If you're dreaming of a European vacation this fall, but your wallet hasn't financially recovered from an action-packed summer, don't give up on your travel plans just yet. There are plenty of charming towns near Montreal that, in autumn, make for a dreamy and colourful substitute for your favourite European destinations.
Read on to discover all the nearby places where you can take in the fall foliage and a little European culture without breaking the bank or adding a stamp to your passport.
Bromont
Address: Bromont, QC
Distance from Montreal: 1 hour
Why You Need To Go: If you like your beer cold, your bratwurst hot, and your European vacay a short drive away, then Bromont is the fall destination for you. A picturesque mountain town year-round, known for skiing, mountain biking, and BMX riding, Bromont really comes alive in the fall and brings a little German flavour to the Eastern Townships. From October 11 to 13, Ski Bromont, the town's popular alpine ski resort, hosts an Oktoberfest celebration at the foot of the slopes. The German-themed festival features live music, drinks from local microbreweries and cider mills, Bavarian food, and festive activities like pumpkin decorating and gondola rides through the fall foliage, all in a gorgeous setting.
Now, if you've left your lederhosen and taste for beer and sausage at home, but still want to feel like you're on the other side of the Atlantic, the town's Old-Bromont neighbourhood offers another delightful European-inspired fall experience. The charming village dates back to 1793, and taking its heritage trail walking tour down its streets lined with historic Georgian buildings will transport you to 18th-century England.
Mont-Tremblant
Address: Mont-Tremblant, QC
Distance from Montreal: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Although tourists flock to this hot spot and ski resort come winter to hit the slopes, a trip to Mont-Tremblant in the fall should be at the top of your travel bucket list.
In the autumn season, the surrounding Laurentian Mountains flame red and gold with fall foliage, rivalling the beauty of the town's vibrant Alpine-inspired pedestrian village. Under the glowing leaves, towering mountains, colourful chalets, and quaint shops, you won't just feel like you're in the Swiss Alps, you'll feel like you're in the middle of a modernized edition of The Sound of Music, remastered in high definition. It'll be hard not to prance through the cobblestone streets and mountainous hiking trails, acting out the musical in your head. Yet in this case, the hills aren't alive with the sound of music; they're alive with stunning fall foliage.
Merrickville
Address: Merrickville, ON
Distance from Montreal: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Named "Canada's Most Beautiful Village" and affectionately known as "The Jewel of the Rideau," Merrickville, with its many historic buildings, quirky boutiques, and artisan shops, looks straight out of a Hallmark movie, set in Anytown, Europe.
Remarkably, according to the town's charming and mystical Wick Witch Apothecary's Facebook page, an actual Hallmark movie is being filmed in Merrickville. While no details about the movie's plot are given, based on the European charm of the town and the spooky vibes of the apothecary, one can only imagine the plot goes something like this: She's a heartbroken city girl who doesn't believe in love or Halloween. He's a small-town guy, owner of the local enchanting apothecary, and reigning champion of the town's Halloween costume competition. Haunted by her dark past, she visits the apothecary, but the two clash over their views on the Halloween season. In a fight, they spill a potion which magically transports them to Victorian England, where they'll learn the true meaning of love and Halloween. Is it a love or a horror story? (Hollywood, are you reading this?).
Quebec City
Address: Quebec City, QC
Distance from Montreal: 3 hours
Why You Need To Go: If there's anything more beautiful than the charming Old Quebec City, it's Old Quebec City in the fall. With narrow cobblestone streets lined with old stone buildings, chic bistros, and charming cafés, the historic district is arguably the closest you can get to Europe without crossing the Atlantic. But come autumn, when the Plains of Abraham brim with equal parts history and stunning fall foliage and the cafés fill the air with hints of cinnamon and pumpkin spice, Old Quebec is worth travelling halfway across the world for, and yet, it's only a 3-hour drive away.
Franklin
Address: Franklin, QC
Distance from Montreal: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Even though Franklin is tucked away in the Montérégie region of Quebec, with its charming stone buildings and century-old churches, you'll feel as if you're somewhere between England and Wales in the 19th century, and not straddling the Canada-US border in modern times.
But in autumn, when the town's many famed apple orchards become ripe for the picking, you'll also feel like you've been magically transported to rural Grójec-Warka, a region of eastern central Poland, known for its abundant apple production, affectionately dubbed "Europe's Largest Orchard."
So if you can't decide between a Western or Eastern European vacation, look no further than Franklin in the fall. And the best part — a Franklin apple a day will keep both the doctor and the staggering airfare to Europe away.
Perth
Address: Perth, ON
Distance from Montreal: 3 hours
Why You Need To Go: Okay picture this: you're sitting along the banks of the Tay River in a quaint town full of cobblestone streets lined with historic stone buildings crafted by masons centuries ago. Where in the world are you? If you guessed, Perth, Scotland, you'd be wrong, but oh so close to being right.
You're actually in Perth, Ontario, a picturesque town outside of Ottawa, that shares its name, its architecture, and its rich history with its Scottish counterpart. But in the fall, Perth transforms from a Scottish-inspired community into a breathtaking autumn destination with a colourful landscape fit for a Scottish king and a postcard. While the scenery alone is worth the trip, Perth also hosts many fall activities, including a farmer's harvest market, a pumpkin parade, and a Halloween-themed ghost walk, to make the visit extra special this time of year.
Chelsea
Address: Chelsea, QC
Distance from Montreal: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Nestled between the Gatineau River and Gatineau Park, Chelsea is a beautiful destination year-round, famed for its natural scenery and eco-friendly, sustainable lifestyle. But in autumn, when the trees transform into striking shades of crimsons and golds, the landscape becomes so breathtaking that an entire fall festival is held in its honour.
From September 22 to October 26, Fall Rhapsody celebrates the beauty of the season and the changing colours of the leaves. During the festival, free shuttle buses departing from Gatineau and Ottawa to Gatineau Park make enjoying the fall foliage a breeze (a crisp autumn one, mind you).
Chelsea is also home to Nordik Spa Village, the largest spa in North America, conveniently located at the entrance to Gatineau Park. The spa's stunning indoor-outdoor setting allows you to take in the dreamy Canadian autumn landscape while relaxing in a Scandinavian-inspired setting.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.
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