Weekend Getaways from Montreal

Discover the top destinations for weekend getaways from Montreal to plan an extended weekend trip with your family or friends.

Montreal is a vibrant city with a lot to see and do, but if you want to kick back and relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you have plenty of options. You can find great destinations for weekend getaways from Montreal for families, couples, singles, or those without a car, all within a few hours of the city.

For families: Ottawa

Just 2 hours and 30 minutes from Montreal, Ottawa is an exciting destination for a family weekend getaway with the kids. You can find plenty of child-friendly attractions for all ages here, such as educational experiences like touring Parliament Hill or the Canadian Museum of History. The National Gallery of Canada, an art gallery focusing on Canadian works, and the Canadian Museum of Nature, which has exhibits on the natural world, are also great options for kids. You’ll find numerous landmarks and museums throughout the city, such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, the Library of Parliament, and the Diefenbunker Museum, an underground bunker with artifacts. If you have young children, you can take them to Jacques-Cartier Park for some outdoors time or the Calypso Theme Waterpark for fun in the sun. Ottawa also has the Canadian Children’s Museum, a massive learning center with child-friendly displays and exhibits. Depending on the time of year, Saunders Farm offers family-friendly events and festivals on a working farmland for a unique experience. In winter, you can venture just outside the city for skiing, sledding, snowboarding, and other winter activities at the ski resorts. Plenty of family-friendly accommodation is available throughout the city, giving you enough space to keep everyone comfortable and happy.

For couples: Quebec City

Located 3 hours from Montreal, Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in Canada and boasts gorgeous architecture and a gourmet culinary scene. On a romantic getaway, you can stroll through the charming streets of Old Quebec to check out the 17th-century architecture, cobblestone streets, and the famous La Citadelle de Québec, a museum and active fort. There’s a lot more to see and do for couples, including the luxurious Fairmont Le Château Frontenac castle and the shops and performing-arts venues of Quartier Petit Champlain. If you want to spend time together outdoors, you can visit Parc de la Chute-Montmorency to see the dramatic Montmorency Falls and take pictures from the suspension bridge. For something different, you can take a ride on the Funiculaire du Vieux-Quebec for scenic landscape and city views, or check out the unique marine life at the Aquarium of Quebec. You’ll find numerous art galleries and museums as well, such as the Musée National Des Beaux-Arts Du Québec, the Museum of Place Royale, and the Plains of Abraham Museum. If you prefer to stay indoors and enjoy intimate time together as a couple, you can book a romantic hotel in Quebec City that provides you with romantic amenities like spas, pools, lavish furnishings, room service, and more.

For singles: Bromont

Located just 1 hour from Montreal, Bromont is a popular vacation destination that’s perfect for relaxing weekend getaways for singles in the peace and quiet of nature. The picturesque area is centred around the Yamaska River and the Ski Bromont ski resort, meaning there are endless opportunities for outdoor fun. The Domaine Naturel du Lac Gale is a protected area and outdoor space for hiking along creeks and waterfalls to get scenic views of the landscape and local wildlife. You can spend your time exploring the boutiques and eateries of Factoreries Tanger Bromont or wander the backroads to find museums, art galleries, artisan shops, and cabarets. There are plenty of upscale activities for singles if you want to treat yourself, ranging from deluxe spa treatments to gourmet dining. Bromont is filled with wineries and vineyards for tours and tastings, such as La Belle Alliance and the Mission Vineyard. It’s also great for foodies, offering numerous artisan shops like the Musée du Chocolat de la Confiserie Bromont with its gourmet chocolate treats and products. Bromont offers an array of accommodation options suited to single travellers as well, many with amenities to pamper yourself with like on-site dining and bars, spas, fitness centres, and more.

To get outdoors: Montebello

Just an hour and 30 minutes outside of the city, you can find an outdoor paradise of scenic drives, tranquil lakes, verdant meadows, and dense forests teeming with wildlife for an adventure in the outdoors. On your weekend getaway, you can book scenic accommodation with rustic decor and luxurious amenities like a spa and on-site activities, all within reach of the landscape. Montebello is home to the Parc Omega, a habitat for black bears, bison, beavers, and elk that you can see on a drive-through safari experience. The park is divided into several regions, such as forest, meadow, mountain, and lakes, so you can experience all types of native Canadian wildlife and ecosystems. You could even take a twilight tour with Omega by Night that gives you an immersive sound and light experience as you get up close to nocturnal creatures. For some sightseeing and indoor fun, Montebello has the Manoir-Papineau National Historic Site and famed restaurants such as Aux Chatignoles and Bistro La Seigneurie, where you can enjoy an upscale meal during your trip. You’ll also find the Fairmont Le Château Montebello Golf Club, a historic and high-end golf club with a challenging course layout.

For the carless: Burlington

Burlington, Vermont, is just 2 hours from Montreal and is one of the best weekend getaways if you don’t have a car. You can use public transport like a bus or the train to get from Montreal to Burlington via multiple routes. Once you’re there, you can easily walk around the small city to experience all the attractions. Burlington has a laid-back atmosphere and charming streets lined with boutiques and unique restaurants, such as Splash at the Boathouse, a floating seafood restaurant and bar on Burlington Bay. There’s something of interest for everyone here, from strolls and water activities in Waterfront Park to hands-on learning at ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. If you’re bringing the kids, you can find family-friendly accommodation close to places like Oakledge Park, a lakefront park with a beach and playground, or the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum, which is dedicated to a local folk hero. You can find many beaches and parks for outdoor activities, as well as romantic activities like touring the Fleming Museum of Art or the Lake Champlain Chocolates Factory Store. For fun in the outdoors, you can explore the Donahue Sea Caves, Mount Mansfield, or the Centennial Woods Natural Area.

Plan your trip

With so many options for a fun-filled weekend getaway near Montreal, it’s time to plan your trip. Take a look at the options for hotels in Burlington, romantic hotels in Old Quebec, family hotels in Ottawa, and more so you can make the most of your vacation experience.