Adventure & Relaxation Outaouais Staycation

With the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure, here’s why you need to have a staycation in Outaouais and activities you can’t miss. This would be the perfect staycation for summer or fall. With activities starting just 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa, this is the perfect spot for a refreshing escape close to home. 

Terre & Neige

Escape into nature in these beautiful cabins you won’t want to leave. The accommodation is stunning and smells fantastic with the wood they used to create them. Terre & Neige is the perfect private oasis tucked away in the trees. Choose from a classic A-frame or their unique Scandinavian-style accommodation. Both are great options, and you will surely have a fantastic getaway. 

Owners Julia and Will are such a lovely and inspiring couple! I loved learning about their past doing long distance from Paris to London and how they ended up in Val Des Months. Will worked in the fashion industry in Paris, and Julia worked as a chef in London and Paris.

They created Terre & Neige with the idea of slowing down and being immersed in the local forest and agriculture. Will shared that it was always a dream of his to live in Canada and that Terre & Neige was also a way for them to share their dreams with their customers. 

I highly recommend adding the meals to your stay! Everything Julia made was so flavourful and celebrates local sources. I have never raved about tomatoes until I tried the tomato dish she made for us. She makes unique and creative menus for each guest, and we were truly blown away by everything we tried.

They were so thoughtful and kind our whole stay. It was raining when we returned one night, and Will ran out with umbrellas for us. They also have a Spotify playlist to enjoy during your stay and emit some of the vibes. 

Things To Do For Your Outaouais Staycation

Downtown Gatineau Cultural Trail 

This 3km walk will bring you to all the best sights, art, attractions and restaurants in the area. It’s always been one of my favourite summer activities. Each summer, there are new art and installations. Find more information about the Gatineau Cultural Trail here.

Dine at Astoria

Before or after exploring the cultural trail, fuel up at Astoria. This vegan restaurant offers delicious dishes, from gnocchi to Seoul noodles. It has a great vibe that would be perfect for dinner or drinks. 

Kayak Through a Maze

Enjoy a fun afternoon navigating the Éco-Odyssée water maze surrounded by beautiful scenery and wildlife. This water labyrinth has more than 60 intersections spread across 6km.

We opted for kayaks, but you can also go on a canoe, pedal boat or bring your own paddle board. They also have options for sunset tours or under a full moon. 

Ziplining to Peak to Peak at Camp Fortune

Enjoy an adrenaline rush at Camp Fortune’s new zipline circuit, Peak to Peak. Glide through the air on three high-speed dual zip lines and finish the adventure with a drop tower. You can reach up to 80km/hr on the ziplines. 

I’m afraid of heights and try to push myself to do these adventures. The team we were with was so professional and friendly. It ended up being one of my favourite ziplines I’ve ever done. They even convinced me to do the free-fall drop tower in the end. It’s a thrilling adventure, and I would do it again. 

This adventure takes about 1.5 hours to complete. I also recommend going on the mountain coaster while you’re there. Glide up to 40 km/hr through the trees. Book your ticket for both in advance here. 

Paddleboard at Meech Lake

Enjoy the beauty of Gatineau Park from the water at Meech Lake. This peaceful lake is perfect for soaking up some sun on a paddleboard. Head to Nomades du Parc in Chelsea and rent one of their inflatable paddle boards. They’re a quick drive to Meech Lake.

 I recommend parking at P12; you can access a launch pad to Meech Lake across the road. I recommend carving out a few hours for this adventure. After your outdoor activity, relax by the fire pit or on the deck under twinkle lights with refreshments from their outdoor bar.

Nomad du Parc also offers bike rentals, including e-bikes, if you want to cruise around Gatineau Park. 

Nordik Spa

Nordik Spa is the perfect place to relax and unwind for your summer staycation in Outaouais. I love spending hours here going through their thermal cycle, saunas, and relaxing areas. 

Something special I noticed about visiting in summer was being able to spend more time doing activities like the cold plunges. They were a welcome refresher and were my favourite part of this visit.

I also love how Nordik Spa draws inspiration from places around the world. It’s a fun way to travel through relaxation. I also tried their Källa Treatment for the first time. It felt like being in the dead sea close to home. 

You can easily spend an entire day here with all their relaxation stations, restaurants and more. 

Spend an Afternoon in Wakefield

From cute local shops and restaurants to Instagram-worthy views from the Red Covered Bridge, check out my guide on everything to do in Wakefield. 

Dinner and Drinks at Moulin Wakefield Mill

While you’re in Wakefield, make sure to check out Moulin Wakefield Mill. It’s another beautiful spot for your staycation and dinner and drinks on their stunning terrace. 

The mill was built in 1828 as a flour mill and today invites guests for a relaxing stay at their hotel, spa and restaurants. It’s just steps away from Wakefield on a beautiful walk along the river. 

It is a historic destination in Wakefield and feels like a beautiful oasis in the forest and along the river. Enjoy views of McLaren Falls and their gardens while sipping a drink on their terrasse, enjoying the spa or dining on one of the patios. 

Dinner at La Muse

End the night with dinner at La Muse inside Moulin Wakefield Mill. La Muse offers a gourmet menu inspired by Quebec and French cuisine combined with local products. Choose from one of their table d’hôte for a multi-course meal full of flavourful bites.

Each dish was presented so beautifully and tasted as good as it looked. I also loved sitting in the bright sunroom with views of the forest. It was the perfect end to our girl’s wellness weekend, and it would also be a romantic spot for a couple’s getaway. 

Thank you to Outaouais Tourism for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I hope you have as much fun on this Outaouais Staycation as I did. I’d love to see your adventures. Feel free to tag me on Instagram and Tik Tok.

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