Gatineau Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

Tackling Interzip, the World’s First Interprovincial Zip Line!

Paula — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 22:23:44 +0000

Many thanks to Tourisme Outaouais for the gifted experience at Interzip, the World’s first interprovincial zip line. This past year when travel was a bit less predictable, we embraced camping, skiing and driving to Quebec to enjoy all the spectacular outdoor terrain. The Laurentians are a big draw for us always, in any season and Quebec is a manageable drive from London, Ontario, and several other Ontario cities, so it is a natural choice. Gatineau is one of our favourite Quebec cities to visit. It’s just the right distance to spend a couple of days in and then launch deeper into Quebec, which is how we planned our itinerary. In Gatineau, we planned to do a few fun family friendly activities that everyone could enjoy. Interzip, the world’s first interprovincial zip line, topped my list of must do activities. So, after an afternoon paddling a canoe and exploring on the outskirts of town, we drove back towards the centre of town, found Rue Jo-Montferrand, located parking and checked in to get our gear, helmets and harnesses and get started. We are a family that loves zip lining. So, any chance we get when we are travelling, we embrace the zip line and outdoor obstacle activities. Interzip, the World’s First Interprovincial Zip Line From the Gatineau business office of Interzip, it’s about a ten minute walk to the zip line platform across the Chaudiere to where the trip begins in Ottawa. The group is directed how to get there and t’s an easy walk over the Ottawa River. Of course, there’s a mandatory quick safety demonstration and it’s time to gear up and go up the stairs to the launchpad. Not so easy are the stairs. LOL. In fact, the hardest part of the entire zip line adventure is the walk up the seemingly endless stairs. The day we were there in late summer it was warm out so we felt the burn from the climb after we stood and listened through the safety instructions. Once you are up there and overlooking the Ottawa River, the stairs seem worth the arduous trip. Where else in the world can you zip from one province to the next? Nowhere actually. This is it. So, Interzip, the world’s only interprovincial zip line is a unique experience. The whole trip across the Ottawa River is fast so enjoy it, the scenery across the river is lovely. While this is one of the shortest zip lines we have ever done, the unique nature of zip lining across river from Ontario to Quebec is more than worth it. Have you been to InterZip? What did you think? The Details Here are the facts about physical size and age. Interzip will open soon. Stay tuned to the Interzip web site for more information and opening dates. They also offer gift tickets. Physical requirements Max. weight: 250 lbs, Min. weight: 70 lbs No minimum height, only weight If you have a specific physical disability, reach out to: info@interzip.ca We enjoyed this experience and would do this activity again.

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Gatineau and Outaouais Region Celebrate Canada 150

Paula — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 11:30:12 +0000

This year Gatineau in the Outaouais Region of Quebec has some remarkable reasons to visit. MosaiCanada 150 and the brand new Canadian History Hall exhibit in the Museum of Canadian History were the most powerfully charged of all the experiences I had this summer travel season. If you are Canadian, you need to see this. It’s hard not to be moved seeing Canada’s history on display. MosaiCanada 150 and the new exhibit together are powerful narratives about Canada’s story. Gatineau Becomes a Riot of Colour Summer is short in Canada and this year it vanished quickly, with the strange cool and rainy weather we had in much of southern Ontario. Quebec had some of that too. But the week we visited Gatineau and Outaouais, as well as Tremblant, and Bluesfest, we had a few sunny warm days. On one of those days we visited MosaiCanada 150, a horticultural display of all the provinces and territories involving hundred of gardeners and artists. A Highlight of my Summer. MosaiCanada 150 is on until October 15. Take a weekend and go explore now before it is gone. Well Worth the Time MosaiCanada 150 is a horticultural celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada. It features ten provinces and three territories. There are 33 captivating and memorable displays that each tell a story. More importantly MosaiCanada 150 is free and very family friendly. Open daily. If you want to have a guided tour you can pay $10. In my opinion the guided tour is definitely worthwhile. This display combines art with culture and is really something spectacular. Remember it is dismantled October 15th. These Mosaic horticultural celebrations pop up all over the world but the only consistent one is Mother Nature shown here. Ontario if the Province was a Garden Perhaps one of my favourites was this Ontario display which illustrated an abstract kind of Niagara Falls concept. If the Falls were people they might look like this. A Significant Investment of Resources For weeks in the spring, Horticultural artists and sculptors worked in Jacques-Cartier Park to build this magnificent tribute. Jacques-Cartier Park is easily accessible and the entire display spans about 1 km. Take your time it’s very family friendly. The pathway through the park is stroller and walker accessible. There are even a few international displays including this stunning Chinese one. Aylmer After leaving Spa Scandinave and Tremblant, we arrived in Aylmer, Quebec. There we stayed at the newly renovated and historical The British. The original British Hotel founded in 1834 fell into disrepair. But, four years ago an area business person fell for the beautiful bones of the space. The restoration process was painstaking but the results are impressive. This is a unique destination boutique hotel and an amazing spot to host a wedding too. Rooms are varied in size and price. Looking for a spot to stay in the Gatineau area? Try The British Hotel Aylmer. History Hall After breakfast that first morning back in Outaouais Region we headed to the Canadian Museum of History’s brand new 40,000 square foot gallery. The Canadian History Hall is nothing short of remarkable. The signature gallery traces Canada’s history from the start to the present. It is the largest, most ambitious exhibit ever undertaken by the Canadian Museum of History. Attention to Detail is Poetic The attention to detail is noticeable even from the entry point called The Passageway, with its reflective surfaces. So as visitors enter the hallway into the Canadian History Hall they literally see themselves reflected in history. It’s poetic. The Newest Addition The Canadian History Hall traces Canada’s history over 15,000 years. These are stories of real people. Those are perhaps the most compelling of all. There are 15,000 artifacts on display. Items range from the handcuffs that were worn to the gallows by Louis Riel to a T-shirt worn by Terry Fox during his Marathon of Hope. An Impactful and Moving Exhibit I didn’t expect this exhibit to grab me immediately, nor did I expect it to have such a dramatic impact. Authentic artifacts and stories are explored through different viewpoints and lenses. Curators tell the story of our history with internment camps during World War II and residential schools sensitively. This the history that has shaped our nation, shaped by conflict, struggle, loss and success and it is impossible not to learn something new here. A National Treasure Ending with the story of Syrian Refugees, this history display is incredibly up to date and emotional. Development of the hall took five years. The Canadian Museum of History welcomes over 1.2 million visitors a year. On the banks of the Ottawa River, it is a national treasure. Beautiful Gatineau The streets of Gatineau are pedestrian friendly and of course there are many wonderful parks to visit in Outaouais Region. It is one of my favourite family friendly spots. This year, more than ever, Gatineau shines for visitors. Take the time to explore. I was a guest while staying in Quebec this summer. As such, I received accommodations, transportation and other perks while there. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful. This post also contains affiliate links as a service to my readers.

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Ramada Plaza Le Manoir Du Casino in Gatineau #travel

Paula — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 09:47:23 +0000

In the summer we visited the Outaouais Region of Quebec and stayed in Gatineau. Our first two nights we spent at Ramada Plaza Le Manoir Du Casino. The suite we were given for the two night stay was exceptional and the location was ideal for many different types of travellers. Here’s what to expect when you stay at Ramada Plaza Le Manoir Du Casino. We drove several hours and left early in the morning to be sure we made it to Gatineau in good time to start our day. Of course I had scoped out the Ramada Plaza a bit before we left and I knew a few details. There was an on site restaurant and that was important to me because when our family arrived after driving for seven hours and then touring Gatineau Park the last thing we wanted was to go hunting down a diner. As we stay and get comfortable and accustomed to a city we are visiting then we are able to venture out by foot or by van to find something that we enjoy together and to locate new restaurant and food experiences. But that first night I wanted to know three or four key things – how to get there, what parking was like, whether there was free wifi or not (there is) and whether there was a restaurant or not. The parking is ample and it is outdoors and private. Perfect for most travellers with vehicles of pretty much any type. Also the Ramada Plaza is easy to access from the Highway. It is a four star accommodation. I felt like it could have ranked higher, maybe 4 1/2 stars. We had an amazing itinerary that was exciting and family friendly and so much fun. It was full from the moment we arrived to the day we left for home from Montebello. But first on arrival in Gatineau we headed off to see Gatineau Park for a few hours. We made great time arriving and had less traffic than we anticipated so we landed in the area by Noon which left us plenty of time to visit Gatineau Park. Gatineau left a huge impression on me. Don’t miss it. It’s 361 square kilometres of beautiful caves and lakes, trails, lookouts and wildlife. It is one of the most beautiful parks I have ever set foot in and it is truly a provincial and national treasure. As far as rooms go, this Ramada Plaza bi-level suite was killer awesome. The kids fondly have this Ramada Plaza suite at the top of their list of best rooms we’ve stayed in as a family. There have also been some amazing ski chalets that are on their best ever family accommodations list too. Vermont’s Smugglers’ Notch, Mont Tremblant and Parkbridge Resorts Lakes of Wasaga are also in their top five. Anyways back to the hotel at hand. The Ramada Plaza Le Manor Du Casino is a mouthful to say. But you need to try one of these rooms, if you have the chance. Also this bi-level suite room would be fantastic for a wedding party preparation or overnight stay. The upstairs is a loft like space with a large bed that is at least a double and large enough for two children or youth. There is a safe railing that allows the people staying on the upper level to look out over the main level. There is a beautiful en suite with shower upstairs and a television. It was pretty much perfect. This room fits four easily and could perhaps fit five as a result of the large leather sofa in the main living area. The main level is tastefully decorated and furnished. I felt like it had a modern and contemporary feel with some European artistic influences. All of the Ramada Plaza’s 174 rooms are equipped with an air jet bathtub and an electrical fireplace. This makes the accomodations equally appealing in fall and winter months too. Now let’s talk nitty gritty. You want to know that a place is clean when you stay there with family. The Ramada Plaza Le Manoir Du Casino is very clean and well cared for. In fact it was pretty much immaculate. We had a couple of pleasant surprises in our room when we checked in. (see above photo) That was really a nice touch. And for Family Month in July there was also a kid’s Tourisme Outaouais backpack for each child with a few goodies inside and an activity book as well. I like that as a parent. It’s a small thing but a nice touch. Keep the kids happy, and the parents will return, or at least remember you and share their opinions with other parents. The thing I enjoy about traveling to Quebec is that my kids get to use some of their French language skills. They both attend French immersion schools and are well on their way to being officially bilingual. They conversed with the front reception in French. But the staff were also easily able to switch to English as well. Our reservation was not quite ready when we arrived. As I mentioned we were early. We had some time and filled it with exploring Gatineau. We all enjoyed our stay here in Gatineau and the accommodations at Ramada Plaza were remarkable. I almost forgot to mention the fitness centre. There is a small but well stocked fitness centre on one of the lower levels. The indoor pool is nice and it was very well used when we were there. Same for the hot tub nearby. The change rooms are across from the pool. The Ramada Plaza hotel guidelines posted ask that guests wear a robe or clothing to the pool area and change in the dedicated and clean changing area so that other guests are not met by wet bathing suits when they check in. This also confines the pool mess, something I can appreciate as a traveler and as a pool owner. Water quickly ruins things and can also make a mess of just about any space. For more details or to book a stay visit: Ramada Plaza Le Manoir Du Casino. One more note – the pub, or restaurant at Ramada Plaza, Le Chien Noir, is fine. The food was good and we ate well and service was also very good. But the price is expensive. In fact meals in the area can be pricey. SO, do some homework and find a few family friendly places nearby and you will stay within your family budget. We headed to St Hubert’s one night and we were ravenous. The kids sometimes still like to eat from a kid’s menu and that’s fine by me because portions are often just right. The breakfast included with our stay was a good deal. It is also worth mentioning that The Ramada Plaza Le Manoir Du Casino has received a certificate of excellence from Trip Advisor. I could see why. Ramada Plaza Le Manoir Du Casino in Gatineau Walking distance to Casino du Lac-Leamy 174 rooms including 13 bi-level suites (we stayed in one of these bi-level suites and it was stunning. Perfect for families.) Not far from Ottawa – perhaps 5-10 minutes from downtown Ottawa if you wish to shop or dine there. Health and beauty centre Indoor spa Indoor pool and hot tub with private and clean changing area 17 rooms are specially adapted for people with mobility issues. There is an elevator Indoor sauna Free parking Free wifi Some stays include breakfast which was a lovely continental style breakfast with eggs and sausage or bacon and yogurt or muffins. Fuel to start your day. We were guests of Tourism Outaouais while visiting the area. Our accommodations and all excursions were generously provided for us. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful. This post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. If you make a purchase via one of the links I can keep sharing our stories here as I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks! Related articles across the web Impressions of Gatineau Quebec #Outaouaisfun #travel – Thrifty Mommas Tips

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Parc Omega in Outaouais is a Wild Family Travel Adventure

Paula — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 10:33:24 +0000

This July we had a wild family adventure at Parc Omega in the Outaouais Region of Quebec. There are probably a lot of jokes to be made here about wildlife and family for instance. And I am not above cracking wise on occasion but this adventure was enjoyable from start to finish and it was a highlight of our family trip to Quebec. No jokes or puns needed. Just pure education, fun and memories made together at Parc Omega. Sharing Quebec with my Family The best part of travel writing and blogging is sharing adventures with my family and creating memories. We began our family trip this year in Gatineau Park and spent a couple of nights in the city of Gatineau, fourth largest city in the province of Quebec. We had one of our greatest adventures ever zip lining at Arbraska Lafleche in Val-des-Monts and then we headed North towards Montebello. But first Parc Omega. The Wildlife Adventure I had heard great things about this adventure travel destination and we were all excited to visit and see the park for ourselves. Isn’t there something about seeing animals up close that makes everyone feel young again? And what child does not love a wildlife adventure? Is Parc Omega Easy to Find? Parc Omega was easy to spot from the road to Montebello and signage is abundant. Thankfully the lineup of cars and vans waiting to get in moved fast. We listened for directions. Where bears are involved we want our children to have a healthy respect for how you behave. Naturally, we also wanted to be sure everyone was safe and that all rules were clear. Signs are everywhere telling you where you can park and get out to stroll around and where you should simply observe from the car or van. Tip: Bring a Bag of Carrots with you for some of the animals like the wapitis that you can feed. Drive Through Part of the Park You know how some wildlife parks have you ride through the grounds in your van or car and you worry about monkeys or other climbing animals doing damage to your vehicle? This is not that place. Parc Omega has North American and European animals, flora and fauna only and there is a very fluid natural flow to the entire atmosphere. Grounds are really well kept and spacious and all of the enclosures are integrated into the natural landscape. Wapitis greet you as soon as you drive in, but they are gentle and the worst you can rally expect from them is slobber on your windows as you feed them carrots. Tune In To the Radio One of my favourite Parc Omega features was the fact that they have their own radio broadcast. First, you get a map with instructions on where to tune in on Parc Radio 90.1 or 88.1. One channel is English and one is French. The taped radio show is informational and useful. Naturally, I enjoy that passive learning that gives children a chance to grow their little brains while not realizing they are being taught. How Long Does it Take? I was unsure of how much time to allocate for Parc Omega and expected we’d fill a few hours exploring. With 2,200 acres of wildlife and hiking paths to explore we could have spent 6-8 hours easily. In the end we stayed a good 4-5 hours and didn’t really want to leave. We saw bison, elk, wapitis, ibex, moose, deer, wild boars, foxes, timberwolves, musk oxen, coyotes, goats, bears and more. Finally, we watched two short educational shows so we could learn more about Parc Omega. Rescues We were a bit surprised to learn that there are numerous rescued animals and birds like racoons, owls, hawks and turtles that had broken wings or busted shells, even broken limbs or limbs that were missing. That made us like Parc Omega even more. After the raptors and rescued animals show we took a short walk to the show featuring the timberwolves. That was a huge hit. We arrived well before the show started and when there was nobody else around we climbed the lookout area where you are allowed to observe the wolf pack. The Wolves I was concerned we might not see any wolves being active. It was a hot and muggy day, but we spied about seven before the crowd showed up and the area got really busy. Keep an eye out for adorable wolf pups. So Natural There are many things I admired about Parc Omega, but another one is the design of the space. It is simply brilliant. Everything is built with natural materials. The wood structures make the space look like it is completely harmonious with the property and the animals themselves. An Unconventional Perspective Where there is opportunity to climb an observation lookout structure, do so because it often puts you at eye level with the animals, which is amazing. The kids loved that. You are not looking in through cages or barriers, but inside the environment itself watching from a safe space. After the shows, we took a hike through the forest to the other side, which is clearly marked as a petting zoo kind of area. My youngest found a kitten inside the barn. I was a bit concerned they’d both try to sneak it home. There were also many kids (baby goats) which were sweet as could be. There are horses and also a beautiful garden past the barn. Tip: Wear the Comfy Shoes. There will be a fair bit of walking. This is the point where I need to mention that there is also a wagon ride to get to the petting zoo area. But we like to exercise and keep the kids moving, so we walked as many places as possible. What Could Be More Canadian? Back to the van for the last couple of areas in the park. First stop. Moose. Now I can honestly say there were a few animals on my list of things I NEEDED to see. I had a short checklist and the top of it was a moose. I have never seen a moose in all my life and I am Canadian so I was pretty happy to spy this guy. We had much debate about antlers at that point and pretty sure we did not resolve it, but that’s for another day. Moose are impressive creatures. There was a mountainous area with Alpine Ibex (shown below) and they were pretty friendly. They’d approach the van looking for food. So we each had a chance to take snapshots of these guys. Again, I really loved that each particular animal was in a space that looked authentic. These Ibex were climbing rocky mountains. Bear Valley Last on my list – well everyone’s list for the day at Parc Omega – was Bear Valley. I was hanging onto the edge of my seat hoping like mad that we’d be able to spy some bears before we left. We have never seen bears up close, and that’s a good thing, but this day was magical. We saw several bear families running around and saw their homes too. BUT, I didn’t really get any stunning shots to write home about kind of thing until right before the exit – this guy. That bear and moose made my bucket list complete. I captured some decent pictures and we loved the day we spent at Parc Omega. I assumed we were completely finished at that point because we were exhausted, but my husband still wanted to check out Trout Lake and The First Nations Area. Hiking Trails, Totem Poles The totem poles and carvings were incredible and there were more deer of course. In this area you will find more hiking trails and a spot where you can feed the fish, or feed the deer. It is very picturesque for photos. Parc Omega is a gem. It is a must see spot for families and it is highly educational plus the design and perspective is truly unique. Parc Omega Stats: Parc Omega is about 80 kms north of Ottawa-Gatineau area. It is about 110 kms to Montreal and 80 kms to Mont Tremblant. The park is affordable, educational, very family friendly and open year round. There are many opportunities to camp on site. There are three prospector tents, three Witents (circular shelters that combine the best features of a yurt, teepee and igloo), a cabin on stilts, two log cabins and ten teepees. We were guests of Tourisme Outaouais while in Montebello and Gatineau and we thoroughly enjoyed the entire visit. My opinion is always truthful.

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First Impressions of Gatineau Quebec

Paula — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 13:43:14 +0000

This summer we took our family on the road to Gatineau Quebec in the Outaouais Region. I honestly can’t stop thinking about it. Quebec never disappoints me and I often wish we lived closer to the province. It’s truly La Belle Province for so many reasons and the perfect choice for a family vacation. So How Big is Gatineau Park? We started our visit early on a Sunday morning after driving for roughly 7 hours from our home in London, Ontario. First on the agenda was Gatineau Park. I knew Gatineau Park was massive, but I didn’t know if it was 361 square kilometres of breathtaking beauty to write home about. There were many things on our itinerary that I was super excited to see but when we reached Gatineau Park I was transported to one of the most beautiful parks I have ever set foot in. I still can’t stop thinking about this space. Gatineau Park is a world class stunner. I wish we’d had more time to explore. We spent several hours in the park and I took some snapshots of the most incredible natural landscape. A Busy Place There are areas to camp in Gatineau Park and I saw dozens of cyclists there the day we visited. In fact the park was packed and there were swarms of visitors from all over. We made a stop at the Visitor’s entrance so we could inquire about where to park and how much time we needed to get to the highlights of the park that we had in mind. A staffer inside was taking down geographic locations of visitors and I heard many from the United States, Ontario and a few European tourists note that it was their first time visiting Gatineau Park as well. Pink Lake Despite the long drive from London I couldn’t stop myself from hiking around Pink Lake. It was one of the highlights I had been looking forward to. Pink Lake is a unique natural phenomenon and a meromictic lake. I was happy to share that information with my family, because hello..summer is not time to stop learning. Meromictic means that it is a lake where the layers of water do not mix. In a regular lake the layers of water mix. Several years ago a restoration of the lake took place and now it is surrounded by gorgeous trail, walkways and boardwalks and lookouts that make this an event on its own. The Lake is stunning. Go see it for yourself. A Memorable Setting Gatineau Park is truly one of the most beautiful parks we have ever been to. There are 50 lakes in Gatineau Park. There are 165 kilometres of biking trails and 90 kilometres of mountain biking trails. 240 different species of birds can be seen here too. After spending several hours at Champlain Lookout and Pink Lake we were spent. We headed over to the beautiful Ramada Plaza Le Manoir du Casino which exceeded my expectations. Where to Stay Near Gatineau Quebec The Ramada was spacious and clean and located in a central location. There is a pool and hot tub and breakfast was included in our package. Service at The Ramada was very attentive. One of the things I love most about Quebec always is that they seem love and create family friendly spots in all their regions and cities. In our room we had a giant loft area with a full bedroom and bathroom for the kids that was separate from us. It reminded me of a chalet we stayed in back in the winter when ski season was winding down for the year. The bed was so perfect, we slept like babies. And that was a great thing since the next day in the morning we headed off to an epic four hour zip lining adventure that was the coolest thing we have ever done together. What Activities Are Nearby in Gatineau Quebec? Arbraska Lafleche Cave and Aerial Park in Val Des Monts was about a 25 minute drive from the Ramada. Arbraska was an adventure I will never forget. We worked hard together as a family to make the experience so rewarding. The Canadian Museum of History After our amazing adventure at Arbraska Lafleche we headed straight to the Canadian Museum of History. The setting is perfect and the museum exhibits are stunning. Located right on the Gatineau side of the Ottawa River the museum has multiple displays right now. Cultural Experiences The Napoleon Paris exhibit captured our imaginations for a significant chunk of the visit. Then we also spent as much time as possible in the First People’s exhibit which was remarkable. It was hard to do this space in half a day which is all we had left after we zip lined. We did our best to cover a few key exhibits though before the museum closed for the night. So is it Family Friendly? There was so much to do in Gatineau Quebec and it’s all perfect for families. From tackling the great outdoors to soaring through trees and climbing higher at Arbraska, then visiting museums and retiring comfortably at night, Gatineau Quebec is more than worth the drive. I highly recommend this destination and can’t wait to return. Planning to visit Gatineau – Book a Stay at Ramada Le Plaza Manoir du Casino. Disclosure: We were guests of Tourism Outaouais while visiting the area. Our accommodations and all excursions were generously provided for us. This post also contains affiliate links as a service to readers at no extra cost to them. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful.

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