A guide to the Eastern Townships

All about the outdoors

Four provincial parks are located within the region, all of which are there for you to explore. Hills like Bromont, Orford, and Owl's Head draw in skiers and snowboarders all winter, while hiking and mountain biking take over in the summer. The region is also dotted with lakes and rivers. Brome, Memphremagog, and Megantic lakes are all popular destinations for boating, fishing, water-skiing, and swimming.

The highest concentration of golf courses in Quebec is found in the Townships, if you're interested in hitting up the links. And if a golf cart's four wheels are two too many, the region has a massive cycling community, so you won't have a hard time finding routes to explore, or companions to join you. There are also a number of spas, if you'd rather experience nature in a more relaxing setting.

Festivals, forests, stars and wine bars

For a more urban experience, consider a night in the City of Sherbrooke. You can have your pick of fine dining restaurants, then take in a show at the Granada Theatre or pay a visit to the Sherbrooke Museum of Fine Arts. Sherbrooke is also home to many of the 130 festivals and major events that call the Townships home.

A few other major attractions make the region a sought-after destination. In Coaticook you'll find Foresta Lumina, a short, one-mile night walk through a forest filled with music, lights, and videos. The walk lets you soak up the old mythology about the origins of Quebec in the forest.

Another unique draw is the ASTROLab and observatory found in Mont-M?gantic provincial park. The ASTROLab is a place to enjoy and learn about the night sky, while the observatory is home to a 1.5-metre telescope that is Canada's most powerful. If you visit at night, the area is actually the world's first Dark Sky Preserve, meaning there is little to no unnatural light to impede your views of the starry night sky.

Finally, the Eastern Townships are home to many vineyards, including the two oldest in all of Quebec. You can follow the Wine Route which connects 21 vineyards in the Brome-Missisquoi region, and sample everything the Townships has to offer. Twenty-one is a lot, so pick and choose, or remember to bring a designated driver.

If you're considering a trip to the Eastern Townships, consider planning your route along the Townships Trail. The 430-kilometre trail brings you through 31 towns and villages, highlighting noteworthy heritage stops along the way. You're going to see covered bridges, a multitude of churches, and classic Victorian homes, all set against a picturesque backdrop of small mountains, forests, and lakes, which really make for a beautiful drive.