Fall in the Gatineau area is spectacular. The vibrant colours of the leaves coupled with the many activities and events make Gatineau, Quebec an ideal travel destination. Don’t get me wrong. We live on a beautiful island where Fall colours are stunning as well. However, we had the opportunity to visit Gatineau with our four year old daughter in tow and we were wowed by Fall in the Ottawa-Gatineau region. We feel it’s extremely important to teach our child about the country we live in. Through mini trips like this, our little one can learn first hand about our country’s diversity. At four, she knows about the different languages, cultures, and historical events in various regions. I love that at four years of age, she appreciates the diversity that makes our nation special.
My husband is a big history buff and loves museums. Luckily for him, we were in a great location to whet his appetite!
Heritage Activities in Gatineau
- Aylmer’s Old Village walking tour
- Heritage tour
- Ruisseau de la Brasserie : de l’activité industrielle à la vie culturelle walking tour
- Summer activities
- Walking tour Buckingham, a city of energy
- Walking tour Quartier-du-Moulin, a touch of New England charm
Sadly, our trip was so short, we didn’t get to see everything we wanted to see. My husband said that we’ll have to come back and stay for at least 3-4 full days instead of 2. With Ottawa being so close (a few minutes drive and right across the bridge), Hubby was in his element with all the museums around. Among Hubby’s favourites are Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Canadian War Museum and Canadian Museum of Nature.
Festivals and Arts in Gatineau
As for myself, I’m more of an arts lover. I am interested in art exhibits, galleries, and shows. Gatineau has a few exhibits at the moment at l’Espace Pierre-Debain and Galerie Montcalm. I’m looking forward to our next trip so I can see more. With this being somewhat of a “working holiday”, time was short and I didn’t have enough time to see everything I wanted.
On my list for next visit? I’d like to check out some the Festivals and Events in Ottawa as well as some of the Sporty, Festive and Cultural events in Gatineau. The range of activities will be sure to suit every member of the family. Some of the festivals in Gatineau include: les Grands Feux de Gatineau, sand sculptures, and the Gatineau Hot Air Balloons festitivities (Labour Day long weekend). Being a foodie, Le rendez-vous des saveurs de Gatineau is something I’d like to check out as well.
Speaking of food, there is a wide variety of international cuisine available in the Ottawa-Gatineau area! Living on an island where we don’t have the same range of variety when it comes to culturally diverse restaurants, I have to admit that I was one very happy lady! The only problem was deciding which restaurants to dine at! There were several restaurants to choose from down the street and even across the road from where we were staying!
Motel Montcalm was kind enough to send us to Malone’s Lakeside Grill for dinner. The atmosphere at Malone’s is relaxed and the view is fabulous. It’s a friendly neighborhood restaurant where everyone can feel at home. It is located at Dow’s Lake at the pavillion.
Our 4 year old daughter ordered off of the kids’ menu, but she also wanted calamari! It’s one of her favourite appetizers!
Between the sightseeing, dining out, walking around, and enjoying a gorgeous Fall weekend in the Ottawa-Gatineau area, we were exhausted!
Of course, with all the activities, sight-seeing, and playing tourist, a comfortable place to stay is always needed! With having a little one, we always need to make sure we have a room big enough to fit our little family comfortably. Another thing is (and I won’t lie when I say this), the first thing I check when I check out an establishment is the bathroom. If the facilities are not up to par, I will not stay there. I’m picky that way. I’ve traveled to the Philippines, Japan, Bali, Singapore, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and all over Canada and the U.S., and through my travels, the one request I’ve always had was for a clean washroom. I think my four year old has acquired that little quirk from me.
We were happy to see that the washroom in our King Suite at Motel Montcalm met our standards. The inside of Motel Montcalm has been renovated and offered a very comfortable stay for us. With a King-sized bed, large flat-screen TV, fireplace, and jacuzzi, this room was great for our family getaway.
Motel Montcalm
Intimate, warm and comfortable, Motel Montcalm offers a safe place to rest at an affordable price. Located in the heart of the City of Gatineau in the Outaouais Region.
Location, location, location
{ GIVEAWAY }
Would you like to experience what the Ottawa-Gatineau region has to offer? I’ve partnered with Motel Montcalm to offer one Life on Manitoulin reader a mini family getaway. The prize is valued at $500. Winner must redeem prize by March 1st, 2014. Winterlude takes place in February, so perfect timing for a family getaway! The only exception: Prize cannot be redeemed December 24-26th.
The prize includes:
- 2 nights stay in the King Suite at Motel Montcalm
- Dinners for the stay
- 3-day museum pass for every family member
To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck, everyone!
Disclosure – This is a sponsored post. As always, all views and opinions expressed on this blog are honest and my own.
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My husband loves the history of Canadian cities. This would be a great trip to win for him.
I would love to win this getaway because it has been a while since my husband and I have had the chance to get away and with a 1 year old it would be great to do so.
Christine I left a message on your FB page but can’t see comment to get URL – commented 2x Nov 27 10:33 am
Commented on Motel Montcalm’s Facebook page
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i haven’t been to Quebec since i was a kid. My husband has never been so it would be a great trip for us to go on and explore.
My wife is finishing her first term back at school in years. She deserves a break and I would love to give her one.
I would love to win this, so we can spend a family weekend, enjoying the sites, museums and winterlude! 😀 We live an hour an a half from the Gatineau area, so we have only been able to enjoy a few hours a year at Winterlude – I can just imagine how excited the kids would be if we could go for 2 days! 😀
This looks like so much fun.
I would love a wee winter break to recharge while exploring a great area!
We have never been to Quebec ..this would be a nice family getaway for my family ESP because we rarely travel due to money or lack there of…
Would love to visit
This Mom needs a getaway and a break, and this is close enough for a mini vacay and will still feel like a getaway! Pick me Pick me LOL
So much is offered in that area! We would love to catch an NAC show, or spend the weekend enjoying Canada’s greatest winter carnival, Winterlude! Or just stay in and soak in the amazing tub in the King Suite.
I haven’t been to Gatineau before, and would love to discover it.
It is my 20th anniversary coming up in January, it would be amazing to be able to take my husband here!
Ohhhh! Congrats! Happy Anniversary in advance! Good luck on the contest! Fingers crossed!
Thank you Christine!
We visit Ottawa, but have never thought of staying in Gatineau which is cheaper. Would love to visit Winterlude.
Ummm..can you say wife’s dream getaway???!!! Plus we have family in Ottawa we can visit! Hooray!
We have always wanted to visit Quebec and this would be a great opp. Your pictures are incredible and this looks like a great place to stay!
Thanks for Christine for this great review!
The Outaouais region is such a great place for families! As we usually say, your kids will never whine, “I’m bo‑o‑ored!” We’ll keep them busy and entertained with a full menu of great activities served up morning, noon, and night.
To find more information on our region, visit our website : http://www.tourismeoutaouais.com/en-ca/family-fare
We have close family friends that live in Gatineau and I’d love to be able to visit with them. There is so much to see and do in the region. I just love driving through the park with no set plan. Thanks for a great giveaway.
Besos, Sarah
Blogger at Journeys of The Zoo
would love to go and see Quebec
Would love to take my boys to Quebec. It would be a great way to unwind and have fun together!!
Our family would love some memory-making family time. We haven’t stayed in Quebec before and museums are one of our favourites.
I would love to take my kids there to experience a different part of Quebec. It would be the perfect road trip!
We have never taken a vacation as a family so it would be wonderful to win this!
Would love a mini vacation with my family. I would love to visit Quebec.
It would be such a great getaway! Would be somewhere that would be great for the whole family!
I’d like to win so I could attend Winterlude.
it’s been a crazy year and we could really use a get away. I would love to show my son Ottawa and the festival and have someone other then me make the bed lol.
We were recently in Ottawa and found ourselves in Gatineau a bit too frequently! Would love to stay at Motel Mont Calm and explore the food and craft beer in the area. We also LOVED the children’s museum and the museum of civilization!
Wow… I haven’t been to Quebec in at least a decade – and now I have the itch thanks to this post. Not sure whether to thank you or curse you! Seriously, though, sounds like it was an amazing getaway. Love that it’s close enough to DRIVE!
Sounds like fun! And your king suite looked pretty, well… sweet! It would be fun to take a quick trip with the kids and learn a bit about Gatineau and visit the museums. Thanks for the great giveaway!
How cool would that be!!
I would love to offer this to my parents… They have a lot of things on their schedule and this would be perfect for them to relax
Oooh, I LOVE your review! We haven’t yet visited Gatineau in la belle province, and I’m now wondering why not?? It’s been a while since TheHubs and I have been able to have any sort of vacation; I’m getting desperate, LOL! A short stay at Motel Montcalm sounds amazing! BTW, the pic of LO with the tub is absolutely adorable!!
I would love to Win a get away..a nice holiday for my lovely young family would be great just about now…am on leave and having three young kids makes you wanna loose your head. My hubby works all the time and am sure he would live sometime away. we have been lately talking about a trip to Quebec so this would just be great!!!
I’d love to win because getting away as a family is so needed when you work crazy shifts!
My family desperately needs a weekend getaway. Our vacations are only ever camping trips which I do love but is A LOT of work for me. A weekend in a hotel would be paradise. I’d love to go for Winterlude. Thanks for the giveaway. Got my fingers crossed!
Loved your review, Christine! What a great overview of the hotel AND the Gatineau area. I live in the region and you’ve mentioned a few things I’ve never even heard of! Will have to check them out (like the Aylmer Old Village Walking Tour). I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed your stay at Motel Montcalm as much as we did. Your pics are terrific! Love the one of LO over the jacuzzi. Looks like you had a couple of nice weather days while here. Too bad you had to work so much though – you’ll just have to come back for another stay at Motel Montcalm…and a visit with me 🙂
Thanks, Sandy! It’s a date! Next time I head over, it won’t be for work and we will have a good visit! 🙂
As a busy mom of two young boys, I can use a getaway. It’s also getting more expensive to travel now that our family is expanding. This would be a perfect getaway for us. Close to home, but out of the city / province. Sounds perfect 🙂
I love how detailed your review is! This is exactly why I like reading blogger reviews! I never expect a place to be perfect … but I like to know what to expect and then make my choices accordingly. Sounds like this motel is perfect for checking out the area on a budget, while still managing to get a comfy place to rest your head (AND that has a clean bathroom!! that is a “thing” I have too!) I live right near Gatineau and we go there for the fall colours, then head back in winter for the cross-country skiing. Amazing area!
Thanks so much, Julie!
Me too! I always give my honest opinion and if I do have anything I didn’t like, I’m tactful about the way I phrase things. This place was definitely great for checking out the area on a budget and still having a comfy place to sleep!
I had no idea you lived close to Gatineau! We should meet up for a coffee next time 🙂
What a fun getaway. Food, culture and clean bathrooms. 🙂
This would be a great quick family get away for us. With my husband’s schedule it is hard to take a long luxurious tropical vacation. Plus I’d love for my children to learn more about our French Canadian heritage!
The last time I visited the Gatineau area was in 1998 with my Grade 8 class for our week long school trip. We had a blast exploring the Ottawa-Gatineau area.
I think revisiting would make for a nice babymoon for the hubs and I. Or if they kids were in tow – it would make for a fun family trip!
It looks like your family had a blast!
What a wonderful contest! While we don’t live that far away we very seldom take the time to visit areas close to us…looks like you had a great time!
This would be great for me, my husband and our daughter!
This would be great for me, my husband and our daughter!
This would be such a good trip for my 6 yr old (currently attending French immersion) and my hubby. Both have not been to Quebec and are born in Canada. I know right?!
My sister who use to live in Thunder bay is temporarily living there! I haven’t seen her much and would love to spend the weekend with her!! Fingers, toes, knees, etc crossed!
Jen: Ohhhh! Fingers crossed! That would be awesome if you could spend some time with your sister and enjoy the sights and activities over there! Good luck!!
Would love to get away to see more of our Country!!
Great way to visit different parts of Canada! Good luck, Barbara! 🙂