Self-Drive Eastern Canada: Montréal, Québec City & Mont-Tremblant – 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Montréal, Food Tour & Ride the Montréal Observation Wheel

Welcome to Canada! Pick up your rental car from Montréal Airport to begin your self-drive adventure. Start by exploring Montréal, Canada's second-largest city, which offers French-soaked history, a famous food scene, and cultural attractions. Stroll through the lively downtown, stopping for poutine (fries smothered in cheese curds and gravy), and head down to the St. Lawrence River, where you'll find market stalls and the Old Port.

Take a horse-drawn carriage among 18th and 19th-century residences in Old Montréal, passing the imposing Notre-Dame Basilica and museums that tell the city's fascinating story, including the Pointe-à-Callière Museum and the Center of History of Montréal. You'll also ride La Grande Roue de Montréal ("Montréal's Big Wheel"), Canada's largest observation wheel at 200 feet (60 m) high. Set on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, the wheel offers views of Old Montréal and beyond.

Next, experience the culinary delights of Jean-Talon Market, located in Little Italy. As one of the largest outdoor markets in North America, there's plenty to discover, from seasonal produce to fine meats and cheeses, fresh flowers, and gourmet cookbooks. After the market tour, you'll continue into the heart of Little Italy to learn about the area's vibrant community and taste some local specialties.

Day 2: Old Montréal Walking Tour & Space for Life District

This morning, get to know the birthplace of Montréal with a guided walk through the historic district, which sprawls over several blocks near the St. Lawrence River. Traverse cobblestone streets lined with 17th-century landmarks, markets, and bustling streets like Saint Paul. Highlights include the City Hall, Place Royale, and the Gothic-Revival Notre-Dame Basilica, which was the first of its architectural style in Canada and lies in the Place d'Armes square.

The tour continues at Space for Life, a Montréal museum district located in and around the Olympic Park. You'll find four museums: the Biodome, Insectarium, Botanical Garden, and Planétarium Rio Tinto Alcan. This interactive space allows you to journey through America's ecosystems in the Biodome, visit 185 acres (75 ha) of themed gardens, delve into space exploration, and explore one of the largest insect museums in North America.

Day 3: Drive to Québec City, Evening Cruise

Say goodbye to Montréal this morning and make the roughly three-hour drive north to Québec City. Wander the narrow alleys of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, the only walled city north of Mexico. Absorb the 17th and 18th-century architecture, which features European-style church spires, hilltop citadels, and stone buildings that now house French-style bistros. Learn about European influences at Place Royale, where Québec City was officially founded.

City highlights include the grand Château Frontenac, walking along the city's ancient walls, and photographing the St. Lawrence River from Dufferin Terrace. Named in honor of Lord Dufferin, a governor-general of Canada who loved Québec City, the terrace is so popular that it's been expanded twice. While you're there, hit up another historic site, the Saint‑Louis Forts and Châteaux, which lie beneath this famed promenade.

End the day with an evening cruise, taking in views of Québec City from the water. Board a boat for a relaxing cruise along the Sts Lawrence River, watching the city's lights pass by. Look out for key landmarks like Château Frontenac, illuminated at night.

Day 4: Explore Île d'Orléans

Today you'll take a self-guided tour of Île d'Orléans, a 22-mile-long (35 km) island just 15 minutes from Québec City. Classed as a historic district, this idyllic island is the birthplace of French North America, home to villages established by original settlers back in the 17th and 18th centuries. Over 600 buildings on the island have been restored to their colonial splendor, including the oldest rural church in New France, Église Saint-Pierre.

Île d'Orléans is also a hotspot for artisans and food lovers. Stop at cheesemakers and farm stands heaving with locally-grown produce to pick up picnic supplies, which you can enjoy at a scenic spot overlooking the St. Lawrence River. You can also visit a vineyard or cider producer for a tasting session and browse for souvenirs at a gourmet chocolate shop before returning to Québec City.

Day 5: Drive to Mont-Tremblant & Scandinavian Spa

Take a picturesque drive west today to Mont-Tremblant, a famous ski and summer resort in the Laurentian Mountains. Stop en route to visit the popular town of Trois-Rivières, which has an array of eateries, museums, and attractions like the National Historic Site of Les Forges du Saint-Maurice, the first iron mine and refinery in North America.

The rest of the day is yours to explore Mont-Tremblant, one of Canada's top ski resorts, with 102 trails stretching over 50 miles (80 km). Visitors flock here for summer hiking and boating adventures on Lake Tremblant. You can also explore the surrounding national park, which has plenty of stellar hiking trails through forests to mountain viewpoints over glistening lakes.

Mont-Tremblant offers a thriving shopping, dining, and bar scene, as well as classy spas and hotels. Spend some time in Place St-Bernard to soak up the atmosphere. Other activities include golf, gondola rides, and the luge. If you visit during summer, catch one of Tremblant's colorful events, which include the International Blues Festival, Les Rythmes Tremblant, and La Fête de La Musique. Finish the day with relaxation at the tranquil Scandinave Spa Mont-Tremblant. Wallow in steaming Scandinavian baths nestled in the Laurentian Forest along the shores of the Diable River and book a decadent massage.

Day 6: E-biking in Mont-Tremblant & Tonga Lumina Trail

Take a peaceful e-bike trip around Mont-Tremblant today. You'll explore the park's extensive trail network, which ranges from flat, paved roads to mountainous trails. Traveling by e-bike means you can cover more ground without breaking a sweat and absorb more of the park's stunning scenery.

In the evening, embark upon a sensory forest experience on the Tonga Lumina, a one-mile (1.5 km) illuminated night trail. The themed walk centers around the legend of a giant who protects Mont-Tremblant; as you journey along the trail, you'll uncover the giant's story, guided by a magical amulet. Start at the bottom of the Flying Mile chairlift and ride to the midway station, where the trail begins. Follow a stone dust path that weaves down a hill through the woods, crossing a stream.

Day 7: Drive to Montréal, Depart

Today your Canadian adventure comes to an end. Drive to Montréal Airport in time to drop off your rental car and board your flight. Safe travels!