Things to do over the holidays
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! At last it’s time for the holidays, Christmas cookies in industrial quantities, and family fun. Take advantage of your (perhaps limited!) spare time over the holidays to try a few of these activities in good company.
Thousands of twinkling lights
Here are just a few ideas to fill your winter holiday calendar. Discover Canada’s impressive main Parliament building, also called the Centre Block, through a unique immersive experience that includes an exhibition and a 360° multimedia show. You’ll be amazed by the stunning visual effects that will transport you to a parallel universe. Get to the heart of history with this tour, available every day. Book your visit now!
211 Sparks Street, Ottawa
Tickets are free.
Parliament: The Immersive Experience is a self-guided activity that lasts about 45 minutes. Admission is free but reservations are required. Plan to arrive 5–10 minutes before your show time. Closed on December 25, 2023 and January 1, 2024.
Calling all adventurers
Add some excitement to an ordinary holiday day with a trip to Arbraska Laflèche! Take the whole family on the Snowman Adventure. You’ll tour the underground Laflèche Cave and its nooks and crannies to observe stalagmites and stalactites. Who knows? You might even see some bats! Then soar through the air on a giant zip line and trek through the forest on snowshoes. The icing on the cake to top off your day: a good hot chocolate by the fire!
255 Principale Rt., Val-des-Monts
Reservations required.
Outdoor fun in the city
There’s no need to drive for kilometres and kilometres to have fun in the heart of the snowy Outaouais! Several urban outdoor centres offer hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and even sliding. After a day of winter activities at the Centre plein air du Lac-Leamy, the Centre de plein air du Lac-Beauchamp or the Relais plein air, you definitely deserve a hot chocolate!
WINTER ACTIVITIES AT PARC OMEGA
There’s always lots to do at Parc Omega, a must-visit Outaouais destination for those who want to get in touch with nature. Come and see for yourself with the wide range of winter activities on offer. New this year: kicksledding pulled by superb Siberian and Alaskan Husky dogs! Get up close and personal with a wolf pack, test your skill on the aerial course, or enjoy a beautiful skating rink and ice-skating trails on a gorgeous snowy afternoon. Bring your own snowshoes or borrow some for free on site, and set off to explore the many trails. And don’t forget to take the whole family snow tubing—giggles guaranteed!
399 Route 323 North, Montebello
Open daily. Some activities are weather dependent.
PLENTY OF FUN FOR EVERYONE
Unplug for the holidays! Plan an active day out for your children at Le Rond-point milieu de jeux, recently renovated and updated. Enjoy a good cup of coffee (and complete peace of mind) while your little ones play safely on the colourful structures and slides. There are craft workshops on weekends and video games available at all times. Who knows? You may even want to join in and relive your childhood memories. One thing’s for sure: it’ll be fun!
170 Deveault Street, Gatineau
0–11 months – Free | 1–2 years – $15.49 | 3–17 years – $21.99 | Adult – $6.49 | 60+ years – Free | Family rate (2 adults & 2 children) – $50.47. Tax not included.
Opens at 9 a.m. daily.
A virtual reality game arcade
During the vacations, it’s time to have some fun! Are you interested in virtual reality games and experiences? That’s what VR82, Gatineau’s first modern virtual gaming arcade, is all about. With family or friends, physically move around an arena through a virtual video game in cooperative or player-versus-player mode. Several scenarios are available: are you more of a zombie apocalypse or a space shooter type?
You can also reserve an individual gaming station and play up to 25 different games. Hours and hours of fun!
79 De la Gappe Blvd., Gatineau
Reservations required.
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With all these suggestions, there’s no excuse for having “nothing to do” over the holidays. If you’re more inclined to want to escape the snow and cold, here are some ideas for indoor #OutaouaisFun activities.
