Back to Salty Compass
SALTY COMPASS TRAVELS
QUEBEC UNPLANNED:
A LAST MINUTE AUTUMN ADVENTURE IN FRENCH CANADA - VOL 1
Have you ever dreamed of a spontaneous escape to the cobblestone streets of Quebec? If you haven’t, now is the time to add this destination to your bucket list.
As it happens, Daniel and I had some unplanned time off during the last week of October. It’s in my nature to take full advantage of TOT (time off together) and I quickly convinced him to let us do - well, something.
October is a great month for New England. Sweater weather and autumn foliage can be found in some of our favorite spots - places like North Conway, NH and Portland, Maine. For this adventure, I really wanted to go somewhere new. Do something unexpected. Behold - Montreal, Quebec.
Montreal, Quebec
Montreal has always been on “the list,” but it was shelfed when we realized Ronin was not a fan of the car. A thirty minute drive was often a total mess, let alone a 5 ½ hour journey. (Funny enough, he’s always been amazing on airplanes.) Now that he’s older and more acustomed to travel, we felt it was time to test the waters.
We grabbed our bags, hit the road, and got ready for an unforgettable adventure in French Canada.
Hyatt Centric Montreal
The leaf peeping did not disappoint, and Ronin handled the drive like a pro! As a Hyatt Prive travel agent, I was super excited to check out the new Hyatt Centric Montreal, located in Ville-Marie and steps away from Vieux-Port, or Old Port, Montreal.
Salty Travel Tip: Utilize Google maps for the best directions. The hotel is on an overpass so parking can be tricky to figure out. If you want to self park, locate the garage on Rue St-Hubert before checking in. For valet, use the cross street Rue Berri to locate entrance.
Day 1: St. Catherine, Old Port, & Underground City
As we like to do, we started the day with a leisurely breakfast. We opted for the hotel’s in-house restaurant, Cartier Arms, 2 days during our trip. The service and food was top notch. Ronin is particularly fond of croissants, and was excited to discover his was practically the size of his head.
Later in the morning, we walked to St. Catherine‘s Street for one of Daniel’s favorite activities - shopping. It's a bustling commercial street with various boutiques and department stores. It was especially chilly during our first day, so we opted to enter the Underground City - home to nearly 20 miles of shops, food, metro access, and fun.
During the afternoon, we walked back towards the hotel, stopping to see the Notre Dame Basilica before exploring Old Port - known for its historic architecture, shops, and waterfront. We stopped at a fruit stand for some snacks and ordered dinner from Diablo’s BBQ Steakhouse. The ribs were soooo good!
Day 2: Brunch, Science Centre, & the Waterfront
We took our time getting ready the morning of Day 2, so I searched for a brunch spot and decided on Tommy’s in Old Port. This was - by far - my favorite food stop during our trip. Their eggs and french toast were some of the best I’ve ever had. Also, the latte art was superb.
Ronin has been obsessed with science lately, so we were all excited to visit the Montreal Science Centre along the waterfront. It’s home to exhibitions for all ages, and it did not disappoint. We spent the majority of the afternoon here and would 10/10 be pass holders if we lived locally. Check out my reel here: @travelwithsalty
For lunch, we enjoyed Montreal-style meat sandwiches from Schwart’s Deli before walking back along the waterfront. Summer is peak season here, so we were pleasantly suprised to find many of the shopping booths still open. We had a quick family photo op near the"La Grande Roue de Montréal" or the Montreal Observation Wheel, and made our way back to the Hyatt for some R&R.
Day 3: Space For Life
As I write this, I’ve realized that each day in
Montreal was better than the last. Day 3 was our last full day in Montreal and dedicated to the Space For Life complex. Without question, it was one of the coolest collections of museums I have ever experienced.
The Space For Life complex is a unique and integrated natural science complex, located next to the 1976 Olympic Stadium. It was a 15-minute drive from city center, and the only time we drove anywhere.
We started our day at the Biodome, which recreates the five different ecosystems found within the Americas. Once minute, you’re in a tropical rainforest. The next? You’re pulling on your coat as you walk through an ice tunnel to the Sub-Antartic islands. So cool!
Next, we enjoyed a double feature at the Planetarium. Make sure to check the schedule beforehand if you are looking for an English showing! A walk around the Olympic park brought us to the Insectarium and Botanical Gardens. The butterfly habitat and greenhouses were amazing. Check out my reels here: @travelwithsalty
In October, the botanical garden is transformed into a festive delight, with Halloween-inspired playgrounds and decorations. On certain dates, visitors can purchase ticket to a special evening event, the enchanting Garden of Lights.
Day 4: The Magic of Parc Omega & the Wolf Lodges
On Day 4, we said goodbye to Montreal and made our way west towards Montebello, Quebec. Situated by the Ottawa River, this town offers a variety of nature-oriented activities, including the popular Parc Omega . The drive took us just over 1.5 hours.
Parc Omega is THE COOLEST wildlife park, which offers a unique and immersive experience with nature. The highlight is the Car Safari Experience. Visitors can drive through large, natural enclosures where 90% of the animals roam freely. Common sightings include deer, elk, bison, wolves, bears, and the cutest wild boar.
Upon arrival, stop by the Omega Lodge to buy bags of carrots before heading out on the drive path. I recommend at least 1-2 bags per person for maximum fun. The deer and elk will happily accept your offerings, so be prepared for them to pop by your window and offer a friendly greeting. (Keep in mind, not all areas and animals are open to feedings, so make sure to be a responsible guest!)
The drive trail takes around an hour to complete, but there are lots of seasonal activities to extend your stay. You can enjoy a hike, stop by the playground, plan a picnic, or grab a hot chocolate before venturing out to an observation point. Check out my reel of the drive trail here: @travelwithsalty
Overnight @ The Wolf Lodge
For our final night in Canada, we opted to have a truly unique experience by staying at The Parc Omega Wolf Lodge – one of North America's most distinctive accommodations. Nestled in the heart of the park, these charming cabins provide an opportunity to stay overnight surrounded by the nature, with the added allure of floor to ceiling windows overlooking a wolf habitat.
This 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom cabin included a full kitchen, dining room, living room, outdoor seating area, and a fire pit. The cabin was beyond beautiful, but of course, the highlight was the private 24/7 view of the wolf habitat. We enjoyed an evening of hot cocoa and books, observing the pack throughout the night.
We woke in the middle of the night to the pack howling at the moon. Later, the rumblings of a thunderstorm lulled us back to sleep. Honestly, it could have been a Calm app soundtrack. It was surreal.
In the morning, you have access to private boardwalk overlooking the enclosures, and a private feeding hosted just for overnight guests. Even cooler? Tickets to the Park Safari are included for your entire stay. After checking out, we bought some carrots and drove through the park again before making the 7- hour trek home.
Final Thoughts:
Karissa
Our last-minute road trip was one of the highlights of the year! We’ve received so many inquiries since sharing our photos on social and are excited to help our clients experience the magic of Quebec.
Ready To Chat About Your Next Adventure?
Back to Salty Compass