1. Québec is nothing short of spectacular. With centuries-old towns, dramatic wilderness, and endless shoreline, the province feels like Canada’s greatest treasure chest. To help you unlock it, I’ve rounded up our absolute favorite stops you simply have to experience.
2. Yes, Montréal buzzes with energy and Québec City drips with history—but the province’s magic doesn’t stop at city limits. Venture farther and you’ll hit natural show-stoppers every bit as memorable.
3. First, a reality check: Québec is huge. Drive more than 1,000 kilometers north from Québec City and you’ll still be nowhere near the Arctic coast. The scale is mind-boggling—and gloriously unspoiled.
4. Fortunately, you don’t need a week-long road trip to see her gems. Within a few hours of the big hubs lie countless spots that demand a detour.
5. With a dash of planning and a healthy dose of curiosity, you can sample this province’s greatest hits without straying too far from civilization.
6. Ready? Here are the very best places in Québec to put on your itinerary—have the adventure of a lifetime!
1.) Québec City
7. Steeped in four hundred years of history, Québec City is an unmissable stop.
8. The walled Old Town instantly transports you back in time.
9. Wander Petit-Champlain’s cobblestones, browse indie boutiques, and recharge in cozy cafés—every corner oozes European flair.
10. Hungry? Duck into Le Lapin Sauté and try the scallop-packed cassoulet—chef’s kiss.
11. Walk it off along the fortress-like Citadelle, the Plains of Abraham, and the venerable Notre-Dame Basilica. History comes alive here.
12. For a fairytale sleep, book the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac—its turrets crown the skyline and its restaurants are top-tier.
13. Just outside town, Montmorency Falls roars under a suspension bridge—a quick side trip well worth it.
14. Thirty minutes farther, Île d’Orléans offers apple orchards, hamlets, and views galore.
15. Cap it all with poutine at Cassis Monna & Filles—comfort-food perfection.
2.) Montcalm
16. Amazingly remote yet barely an hour from Montréal, Montcalm is a lake-studded wilderness where Sentier Mont Larose’s trails steal the show.
17. You’ll swear the city is a million miles away as you paddle mirrored waters and breathe pine-scented air.
18. We teamed up with Amishk Aboriginal Adventures, canoed to camp, and even met the resident beavers—unforgettable.
19. Honestly, spotting those furry engineers made Montcalm one of our most magical Québec memories.
3.) Montréal
20. Montréal’s heart lies in its storybook Old Town.
21. Start at the glittering Notre-Dame Basilica—its kaleidoscopic interior is jaw-dropping.
22. Stroll the Vieux-Port boardwalk, snag a smoked-meat poutine, and soak up the river views.
23. Sunny day? Café-hop, people-watch, and graze your way along the cobbles.
24. Need caffeine? Tommy’s freshly baked bagels and artisan brews will keep you exploring.
25. After, hike Mount Royal for postcard panoramas or book a table at Perles et Paddock for seasonal plates worth every calorie.
4.) Percé & The Gaspé Coast
26. Perched near Forillon National Park, tiny Percé anchors Québec’s wild Gaspé Peninsula.
27. Base yourself here to roam sea cliffs, hidden coves, and fishing hamlets straight from a painting.
28. Hop a 45-minute ferry to Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé and watch clouds of gannets circle ancient rock spires.
29. Miss Percé Rock by boat? No worries—catch sunrise views from Cap Mont Joli or Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse.
30. Dawn light ignites those cliffs in gold—totally worth the early alarm.
31. For hikers, Forillon’s Mont St-Albans trail delivers big-sky vistas and serious bragging rights.
32. Yes, it’s tough in places, but the lookout views wipe away every bead of sweat.
33. Cap Bon Ami’s coastline is a whale-watcher’s dream—binoculars recommended!
34. After sea-spray adventures, refuel at Bistro Les Sacs Vin—the lobster and fluffy fishcakes are sublime.
35. Prefer views without the hike? Drive to the glass-floored GeoParc platform for a heart-pounding lookout.
5.) Parc Omega
36. We stumbled upon Parc Omega on our final Canadian day—and thanked our lucky stars we did.
37. The 12-kilometer safari road threads 2,000 acres where bison, black bears, and Arctic wolves roam free
38. Three leisurely hours here let you absorb Canada’s wildlife a stone’s throw from Gatineau or Ottawa.
6.) Montérégie
39. Southwest of Montréal, Montérégie is both commuter-friendly and adventure-ready.
40. For beginner-friendly slopes, zip to Mont Rigaud—you’ll be carving turns in no time.
41. History buff? Tour the reconstructed Iroquoian village at Tsiionhiakwatha-Droulers to honor First-Nations heritage.
42. Year-round, thousands of kilometers of trails await; Mont-Saint-Bruno excels in summer hikes and winter snowshoeing.
7.) Lac Sacacomie
43. Craving wilderness luxury? Lac Sacacomie delivers.
44. En route, stop in Wendake’s Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations for a fascinating cultural pit-stop (and tasty lunch).
45. At the forest-wrapped Sacacomie Hotel, hit the lake-view Nordic spa or roam woodland trails at your own pace.
46. Hours melt away in the steam, leaving you totally zen.
47. Feeling bold? Book an ATV tour and roar down hidden backroads—it’s pure adrenaline.
48. Dusty, grinning, and exhilarated, we agreed Sacacomie was outdoor fun at its finest.
8.) Laurentides
49. The Laurentians are Québec’s cycling playground—expect locals and visitors pedaling everywhere.
50. Over 300 bike paths await; try Le P’tit Train du Nord, a 200-kilometer rails-to-trails route that stays mercifully flat.
9.) Mont Tremblant
51. Ninety minutes from Montréal, Mont Tremblant is a four-season resort that never disappoints.
52. Winter brings slopes for every skill level—Olympian credentials not required.
53. Après-ski, toast the day at La Savoie with gooey raclette and fondue. Paradise in a pot.
10.) Trois-Rivières
54. Midway between Québec City and Montréal, riverside Trois-Rivières makes an easy half-day detour.
55. Tour the notorious 1822 Old Jail—just don’t let them lock the cell door!
56. Prefer gentler history? The Ursuline Museum offers fascinating exhibits for only a few dollars.
11.) Lac Blanc
57. Two hours from Montréal, diminutive Lac Blanc feels delightfully remote—especially when autumn paints the forest crimson.
58. We splurged on a helicopter ride above the fiery treetops—worth every gasp.
59. If you go, schedule it for peak fall; nature puts on a jaw-dropping show.
60. Back on the ground, wander forest trails until the city stress evaporates.
61. Or check into Auberge du Lac Taureau, cruise the lake, and let cabin life work its magic.
12.) Pointe-au-Père
62. On the south shore of the St. Lawrence, Pointe-au-Père sits four hours east of Gaspé and 3.5 from Québec City.
63. It’s an ideal pit-stop when you need a breather on that long coastal drive.
64. Don’t miss the Maritime Historic Site with relics from the Empress shipwreck, a tall lighthouse, and Canada’s first public submarine.
65. Refuel at no-frills Resto de la Mer—its poutine destroys hunger in the best way.
13.) Gatineau
66. Separated from Ottawa only by the river, Gatineau faces Canada’s grand Parliament buildings.
67. Spend a morning (or more) inside the Canadian Museum of History—and pop into the adjacent Children’s Museum if you’ve got kids in tow.
68. Dinner? Book Le Cellier for a French-inspired feast that leaves zero room for dessert regrets.
69. Pair Gatineau with Ottawa for a dual-city long weekend you’ll brag about for years.
14.) Lac-Supérieur
70. A stone’s throw from Tremblant, pristine Lac-Supérieur lets you trade lift lines for quiet chalet mornings and forest hikes.
71. Book a waterfront cabin, lace up your boots, and explore Mont-Tremblant Park right from your doorstep.
15.) Saguenay Fjord National Park
72. Nature lovers, rejoice: Saguenay’s immensity will leave you speechless. It’s only three hours from Québec City yet feels like the edge of the wild.
73. Hikers tackle the Statue-of-Our-Lady trail—steep in spots, but the payoff views are next-level. Layer up!
74. Prefer water? Board a heated-deck cruise from Baie-Éternité and watch cliffs soar over icy waters—plan ahead; the park is vast.
16.) Bic National Park
75. Smaller but no less stunning, coastal Bic offers cliffside trails, seal-watching points, and cozy yurts for a summer campout.
76. Trails stay groomed Friday–Sunday in winter, so you can snowshoe amid frosted pines.
17.) Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie
77. This UNESCO biosphere northeast of Québec City is one epic valley of sky-scraping cliffs and mirror-calm rivers.
78. Winter brings backcountry skiing, ice skating, and fat-bike fun; summer swaps skis for hiking boots and paddleboards.
79. Rent a rabaska canoe, glide the Malbaie River, and let the silence reset your mind.
80. Whether you stay three days or four, you’ll leave convinced that wilderness therapy is real—and Québec does it best.
