Plan a cool girls’ getaway just outside Montréal

Strøm Spa Nordique

Tourisme Montréal

This article was updated on December 1, 2022. 

Montréal is an easy place to get together with your girl gang, but there’s nothing like a road trip for that deep bonding feeling. And it needn’t be far! Hit the road with your besties and within a half-hour’s drive you’ll be immersed in the rich region of  Montérégie, full on wintry beauty, eateries, wineries, chocolate shops, shopping expeditions and spas. And if you’re outdoorsy types, work in a winter hike. Here are some spots you won’t want to miss—each is a destination in itself, but mix and match them for a full-on, Thelma-and-Louise dose of quality time. (With a happier ending.)

In collaboration with Tourisme Montérégie. 

Brossard

How about kicking the fun off with a shopping spree? Go nuts at Brossard’s Quartier DIX30, a giant, world-class shopping complex uniting international brands as well as local gems like Birks, Kanuk, Matt & Nat, Frank And Oak, Bon Look and DAVIDsTEA. And then for a meal, the choices abound—we suggest Toqué spin-off Brasserie T. If you want to make your getaway a sleepover, you’ve got two Groupe Germain hotels to choose from (the Escad and the Alt). Take about 15 chill pills at once at the stunning SKYSPA (we recommend the Californian massage, the perfect antidote to winter chills) and for entertainment, DIX30 has got you covered with two performance venues, a cinema and adventurous activities like indoor surfing at Oasis Surf.

Mont-Saint-Hilaire

Who says girls’ getaway says wine, so off to Domaine Vinéterra we go! Take a tour of the winery, taste some vintages, then stock up for your future celebrations. They also specialize in maple products, so sweet tooths will be well served. A hike is always welcome on the beautiful, four-season Mont Saint-Hilaire trails, offering a variety of lengths and elevations. Grab a scrumptious sandwich at Chez Cheval, Quebec celebrity chef Louis-François Marcotte’s place, then make a quick detour to the chocolate emporium La Cabosse d’or in nearby town Otterburn Park. Now it’s time for some spa goodness: soak in an outdoor hot tub at Strøm Spa Nordique before getting restorative massages and treatments.

 

Saint-Hyacinthe

A day in Saint-Hyacinthe starts well with a festive lunch, either at Restaurant l’Espiègle (satisfying ciabatta sandwiches with a high stack of fresh-fried potato chips) or at La vie, la vie comptoir santé (fresh salads that go great with a flute of kombucha). If you prefer an evening meal, hit the dinner menu at the beloved Les Fourchettes vagabondes (open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only): they serve up indulgent dishes like scallop ceviche with chorizo and green apple or mushroom, ricotta and duck confit ravioli. Between meals, hit the shops! Boutique Mimosa is the perfect spot to pick up homeware goods. Les Passions de Manon is a foodie haven, reputed to be the province’s largest gourmet grocery store.

Venise-en-Québec

This wonderful, unique town is a picturesque destination any time of year. Whisk your gals off to Noah Spa to escape all city stresses thanks to the stunning “eaunergitique” hot tub experience, a bubbly soaking tub with a serene, moody, plant-filled atmosphere and semi-private compartments that invite total relaxation. Follow that up with a massage or treatment, then refuel and clink glasses at Le Greg Bistro & Bar, within the La cache du Lac Champlain hotel, where the menu promises hearty charcuterie platters, creamy mushroom risotto and braised beef cheek.

Rougemont

Synonymous with orchards and vineyards, the Rougemont area is just as pretty in wintertime, when the apple trees or vines twinkle under fresh-fallen snow. Discover the Domaine Cartier-Potelle winery and cidery, where you can take a tasting tour before making your selection for take-homes (we recommend the Fortifié, a fortified cider that makes a great hostess gift). Do the same at Cidrerie Michel Jodoin, famous for its sparkling ciders—ideal for toasting good friends. While in the area, pop over to the neighbouring town Chambly to indulge in some premium, hand-painted chocolate confections at FG Chocolatiers.

Châteauguay

Cheese lovers will nerd out at Châteauguay’s Fromagerie Ruban Bleu, where you can organize one-site tastings and attend special evening events (check for upcoming events here). Get your fill, then stock up for your next gal-pal feasts back home. Shake a leg on the expansive Île Saint-Bernard, a natural getaway on an island withing minutes of the big city. Set off to hike though the packed-down trails, explore the wildlife reserve, gaze at the denuded orchards and after all that, stop by the Café de l’île for a quick restorative bite and a hot drink, or the Bistro La Traite for a hearty burger that will warm you up from the inside.

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu

This city on the shores of the Richelieu River has a beautiful old town called Vieux-Saint-Jean, which resonates with history, lively shopping and feel-good vibes. Start your shop-bopping at Boutique Q4, where you’ll find a cute collection of made-in-Quebec goods ranging from homeware to toys, candles and chocolates. Food lovers, don’t miss Fromagerie Le métayer in nearby Saint-Cyprien-de-Napierville: the selection of cheeses is wide, but you can’t leave without a bag of traditional cheese curds for your next homemade poutine. Here’s to female friendship!