Parc Omega

Parc Omega is one of the most unforgettable family experiences accessible from Montreal, and it delivers the kind of up-close wildlife encounters that kids dream about. Located about 1. 5 hours northwest of the city near Montebello, this 2,200-acre wildlife park lets families drive their own car through vast Canadian wilderness while deer, elk, bison, and wild boar roam freely around (and right up to) your vehicle.

The drive-through circuit is the heart of the experience. The winding road takes you through forests, meadows, and lakeside areas, and animals appear around every turn. White-tailed deer are the boldest — they approach car windows confidently, and kids can hand-feed them carrots and apples (bags available at the park entrance for about $10 CAD).

The thrill of a deer eating from your child's hand through the car window is indescribable — pure, unfiltered joy. Elk and bison are more majestic but keep a bit more distance, while wild boar root through the underbrush.

Beyond the driving circuit, walking trails take visitors past enclosed habitats where wolves, black bears, arctic foxes, and birds of prey live. The wolf enclosure is particularly impressive — the pack is visible and active, and interpretive signage helps kids understand wolf behavior and ecology. A pioneer farm area offers close encounters with domestic animals — goats, sheep, and chickens that kids can pet and feed.

Parc Omega operates year-round, with each season offering a different experience. Summer is the busiest with the fullest range of activities. Fall is the most scenic — the driving circuit through October foliage is stunning.

Winter transforms the park with snow tubing, snowshoeing, and dog sledding through the forest. Spring brings baby animals — fawns, calves, and piglets that melt even the toughest kid's heart.

For families willing to splurge, the park offers unique overnight accommodations including the Wolf Cabin, where you sleep steps from the wolf enclosure and can watch the pack from your bed. Other cabin and lodge options are available throughout the park.

The drive from Montreal takes about 1.5 hours via Autoroute 50 West. Plan for a full day — the driving circuit alone takes 1.5-2 hours, and the walking trails and farm area add another 1-2 hours. Pack food, bring carrots for the animals, and arrive early on busy summer weekends to avoid traffic on the circuit.

Parc Omega is genuinely special. It is not a zoo behind fences — it is a Canadian wilderness experience where the animals come to you, and that difference is what makes kids talk about it for months afterward.