As the second-largest province in the second-largest country on earth, Quebec has no shortage of roadside wonders.
And no, we’re not talking about the abundance of orange cones and potholes in Montreal.
From gravity-defying hills to giant roadside animals, bizarre sculptures, and historic oddities, the province is packed with quirky attractions that make any road trip more interesting. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick detour or a photo op that will have people doing a double take, these nine must-see stops are worth pulling over for.
Magnetic Hill – Chartierville
This stretch of road is sure to mess with your mind.
easterntownships.org
Address: Route 257 Sud, Chartierville Quebec
Why it’s worth checking out:
If you’re looking for a roadside attraction that will make you question the laws of physics, Magnetic Hill in Chartierville is a must-visit.
Located along Route 257 South, near the U.S. border, this unassuming stretch of road has been baffling drivers for years. When you stop your car at the designated spot, put it in neutral, and let go of the brakes. You’ll start rolling uphill without touching the gas.
No, it’s not magic or even magnets for that matter. It’s actually a perfectly crafted optical illusion. The way the horizon is obscured and the incline of the road is positioned tricks your brain into thinking you’re going up, when in reality, you’re rolling downhill.
After you’ve had your mind blown, to get the full story, you can stop by the Centre d’interprétation de la Côte Magnétique, where guides can explain the science behind the illusion.
Le Madrid – Saint-Léonard-d’Aston
Address: 180 Rang du Moulin Rouge, Saint-Léonard-d’Aston, QC
Why it’s worth checking out:
Most highway rest stops are forgettable, but Le Madrid 2.0 is impossible to miss.
Scattered around the property are towering dinosaur statues, standing guard over a gas station, restaurant, and truck stop halfway between Montreal and Quebec City. Originally a motel from the 1970s, the site has evolved into a kid-friendly pit stop where prehistoric beasts and roadside travellers coexist.
It may not be Jurassic Park, but it’s still a weird and wonderful sight for road-trippers.
Rest stop website
Gibeau Orange Julep – Montreal
Address: 7700 Boulevard Décarie, Montreal, QC
Why it’s worth checking out:
Montreal has plenty of architectural oddities, but few are as iconic as the massive orange sphere looming over Décarie Boulevard. A throwback to the golden age of drive-ins, the Gibeau Orange Julep has been serving up its signature frothy orange drink since the 1940s.
Whether you stop for the retro vibes, the old-school car meetups, or just to see if the juice lives up to the hype, this spot is an unmistakable piece of Montreal nostalgia.
Orange Julep website
The little white house – Chicoutimi
This little home remains standing against all odds.
Google Maps
Address: 251 rue Bossé, Chicoutimi, QC
Why it’s worth checking out:
In 1996, a massive flood wiped out an entire neighbourhood in Chicoutimi. But one tiny white house beat the odds. Despite millions of gallons of rushing water, the home somehow stood its ground, becoming a symbol of resilience.
Now a museum dedicated to the Saguenay flood, the house tells its incredible survival story. Inside, a robotic version of the former resident sits in a rocking chair, recounting the disaster in detail. It’s a mix of history, oddity, and local legend that makes for a fascinating roadside stop.
Museum website
Ice Hotel – Valcartier
Address: 1860 Boulevard Valcartier, Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, QC
Why it’s worth checking out:
Even if you’re just passing through, the Hôtel de Glace, located just outside Quebec City, is a must-see winter stop. This massive ice hotel, rebuilt from the ground up every year, is impossible to miss with its towering ice walls, sparkling sculptures, and frosty archways.
Daytime visitors can walk through its elaborate frozen corridors, check out the intricately carved ice rooms, and even sip a cocktail from a glass made of ice at the hotel’s famous ice bar. If you’re not up for an overnight stay in sub-zero temps, you can still tour the entire structure, take in the year’s unique theme, and snap some surreal winter photos.
Hotel website
Colourful fire hydrants – New Carlisle
Address: Along Boulevard Gérard-D.-Levesque, New Carlisle, Quebec
Why it’s worth checking out:
Most fire hydrants are bright red, purely functional, and easy to ignore. But in New Carlisle, they’ve become something much more fun.
For years, locals have been turning the town’s hydrants into colourful mascots, painting them to resemble everything from sailors and athletes to beloved cartoon characters.
If you’re driving through the Gaspésie region, take a few minutes to stop, wander, and see how many you can spot.
New Carlisle website
Le Grand Rassemblement – Sainte-Flavie
Address: 564 Route de la Mer, Sainte-Flavie, Quebec
Why it’s worth checking out:
Driving through Sainte-Flavie, you might catch something strange out of the corner of your eye — dozens of wooden figures rising from the St. Lawrence River that look like they’re slowly making their way to shore.
This eerie outdoor art piece, Le Grand Rassemblement, was created by Quebec artist Marcel Gagnon and has been growing for years. Some statues stand on land, and others disappear with the tide, making the whole scene feel weirdly alive.
Centre D’Art Marcel Gagnon website
Christmas castle – Rivière-du-Loup
Address: 65 Rue de l’Ancrage, Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec
Why it’s worth checking out:
If you’ve ever wished Christmas could last all year, Noël au Château is the place to be.
Built in 1971 as a fairytale-style castle, this quirky spot is home to a massive Christmas boutique open May through December. Inside, you’ll find holiday decorations, twinkling lights, and enough festive spirit to make you forget what season it actually is.
While the castle itself is no longer open for tours after suffering a fire in 2015, the shop is still worth a stop.
Noel au Chateau website
Ghost town – Val-Jalbert
Address: 95 Rue Saint-Georges, Chambord, Quebec
Why it’s worth checking out:
Once a booming industrial town, Val-Jalbert was abandoned in 1927, leaving behind over 70 frozen-in-time buildings. In 1996, the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications designated it as a heritage site, recognizing it as one of the best-preserved ghost towns in Canada.
You can walk through empty streets, peek inside old homes and shops, and stand in awe of Ouiatchouan Falls, which is even taller than Niagara Falls. For the full experience, you can even stay overnight in a restored house… if you dare.
Val-Jalbert website
