If you are eager for new adventures and discoveries and love road trips, heading out on the road aboard an SUV can help you create unforgettable moments! Practical, versatile and spacious, you will have plenty of room for all your luggage and all the necessities for a dream getaway.
Whether it's a family adventure or a romantic getaway, road trips aboard an SUV will allow you to spend hours out on the open road without getting tired. You can even improvise an overnight stay in the back! Whether you travel alone or with friends, for a short burst of fun or an extended trip, here are eight destinations not to be missed in Quebec, including places where you can immerse yourself in culture, nature and breathtaking panoramas.
1. Eastern Townships
Just an hour and a half from Montreal, you can spend a memorable day in the beautiful Eastern Townships. The only downside is that there is so much to see, you will want to go back!
Among some of the small villages loaded with charm, you'll want to stop in Dunham, Sutton and Knowlton. A bonus: the roads that take you there are stunning! You can take advantage of your time to visit local shops, restaurants and microbreweries.
If you decide to spend the night, why not explore the wine route, knowing you won't have to limit yourself because of the drive back! The next day, you can choose to venture even further to Lac-Megantic, via the Route des Sommets, with striking views and panoramas. Once you are there, you can spend the day at the OTJ beach, or at the ASTROlab, an astronomical observatory located in the mountains.
On the way back, you can also make a quick stop in Montérégie, at Fort de Chambly, one of the oldest buildings in Quebec. It is located along the Richelieu River, which also makes it a perfect spot for a picnic!
2. Mont-Tremblant
Another fantastic trip from Montreal that you can enjoy in a day is undoubtedly Mont-Tremblant. And should you choose to stay longer, you won't run out of things to do!
While the mountain is well known as a great skiing spot during the winter, the colourful and lively pedestrian village at the base of the slopes is a great place to go at any season. You can enjoy lots of activities, no matter if you are travelling alone, with your romantic partner or with the kids: from ice skating and dog sledding in the winter, to Eurobungy and roller sledding in the summer!
You will also find shops, restaurants and year-round entertainment, including free outdoor concerts.
On your way there, you can make a pit stop at a local restaurant and enjoy scenic views in Ste-Adele, Ste-Agathe or St-Jovite!
3. Gaspé Peninsula
While the Gaspé Peninsula requires an extended stay, it is definitely worth the trip! Tourism truly began back in 1929 when Route 132 was completed, allowing you to circle the peninsula in 885 km. In fact, to fully enjoy this region, that is what we recommend!
There are many must-see attractions along the way. For example, you will likely want to stop at Percé Rock, which you can admire from the shore or by boat, surrounded by the Norther Gannet, one of Quebec's largest seabirds.
For nature enthusiasts and outdoor lovers, you will be well served at Mont Chic-Chocs and Forillon National Park, in addition to the many beaches from which you can admire the sea.
You can also visit numerous heritage sites that allow you to dive deep into local culture.
4. Eeyou Istchee James Bay
A region that is less frequently visited by Quebecers, Eeyou Istchee Baie-James is a magnificent territory where you will find immense lakes (including Lake Mistassini, the largest natural lake in the province), wild rivers and endless forests boasting rich fauna and flora, in addition to being a great place to admire breathtaking aurora borealis.
It is the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, camping, canoeing and kayaking, cycling, fishing (the fish are in great abundance) and much more. You can also immerse yourself in Indigenous legends and local crafts, among a wide selection of towns and communities, such as Matagami, Eastmain, Chisasibi, Mistassini and several others!
5. Charlevoix
For picturesque landscapes and villages to visit aboard an SUV, Charlevoix is, without a doubt, a top destination. It is also a region with a long list of attractions and an abundance of activities in both winter and summer. Moreover, the different roads taking you from one uniquely charming village to another offer numerous breathtaking views and panoramas.
Among the places not to be missed, you should plan to stop in Baie-St-Paul, La Malbaie, Baie-Ste-Catherine and Les Éboulements, without forgetting Petite-Rivičre St-François, a charming little village from which you can catch a ferry to L'Isle-aux-Coudres, which is also definitely worth the detour!
Given the many scenic viewpoints, along with the multitude of reasons to visit in both winter and summer, it is also one of the best places to enjoy fall foliage in all its splendour. You can do so from your SUV or up close by stopping at La Baie-des-Rochers municipal park or hiking in the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivičre-Malbaie National Park.
6. Saguenay
When thinking of Saguenay, Lac St-Jean usually comes to mind. This magnificent lake is indeed worth a road trip aboard an SUV! But the region is also brimming with attractions, and you could easily spend more than a week without getting the chance to see them all.
For nature lovers, wildlife and flora enthusiasts, the region offers impressively diverse landscapes and unobstructed views of the fjord from the Saguenay Fjord, the Pointe-Taillon or the Monts-Valin National Parks.
You might also want to stop at the Saint-Felicien Zoo, located northwest of the lake, where you can observe numerous animal species native to the province, in their natural habitat. The second portion of the zoo also features a vast enclosed space where animals in semi-freedom roam and interact with eager visitors!
Among the villages not to be missed, consider adding L'Anse-St-Jean, Chicoutimi, La Baie and the historic village of Val-Jalbert to your itinerary.
7. North Shore (Côte-Nord)
Côte-Nord is also an extended trip, but if you have the time, it is a trip that will remain engraved in your memory forever! There are numerous must-see spots, and the landscapes are absolutely breathtaking. You will truly feel as though you have entered another world!
You can start at Tadoussac village and bay and the Saguenay Fjord, making the time for a pit stop to enjoy the sandy dunes. Be warned: you will likely want to spend an entire afternoon or even a full day there! It is also an excellent spot for whale watching and observing other marine giants. Watch them from up close in a zodiac or opt for a larger boat for increased comfort.
You can then continue your adventure along the Whale Route (Route des Baleines, road 138, which ends in Kegaska) with numerous stops along the way, such as at the Cap-Bon-Désir Interpretation and Observation Centre, which is part of the Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park.
Among the many sandy beaches, you will love the immense sandbar of Portneuf-Sur-Mer. For an adventure out of the SUV to stretch your legs, head to Sept-Iles for a tour of Île Grande Basque, which is only accessible by zodiac.
You will discover the most impressive treasures of Côte-Nord further along, including the Minguan Archipelago and Havre-Saint-Pierre, for vistas of wild landscapes that you will never forget.
8. Magdalen Islands (Iles-de-la-madeleine)
Yes, you read that correctly: it is entirely possible to reach the Magdalen Islands in your SUV! Although they are part of the Province of Quebec, the Magdalen Islands are accessible by ferry from Prince Edward Island, more precisely from Souris.
The crossing lasts 5 hours, and you can only access the islands if you have already made a reservation for your stay.
There are plenty of activities available on the islands. You can enjoy the beaches, swimming, surfing, boat tours, scuba diving and a host of water sports, in addition to hiking. You will also appreciate the many shops, art galleries, microbreweries, museums and much more!
Conclusion
As you can see, day trips, weekend getaways or longer excursions are all the more enjoyable in a spacious and comfortable vehicle like an SUV. You can even improvise a picnic in the trunk on rainy days or turn it into an impromptu camping spot by lowering the back seats. The possibilities are endless!
