National Patriots’ Day: what to do during the long weekend?
This long weekend, from Saturday May 18 to Monday May 20, 2024, is the perfect opportunity to relax and travel. National Patriots’ Day is a public holiday, celebrated each year on the Monday before May 25, in honor of Queen Victoria.
Patriots' Day – Activity ideas for young and old alike
From Quebec City to Montreal, by way of Toronto and Ottawa, here are our suggested activities:
- Tour Île d’Orléans and enjoy a Kir Royal on the terrace at Cassis Monna et Filles;
- Pick your own tulips at the Ethier farm near Trois-Rivières, or in Laval and Boucherville;
- Discover the Old Port of Montreal aboard one of the Ferris wheel cabins;
- A boat trip on the St. Lawrence River in Montreal ;
- Unearth great finds at garage sales across the province;
- If you can’t see the Sakuras in Japan, admire the apple blossoms in the fields of southern Quebec;
- Marvel at Niagara Falls, with the possibility of a private tour;
- Free guided tours of Toronto;
- Admire Montreal from the sky with a helicopter tour;
- Visit the wonders of Old Quebec with a guide;
- Discover new cycling routes;
- For a weekend of music, head to Sherbrooke en musique;
- Rent a boat in Laval’s Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-îles;
- Relax over a good film at Ciné-Parcs, open throughout Quebec;
- Stroll through Ottawa’s Tulip Festival and cycle along the Rideau Canal;
- And while you’re in the area, recharge your batteries at Gatineau Park;
- Monorail sledding at Camp Fortune in Chelsea, Outaouais ;
- Stroll through the narrow streets of Montreal and (re) discover Le Plateau ;
- Book a boat trip to Grosse île ;
- Celebrate the opening of Piknic Électronik, in Montreal (until July 31, the Platinum National Bank contest offers a chance to win VIP tickets);
- Take a boat trip on the St. Lawrence River in Quebec City ;
- Visit the Château Frontenac in Quebec City with a guide;
- Hours of fun at theCarie Factory Arcade in L’Ancienne-Lorette ;
- Challenge yourself at Adrénaline Urbaine in Trois-Rivières ;
- Finally, in Vanier, try out the Préski ski simulator ;
Patriots' Day – Getaways in the United States
Getaways to major American cities such as New York, Miami, Boston, Las Vegas, Washington and Los Angeles will satisfy your thirst for escape.
Among the activities, you could :
- Book a helicopter flight in New York ;
- Take a bike ride in Central Park;
- Contemplate the view of New York from the Summit, more than 300 metres high;
- Admire the Statue of Liberty and visit Ellis Island;
- Take a night boat ride in New York ;
- Animal watching at Zoo Miami;
- Take a parasailing tour in Miami;
- Discover the Miami area on a quad bike;
- Book a bike ride in South Beach;
- Crocodile watching in the Everglades;
- Take a boat trip through Miami’s star villas;
- Discover Universal Studios Hollywood;
- Los Angeles bus tour;
- Take surfing lessons in Venice Beach;
- Visit celebrity homes in Hollywood;
- Book your wedding with Elvis in Las Vegas;
- Discover Las Vegas by helicopter;
- Jump into the void at The Strat Las Vegas SkyJump;
- Enjoy a sunset boat ride in Boston;
- Titillate your taste buds with a gastronomic tour of Boston;
- Bar-hopping with friends in Boston;
- Visit Boston’s must-see places with a guide;
- Discover the must-sees in Washington, including the Capitol, the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress.
Here are our guides to inspire you:
Patriots' Day – Save with points
The Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program offers its members the chance to earn reward points, which can be exchanged for free nights at Marriott group hotels.
In Canada, two Marriott Bonvoy credit cards allow you to earn points quickly:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 | |||
| $150 |
If you opt for an independent hotel, it’s possible to save on your reservation thanks to travel credit card points. Alexandrine shares her strategies in her guide:
Finally, for your restaurant and bar outings, there are a number of credit cards that are ideal for topping up your points:
These cards earn you 5 points per dollar spent.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $191.88 | |||
| $0 |
Open or closed on Patriotes Day
Most retail outlets, shopping malls, restaurants, bars, cinemas, convenience stores and pharmacies will be open on Patriotes Day. Financial institutions, Canada Post and provincial and federal points of service will be closed for the holiday.
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