Looking to escape the city with someone special? You don’t have to travel far to find charming small towns, quaint villages and breathtaking scenery.
Just a road trip from Montreal are a number of small towns offering everything from picturesque waterfronts and historic streets to dreamy inns and delicious local eats, making for the perfect romantic setting.
Whether you’re planning a spontaneous day trip or a weekend getaway, these destinations are made for those looking to slow down and soak up some quality time together. Here are eight romantic small towns just a road trip away from Montreal.
Baie Saint-Paul
Address: Baie-Saint-Paul, QC
Why You Need To Go: Located in the picturesque Charlevoix region of Quebec, Baie-Saint-Paul is a town renowned for its art and heritage.
The town boasts a relaxing, postcard-like setting along the St. Lawrence River, offering a mix of nature and culture. It’s a bit of a trek from Montreal at a four-hour drive, but is absolutely worth the trip for a romantic getaway.
Here, you’ll find museums, art galleries, shows, lively bars, bistros and gourmet restaurants that make Baie-Saint-Paul the cultural capital of the region.
Visit the bustling Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street to find charming boutiques, art galleries, artisanal shops and restaurants.
The Baie-Saint-Paul Public Market, open until mid-October, is a lively spot where you can taste fresh, local products and find talented artisans selling handmade and unique creations.
Destination Baie-Saint-Paul website
Mont-Tremblant
Address: Mont-Tremblant, QC
Why You Need To Go: Mont-Tremblant is a resort town in Quebec where you’ll find endless charm. The town is known as a winter destination for skiing, but it also offers tons to do and see in late summer and fall.
With its many colourful buildings, the village of Mont-Tremblant looks more like something you’d find in Europe rather than Canada.
You can take a gondola ride to see panoramic views of the Laurentians, explore hiking trails or shop for artisanal treats. Mont-Tremblant is also a great spot for fishing, golfing and horseback riding.
The town is also known as Quebec’s top cycling destination, offering picturesque routes with lush mountain landscapes.
Tons of events also take place in the village and resort throughout the year, including markets, live music and festivals.
Mont Tremblant Tourism website
Merrickville
Address: Merrickville-Wolford, ON
Why You Need To Go: Situated on the Rideau River in Eastern Ontario, Merrickville is a small Victorian village steeped in history.
Known as the “Jewel of the Rideau Canal,” the village is a popular tourist destination boasting quaint streets, beautiful architecture, rich heritage, and natural beauty.
Strolling through downtown Merrickville is like stepping back in time, with 19th-century stone buildings that line the main street, a town crier, and streetscapes that reflect the era of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897.
You can spend the day perusing the village’s eclectic boutiques, which are filled with one-of-a-kind items made by local artists and artisans. You’ll find shops carrying home goods, locally-made products, specialty foods, antiques, collectables, art and more.
The cute shops also provide tons of fun photo ops, including an iconic red telephone booth on St. Lawrence Street.
Merrickville Website
Almonte
Address: Almonte, ON
Why You Need To Go: Almonte is a small town in Lanark County, Ontario, about 2 hours and 40 minutes from Montreal.
The former mill town is known for being the filming site of many Hallmark Channel movies — films set in Vermont, Alaska, and even Milwaukee have been filmed here, using the town’s quaint streets as their setting. You can find a complete list of movies filmed in Almonte on the town’s website.
With its beautiful 19th-century historic buildings, stone structures and picturesque river setting, the town is full of charm.
Here, you’ll find plenty of unique shopping on the historic Mill Street, which is home to boutiques, antique stores, markets and more.
There are also lots of dining options in town, including cafes, markets and restaurants offering a variety of cuisines and products.
The town also hosts old-fashioned fairs in the summer and fall, and even has its own sandy beach.
Almonte website
North Hatley
Address: North Hatley, QC
Why You Need To Go: Founded in 1897, the village of North Hatley is known as one of the most beautiful small towns of Quebec.
The renowned resort destination offers century-old homes that have been transformed into charming inns, B&Bs and restaurants. You’ll also find many cute antique stores, boutiques and cafes in the village.
For hotels, the Manoir Hovey Relais & Châteaux is an internationally recognized property. Book a stay, or stop in at Le Hatley Restaurant at the hotel for breakfast or dinner.
Be sure to also grab a bite at the Massawippi Mercantile. Known locally as “The Merc”, this charming cafe serves up cozy meals in an equally cozy interior. Stop in for breakfast or lunch daily, or dinner from Thursday to Sunday.
The village also offers golf, water sports, cycling, and tons of opportunities for scenic strolls by the water.
The beginning of the fall, when the leaves start to change, is a spectacular time to tour the area by bike or on foot. Until mid-October, you can also shop for fresh fruits and vegetables, breads, cheeses, honey, flowers, and much more at the North Hatley Farmer’s Market.
North Hatley website
Sutton
Address: Sutton, QC
Why You Need To Go: Sutton is a mountain town in southeastern Quebec offering a vast range of outdoor activities that can be enjoyed whatever the season.
Mont Sutton provides the setting for tons of adventure. Here, you can go mountain biking, enjoy ziplining or a zipline coaster, and explore a network of scenic hiking trails.
The Sentier du Village-Montagne trail links the mountain and the heart of the village, meaning visitors can go from the village all the way to the mountain on foot.
In the heart of town, Sutton’s Main Street is where you’ll find quaint boutiques, studios and galleries, as well as a variety of bistros, restaurants, and breweries offering different cuisines and craft beer.
From mid-September to mid-October, visitors can also experience the Mont Sutton Autumn Festival and enjoy chairlift rides, guided hikes, open-air concerts and more.
Tourisme Sutton website
Magog
Address: Magog, QC
Why You Need To Go: Founded in the 18th century, Magog is a town in Quebec’s Eastern Townships with a rich heritage and plenty of scenic beauty.
The town is set by the beautiful Lake Memphremagog and surrounded by mountains for a postcard-perfect setting.
Magog offers a lively downtown area with boutiques, art galleries, and a variety of restaurants and cafes, and is known for its gastronomy inspired by and made with local ingredients from the Eastern Townships.
The Parc de la Baie-de-Magog is a must for its walking paths, beach and boat launching dock, a cute place to take in the scenery.
For a quieter spot, the walking paths of the Marais de la Rivière aux Cerises allow visitors to discover well-preserved marshlands and two beautiful vineyards, the Cep d’Argent and the Vignoble Chemin de la Rivière.
Don’t miss the Magog Public Market, a festive gathering featuring live music and an impressive lineup of local artisans, products and restaurants on site, which runs until mid-October.
Eastern Townships tourism website
Perth
Address: Perth, ON
Why You Need To Go: Located in Ontario’s Lanark County, about 3 hours from Montreal, Perth is a small town with historic stone buildings, charming boutiques, picturesque bridges and scenic parks.
Named after Perth, Scotland, the town was settled by Scottish, Irish, and other European immigrants. Walking through the town’s streets, its stone bridges and 19th-century heritage buildings give it an old-world feel and reflect its Scottish heritage today.
Stewart Park, a lush, tree-lined park with gorgeous gardens and a lovely bridge overlooking the scenic Tay River, is a must-visit while in town.
The town also offers one-of-a-kind landmarks like the Mammoth Cheese, a replication of a 22,000-pound block of cheese the town created in 1893 and sent to the Chicago World Fair, and the “Last Duel Pistols,” a pair of pistols used in Perth that marked the last place in Canada where a fatal duel occurred.
The town also regularly hosts fairs, night markets, and fun events, a list of which can be found on the town website.
Perth town website
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.
