If you’re planning to head out on a road trip, the following spots near Montreal are worth checking out:

Mont-Tremblant, QC

 

Distance from Montreal – 1.5-hour drive; 81 miles north

During winter, Mont-Tremblant is an incredible place to snowboard, ski, and snowshoe among many more winter activities. Once you’re done with winter sports, head over to Mont-Tremblant casino to test your luck, play some golf at Le Diable golf course or shop at the pedestrian village.

Tip: you will love it here if you’re an athlete. The Subaru Ironman triathlon is a competitive bike race that is on every summer. If you love yoga, the four-day yoga festival called Wanderlust is a must attend.

Plattsburgh, NY

 

Distance from Montreal – 1 hour 10 min drive away; 63 miles south

This place is a shopping destination and Canadians cross the border every day for affordable shopping. This place has lots of things that we don’t have back home. And with so much shopping, you must have a drink. The Elfs Farm Winery and Cider House is family owned and makes some of the best ciders and vino.

Tip: take the Greater Adirondack Ghost Tour around Plattsburgh, a lantern-lit tour that takes place at sundown and tells stories of hauntings. The neighbors are spooky too.

Thousand Islands, ON

 

Distance from Montreal: 3 hours and 15 minutes drive away; 171 miles west

The border of New York and Ontario with many little islands that have something for everyone. From the Avonmore Berry Farm to Coyote Moon Vineyards to the Thousands Islands Winery, you’ll find every local produce here. Pick vines and berries or go for fishing.

Tip: it is rumored that the wife of a local fisherman invented the dressing that is named after the Thousand Islands and eventually passed the recipe to George Boldt, the owner of Waldorf-Astoria hotel in 1894. You can hunt down the real Thousand Island dressing.

Ottawa, ON

 

Distance from Montreal – 2 hours and 5-minute drive; 125 miles west

Ottawa is the Capital City and must be on this list. The National War Memorial, Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and Parliament Hill are must-see sites.

You can go for Yoga at Parliament’s front lawn and after you’re done, have some halibut with squid ink and risotto cake at Fauna. Salt has some Atlantic salmon that are worth a try.

Tip: Canada Day that takes place on July 1st has incredible performances by Serena Ryder and Marianas Trench. You can have some Canadian brews, take a bite at BeaverTail, watch the acrobats and later some fireworks.

Saint-Sauveur, QC

Distance from Montreal – 1-hour drive; 47 miles north

This place has it all, spas, winter sports and shopping outlets making it an incredible destination for people looking for a romantic getaway. Spas that are worth checking out are Polar Bear’s Club spa or the Japanese-themed Ofuro Spa.

Tip: if you’re looking for a nice place to relax, eat and have some coffee, check the Brûlerie des Monts, where coffee beans are imported from Yemen, Indonesia, Kenya, Peru, and beyond.

Quebec City, QC

Distance from Montreal – 3-hour drive; 156.5 miles northeast

Quebec is known for its European influence. Places that you should check include Old Quebec City’s Lower Town, Plains of Abraham and Parliament, the ambiance will take you to the late 1600s.

Looking for a place to eat? Restaurant Toast is known for some tasty dishes. IX pour Bistro is known for its amazing foie gras.

Tip: make sure that you stay at the Château Frontenac, a place that was opened back in 1893. This hotel is a National Historic Site.

North Conway, NH

Distance for Montreal – 3 hour and 45-minute drive; 214 miles south

This is the place to be if you want to stay super active during the weekend. Check the amazing view of the White Mountain National Forest that is 6,300ft. You can take a hike to the multi-waterfalls. Once you climb down, go for shopping at North Conway’s outlet malls.

Tip: head to Peach’s, a Martha Stewart-approved restaurant that serves amazing breakfast – the pumpkin pancakes are a must have. For dinner, Lobster Trap or Jonathan’s Seafood serves tasty seafood dishes.

Portland, ME

Distance from Montreal – 5 hours and 10-minute drive; 278 miles south

With 250 restaurants, it’s no surprise that Bon Appétit named Portland the “Foodiest Small Town in America”. One of the best spots is Duckfat, whose head chef, Rob Evans, won Food Network’s accolade “Chopped” three times. The fried Brussel sprouts with pickled apple and bacon are out of this world. You should also have the fries prepared in duck fat.

Street & Co is a restaurant serves some of the best locally caught fish, local kelp and grilled octopus with chorizo.

Tip: the food festivals that are hosted in this city such as Harvest on the Harbor and the Maine Vegetarian Food Festival are must-attends.