6 Amazing Quebec Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive

Quebec is a vast Canadian province that’s known for its fascinating mix of French heritage, countless unique cultural experiences, and stunning scenery. It’s so nice, in fact, that La Belle Province (literally, "the beautiful province") attracts millions of tourists every year, including over a million from the US, many of them here to explore the area via fun day trips from their homes south of the border. The province’s location in eastern Canada ensures convenient access for domestic visitors from Ontario as well as international visitors from New England, with efficient highway systems ensuring hassle-free travel from places like Montreal, Quebec City, or even the states of Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, and Maine. Wherever you begin your adventure, each of the destinations we’ve selected highlights aspects of Quebec that guarantee a memorable day trip.

Mont-Saint-Hilaire

Mont-Saint-Hilaire is located just 35 minutes east of downtown Montreal and makes for an excellent day trip from Quebec’s biggest city. Dominated by its namesake 414-meter (1358 feet) mountain, the region is home to Gault Nature Reserve, an area of outstanding natural beauty covering 2,471 acres of superb scenery. Managed by McGill University, it features beautiful old-growth forests and protected wildlife habitats, much of which is accessible by the Dieppe and Rocky hiking trails, which lead to panoramic vantage points overlooking the Richelieu River.

Mont-Saint-Hilaire also has deep cultural roots, with landmarks like the historic Maison Paul-Émile-Borduas, built in the late 1800s, paying homage to the influential Quebec painter who once lived there. Other things to do here include apple picking at local orchards like Le Flanc Nord - Orchard & Cidery, an especially fun family day trip during harvest season with its tractor rides and cider sampling. You’ll also want to visit the Musée des beaux-arts de Mont-Saint-Hilaire (Museum of Fine Arts) which features exhibitions of regional and international artists.

Stanstead

Stanstead has the unique distinction of actually straddling Canada’s border with Vermont. Just 90 minutes southeast of Montreal and 20 minutes from Newport, VT, it’s here you’ll find the Haskell Free Library and Opera House, completed in 1904 and purposefully constructed on the international boundary so visitors can stand in Canada on one side of the reading room and in the United States on the other. The library’s American Renaissance architectural style is quite charming, as is the opera house’s historic stage, complete with original wooden beams. It’s worth noting, however, that the building’s entrance is on the US side, so Canadians visiting have to follow a dedicated sidewalk to the entrance and return the same way (passports aren’t necessary).

Stanstead also features the Musée Colby-Curtis (Colby-Curtis Museum), set in a Victorian-era house built in 1859. Exhibits here detail local history including cross-border trade and the families who shaped Stanstead’s development. Stanstead is also known as “Granite Central” for its many quarries, including the historically significant Beebe Quarry, operational since the 19th century. To commemorate this connection, the Stanstead Stone Circle is a modern interpretation of megalithic monuments like England’s famous Stonehenge.

Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier

Roughly half an hour north of Quebec City, the provincial capital (and a beautiful destination in itself), Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier covers more than 165,000 acres of protected wilderness and is an excellent place to spend a day. The site’s main geological feature is the Jacques-Cartier Valley, carved by glacial action thousands of years ago with steep canyon walls rising as high as 550 meters (1804 feet) above the Jacques-Cartier River in places. This spectacular setting provides ideal conditions for outdoor adventures like canoeing, kayaking, and rafting, especially its Class II-III rapids which offer a moderate challenge. Wildlife sightings are also common with moose, black bears, and various bird species free to roam its vast forested areas.

The park’s Discovery and Visitors Centre features exhibits on the area’s natural history and tips for exploring the park’s many hiking trails, ranging from short loops to multi-hour treks. One of the more popular routes is Le Scotora, a 16-kilometer (10-mile) round-trip hike that winds through mixed forests to a summit viewpoint. The park is popular in winter for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, with equipment rentals available on-site. Guided hikes are also available, including some that highlight starry skies and nocturnal park wildlife after dark.

Chambly

Situated a half-hour drive southeast of Montreal, Chambly is best known as the home of Fort Chambly National Historic Site. Constructed in 1711 by the French, this stronghold guarded the Richelieu River corridor and was designated a National Historic Site in 1921. It’s certainly an impressive testament to early colonial military architecture, featuring thick stone walls and corner bastions typical of 18th-century French defenses. Pop inside to explore interactive exhibits about the region’s role in the Seven Years’ War between Britain and France, as well as during the American Revolution.

Dedicate some time to also explore the adjacent Chambly Canal. Opened in 1843, you’ll see many pleasure boats passing through its nine locks, each an impressive feat of 19th-century engineering. Nature enthusiasts will also enjoy Parc des Ateliers, a green space complete with walking trails and designated picnic areas. Beer lovers are also well-catered to with the popular Bedondaine & Bedons Ronds microbrewery being a fun spot to grab unique craft brew and take a look at the on-site museum featuring hundreds of historical beer-related artifacts.

Baie-Saint-Paul

Located about an hour northeast of Quebec City along the scenic Route 138, Baie-Saint-Paul has a deep-rooted history dating back to 1681 when early settlers recognized the area’s agricultural potential. Now a thriving arts community, highlights include the Musée d’Art Contemporain de Baie-Saint-Paul (Baie-Saint-Paul Museum of Contemporary Art), featuring rotating exhibitions of modern Quebec and international art. Afterwards, take a walk around town, where you’ll find numerous artist studios and galleries, reflecting a longstanding tradition of nurturing creativity (the legendary Cirque du Soleil was famously founded by street performers from this region).

Nature also plays a significant role in Baie-Saint-Paul’s appeal. Drive out to nearby Gouffre River for some trout and salmon fishing, while Parc du Gouffre, spanning several acres near the river’s bend, has walking trails and open fields that are used for local festivals like Rêves d’automne Festival (late September to early October), a celebration of fall foliage that includes painting workshops, craft booths, and musical performances. Finish your road trip with a visit to a local cider house like Cidrerie Vergers Pedneault, established in 1918 and still producing apple-based beverages made from orchards grown on nearby Île aux Coudres.

Bromont

Bromont is located an easy half hour drive east of Montreal in the scenic Eastern Townships. Only established as a municipality in 1964, it quickly gained fame for its year-round recreation, much of which takes place in and around the Bromont Ski Resort. Spread across 450 acres, the skiable slopes here feature runs suitable for beginners and seasoned skiers alike, while in the warmer months, the same mountain terrain transforms into a vast playground for hikers and mountain bikers. Bromont Water Park is another big draw and features multiple slides, a wave pool, and family-friendly attractions.

The town itself is also fun to explore, with picture-worthy landmarks, including the attractive Paroisse Saint-François-Xavier church, built in 1889 with Gothic Revival elements and a lovely interior (check their organ recital schedule). Other town attractions include the Musée du Chocolat de la Confiserie Bromont which displays exhibits on cocoa cultivation, chocolate-making techniques, and historical confectionery tools, and a café. Better still, plan your day trip for May when the entire town celebrates its Fête du Chocolat, where chocolatiers host tasting sessions and workshops on crafting sweet treats.

The Final Word

Quebec’s proximity to major urban centers and the US - Canada border make it an excellent day trip destination for Canadians and Americans alike. Boasting a rich cultural history along with stunning scenery, there’s something for all tastes. From well-preserved military forts to vast mountain reserves and cross-border landmarks, each locale offers its own distinct mix of activities that make them ideal for a fun Quebec day trip.