Gatineau and the lakes

Leamy Lake Park

Created in 1961, the park covers 174 hectares and is, according to the National Capital Commission, the largest urban park in the National Capital Region. Leamy Lake and the Gatineau and Ottawa rivers surround it. It is reached on foot or by bike along the Leamy Lake Pathway, and by car from Fournier Boulevard.

In summer there is a beach with lifeguards from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. — the 2026 season ran from 12 June to 7 September — with weekly water testing (rated Excellent at the last update we saw). Dogs are not allowed on the beach. There are picnic areas, charcoal barbecues, a playground, two volleyball courts and paddleboard rentals; parking is paid during swimming season.

The park is also an archaeological site: the area was occupied 5,000 to 6,000 years ago, and public digs have turned up stone and native copper tools and pottery. Northern map turtles, a species at risk, nest here, and more than 180 bird species have been recorded. The Màwandòseg Bridge over Leamy Creek, on the Voyageurs Pathway, has a lookout.

On the hotel's own doorstep

The hotel lists a bike path from the complex towards Gatineau Park, and — in the French-only part of its activities page — canoe and kayak rentals, skiing and the beach. In summer, Le Sorcier Golf Club is its golf partner, with a package that includes a round.

Gatineau Park

More than 361 square kilometres of forest and lakes north of the city, which the NCC calls the second-most visited park in Canada. Meech, Philippe, La Pêche and Pink lakes, the Mackenzie King Estate, scenic lookouts and, in winter, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snow biking. On fine weekends the southern sector often reaches capacity, and the NCC suggests weekdays or the northern areas. There is a driving link to the visitor centre on our route table.

The Canadian Museum of History

At 100 Laurier Street in Gatineau, on the shore directly opposite Parliament Hill. Between 8 September and 9 December 2026 it opens 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until 7 p.m. on Thursdays, and every visitor needs a timed ticket. Its indoor garage charges $2 per half-hour to a maximum of $18 a day, with a 1.93 m height limit and no overnight parking.

Les Grands Feux

The fireworks festival that carries the casino's name — Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy, formerly the Casino Lac-Leamy Sound of Light — is not held at the casino. Ottawa Tourism describes the shows as launched from a platform on the Ottawa River below the Museum of History, on Wednesday and Saturday evenings in early August. The 2027 dates were "to be announced" when we checked.

Further out

Tourisme Outaouais lists, among the region's must-sees, Parc Omega, Nordik Spa Village in Chelsea, the Chutes Coulonge adventure park, Village Majopial and the Fairmont Le Château Montebello. We have not checked those in detail; their own sites are the place to start.