7 day trips from Montreal you can get to using the STM, from stunning parks to hidden gems
Are you stuck in Montreal this summer without a car, longing for adventure? Well, good news! The Island of Montreal is full of fun, scenic day trips accessible by the STM, making your next adventure only an OPUS card tap away.
Read on to discover eight Montreal staycation ideas complete with public transit itineraries. The STM directions assume a weekday departure from Berri-UQAM station, so if you're travelling on the weekend, you may have to change your route.
Parc René-Levesque
Address: 398, ch. du Canal, Lachine, QC
How To Get There (Weekday):
- Green line to Angrignon
- Bus 195 Ouest to Saint-Patrick / Lyette
Approximate One-Way Travel Time: 1 hour
Why You Need To Go: Located on a peninsula between the Saint Lawrence River and the end of the Lachine Canal, Parc René-Levesque is a paradise for naturalists and artist alike. Offering breathtaking views of the canal, the river, Lac Saint-Louis, and the south shore, the park features a collection of 22 contemporary sculptures alongside the stunning natural scenery. It's also a short walk from the historic Lachine Lock and the picturesque Lachine Lighthouse, so you can easily spend the day taking in the natural sights and artistic wonders of the park and surrounding area.
Marché aux Puces Saint-Michel
Address: 7707, av. Shelley, Montreal, QC
How To Get There (Weekday):
- Orange line to Jean Talon
- Blue line to Saint-Michel
Approximate One-Way Travel Time: 30 minutes
Why You Need To Go: It's hard not to get lost amongst the eclectic kiosks and vendors at the massive Marché aux Puces Saint-Michel. From the outside, the east end flea market looks like an old abandoned warehouse, but on the inside, it's a sight to behold — a thrifter's haven, full of antiques, quirky retro and mid-century items, vintage games and electronics, unique furniture and fashion, and the wildest random oddities. If you can dream it, you can likely find it at Marché aux Puces Saint-Michel.
Promenade du Canal de Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
Address: Corner of rue Sainte-Anne and rue Saint-Pierre, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
How To Get There (Weekday):
- Orange line to Lionel-Groulx
- Bus 405 Ouest to Lakeshore / Macdonald
- Bus 212 Ouest to Sainte-Anne / Lalonde
Approximate One-Way Travel Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why You Need To Go: In a little over an hour and for the cost of one metro fare, you can feel as if you've been transported hundreds of miles away from the hustle, bustle, and brutalist architecture of Montreal's urban core. Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue is a charming and quaint community located at the far western tip of the island. Spend the day strolling the pedestrian boardwalk that runs along the Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal, where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of street artists and musicians, shop the nearby cute boutiques, and grab a bite on one of the many terrasses that overlook the boardwalk.
Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies
Address: 14905, rue Sherbrooke E., Montreal, QC
How To Get There (Weekday):
- Green line to Honoré-Beaugrand
- Bus 186 Est to Sherbrooke / Yves-Thériault
Approximate One-Way Travel Time: 1 hour
Why You Need To Go: The only thing stopping you from spending the day being one with nature is a metro and bus ride to the eastern end of the island. Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies is a vast nature park, lush with forests, fields, and marshes, located as far east on the island as you can travel. Its 261 hectares are divided into three sections complete with 8.4 kilometres of hiking trails, two chalets, rare birds and wildlife, and even a special 4.2 kilometre trail for fat bikes.
Stewart Hall Cultural Centre
Address: 176, ch. du Bord-du-Lac-Lakeshore, Pointe-Claire, QC
How To Get There (Weekday):
- Green line to Lionel-Groulx
- Bus 405 Ouest to Autoroute 20 Ouest / Saint-Jean
Approximate One-Way Travel Time: 1 hour
Why You Need To Go: A creative oasis in a beautiful historic mansion on the shores of Lac Saint-Louis in Pointe-Claire, Stewart Hall Cultural Centre is part art gallery, part community centre, but mostly, a fun, unique, and inspiring way to spend a day.
The art gallery features works by renowned artists with some art even available for sale or rent, while the reading and reference room allows public access to local newspapers and books on art and culture. Visitors can also shop for hand-crafted items by local artisans at the centre's boutique or partake in the many community events and art workshops held at Stewart Hall throughout the year.
Parc des Rapides
Address: 7770, boul. LaSalle, Lasalle, Quebec
How To Get There (Weekday):
- Green line to De l'Église
- Bus 61 Ouest to Édouard / 8e Avenue
Approximate One-Way Travel Time: 50 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Pack a lunch, grab a blanket, hop on the metro, and enjoy a picnic along the banks of the Saint Lawrence River. Lasalle's 30-hectare Parc des Rapides boosts stunning views of the Lachine Rapids, the largest great blue heron colony in Quebec, and 225 species of birds in the park's bird sanctuary, all making for the perfect backdrop to a sunny afternoon picnic.
Technoparc Oiseaux
Address: Avenue Marie Curie, Saint-Laurent, QC
How To Get There (Weekday):
- Orange line to Du Collège
- Bus 72 Ouest to Alexander-Fleming / Alfred-Nobel
Approximate One-Way Travel Time: 1 hour
Why You Need To Go: A collision of nature and industry, Technoparc Oiseaux is the perfect metaphor for the entire island of Montreal. This 215-hectare green space and wetland surrounds a hightech industrial park, but don't let the nearby industries distract you from the beautiful scenery, wildlife, and biodiversity of the area. The park, kept protected by a group birdwatchers and environmentalists, is among the best places to birdwatch in the city, full of ponds, fields, forests, 222 species of birds, and 345 different plant species.
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.
