The Gaspé Peninsula is a good family destination, with a catch: the drives are long. The distances between sights are what tire children, not the sights themselves, so the aim of a family trip is to pick a few places that children will remember and to give them room to run between them. This guide sorts the sights by age and energy, and suggests how to organise the days and the beds.
Best sights for all ages
Exploramer in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts is the strongest all-round stop: an aquarium with touch pools, exhibitions and optional sea excursions, with a day camp for ages 6 to 11 in summer, in French only. The Birthplace of Canada village in Gaspé has costumed interpreters, open buildings and a picnic area. Paspébiac, on the south coast, has demonstrations and characters. Miguasha has a treasure hunt built around a fossil fish and a sandbox for little ones. Each takes about two hours, so each fits between two drives.
Wildlife and outdoors
Bonaventure Island is a great adventure for children aged around six and over, because the crossing is short and the gannets are loud and close, but the Colonies trail is a long walk, so check that little legs can manage it. At Forillon, the beaches, picnic areas, playground and short trails suit all ages, and seals can be seen from the shore. The whale cruise from Grande-Grave is a highlight in season. Cap-Bon-Ami is a short walk from the car, but keep children away from the cliff edges. On the Bonaventure River, Cime Aventure's rafts and tandem kayaks make family paddles easy, with reduced rates for children.
Free and cheap stops
Percé Rock costs nothing to see from the wharf, the Matane salmon centre is free and takes thirty minutes, and Forillon's beaches cost little beyond the park fee. Mix a paid stop with a free one each day to keep the budget in check.
Handling the drives
Plan no more than two or three hours of driving on a normal day, and break the long legs, such as Matane to Gaspé, into stages with stops at Exploramer or Mont-Saint-Pierre. Bring snacks, water, a few downloaded audio stories and a cooler, because services thin out quickly. Start early, when the road is quiet and children are at their best, and keep the afternoon for the beach or the pool.
Where to sleep
Family rooms and chalets make life easier. Hôtel Baker in Gaspé has an indoor pool and a spa, which rescues a rainy afternoon. Fort Prével has cottages, an outdoor pool with water games and a golf simulator in season. Riotel Percé has family rooms for up to six, some with kitchenettes. Château Lamontagne has a family room for four and a chalet with a kitchen. The Gîte du Mont-Albert has family chalets for up to eight, and Motel Carleton-sur-Mer has a private beach and rooms with two double beds.
A sample family day
Start at Exploramer when it opens, spend two hours on the aquarium and the touch pools, and eat a picnic by the wharf. Drive to the mountains or along the coast in the afternoon with a stop for a short walk, and finish at a pool or a beach before dinner. The pattern of one anchor activity, one long drive and one free play session works on almost any day of the trip.
Rainy days
When the weather turns, choose indoor stops: Exploramer, the Musée de la Gaspésie, Miguasha's museum or the interpretation centre at the Gespeg site. A hotel with an indoor pool, such as Hôtel Baker, rescues a wet afternoon. Pack a deck of cards and a book for the car.
What to skip with young children
The big hikes in Gaspésie National Park, such as the Mont Jacques-Cartier caribou walk and the Tour du Mont-Albert, are for older children. The Cap-des-Rosiers lighthouse involves a climb. The geopark's glass platform may bother children who dislike heights. Long museum visits tire the little ones, so keep them short.
Weather and safety
Wind is constant and the Gulf is cold, so pack layers, hats and gloves in any season, plus rain gear. Keep children on marked trails and away from cliffs. Check the season dates for each site before you set out, because many attractions close outside summer.
