“Use it or lose it!” When we realized our credit card rewards were about to expire, we didn’t panic—we planned a micro-adventure.
Join us as we trade long-haul flights for a scenic one-hour drive to Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec, for a weekend of lakeside strolls and the finest local craft beer.
Who knew a “staycation” could feel this much like a getaway?
A 24-Hour Escape: Why We Chose a Micro-adventure in the Laurentians
As backpackers who travel all over the world, why did we suddenly decide to go on a short road trip just an hour away? There was a bit of a story behind it.
The Inspiration: A Race Against Time (and Expiration Dates!)
Well, we should be honest with you. The spark for this trip wasn’t a long-held dream, but a notification: one of our credit card rewards was about to expire – a $100 hotel credit. Instead of letting it go to waste, we decided to turn a potential ‘loss’ into a ‘staycation’ micro-adventure. It’s a great reminder that you don’t need a flight to have a getaway.
Why a Micro-adventure?
As backpackers, we have been to lots of countries and places, but funnily enough, we haven’t travelled much in Canada, where we live.
We thought, sometimes the best discoveries might be right in your own backyard. Now that we have a pressing credit card reward to use, why don’t we take advantage of it?
Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts is a hidden gem in the heart of the Laurentians (Les Laurentides). We decided to go for a relaxing one-night stay to rediscover this historic lakeside town.
A Glimpse into Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts
Stepping into Sainte-Agathe feels like stepping back into a classic era of Quebecois summer retreats. Established in the mid-19th century, it is one of the oldest resort towns in the region.
- The Heart of the Town: Everything revolves around the stunning Lac des Sables, a massive, pristine lake that has drawn vacationers for over 130 years.
- Vibe: It’s a bilingual-friendly community of about 11,000 residents. You’ll find a charming mix of historic 19th-century architecture and a laid-back, modern craft beer scene.
- Location: Perfectly situated between Montreal and Mont-Tremblant, making it an ideal “micro-adventure” spot for locals and travelers alike.
Strategic Stay: Review of Super 8 by Wyndham Sainte Agathe Des Monts
The hotel we booked is located almost on the outskirts of town. It’s close to the motorway, so it’s a convenient location for those arriving by car.
In front of the reception area are tables and chairs, which serve as the breakfast buffet area.
Next to the reception desk, there is a machine that dispenses coffee and hot water, which appears to be available 24 hours a day.
The hotel features a swimming pool and a hot tub. The swimming pool has a large slide, making it a fun space for children to play in. However, it is not deep enough for adults to swim properly.
There is a small hot tub next to the swimming pool, but the water wasn’t super hot at that time, unfortunately.
The hotel room was spacious enough and featured a modern, soothing interior design. There was a queen-size bed with four pillows. Although we prefer firmer mattresses and found this one a little too soft, we still slept well.
The room was equipped with a coffee maker, coffee, paper cups, plastic cups and so on.
The bathroom is bright and clean. It is spacious and well-stocked with toiletries.
It has not only a shower but also a bath, and the water pressure in the shower is excellent. The hot water comes out very hot.
The room was equipped not only with a television and a fridge, but also, for some reason, a microwave. As there is a large supermarket right next to the hotel, travellers like us who want to keep food costs down can buy frozen meals from the supermarket and heat them up in the room’s microwave.
The hotel is built on a hillside. Although our room was on the second floor, when you look out of the window, you realise it’s actually on the ground floor.
Whilst there isn’t a particularly beautiful view, the location is away from the town centre, making for a very peaceful setting.
The room rate includes a continental breakfast. Bagels, cereal, boiled eggs, fruit, yoghurt and muffins were available in the area in front of reception.
The Highlight: Exploring Microbrasserie La Veillée
Our main mission? Sampling the local brew! We headed to Microbrasserie La Veillée, a cozy spot that captures the spirit of the Laurentians in a glass.
The microbrewery ‘La Veillée – Microbrasserie & Pub’ is located on the ground floor of a modern building near Lac des Sables, and from the street on the lake side, you can see the brewhouse through the glass windows.
There are tables outside too. We stepped into the warm interior, as we imagined how it must be packed with beer lovers in the summer.
A wide selection of beers and a stylish menu
As we entered the pub, we were greeted by some very friendly staff. It happened to be a Sunday during the Easter bank holiday weekend, and perhaps because most other shops were closed, neither the town of Santagat de Mont nor the microbrewery were particularly busy.
So we took a corner seat by the window. Incidentally, this pub accepts online bookings. We’d actually booked online ourselves, but we arrived far too early for our reserved time, so we ended up walking in as if we were just dropping in.
The beer menu was already on the table, and we were also given menus for snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.
We decided to have a beer straight away and flicked through the beer menu; it was very stylish and clearly laid out. It was a bit of a shame that it was only in French, though—but then again, French is the official language, so…
There was a very wide variety of beers on offer, and I think anyone, whatever their taste, would be able to find something they like in the menu.
Local Flavors: Tasting the Best Craft Beers in Quebec
I wondered if they had a sort of tasting set where you could try a variety of beers in small portions, so I asked a member of staff. They told me they didn’t have a specific tasting set, but that I could choose several beers served in small glasses. So, I decided to order that.
That’s the set in the photo, with each glass containing 3 ounces (about 88ml). This photo is actually of the second set we ordered; before this, we’d already tried another set of four different beers. So, between the two of us, we ended up tasting eight different varieties.
Overall reviews of Quebecois Brewery
Overall, every beer I tried was delicious; each had its own distinct character and was of a very high standard. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them, though of course everyone has their own preferences.
To be honest, though, I found it a bit of a shame that, no matter which one I chose, the aftertaste left me wanting a little more.
Still, the high-quality beers, the distinctive selection, and the friendly service, we thoroughly enjoyed ourself. The nachos we ordered as a snack were also.
Lakeside Serenity: A Walking Tour Around Lac des Sables
One of the perks of staying at the Super 8 by Wyndham was the ability to leave the car behind. A short, 25-minute walk takes you right into the heart of the town and the shores of Lac des Sables.
Walking through the streets allowed us to notice the small details—the heritage houses, the local artisan shops, and the quiet rhythm of a Sunday afternoon that you’d completely miss if you were just driving through.
Exploring the Town on Foot
It’s a town steeped in history, but it’s not just about old buildings—there’s plenty of modern architecture too. And since we’re talking about Quebec, often referred to as the ‘Europe of North America’, the streetscape is absolutely charming. It was a shame, though, that it was Easter Sunday and most of the shops were closed.
Lac des Sables (Lake Sable) is likely to be bustling with people during the summer months. There is a small park near the lake. It appears there is a beach, but unfortunately, there was still ice and snow on the ground at the time, so it didn’t feel like a place where one could enjoy the beach.
Final Thoughts: Making the Most of a Weekend Near Montreal
That was our overnight trip to Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts in the Laurentians.
As I mentioned earlier, as it was a Sunday during the Easter holidays, many shops were closed. So, although we weren’t able to pop into any of the charming coffee shops or craft shops, we still had a thoroughly enjoyable time.
There are also plenty of ski resorts in this area, making it a bustling destination not only in summer but in winter too. As it’s not too far from Montreal, do pop in if you’re ever in the vicinity.
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