At Altitude Gym, rock climbing is a religion! It’s not for nothing that the gym has moved into an old church. Bouldering, top roping, lead climbing: bring your own gear or rent climbing shoes and a harness on site!

In Wakefield, be part of a community of passionate climbers at Klimat! Discover this bouldering and training center where specialized structures will challenge you. Introduce yourself to this wonderful sport with a private lesson or enroll your children in a climbing program.

Canada’s Capital Region boasts the highest concentration of museums in the country. Take advantage of it! Our museums are becoming more and more interactive, and most of them offer workshops and activities for all age groups.

Discover dinosaur fossils at the Canadian Museum of Nature, spark your scientific curiosity by visiting the Crazy Kitchen and ingenious exhibits at the Canada Science and Technology Museum, explore the fascinating world of food preservation at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum or immerse yourself in Canadian history at the Canadian Museum of History, where younger visitors even have their own space: the Canadian Children’s Museum, an interactive place designed to spark their curiosity.

Looking for a more contemporary approach? In Aylmer, the La Chèvre Rose gallery presents immersive exhibitions and interactive installations where art meets innovation.

Museums, the Outaouais has a plethora of them! See the other options available to you here.

Here’s a good way to improve communication and grow closer as a family. Step into the shoes of a detective and solve a mystery at the Symmes Inn Museum’s Escape Room. Step back in time to the 1950s, when the Aylmer Aquatic Club was the talk of the town. Take part in an intriguing investigation involving a mysterious robbery and four suspects, with just one hour to solve the crime before suspicion turns to you. Gather your team, analyse the clues, and experience an immersive adventure that blends local history with suspenseful thrills.

In addition to being an unusual location for an escape game from Escape Manor, the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum was cloaked in secrecy for years, but it’s now open to the public. 45 minutes from Gatineau, it was built during the Cold War and covers 100,000 square feet (10,000 square metres) on four levels. The bunker was designed to house 535 people for 30 days! A real little underground city to visit, sheltered from the lousy weather, from just about everything, in fact.

Be fast and (not too) furious at Top Karting. At this indoor karting track, race against the clock and your opponents in cars that can reach speeds of 70 kph. There are several competitions where you can show off your racing skills. Children at least 1.30 m tall can enjoy the fleet of junior karts. For those whose preferred location is the passenger seat, there are pool tables and arcade games.

With the many theaters in the region, it’s impossible not to find an interesting program to put on your agenda! Whether it’s for a show of magic, humor, music, theater or dance, you are sure to find a performance to watch. Whether it’s at the Salle Odyssée of the Maison de la culture de Gatineau, the Cabaret La Basoche, the National Arts Centre (NAC), the Salle Jean-Despréz, the Salle PNG or at the Théâtre de l’Île, a successful cultural outing awaits you!

Looking for things to do as a family? These three places are guaranteed to banish boredom. In Gatineau, Adrenaline + has lots of activities for the whole family: arcade games, play structures for children, laser tag, and an amazing ninja course. Plenty of options to keep you entertained for hours! Spend some energy in the structures and slides of the Rond-point milieu de jeux. For new parents, have fun in the Lumini zone, a space specially designed for toddlers’ development. In Ottawa, Funhaven describes itself as the expert in fun, and it’s easy to see why. A multi-level laser tag arena, bumper cars, indoor roller coasters, a huge play area, hundreds of arcade games, virtual reality experiences and even escape rooms. We warned you: you won’t be bored!

Defying gravity is amazing fun, and it’s a guaranteed mood booster. At Flying Squirrel, the range of trampolines is impressive. In this giant warehouse of bounces, you can leap into a sea of foam blocks or shoot spectacular baskets. This spot will allow you to jump endlessly. Your mattresses at home will thank you!

Board games are enjoying renewed popularity these days. In the Outaouais, the specialist in the field is L’As des jeux. They offer a great selection of games for the whole family and a selection of games available for rent. Next to the boutique, the Pärlé - Bistro Ludique allows you to play while enjoying a good meal.

For a creative outing, take the road to Wakefield and visit Muraï Céramique. At this artisan studio, where four potters work, a range of classes will introduce you to the art of ceramics. You might even leave with a piece you shaped with your own hands!

In Gatineau, step into Studio Crudo, a studio-boutique where the founder, an artist with Dominican roots, handcrafts tropical-inspired candles. The studio also offers creative workshops for kids ages 8 and up as well as adults: scented candle making, and glass or porcelain painting. Everyone leaves with their creations!

For a movie outing with a big bag of buttery popcorn, head to Cinéma StarCité Gatineau or Cinema 9 to see one of the new releases.

Looking for other ways to enjoy a grey day? Our ideas for cultural outings in the Outaouais offer plenty of other family activities, rain or shine. Get your umbrellas and let’s go!

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For even more suggestions, consult our 2026-2027 tourist guide!