Getting out of the BUbble

Being part of a college-town has its perks, but it can sometimes get monotonous. A great way to make the most out of your university experience is to do some local travelling, whether solo or in a group. We’ve gathered a list of some of our favourite spots to help you get out of the BUbble!

In closest proximity to Bishop’s is Sherbrooke, accessible by city bus, and the wider Eastern Townships. Other easy destinations include Montreal or Quebec City, which are both about a two-hour drive, give or take. With about half Bishop’s students being from Quebec, your friends can become your tour guides and offer a place to stay on a weekend getaway. You can also usually find a ride with another student on our Bishop’s Carpools Facebook group. If not, Limocar does bus rides to multiple regions, including a bus that departs directly from campus to Montreal every Friday. Other popular destinations are Ottawa, Toronto, Vermont, and Maine. Whether you take a day trip or a long weekend to explore; there’s sure to be something for everyone!

For the outdoors lovers:

Verger la Pommalbonne is a picturesque spot, where you can pick some apples, get a pumpkin and pet the farm animals. Mount Pinacle is a classic hiking spot – make sure to take a photo at the top! In the fall, Bishop’s organizes a trip to Foresta Lumina in Coaticook, a nearby small town, for an enchanting adventure and light show in the forest.

For the snow bunnies:

BU Snow Club has carpools going to Jay Peak, so be sure to sign up for the club and get a discount on your season pass! If you’re a beginner ski or snowboarder Station du ski du Mont-Bellevue is a great spot to learn or practice. Other nearby ski resorts include Owl’s Head, Mont Orford, Bromont and Sutton. For those who prefer flatter terrain, Bishop’s also now boasts a competition-level cross country ski trail. In the spring, Quebec is known for les “cabanes à sucre”, maple sugar shacks where you can roll maple syrup in snow and have pancakes in a cozy cabin.

For the shopaholics:

Take a short trip across the border to Maine or New Hampshire for some duty-free outlet shopping. If you’re feeling brave, take the trip during Black Friday and be prepared to fight the masses for some savings. Don’t forget your passport!

For the foodies:

Siboire in Sherbrooke is a popular microbrewery, located in the heart of downtown Sherbrooke, where you can see the beer being produced in the back. There are also plenty of food festivals going on throughout the year where you can taste classic Quebecois cuisine, such as Poutine week, Phoque Fest, and Tartare fest.

For the arts and history buffs:

You can learn more about the traditional Abenaki territory that Bishop’s is located on by taking a trip to the Musée des Abénakis in Odanak. Sherbrooke also boasts its own Musée de la nature et des sciences and Musée des beaux arts, and there are many historical museums throughout the region, such as the Uplands Cultural and Heritage Centre in Lennoxville, Colby-Curtis Museum in Stanstead, or the Musée Beaulne in Coaticook. There are also many art museums in Montreal and Quebec City.

For the music and party enthusiasts:

Do you love going to the Gait and the Lion? Check out 12 Barz and Bunny Hop to explore different bars in Sherbrooke. Montreal also has many music concerts of all genres and festivals such as Île Soniq or Osheaga.