Located just 30km (18.6 miles) from Montréal, near Longueuil, you can enjoy hiking along 27km (16.7 miles) of trails at Parc National du Mont-St-Bruno. This beautiful park features five lakes and a rich variety of wildlife, including 200 bird species and the endangered Western chorus frogs known for their mating calls. In addition, the park offers canoe and stand-up paddleboard rentals, as well as cross-country skiing trails in the winter.

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

2. Take a road trip to the Eastern Townships

Travel Duration: 1 hour

While Québec isn't widely recognized for its wine yet, the Eastern Townships (Les Cantons de l’Est) are striving to change that. This fertile region, sprinkled with charming cottages reminiscent of New England, hosts several wineries redefining Canadian wine. A standout is Clos Saragnat, the creator of ice cider—similar to ice wine—and known for its tastings. Other excellent wineries for tastings include Vignoble du Ruisseau and Vignoble de l’Orpailleur.

The Eastern Townships also boasts fantastic microbreweries like Brasserie Dunham and gourmet producers such as Le Musée du Chocolat in Bromont. Further east, visit the Trappist monks at Abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac to sample their exquisite cheeses, chocolates, and sparkling ciders.

Directions to the Eastern Townships from Montréal: Head southeast over the Samuel de Champlain Bridge and take Hwy 10 to the Townships. Notable villages to explore include Sutton, Dunham, Bromont, Granby, and Frelighsburg.

3. Enjoy maple syrup at a sugar shack

Travel Duration: 1 hour

As spring arrives and the snow melts, the sap in maple trees begins to flow. This sap is harvested and transformed into Québec’s prized maple syrup. Québécois celebrate syrup season (late February through April) by indulging in traditional dishes drenched in this sweet nectar at a cabane à sucre (sugar shack). Popular dishes include light crepes, glazed ham, tourtière (meat pie) with homemade ketchup, oreilles de crisse (fried pork rinds), and rustic loaves, all generously topped with maple syrup.

It's also a delight to pour syrup over snow and enjoy it like a popsicle. You can find sugar shacks on the outskirts of Montréal and throughout southern Québec, but a reliable choice near the city is Sucrerie de la Montagne in Rigaud, which is open year-round.

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

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

Travel Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Nestled among the verdant Laurentian hills, Val-David is a charming town filled with art and shops, serving as a hub for adventure sports.

For a family-friendly outing, À l’Abordage offers kayak rentals to drift along the river, and then you can hop on a cruiser bike to explore the scenic Le P’tit Train du Nord bike path back to Val-David. There are various other rental options available if you're looking for a longer or more adventurous day out.

On the town's outskirts, Parc Régional de Val-David - Val-Morin is a favorite among rock climbers, featuring hundreds of traditional and bouldering routes.

Directions to Val-David from Montréal: Take Hwy 15 north, or for a more adventurous option, cycle along Le P’tit Train du Nord.

5. Hit the slopes at Mont-Tremblant

Travel Duration: 1 hour and 40 minutes

Since 1939, Mont-Tremblant has been Québec’s top ski destination, featuring stunning runs that descend from lofty heights through snow-laden evergreen trees. The town below resembles a quaint European village (albeit a bit kitschy), boasting numerous shops, restaurants, and resorts. Unwind after a day on the slopes at Spa Scandinave.

In the summer, Mont-Tremblant transforms into an outdoor haven for hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and golfing. Don’t miss the nearby Parc National du Mont-Tremblant for a wilderness escape—exploring by canoe is especially enjoyable.

Directions to Mont-Tremblant from Montréal: Drive north on Hwy 15 until you reach the resort town. There are also a few bus options from Saint-Jérôme, along with shuttles around the area.

6. Interact with majestic wildlife at Parc Oméga

Travel Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes

Canada's expansive wilderness is home to magnificent creatures like caribou, moose, elk, and bears, yet encountering them in the wild can be quite rare. That’s where Parc Oméga comes into play. This reserve safeguards hundreds of Canadian mammal species while maintaining a delicate balance that protects the animals, their natural environment, and the visiting humans.

As you drive slowly through the entrance, you'll soon be met by a herd of massive elk. Bring along a large bag of carrots and offer one out the window—these gentle giants are friendly! The tour proceeds past caribou, ibex, wolves, cinnamon bears, and more, and features a farm where you can step out and stroll among the deer.

Directions to Parc Oméga from Montréal: Located north of Montebello, it lies roughly midway between Montréal and Ottawa on the Québec side. A personal vehicle is necessary to explore the tour.

Editor's note: This article was sponsored by Québec after Montréal was selected for Dinogo Planet's Best in Travel 2024. Sponsors do not influence a destination's inclusion in Best In Travel, which is determined solely by Dinogo Planet's editorial team.