A week at Lake Brome, Quebec, Canada

I consider myself wildly lucky to be surrounded by friends who love to travel, especially the international ones. My friend Mary Ellen, who invited us to join her for a week in Italy, invited us out of the country again but this time, a little closer. She booked a house on a lake in Canada, making an out-of-country getaway a bit easier with kids by making it within driving distance to the amazing lake area of Lake Brome. 

Lake Brome is about a 5.5 hour drive from coastal Connecticut, and just over the border of our northern neighbor. It is only 40 minutes over the border but you instantly notice the change of scenery and culture and you enter the very french area of southern Quebec. While there is plenty to do in the area, you are also only an hour drive from Montreal and three hours from Quebec City. We went up in August which was the perfect time of year to float on the lake, bike the recreation paths, and enjoy a different culture so close to home. 

We loved the area, and loved this relaxing week away with friends and wonderful weather. It is truly a perfect family destination with outings to local zoos, a trip to the city, and slow days spent at local parks and playgrounds. Canada does open spaces and parks so much better than we do, and we enjoyed free access to public pools, splash pads, parks, and recreation trails. There is such an emphasis on the outdoors, and making it accessible to families, that makes you envious of a bit disappointed we don't hold those same values here in the United States. 

This post is a bit different than most as it isn't a formal travel guide. We truly just spent the week relaxing on the lake, enjoying all it had to offer. I included some highlights which highlight some of our day trips and activities as we ventured around the area. 

Highlights:
Recreation Path, Lake Brome
Paddleboarding, kayaking and swimming in the lake
Biodome in Montreal
Markets in Montreal - grabbing ingredients for dinner at home
Granby Zoo (zoo, waterpark, and rides)
Quaint and FREE parks of Canada

Our house on the lake

Vacation Piper

Paddleboarding with the kids

Kid's Bike Park in Montreal

BioDome in Montreal

 Markets in Montreal

Lake Brome Bike Path

Ice Cream Stop off the Lake Brome Bike Path

Lake Brome

The village around the lake

The kids hanging out at the house

Granby Zoo

Many ice cream stops to celebrate summer

Awesome public parks in Canada

A fabulous week on the lake