Our 7 preferred summer getaways in the National Capital Region

• Tweet
• Sharebar

• Tweet

During the past Victoria Day holiday there were no doubts that the summer arrived to the National Capital Region. The humidex was around the of 30º C and the streets exploded of people walking, riding bicycles or scooters and we were even able to see the motorcycles going around. Everybody was enjoying their preferred outdoors activity that day!

In Ottawa-Gatineau the summer is usually very hot and humid. When it’s hot… is really hot! And for those days, we have our favourite getaways. Nothing very far, not a place where we cannot arrive within the hour or so with a cooler in the back of the van packed with cold drinks. ice, fruits and a small piece of meat for a BBQ.

Let me share with you some of our preferred spots in the region…

Our preferred summery getaways in Ottawa-Gatineau

Some of our summer favourites are…

• Parc du Lac-Leamy: Unbeatable. It has a small beach, some spaces for BBQ, it has games for the kids and it is to minutes of Ottawa downtown. If you want to enjoy a good spot, you better go early! It is not a secret that the place is good! Use the entrance at Av. Fournier, pay 5 CAD, to park… and enjoy! (Lac Leamy in Google Maps)
• Andrew Haydon Park: In the boundaries between Nepean and Kanata, at a mere 15 minutes from home, a sensational park with water games, BBQs, good pic-nic tables, plenty of trees and footpaths to walk while watching the river. No entrance fee. (Andrew Haydon Park in Google Maps)
• Constance Bay: Although a little less accessible for those who live on the French side, Constance Bay is a small town with a very pretty beach, just a few kilometers north of Kanata. It may be necessary to go early and be patient. The beach is usually visited by tons of people and is the preferred spot for many youngsters in the area. Nice place to spend the day in the beach. You better take your own lunch because the only place in the area is kind of expensive. (Constance Bay in Google Maps)
• Mulvihill lake: Well deep in the Gatineau Park there is a hidden treasure! I’m sorry to say it’s ideal for those with no kids ! It does not have games, the kids can get bored pretty soon and force you to an early departure. The place is simply fabulous: small, cozy, quiet and ideal to spend at least a couple of wars enjoying the landscape! (The Mulvihill Lake in Google Maps)
• Meech Lake: Another small beach at the Gatineau Park. A little small for me but, unlike the Mulvihill Lake, you are allowed to take a bath. It’s a nice place to spend the day. Parking is not free. (The Meech Lake in Google Maps)
• Lac Philippe: A top notch place! Although the driving can take a while it’s absolutely worth the trip! Beaches, camping, boats rent, trees, grills, footpaths and the possibility of spending the until the sun falls… You ran out of food? No problem! At a mere 5 minutes driving there’s a small grocery store. You can buy some meat, charcola and prepare a BBQ while the son goes down. It’s a beautiful view! If you live in Ottawa-Gatineau it’s a MUST visiting this place at least once a yea. Remember: you must be early or it could be a pain to get a free table (The Lac Philippe in Google Maps)
• Aylmer Marina and Parc des Cedres: When we lived in Hull we used to drive there very often to meet some friends. Nice chat under the trees, a nice view of the river and, if you want, you can take a bath. Very pretty place, with games for the kids. It has few grills for a BBQ (The Aylmer Marina and Parc des Cedres in Google Maps)

This summer we decided to know new places… Who knows what discoveries we can make this summer! We’ll let you know.