Things to Do in Sherbrooke, Canada

Downtown Sherbrooke, Quebec (Photo: Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images )

Related Articles

• Places to Go in the Month of November in Canada
• When to Visit Canada
• Quebec City Fall Leaf Tours
• Fun Things to Do for Free in Rochester, New York

Surprise... Sherbrooke, Canada, is only an hour’s drive from three U.S. states: Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. New York state is only a little bit farther. Without going too far over the border, visitors can get a quick taste of an authentic Canadian lifestyle – complete with a French accent – in the unofficial capital of Quebec’s Eastern Townships.

Sherbrooke is a small city, ranking 30th in size among Canada’s largest. It’s about 100 miles east of the much larger city of Montreal and about 145 miles south of Quebec City. Find out more about Sherbrooke activities. Each of the seasons has local highlights and Sherbrooke attractions to suit the city’s distinct four seasons.

Spring Treats in Sherbrooke

Short and sharp, maple syrup season in Sherbrooke, Canada begins in mid-March and continues for several weeks through late April. As the weather warms up, the golden sap begins flowing. Tour one of the many maple sugar farms near Sherbrooke to see how the traditional process unfolds.

In center city, visit artisanal food vendors at the small but sweet Marche de la Gare in a historic converted train station where an array of maple syrup products are sold.

See Sherbrooke in Summer

Parc du Mont-Bellevue is the city’s largest park, a small mountain with walking trails in the middle of town. The park’s name translates as “beautiful view,” so visitors may choose to hike or ride a quick chairlift to the top at 1,093 feet for a good look across the region.

Take in another of Sherbrooke’s highlights, Lac des Nations, a lake formed by a dam across a section of the Magog River. Navigate the entire lake by walking or biking the 2-mile promenade around its circumference and conduct some bird-watching along the way. Summer is also peak season for exploring the countryside.

As an option to driving to see the area, Orford Express is a sightseeing train with a dining car that departs from Sherbrooke on day trips.

Sherbrooke’s Fall Farmers Markets

Fall harvest is an important seasonal event in Sherbrooke. The local tourism board recommends a stroll that combines a trip to the farmers market with a guided fresco mural walking tour focused on the artistic side of city life as told through the 16 large wall paintings decorating downtown buildings.

Alternatively, walk along the river gorge itself where several viewing platforms are mounted. La Halte des Pelerins is only 5 minutes from the center of town, where visitors enjoy learning about winemaking through tastings, food pairings, and guided tours around the facility and vineyard at this friendly, family-run winery.

Winter Season in Sherbrooke

Hearty New Englanders will understand winters in Sherbrooke when the city’s lakes and ponds turn into natural ice-skating rinks and Mont Bellevue park becomes a ski slope with trails for cross-country skiing as well. Spend the day tube sliding on snow at the park’s two winding tracks with a 15 percent grade.

To warm up, head indoors for a visit to Sherbrooke’s Museum of Fine Arts, housed in a 19th-century building. During the countdown to Christmas, downtown gets the special treatment with nightly illuminations. Marche de Noel, the Christmas Market, becomes the center of activity.

Year-Round in Sherbrooke

Sherbrooke has a good mix of things to do throughout the year. Enjoy a concert or a performance at the historic Granada Theater, take a self-guided tour of six micro-breweries or indulge yourself at Sherbrooke Strøm Spa, an exhilarating Scandinavian-style experience at the very edge of the Magog River.