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Things to do in Gaspe
Gaspe lies at the tip of the Gaspe Peninsula in Eastern Quebec, Canada, and is nestled between the sea and the beautiful St Lawrence River. If you are looking for things to do in Canada this is a place that is rife with natural beauty and is exceptionally great for outdoor sports enthusiasts and nature lovers. You will be able to find many things to do and see while you are in the beautiful city of Gaspe.
One of the best things about Gaspe is that it is an all-around destination. Not only does it offer a great itinerary for sports enthusiasts, but the city also features its history and culture through its inner attractions. Find treks, hikes, skiing, fishing, and more such activities while you tour the region. Find your way to the cultural attractions of the city for more things to do.
This article has been brought to you to help you plan your trip to Gaspe in the best way. We will go over a list of the best things you can do in the region. We hope to make this article as informative and fun for you as possible. So, with no further ado, let us go over the best things to do in the Gaspe region.
Attractions in Gaspe
The town of Gaspe is the site of the first French occupation in Canada. Great for a short day trip, the quaint little town of Gaspe has a number of attractions that you can enjoy as you go along. Examples include the Christ Roi Cathedral that is quite special for being the only wooden cathedral in North America.
The town of Gaspe was founded by explorer Jacques Cartier, whose exploits are documented in the Musee de la Gaspesie. This museum is one of the best places for history buffs to explore. It tells you about the history of the region and the surrounding conflicts.
Bonaventure Island
A great place for bird watchers is Bonaventure Island. This is one of the largest natural reserves for species in the Americas. It is especially known for the thousands of gannet birds that come here to nest every year. Come to the island on a boat, and take the Les Colonies trail that runs across the island.
The trail will take you where the gannets nest. You can also take the Le Chemin du Roy. This one will take you around the island. Make sure you reach Bonaventure Island on your travels through Gaspe.
Forillon National Park
Enjoy the grand beauty of the limestone cliffs rising from the Gulf of St Lawrence at the Forillon National Park. The northern coast of the park is known to be more beautiful than the south, however, there is plenty to do and see in both places. This national park is a well-known wildlife reserve and has great opportunities for whale and bird watching.
There is an information center at Cap des Rosiers where you can learn about the park. Make your way to the nearby beach for some extremely stunning and scenic views. Another great attraction at the Forillon National Park is the historic lighthouse, which is the tallest in Canada.
Find the Forillon National Park at 122 Gaspe Blvd, Gaspe.
Bonaventure
After your trip to the Gannets of Bonaventure Island, make your way to the quaint village of Bonaventure. One of the best things to do at Bonaventure is visit the Bioparc zoo. This zoo is special as it is home to around 40 animals that are native to Gaspe.
Bonaventure was formed by Acadians fleeing deportation, and as such, you will be able to find a lot of things here that celebrate Acadian culture. Another great attraction that you should make your way to is the Banc de Paspebiac Historical Site. This site is a cultural attraction that celebrates the fishing community of Bonaventure. You will be able to learn a lot while you are here. There is a lot to do and see here, such as barrel making, shipbuilding, and net mending.
Things to do in the Water
The region of Gaspe lies on the coast and the St. Lawrence River flows through it. As such, it would be a surprise if one doesn’t find things to do in the water. From fishing, kayaking, swimming, and more, Gaspe has a lot in store for you if you enjoy water sports. You can take a cruise around Perce Rock, one of the popular attractions for tourists visiting Gaspe. Make a day trip out of visiting Bonaventure island by taking a Les Bateliers de Perce cruise.
You can enjoy whale watching from the Forillon National Park. If you want to get close to the magnificent marine mammals, then maybe a cruise dedicated to whale watching is for you.
Kayaking is another activity that you can enjoy while you are in Gaspe. Check out the day trip itineraries by Aube sur Mer, Avolo Plein Air and the Ecovoile de la Baie-des-Chaleurs. There are many adventure sports in Gaspe as well, such as snorkeling and scuba diving.
Parc National de la Gaspesie
This national park is certain to be a delight for nature lovers. For people who want to camp out and others who want to hike, Parc National de la Gaspesie is one of the best places to go. With over 140 kilometers of hiking trails, you can fall back into nature at this wonderful national park. For people who are into mountaineering, the park offers two great mountain ranges to conquer.
The Chic-Choc and the McGerrigie ranges are crowning jewels of the Appalachian mountain range. If you are confident in your mountaineering abilities, then Mont Jaques-Carter might just suit your style.
The Parc National de la Gaspesie is not only a favorite haunt of adventure enthusiasts but is also a refuge for nature itself. Many animals abound the region and a rare herd of Caribou is known to frequent the higher altitudes. All in all, visiting Parc National de la Gaspesie might just be the best thing you do on your trip to Gaspe.
Micmac Cultural Interpretation Site
For all the people interested in history and culture, a place that you cannot miss is the Micmac Cultural Interpretation Site. This site tells you the story of how the Micmac people have lived here for centuries. Take the guided tour of the interpretive village replica and learn more about the Micmac culture.
The Micmacs are spiritual people and this site focuses on their religious life. You will be able to learn about food gatherings, the traditions, and the arts of the people while you are here. Sample some traditional delicacies before you leave. All in all, a great way to spend one of your days in Gaspe.
Parc National de Miguasha Fossil Site
The Parc National de Miguasha Fossil Site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It takes you back to millions of years ago. The fossils here demonstrate how marine animals made their way onto land over generations. The site has been well preserved and the administration here takes good care of the fossils. The Parc National de Miguasha Fossil Site is located at 231 Route de Miguasha Quest, Nouvelle, Quebec.
Pointe a la Renommee
The site of the first radio station in North America, established by Guglielmo Marconi in 1904. The Site of Pointe a la Renommee also features a lighthouse that is one of the top attractions in Gaspe. While you are here, you will be able to learn a lot about the history of the site.
Take some time and visit the lighthouse keeper’s house, which features memorabilia and information about the lighthouse and the station. You will be able to learn even more by visiting the museum. For people who want to take in the beauty of nature, the Pointe a la Renommee features striking views of the river of St Lawrence.
Ste-Anne-des-Monts
The town of Ste-Anne-des-Monts is one of the best things to do in the Gaspe region. The road to the town is particularly scenic and runs along the cliffs and coast of the river. This location is one of the essential day trips that you can take in the region of Gaspe. Visit many fishing villages along the way and find the locals to be welcoming.
One of the top attractions to visit in Ste-Anne-des-Monts is called La Marte Lighthouse and Museum. It is located around 15 kilometers away from the town and features a museum as well.
Back in town, you should make your way to the dock and find the museum called Exploramer focussing on marine life in the river. There you will be able to find aquariums, touch pools, and excursions that will help you learn a lot about the region. If you are with kids or with your family, coming to Exploramer is something that you absolutely cannot miss.
Perce Rock
The Perce Rock is one of the most famous attractions in Gaspe. In fact, its picture is what shows up when you try to look up the region on the net. The beauty of the rock lies in the fact that it rises out of the sea and has been cut by water over thousands of years. The views surrounding the place are absolutely scenic and breathtaking.
The Perce Rock has intrigued people for centuries. A sea captain known as Samuel de Champlain made a note of it in his logbook in the early 17th century. The nearby town of Perce is itself a great place for a day trip and you can check out boats passing by the rock from the shore.
For even better views, you should make your way to the Plateforme Vitree Suspendue at the Geopark of Perce. This is a suspended glass state built upon a cliff at Mont Ste-Anne. While you are at Geopark, be sure to check out their exhibit called Tektonik.
Matapedia
This village is located quite nearby New Brunswick. Nestled between the two rivers of Matapedia and Restigouche, the place is known to be particularly beautiful. Green-colored hills that are just breathtaking in the fall, Matapedia will win you over.
Chutes a Picot is a really beautiful waterfall that is located in Matapedia. It is extremely famous all around Gaspe. If you are in Matapedia during the winter, then you must make your way to La Petit Chamonix ski resort. You will be able to enjoy downhill and cross country skiing while you are here as well as many other snow sports. Take lessons in snowboarding, tubing, and ice skating at La Petit Chamonix ski resort.
In Conclusion
We really hope that you enjoyed reading our article about the best things to do in Gaspe. We had hoped to make this article as helpful to you as we could have. Use this article to plan what to do and where to go, and make sure your stay in Gaspe is memorable.
Gaspe has something in store for everyone. From nature lovers who just want to walk with the trees to those seeking the thrill of mountain climbing, Gaspe will make sure you have the time of your life.
We have explored the natural and cultural attractions of the Gaspe Region in this article. We hope that this will help you make the most out of your trip there.
If you enjoyed reading our list of the best things to do in Gaspe, let us know your thoughts by commenting below. If you are an experienced traveler who has been to Gaspe, we would value your thoughts immensely. Let us know about your trip and your experience, and help us improve by pointing out what we missed. It was a pleasure to write to you, thanks and enjoy your travels. Also, Check out things to do in Toronto.
