We can all feel that tingle in the air that means autumn is just around the corner. But there's still time to seize ownership of your summer with the soul-salving journey of your dreams. A trip to Quebec City could be a possibility, and why not?

Quebec's capital is happening and historic. Its stone fortifications harken back to a time when cannon fire was a real problem for people. Its winter carnival is world-famous and its culinary enticements will have you exclaiming "tabarnak, c'est délicieux."

But if you've already been there a bunch of times and you're ready to take your Quebec experience to a whole new level, there are a ton of other places in the province — and you really should check them out.

All of these destinations can be reached by car from Montreal, though you'll really need to go the distance for some of them.

But wherever you choose to take the leap, you're sure to be rewarded. 

L'Isle-aux-Coudres  

Distance from Montreal: Five hours and 40 minutes

This island in the Saint Lawrence is rustic and beautiful in the best sense of the words.  

To get here, you'll need to catch a ferry from St-Joseph-de-la-Rive on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River.  

But once you're there, prepare to have your socks knocked off because the island is full of gorgeous beaches and you'll want to feel the sand between your toes.     

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Inverness  

Distance from Montreal: Two hours and 40 minutes

Inverness is a cool little town.

It's about an hour-and-a-half from Montreal and it was founded by Scottish immigrants in the 1800s, hence the name.

There's lots to see and do but the event of the year has to be the annual Festival du boeuf d'Inverness — cancelled this year due to the pandemic — which is a lot like the Calgary Stampede but in Quebec.

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Île Verte  

Distance from Montreal: Five hours

Île Verte is a hidden gem.

Located about halfway between Rivière-du-Loup and Quebec City, life on this lovely island in the Saint Lawrence River is defined by nature and beauty.  

It's also got a bunch of small-town quirks including the Musée du squelette (an animal skeleton museum), which will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about animal skeletons, just in case you were curious.  

There's also the sentier de la bouette (the mud trail), an annual event where participants cross over to the island from the mainland at low tide.  

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Trois-Rivières  

Distance from Montreal: Two hours

Trois-Rivières is about halfway between Montreal and Quebec City and it's just lovely.  

It's got a nice little downtown that has restaurants, bars, cafés, and ice cream shops.  

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Baie-Saint-Paul  

Distance from Montreal: Four hours

An hour away from Quebec City is Baie-Saint-Paul.

It's the biggest city in the Charlevoix region, known for its art galleries, shops, and restaurants — and it's charming to the max.  

Aside from its cultural attractions, the city offers outdoorsy stuff like kayaking, whale-watching, and hiking and you can go relax and unwind at the Centre Santé-Beauté Francine Thibeault after a day of doing all that.  

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Lévis  

Distance from Montreal: Three hours

Sitting across the Saint Lawrence River opposite Quebec City is the beautiful community of Lévis, a city with a small-town vibe and a destination all on its own.

Visitors there should check out the cool fortifications at the Lévis Forts National Historic Site. 

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Radisson

Distance from Montreal: Seventeen hours

If you're looking for a unique road trip that will test your soul and your vehicle, why not take a journey along the James Bay Road to Radisson?  

You can visit the huge dams of the James Bay hydro project,  learn about Cree culture, or have adventures in the woods. You might even see the northern lights.

Be aware of local travel restrictions for the 2020 season before hitting the road.

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