What to do in Gatineau: Restaurants and Activities in winter/summer


The cities of Gatineau and Ottawa share the Ottawa River. They face each other, one in Quebec, the other in Ontario.
It’s easy to visit both cities on the same trip, because they’re only a bridge away. But while Ottawa, Canada’s capital, is well known, Gatineau deserves some introduction.
Let’s see what you can discover in Gatineau and its surroundings . For a weekend, during spring break or the summer vacations, or during the much appreciated Bal des Neiges, which takes place in both cities. As you wish.
Within walking distance of the Sheraton Gatineau-Ottawa if you are staying there, locals recommend the following restaurants:

on American Express's website
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The American Express Cobalt® Card is a versatile American Express card, whether you want points for travel or cash back.
American Express Cobalt® Card welcome offer
The welcome bonus is paid out monthly over your first 12 months. You earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you charge $750 in net purchases to your card, in any category (1X, 2X, 3X or 5X). That adds up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points over the year, a welcome offer valued at $255.
Earning the full bonus means $9,000 in net purchases spread across 12 monthly billing periods. This offer rewards steady monthly spending rather than one large purchase.
You can use these points as statement credits on everyday or travel purchases, at the same rate either way: 1,000 points = $10.
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American Express Cobalt® Card benefits
Here is what the card gives you, starting with the benefits cardholders use most.
The 5X categories and where they apply
The 5X rate is the reason most people carry this card. In Canada it covers three kinds of merchants:
The 2X rate covers gas stations such as Esso, Shell and Petro-Canada, along with public transit and ride sharing.
With the American Express Cobalt® Card, you earn between 1 and 5 points per dollar:
| Category | Points per dollar |
| Grocery (Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, etc.) | 5 |
| Home food delivery | 5 |
| Restaurants and bars | 5 |
| Convenience stores | 1 |
| Streaming services | 3 |
| Service station | 2 |
| Transport | 2 |
| Travel | 1 |
| Other | 1 |
That works out to a 1 to 5% return on those purchases. For example, if you spend $1,000 per month across groceries, restaurants and food delivery, you earn $50 back per month, or $600 per year from that category alone. Transfer the points to a program such as Aeroplan instead and the return can be higher.
You can also stack these categories with the hundreds of stores that offer 5x points.
American Express Cobalt® Card insurance coverage
The card comes with a broad insurance package. The amounts below are the coverage limits; conditions, age limits and exclusions are set out in the certificate of insurance linked in the Insurance section above.
Travel insurance
Rental car insurance
Theft and damage coverage is included for a rental car with an MSRP, for its model year, of up to $85,000 excluding all taxes, for rentals of up to 48 days. To use it, decline the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or any similar option from the rental company and charge the full rental to your card. There is no cost for this coverage, and it replaces the daily insurance the rental company charges, usually $16 to $23 per day.
Mobile device insurance
Your device is covered for up to $1,000 per occurrence when it is charged to the card, for up to two years from the date of purchase. The payout is based on the depreciated value of the device, which falls by 2% of the purchase price for every completed month, less a 10% deductible. Theft and accidental damage coverage starts on the 91st day after purchase, because the first 90 days are covered by purchase protection.
Purchase protection and extended warranty
Eligible items charged to your card are insured against accidental physical damage or theft for 90 days from the purchase date, up to $1,000 per occurrence for all items combined. The card also extends the original manufacturer’s warranty by up to one additional year on eligible items, with indemnification limited to $10,000 per insured item and $25,000 per Cardmember per policy year for all items combined.
American Express Cobalt® Card fees
Because the fee is billed monthly rather than in one annual charge, you can stop and restart the cost in step with how much you are actually using the card.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
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A little further from the Sheraton Gatineau-Ottawa, by car, we recommend these:

on BMO's website
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BMO is not responsible for updating the content of this site. For the most up-to-date information, please click on the Online Application link.
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First, there is an unmissable visit to the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, where you can spend hours. Check out its collection of First Nations works. Oh! These totems. We also go there for its architecture, for its interactive activities at the Canadian Children’s Museum, for its 3D cinema and so much more.
The outdoor centre and beach at Lac-Leamy in Gatineau has a canoe and kayak rental center in the summer. In winter, snowshoes and cross-country skis are available.

Parc de la Gatineau offers various activities that will delight young and old alike:

Take the Rogers Interzip with its interprovincial zipline that picks up in Gatineau and connects to Ottawa. An original way to get to the other side of the river! (Available in summer).
The activity has generated a lot of interest in 2021, the year of its inauguration.

And that’s it for the ten or so activities to do in Gatineau and the surrounding area.

on BMO's website
The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card is one of the best Visa Infinite rewards credit cards in Canada. Its welcome offer lets you earn up to 70,000 BMO Rewards points, for a total value of up to $1,150*.
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With the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card, you also get:
*Terms and conditions apply
BMO is not responsible for updating the content of this site. For the most up-to-date information, please click on the Online Application link.
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We have done many photo reports in the Gatineau-Ottawa region:
We thought we’d write this article because Gatineau is a city that offers a wide range of opportunities for visitors.
Also, with a very affordable category 2 Marriott hotel, the Four Points Sheraton Gatineau-Ottawa, it became interesting to highlight what there was to do in the area. And this, before crossing the bridge.
We would like to thank Ms. Josée Madore, an expert member of our Facebook group and a local resident. She was able to direct us to the most interesting places to discover from her list of experiences.
on National Bank's website
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The National Bank® World Elite® Mastercard® credit card was voted best Mastercard credit card by Milesopedia in 2026, 2025 and 2024.
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on BMO's website
The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card is one of the best Visa Infinite rewards credit cards in Canada. Its welcome offer lets you earn up to 70,000 BMO Rewards points, for a total value of up to $1,150*.
It also includes a monthly statement credit for streaming services, an annual $50 lifestyle credit, and no annual fee for the first year (a $120 value)*.
With the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card, you also get:
*Terms and conditions apply
BMO is not responsible for updating the content of this site. For the most up-to-date information, please click on the Online Application link.
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