The Outaouais region is in the southwestern corner of Quebec Province, nestled along the north shore of the Ottawa River that separates it from the province of Ontario. The city of Gatineau lies directly across from Canada’s Capital, Ottawa, and is home to many government buildings and federal workers, so by extension carries over the reputation of being a boring government town but it doesn’t take long to see the magic that lies beyond the grey concrete buildings. Surrounded by some of the most beautiful and accessible outdoor parks, pathways and ski hills, there is no shortage of fun to have. Not to mention a great food and wellness scene. Only a 2.5-hour drive from Montreal, it’s an easy weekend getaway. Here are things not to miss when you visit the Outaouais region:
1. Zip From Ontario to Quebec
If you want a unique way to enter the Outaouais, arrive by zipline from Ottawa! InterZip is the only interprovincial zipline in the world and spans 425 metres (1,400 ft). You’ll fly across the Ottawa River from the Ontario shore to the Quebec side at speeds that can go up to 40 km/h.
You will need to plan your trip between May and September when the zipline is running. Get tickets and details here.
2. The Canadian Museum of History
Once in Gatineau, make sure to visit the Canadian Museum of History. Designed by the innovative architect, Douglas Cardinal, this unique building is worth a visit to admire on its own but also, a wonderful place to learn more about the history of the Indigenous People and Canada.
Inside you’ll also find a Children’s Museum where kids can explore the world or make up their own with interactive exhibits. Find out details and buy tickets by clicking here.
3. Stay at the Fairmont Château Montebello
Rustic and luxury are 2 words that normally don’t go together but when the world’s largest log cabin is owned by Fairmont, the pairing works like a charm.
Relax around the six-sided stone fireplace or grab your bathrobe and head through a tunnel to the beautiful indoor pool in a separate building that also includes a spa, and remain cozy without ever setting foot outside.
But then you’d miss out on all the fun activities offered nearby like dog sledding or mountain biking depending on the season. If you don’t have time to stay, you can still go for brunch on Sundays and buy a pass to swim in the heated indoor pool. Check it out here.
4. Visit Parc Omega
If you’ve always dreamed of seeing Canadian wildlife in a natural environment, Parc Omega is the best place to go where over 20 species, including wolves, bears and bison, have large enclosures to roam in while you drive or walk in designated areas.
Kids will love feeding carrots to the elk while budding wildlife photographers get close-up shots without much effort – just a good zoom lens!
For a truly unique experience, book one of the wolf cabins with floor to ceiling windows right along the enclosure. A night next to howling wolves, is a night you’ll never forget!
Parc Omega is open year-round but remember that bears will be hibernating in the winter months. Spring is a great time to travel, when many of the species have their young. Get tickets and pricing here.
5. Find Inner Peace at Le Nordik Spa-Nature
The original Scandinavian Spa in the area, Le Nordik Spa-Nature in Chelsea is still among the most popular reasons to head to the Outaouais. It first opened in 2005 and grew to become the largest spa in North America.
Despite its size, serenity is easily found. Perched on a bluff with many pools, saunas and experiences, the tranquil setting surrounded by nature is the perfect place to escape the stresses of everyday life. The four restaurants offer fresh, locally sourced food that complement their mission to improve health and well-being.
6. Try Your Luck at the Casino Lac-Leamy
If you need a little more excitement, check out the Casino Lac-Leamy in Gatineau. Before you put all your money into chips or slot machines, check out what shows are happening in the theatre. As one of only 4 government-run casinos in the province, it is a huge draw to the region and a fun night out!
If you plan to visit in the summer, you might be lucky and catch one of the amazing fireworks displays during the international fireworks competition. Stay at the Hilton Lac-Leamy to be close to all the action.
7. Drive, Hike or Cross-Country Ski in the Gatineau Park
A visit to the Outaouais region would not be complete without visiting Gatineau Park, a large protected green space that spans an area over 360 square kilometres (138 square miles). From May to the end of October, take a shuttle within the park which can be useful when parking lots fill up quickly.
Whether you hike, bike, snowshoe, cross-country ski or want to see historic sites like the Mackenzie King Estate, the park is a beautiful place to escape the city. It’s also one of the best places in Outaouais to take in the changing colours of the foliage in the fall.
8. Seek Thrills Year-round at Camp Fortune
Camp Fortune in Chelsea may not compete with the big mountains of the west or even other parts of Quebec province but it’s one of the best ski hills in the area making it a perfect add on to a winter trip to the Outaouais.
In the summer, enjoy the aerial park, go zip lining or ride the mountain coaster.
9. Visit, Stay or Eat at the Wakefield Mill
This historic property has been transformed from a working flour mill that ran from 1838 to 1939 next to MacLaren Falls, to a sanctuary with luxury accommodation, spa experiences and fine dining. Combine all three for an amazing getaway.
10. Take a Wine & Cider Tour in Pontiac
Don’t need an adrenaline rush? Unwind and explore the flavours of the region with the Pontiac Wine and Cider Tour offered by Aventure Outaouais. This tour runs from mid-May to mid-October. If you really want to get your hands dirty, you can even join in the grape harvest on select days in October.
When snow settles in, they also organize dogsledding tours for the quintessential Canadian winter experience.
No matter when you visit the Outaouais, there is no shortage of things to see and do. Here are some suggestions for even more ideas and useful tips to help plan your trip.
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- Best Restaurants in Aylmer, Quebec
- Top 6 Restaurants in Wakefield, Quebec
- Top 6 Things to Do in Chelsea, Quebec
- Top 5 Best Restaurants in Hull, Quebec
- Best Resorts in Quebec Province
- 10 Top Things to Do in Quebec Province
- Best Dog Sledding in Quebec: Places to Try This Winter
- Quebec White Water Rafting: Best in the Province
What to Do in Outaouais and How to Organize Your Trip
Curious about how to spend your day in the Outaouais region? Here’s a list of the top activities to consider adding to your plans:
- Immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of Canada’s National Capital Region on a helicopter tour.
- Spend the night at Hôtel V in downtown Gatineau and relax in the hotel’s spa and whirlpool, or head to Fairmont Le Château Montebello for an unforgettable experience.
- Take full advantage of winter with this nocturnal snowshoeing adventure in Gatineau Park.
- Uniquely cross the Ottawa River with the world’s first interprovincial zip line linking Quebec and Ontario.
- Try an iconic Canadian experience of dogsledding in Saint-Sixte.
- Try your hand at a thrilling outdoor experience called Via Ferrata.
- Challenge your family through a floating maze at Éco-Odyssée or explore it on a SUP.
- Go on a sunset boat ride on the Ottawa river.
Preparing For Your Trip
When I look for things to do in my destination, I always have a look at Viator, GetYourGuide, Manawa, Civitatis and sometimes even Expedia.
It’s first off a great way to find out what there is to do, but always a quick and easy method to book cheaply and efficiently with these renowned platforms.
Need a place to sleep? I find most of my accommodations on Booking.com but I also use Hotels.com for their rewards program (11th free night) as well as Expedia. When booking smaller places in Quebec, you might not find them here and need to contact them directly.
Looking for a cheap flight to the Outaouais through Montreal? Have a look on Cheapoair or Skyscanner I use regularly.
Once you’re there, rent a car to roam free with DiscoverCars, AutoEurope or RentalCars or hop on a bus around Gatineau, Montreal, Quebec, and surrounding cities with Busbud.
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