Family Day Trips from Montreal: 10 Ideas Within 2 Hours

Adventure Awaits Just Outside the City

Sometimes the best family days happen outside Montreal. Within a 2-hour drive, you'll find wildlife parks, canyons, beaches, and mountains that feel like a world away from the city. Here are 10 day trips we return to again and again.

Wildlife & Animals

1. Parc Omega (Montebello — 1h30 from Montreal) — This drive-through wildlife park is one of Quebec's best family attractions. From your car, you'll see elk, bison, wolves, bears, deer, and wild boars roaming freely. Kids can hand-feed deer through the car windows with carrots (sold at the entrance for $3/bag). There's also a walking trail with a wolf observation area and a First Nations heritage village. Admission is $32 adults, $22 kids (6-15), free under 6. Plan 2-3 hours minimum. Pack a lunch or eat at their snack bar.

2. Zoo de Granby (Granby — 1h15 from Montreal) — Quebec's largest zoo with over 1,500 animals from five continents. The adjacent Amazoo waterpark is included with admission in summer. Admission is $44 adults, $32 kids (3-12). It's a full-day outing. The dinosaur exhibit is a huge hit with younger kids, and the African pavilion is genuinely world-class.

Nature & Adventure

3. Canyon Sainte-Anne (Beaupré — 2h from Montreal) — A spectacular 74-metre waterfall surrounded by ancient rock walls. Three suspension bridges cross the canyon at different heights, offering dizzying views. Kids aged 6+ will love the adventure; younger children are fine on the main trail but may need to be carried on the steepest sections. Admission $16 adults, $8 kids (6-16). Allow 1.5-2 hours.

4. Mont-Orford National Park (Eastern Townships — 1h30 from Montreal) — Perfect for family hiking with trails for all levels. The Lac Stukely trail is an easy 3 km loop suitable for ages 5+. Swimming at Lac Stukely beach is included with park entry ($9/adult, $4.50/child). In winter, the ski station offers beginner-friendly slopes and a snow school for kids.

Beaches & Water

5. Oka Beach (Oka National Park — 45 min from Montreal) — The closest real sandy beach to Montreal. The shallow, warm water is perfect for young kids. SEPAQ park entry is $9/adult, $4.50/child. Arrive before 10 AM on summer weekends — it fills to capacity and closes access.

6. Lac-Brome (Knowlton — 1h20 from Montreal) — A charming Eastern Townships village with a public beach, boutique shopping, and excellent restaurants. The beach is free and family-friendly. The village of Knowlton itself is picturesque — perfect for a post-swim stroll.

Farm & Harvest

7. Sucrerie de la Montagne (Rigaud — 50 min from Montreal) — Year-round sugar shack experience with horse-drawn sleigh rides, traditional Québécois meals, and maple-everything desserts. Kids can learn how maple syrup is made. About $30-40/person for the meal experience.

8. Quinn Farm (Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot — 40 min from Montreal) — Seasonal family farm with apple picking (fall), pumpkin patches (October), and strawberry picking (June). A hay maze and petting zoo keep younger kids entertained. Entry is free; you pay for what you pick.

Mountain Towns

9. Mont-Tremblant Village (1h45 from Montreal) — The pedestrian village at the base of the ski mountain is charming year-round. In summer, the Skyline Luge, gondola rides, and beach at Lac Mercier make it a perfect day trip. In winter, obviously, it's all about skiing.

10. Bromont (1h15 from Montreal) — The waterpark and ski mountain combo is unbeatable in summer. Splash pads, waterslides, and chairlift rides to the summit. A bike park welcomes beginners too.

Find more outdoor activities near Montreal on FamiliQC.