Short on cash, but longing for fun this summer? Luckily, you're in the perfect place, as Quebec is full of exciting things to do even when your wallet is empty.
From breathtaking natural wonders to quirky thrifts to outdoor adventures, now's the time to let la belle province put a little joie de vivre into your summer without breaking the bank.
Pet barnyard animals at La Ferme Quinn
Price: $5 to $12
Address: 2495, boul. Perrot, Notre-Dame-de-I'Ile-Perrot, QC
Distance from Montreal: 40 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Fun for the young and old, but mostly the young at heart, La Ferme Quinn offers a great taste of country living only 40 minutes away from Montreal's city centre. Admission to the farm includes tractor rides, the option to pick your own produce, visits with the farm animals, and access to a farm-themed playground complete with a hedge maze, tractor tire pyramid, slides, and duck races.
In the animal barn, you'll be greeted by friendly goats, pigs, sheep, chickens, bunnies, cows, and horses. The animals alone are worth the price of admission, but if you somehow get bored of staring longingly at an adorable baby goat, for an additional $11, you can purchase a 1.5 litre basket which you can fill with a mix of any self-picked produce that's currently available. Right now, the in-season produce includes red raspberries, blueberries, peas, beans, cherry tomatoes, and hot peppers. Later in August, sweet corn and apples will be ready for picking. An afternoon at La Ferme Quinn isn't just a great bargain, it's a delicious one.
Go thrifting at Marché aux Puces Saint-Eustache
Price: Free admission
Address: 455, av. Mathers, Saint-Eustache, QC
Distance from Montreal: 40 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Marché aux Puces Saint-Eustache is a shopping mecca, full of bargains and quirky finds, it is nothing short of a dream come true for any budget-conscious thirfter. As the largest flea market in all of Quebec, it boosts over 100 vendors selling just about anything your mind can envision.
In both indoor and outdoor installations, vendors hawk clothing, jewelry, retro toys and video games, electronics, home decor, food, vintage knickknacks, and even candy — the list is endless. Although it's open year round, the summertime is the best time to explore its outdoor vendors, so what are you waiting for? If that's not enough to sell you, the market also includes an on-site drive-in theatre, Ciné-Parc Saint-Eustache, with English movies featured on Monday and Friday nights, and tickets ranging from $7.83 to $11.30.
Be captivated by Montmorency Falls
Price: $6.30
Address: Parc de la Chute-Montmorency, Quebec City, QC
Distance from Montreal: 3 hours
Why You Need To Go: Niagara Falls ain't got nothing on this waterfall, quite literally — Quebec City's 80-metre Montmorency Falls is a full 30 metres higher than its Ontario counterpart.
The breathtaking Montmorency Falls is the heart and namesake of the scenic Parc de la Chute-Montmorency, a city park like no other, full of walking paths, hiking trails, lush gardens, cliffs, and spectacular views of the falls. The park's quaint wooden footbridge is a peaceful spot to watch and contemplate the falls, while a 487-step staircase provides stunning panoramic views. The truly brave can take the park's suspension bridge over the waterfall, where you won't just see, but will feel the falls crashing and cascading beneath your feet. Each year, close to one million people visit the park and its falls, so this summer, why not make yourself one of them?
Explore the Gault Nature Reserve
Price: $8.78
Address: 422, ch. des Moulins, Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC
Distance from Montreal: 1 hour
Why You Need To Go: McGill University's Gault Nature Reserve is a private reserve and research station dedicated to protecting over 1000 hectares of natural habitats. Located on the picturesque Mont Saint-Hilaire, the reserve's mission is to preserve the mountain's ecosystem, encourage scientific research, and allow the public to enjoy the mountain in all its glory.
As a recognized bird sanctuary with a well-maintained 25-kilometre trail network across eight different trail paths, you can spend the day exploring the old-growth forest and appreciating the wildlife, all while knowing that the small entrance fee is going to a great cause.
Go biking across Isle-aux-Coudres
Price: Free
Address: Isle-aux-Coudres, QC
Distance from Montreal: 5 hours
Why You Need To Go: This tiny island in the middle of the Saint Lawrence River may be small, but it's big on adventure. Only 23 kilometres in size, Isle-aux-Coudres is a cyclist's paradise with 20 kilometres of bike paths that allow you to explore every inch of the island.
Cyclists can access the island by ferry, and spend the day on bike, breathing the salty sea air, admiring the wildflower-lined streets, watching a stunning sunrise or sunset, and meeting the island's 1400 friendly residents, affectionately dubbed "Marsouins" (or "Porpoises" in English). With so much to do and see, be sure not to forget to take a pitstop at one of the island's many famed cider houses.
Enjoy a beach day in Magog
Price: Free
Address: Lac Memphrémagog, Magog, QC
Distance from Montreal: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why You Need To Go: There's not one, not two, but three public beaches on the shores of Lac Memphrémagog in Magog, a quaint jewel in the heart of Quebec's Eastern Townships.
Spend the day swimming, kayaking, windsurfing, or paddle boarding at Plage des Cantons beach, or make a quick trip over to Parc de la Baie-de-Magog to have a picnic and swim at either of the park's east or west beaches. All three beaches are nearby Magog's charming city centre where Lac Memphrémagog merges with the Magog River. Enjoy a post-swim walk along the water and stroll Magog's picturesque streets lined with restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and art galleries.
Have a magical night at Foresta Lumina
Price: $30
Address: Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook, Coaticook, QC
Distance from Montreal: 2 hours
Why You Need To Go: The most expensive edition to the list, but far worth the money even for the most budget conscious, Foresta Lumina is a hiking experience like no other. The nighttime hike takes you on an enchanted journey through Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook, where illuminations help guide your way and multimedia installations tell fantastical stories and introduce you to magical creatures. It's a hike that exercises your imagination as much as it does your body.
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