Emma WhiteNestled on the northern banks of the mighty Ottawa River is Gatineau City, the fourth-largest city in Quebec. While many tourists flock to its neighbour, Ottawa, make sure not to miss out on all the excitement that Gatineau has to offer!
From fascinating museums and scenic farms to delicious restaurants and thrilling attractions, this city has loads of fun things for you to do. If you don’t know where to start, check out our top picks for an unforgettable stay in Gatineau!
- Learn more about Canadian History at the Canadian Museum of History
- Let your kids travel the world at the Canadian Children's Museum
- Go cycling or rock climbing at Gatineau Park
- Stroll through the historic Mackenzie King Estate
- Discover various vintage aircraft at Vintage Wings of Canada
- Ride a hot air balloon at the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival
- Watch a hockey game at Centre Slush Puppie
- Buy the latest fashion trends at Les Promenades Gatineau
- Plan a perfect playdate with your kids at the Le Rond Point Milieu De Jeux
- Play a game of poker at the Casino du Lac-Leamy
- Feast on sweet and savoury crepes at the Beurre Salé Crêperie
- Grab a few drinks at Minotaure
- Join an amphibus tour from Lady Dive
- Explore Wakefield Village
- Ski and snowboard at Camp Fortune
Learn more about Canadian History at the Canadian Museum of History
Location: 100 Laurier St, Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M8, Canada
Website: https://www.historymuseum.ca/
Contact details: 819 776 7000; 1 800 555 5621
Operating hours:
Tuesday to Wednesday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Friday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Admission fee: Adults (18 to 64 years old): $22
Seniors (65 years old and above): $20
Students (13 to 17 years old; 18 and above with valid student ID): $17
Children (2 to 12 years old): $15
Under 2 years old: Free
Be one of the over 1.2 million people visiting the Canadian Museum of History yearly and learn more about Canadian history on your visit. The roughly 25,000-square-metre building holds 20,000 years of human history, so be prepared to be in awe on your visit!
The museum hosts various exhibitions every year, mainly in the Grand Hall and First People Hall. Aside from these exhibits, the museum holds more than a million artifacts, so you’ll never run out of things to see and discover when visiting!
| Pro Tip: You can get inside the museum free from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. If you’re interested, make sure to get the ticket on the Sunday of the week you want to visit! |
Let your kids travel the world at the Canadian Children’s Museum
Location: 100 Laurier St, Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M8, Canada
Website: https://www.historymuseum.ca/visit/childrens-museum/
Contact details: 819 776 7000; 1 800 555 5621
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Admission fee: Adults (18 to 64 years old): $22
Seniors (65 years old and above): $20
Students (13 to 17 years old; 18 and above with valid student ID): $17
Children (2 to 12 years old): $15
Under 2 years old: Free
Family (maximum of two adults): $55
Located just across the river from Ottawa, the Canadian Children’s Museum is one of the best places in Gatineau to bring the kids! It’s not just your typical museum; it’s an interactive museum that lets the kids travel the world without actually leaving Canada!
The museum is designed to allow kids to explore various cultures through its activities, games, and structures. From riding replicas of traditional vehicles to dressing up in traditional clothing, the museum offers a thrilling experience for visitors.
| Pro Tip: If you plan to visit the museum multiple times, we recommend getting the $125 family membership. You’ll get free unlimited admission to the museum and a discount at the cafe, gift shop, and parking space. |
Go cycling or rock climbing at Gatineau Park
Location: Gatineau, Quebec J9A 3M2, Canada
Website: https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/gatineau-park
Contact details: 819 827 2020, 1 866 456 3016; 613 239 5353 (emergency line); [email protected]
Operating hours: Open 24/7
You didn’t really visit Gatineau if you didn’t spend some time in Gatineau Park. This conservation park is the largest green space in the region and is home to numerous wildlife, trails, and activities.
During summer, visitors can enjoy picnic dates by the river, cycling on the Capital Pathway, rock climbing on the park’s rock faces, and swimming on the Meech Lake. In winter, you can go snowshoeing around the park or cross-country skiing on its trails.
| Pro Tip: The parking lot gets filled quickly during weekends, so we highly recommend going there early or joining a carpool! Free shuttles are also available from summer to fall, so you can take those too. |
Stroll through the historic Mackenzie King Estate
Location: MacKenzie King Rd, Chelsea, Quebec J9B 1H7, Canada
Distance from Gatineau: 25 minutes
Website: https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/mackenzie-king-estate
Contact details: 819 827 2020
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Mackenzie King Estate served as a summer home to Canada’s longest-serving prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King, for almost 50 years. But now, it’s open to everyone who wants to admire its rich history and spectacular architecture.
Explore the estate’s charming cottages on the lakefront, which are filled with interactive exhibits that take you on a journey through the prime minister’s life. Don’t also miss out on strolling through the estate’s immaculate gardens!
| Pro Tip: Pack water, lunch, and some snacks if you’re planning to stay at the estate for a long time. There are no cafes or restaurants near the area where you can buy food. |
Discover various vintage aircraft at Vintage Wings of Canada
Location: Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport, 1699 Rue Arthur-Fecteau, Gatineau, QC J8R 2Z9, Canada
Website: https://www.vintagewings.ca/
Contact details: 819 669 9603, [email protected]
Operating hours: Monday to Saturday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Vintage Wings of Canada has a huge collection of classic aircraft waiting for you to explore. They open their doors for guided hangar tours on Saturdays by appointment.
On your visit, you can expect to see the North American P-51 Mustang, de Havilland DH-83 Fox Moth, Hawker Hurricane Mk XII, and more. The tour volunteers are also very knowledgeable about the aircraft, so prepare for a fun and educational experience!
| Pro Tip: Want to try riding their planes? Join Vintage Wings of Canada’s membership program and experience more benefits than just riding the planes, like free parking, free guided tours, and discounts on merchandise! |
Ride a hot air balloon at the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival
Location: La Baie Park, 93 Rue de la Baie, Gatineau, QC J8T 3H4, Canada
Website: http://www.montgolfieresgatineau.com/
Contact details: 819 243 2330, 1 800 668 8383; [email protected]
Date: August 29 to September 2
The Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival is a five-day festival held at La Baie Park from August 2 to September 2. It’s one of the most highly anticipated festivals in the region, so you should definitely attend it if you’re in town!
Marvel at the array of vibrant and imaginative hot air balloons as they soar through the sky. If you want to join them in the air, sign up for a balloon ride during the festival or call ahead to book your own adventure any time of the year.
Families can also enjoy other activities and attractions like rides, kiddie play zones, and fireworks. If you love music, the festival also invites local and emerging artists to liven up the attendee’s moods!
| Pro Tip: The air balloons take off for free from Friday to Monday morning. Arrive at the festival site at 6:00 AM or earlier if you want to watch them! |
Watch a hockey game at Centre Slush Puppie
Location: 500 Bd de la Cité, Gatineau, QC J8T 0H4, Canada
Website: https://centreslushpuppie.com/
Contact details: 819 317 1122, [email protected]
The Centre Slush Puppie is home to the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. You can expect to catch the most exciting hockey games in the Ottawa-Gatineau region here, so go get your tickets now!
If you’re a huge hockey player yourself, you can rent the centre’s Gerik or Desjardins Ice with your friends and enjoy a round of hockey! With 4 player locker rooms and 2 referees, the centre provides an unmatched hockey experience!
| Pro Tip: Food here can be quite pricey, so it’s best to eat out if you’re trying to save some money! |
Buy the latest fashion trends at Les Promenades Gatineau
Location: 1100 Bd Maloney O, Gatineau, QC J8T 6G3, Canada
Website: http://www.lespromenades.com/
Contact details: +1 819 827 2020
Operating hours: Monday to Wednesday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Thursday and Friday: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Don’t miss the chance to shop in the third largest shopping centre in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, Les Promenades Gatineau!
With a total floor area of 845,329 square feet, the shopping mall is a shopping wonderland with everything you’ll ever need!
The mall brings both national and international retailers to Gatineau, offering a satisfying shopping experience. Whether you’re on the hunt for the latest fashion trends, cutting-edge electronics, or some unique local finds, the mall has something for you!
| Pro Tip: Finding a parking space can be tough on the weekends despite it having a massive parking lot. Your best bet is to come early on a weekday before the crowds swarm in for some stress-free parking. |
Plan a perfect playdate with your kids at the Le Rond Point Milieu De Jeux
Location: 170 Rue Deveault #200, Gatineau, QC J8Z 1S6, Canada
Website: https://www.lerond-point.com/
Contact details: 819 778 6006, [email protected]
Operating hours:
Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Friday and Saturday: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Families in Gatineau and Ottawa will love Le Rond Point Milieu De Jeux in Rue Deveault. This indoor amusement park takes the happiness of children as its top priority and provides the best facilities for their playtime!
Your children can have fun overcoming different circuits, tunnels, obstacles, and more! There’s also an arcade zone with immersive video games and a fort area where kids can get creative and build their own fortress!
| Pro Tips: Bring some socks when you visit! They require everyone to wear socks to enter and play to make sure the playground remains clean. Another great tip is to bring your own lunch if you want to save some bucks or have strict dietary requirements. They have a canteen on site, though, if you don’t want to pack your own. |
Play a game of poker at the Casino du Lac-Leamy
Location: Floor 1, Hilton Lac Leamy, 1 Bd du Casino, Gatineau, QC J8Y 6W3, Canada
Website: https://casinos.lotoquebec.com/fr/lacleamy/accueil
Contact details: 819 772 2100, 1 800 665 2274
Operating hours:
Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM to 3:00 AM
Friday and Saturday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 AM
Sunday: 9:00 AM to 3:00 AM
Casino du Lac-Leamy is a popular government-run casino in Gatineau that’s just a few minutes away from Ottawa. It offers a variety of games, live shows, events, and facilities to spice up your night!
Take a chance and try your luck on over 1,700 slot machines or get in on the action with classic casino games like poker, baccarat, blackjack, roulette, craps, and more. The casino also has restaurants, a spa, bars, and an amphitheatre that you should check out!
| Pro Tip: Arrive a bit earlier than 9:00 PM because it gets busy after that. Finding a good slot machine to try on may become harder. |
Feast on sweet and savoury crepes at the Beurre Salé Crêperie
Location: 31 Principale St, Gatineau, Quebec J9H 3L2, Canada
Website: https://www.beurresale.ca/
Contact details: 819 328 7253
Operating hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Beurre Salé is a French crêperie located in Gatineau, perfect for a leisurely brunch. Its over-a-century-old building is always filled with the aroma of buckwheat crepes, pancakes, and waffles, creating a more welcoming atmosphere.
The creperie’s menu is divided into sweet and savoury crepes, providing you with plenty of choices on how to start your day. It’s impossible to choose just one, to be honest, so we suggest ordering from both sides or planning a return the next for round two.
| Pro Tip: We highly recommend requesting a table on the patio for a more relaxed and leisurely vibe. However, get there a bit early because they don’t take reservations, and many of their customers also love the patio. |
Grab a few drinks at Minotaure
Location: 3 Rue Kent, Gatineau, QC J8X 3J8, Canada
Website: http://www.minotaure.ca/
Contact details: (819) 600-6466, [email protected]
Operating hours:
Monday to Thursday: 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Friday: 3:00 PM to 3:00 AM
Saturday: 7:00 PM to 3:00 AM
Sunday: 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM
The Minotaure in Rue Kent is a wild and vibrant spot for a night out in Gatineau. With refreshing drinks, lively jazz music every Monday, karaoke nights every Thursday, and dance parties every Friday, it’s the ultimate destination for a fun-filled evening!
Choose from 21 different beers, including Griffin, RJ Brewers, Beau’s, Moosehead, Lower Canada Brewery, and more. Don’t miss out on their creative cocktails and extensive wine selection—guaranteed to keep the good times rolling all night long!
| Pro Tip: Monitor their websites for announcements of their events because they always invite rising artists to perform! |
Join an amphibus tour from Lady Dive
Location: 44 Sparks St., Ottawa, ON K1A 0R7, Canada
Website: https://ladydive.com/
Contact details: 613 524 2221; [email protected]
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Price range: $26 to $39.79
Hop aboard Lady Dive’s one-hour Ottawa City sightseeing tour and see all the must-see sights in both Ottawa and Gatineau in an exciting way.
Their tour isn’t like the other tours that are strictly on land, as their amphibus (an amphibious bus that you can ride both on land and on water) will cruise you through the Ottawa River!
Each tour is accompanied by lively guides that will entertain you with anecdotes and stories in both French and English as you pass by the National Gallery of Canada, Canadian Museum of History, Parliament of Canada, Rideau Hall, and so much more!
| Pro Tip: The tour’s start and end point is in Sparks Street, so you can park your car there. Make sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled tour because finding a parking spot can be quite a chore. |
Explore Wakefield Village
– From @julielepagephotographie
Location: Quebec J0X 3G0, Canada
Distance from Gatineau: 20 minutes
With its idyllic location along the enchanting Gatineau River, Wakefield is the ultimate day trip destination. Known for its bohemian vibe and atmosphere, it boasts countless cozy cafes, art galleries, quirky gift shops, and lively pubs.
The village is a bursting hot spot for tourists, who flock to see its iconic landmarks, such as the Wakefield Covered Bridge. A quick walk across the bridge will bring you to the century-old Fairborn House Heritage Centre, another popular tourist destination.
| Pro Tip: Stop by La Confiserie Wakefield Confectionary and grab a couple of chocolates, fudge, and candies for a unique souvenir from your Wakefield trip! |
Ski and snowboard at Camp Fortune
Location: 300 Chem. Dunlop, Chelsea, QC J9B 2N3, Canada
Website: http://campfortune.com/
Contact details: 819 827 1717, [email protected]
Operating hours:
Monday to Saturday: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
For winter thrill-seekers in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, hitting the slopes at Camp Fortune is an absolute must! Tucked in the stunning Gatineau Hills, Camp Fortune is a winter wonderland offering a premier skiing experience for everyone!
The resort boasts 24 runs with varying difficulty, a terrain park with 20 features and jumps, 2 ski lodges, 12-lit runs for night skiing, and much more. If you’re new to skiing, they also offer private and group lessons for both kids and adults.
| Pro Tip: Coming to Gatineau in the summer? Don’t worry because Camp Fortune also offers a range of summer activities, like Ottawa’s longest zipline, mountain coaster, aerial park obstacles, and more. |
