7+ Things to Do in Laval Quebec for a Memorable Summer Weekend

It’s no secret that Montreal is one of the top tourism destinations in Quebec. However, there’s an overlooked gem located less than an hour from downtown. For those looking for a great mix of metropolitan amenities and quaint countryside, there’s no better spot to explore than Laval! Whether you’re looking for a fantastic girl’s trip destination, a romantic getaway or just a change of scenery, you can’t go wrong with these amazing things to do in Laval Quebec.

The traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Kanienʼkehá꞉ka (Mohawk) for millennia, the waterways in Laval held a strategic link to the Ottawa River in the west and the St Lawrence River in the east. As European settlers enroached on these lands, they began to look different as permanent communities began to form and with that, methods of living such as farming were more heavily used. Over the years, Laval became a destination for wealthy families to escape from Montreal. While the city is not quite 60 years old as it was officially established as such in 1965, there are plenty of historical elements scattered across the older neighbourhoods.

Nowadays, there are a number of factors that draw visitors to Laval and you’ll certainly find some of them in this list. Keep reading to see what experiences the city has to offer for an great adventure this summer!

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Amazing Things to Do in Laval

Laval is a destination for all seasons, however the city really comes to life in the summer months. While it can make a great day trip from Ottawa or Montreal, I highly recommend planning to stay for at least a weekend so you can get a true taste of the great things to do in Laval. With the drive being approximately 7 hours from Niagara, it was a no-brainer to make it a weekend adventure!

Ferme Marineau Flower Festival

Address: 4356 Boulevard Dagenais Ouest, Laval [map]

For over 100 years, Ferme Marineau has brought 175 acres of land to life! Five generations of farmers have put their blood, sweat and tears into cultivating an incredible agri-tourism destination in Laval!

A summer visit to the farm means soaking up the rural beauty found at Ferme Marineau with a plethora of activities. Playground equipment is always a hit with the little ones and you can say hello to their resident goats. Stop in at their farm store for a plethora of fresh produce and freshly baked eats and treats, then pop by their ice cream stand for a sweet treat made with a number of fruits sourced right from the farm! You can also enjoy the fruits of your own labour with their U-Pick strawberries and blueberries as well as their U-Pick pumpkins in the fall.

Though if you find yourself in the city on a weekend, the Marineau Flower Festival is one of the best things to do in Laval! They have over 70 varieties of flowers and a number of ways to experience them. Get your own mason jar and create your own bouquet with their self-pick flower experience. Then explore their incredible sunflower trails and get lost in their corn maze. They even have puzzles and scavenger hunts that make this one of the coolest corn mazes around!

They also have an amazing outdoor seating area where you can enjoy live music while sipping on some amazing cocktails (and mocktails!), exclusive beers and wine. If you’re feeling peckish, they have a few snacks and sandwiches you can nibble on while enjoying the local talent.

Outdoor Escape Room with Immersia

Address: 3065 Rue Peugeot, Laval [map]

An escape room might not be the first thing that comes to mind when travelling, but it can actually give you some insight into a new destination! Or in this instance, it may have you out in the world exploring your surroundings. At Immersia’s Laval location, they have an outdoor escape room experience will have you wandering through the area of Vieux Sainte Rose (Old Saint Rose) and honestly, this is hands down the coolest way to explore a neighbourhood.

INSIDER TIP: While it does say that this room is recommended for 3-6 people, it can be done with just two so if you’re on a girl’s trip or travelling with just your significant other, you can still complete this adventure!

Put your thinking cap on and take your investigative kit from Immersia headquarters as you make your way to the Centre d’interprétation de l’eau. This is where you’ll start your quest as new recruits to the WISE (World Intelligence Secret Elite) team and uncover what happened to microbiologist Hans Bergman as well as what the heinous Spidertech corporation is up to. 

I won’t give away too many details but let’s just say this is definitely one of the most unique escape room experiences I’ve ever had to date. Between using augmented reality to solve puzzles and actually mixing a cocktail of “chemicals” to unlock a code, it’s quite the adventure and certainly one of the top things to do in Laval.

Picnic at Agneaux de Laval

Address: 1055 Rue Principale, Sainte-Dorothée [map]

Agneaux de Laval is an adorable farm store with deep farming roots in Quebec. The Beaulieu family has been farming since 1754 and their passion for their craft shows in everything they do. From animal care like raising their lambs in a free range environment to reducing their environmental footprint via methods such as rotating grazing to avoid soil depletion, you know they’ve taken every step possible to ensure everything they do is top quality. 

While you can just pop into their store and grab a few premade meals or some of their bagels they bake fresh daily, I highly recommend bringing a few friends to enjoy one of their gazebo picnics. They have three rustic structures throughout their property where you can settle in and enjoy a delicious meal in the farm fields. Everything is prepared for you so all that you need to do is arrive hungry!

There are a few options for eats as you can enjoy either a hot or  cold meal, but I highly recommend their Shepherd’s Mexican Meal. Flavourful grain-fed chicken and fall off the bone braised lamb shanks are delivered ready to eat along with stir-fried veggies, guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese and tortillas to pile all these goodies on. And yes, there’s dessert too! Agneaux de Laval doesn’t sell alcohol but if you’d like to enjoy a bottle of wine with your meal, you’re welcome to bring your own to round out the experience.

Explore Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles

Address: 345 Boulevard Sainte-Rose, Laval [map]

Say hello to the largest protected wildlife area in Laval! What was once originally used for grazing livestock has now become a tranquil spot sought out by locals and visitors alike. Located in the neighbourhood of Sainte Rose, explore this beautiful archipelago within the Mille Îles River. Within its 971 hectares, the park is home to over 385 species of wildlife. Approximately 42 kilometres of shoreline are protected under its purview along with 92 species that are at risk of becoming endangered or already are. 

There are a number of activities you can enjoy like hiking some of the trails and checking out the museum on-site to learn about the history of the area. However, one of the best things to do in Laval is to paddle around the numerous islands included within the Mille Îles River. What makes this so awesome is that you can actually dock and disembark to explore them! A number of islands such as Île aux Fraises, Île Kennedy and Île des Juifs have hiking trails, lookout points and picnic areas. We had a blast enjoying our takeout lunch from La Bête à Pain on Île aux Fraises!

Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles is also home to an incredible turtle rehabilitation centre. Turtles are quite common in this area, especially the painted turtle and you’ll often see them sunbathing on logs or along the riverbanks. Many injured turtles are brought here to be nursed back to health and for those who must continue to live in captivity are part of their school programming to teach the next generation about the importance of respecting and protecting wildlife.

Inside La Bête à Pain in Laval

Stop In at La Bête à Pain

Address: 1969 Desserte est des Laurentides, Laval [map]

La Bête à Pain is where food meets interior design. This gorgeous space is a bakery and restaurant but will also have you inspired to redecorate your home. The floor to ceiling windows illuminate the restaurant as white furniture and accents add the finishing touches to their chic decor. 

You’ll find plenty of fresh baked eats and treats including breads, scones, pastries and cakes as well as homemade caramel, croutons, jams and more. La Bête à Pain also has a variety of premade meals perfect for those looking to grab and go. While we only got to experience a small taste of it with our takeout lunch at Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, I’ll definitely want to return for their brunch sit-down service. Their croissant benedict as well as their burrata salad both sound like an absolute dream for the tastebuds! 

Grab Dinner at Le Boating Club

Address: 30 Boulevard du Curé-Labelle, Sainte-Rose [map]

If you’re going to eat anywhere in Laval, it has to be at Le Boating Club. Housed in a heritage building, it was once the home of the Sainte-Rose Boating Club which was founded in 1889. Besides organizing regattas, they often dances and secular parties. Fast forward to 125 years later when Le Boating Club was brought back to life with endless summer vibes in 2014! Explore the three stories as each has its own unique ambiance. There’s even a karaoke room in the basement!

Their menu is quite vast, starting with drinks to suit every palette. From classic cocktails to martinis to adult coffees, you’ll certainly be intrigued by quite a few. I opted for their rosé sangria and it was the perfect beverage to reward myself for a great day of adventuring. Coteau Rougemont rose wine, melon Ciroc, strawberry puree, melon lemonade and soda is topped with bits of fresh watermelon to craft a refreshing summer beverage.

As for their eats, you’ll find a medley of proteins from both land and sea on the menu as well as a plethora of appetizers. It was certainly tough to choose as so many of the dishes sounded incredible but Kat and I shared the 

Zone Musicales with the Orchestre Symphonique de Laval

Catch a Free Concert

It’s no secret that Quebec heavily invests in the arts. Some of my favourite memories from my adventures in La Belle Province include experiences where art has been made accessible… like Laval’s Zones Musicales!

Throughout the summer from July 7 to August 25, 2024, 40 free outdoor shows are scattered throughout eight different locations in the city. Over 300 artists both renowned and emerging share their craft with anyone who will attend. As day turns to night, soak up the incredible talent like we did with the Laval Symphony Orchestra at Zone 1, located in Bernard-Landry Park. The other zones include Saint-François, Vieux-Sainte-Dorothée, Vieux-Sainte-Rose, Berge aux Quatre-Vents, Centre de la nature, Chomedey and Montmorency. You can find out more about the Zones Musicales here.

Concerts typically start at between 7:30-8:00 pm and offer a variety of musical styles. While classical is not typically my genre of choice, it’s hard not to be blow away by the incredible talent, especially when they’re playing soundtracks from motion picture films like Batman and Moana! Grab some friends and bring a comfy camp chair to settle in for this live summer spectacle.

King Suite Room at the Courtyrad by Marriott Montreal Laval

The Top Laval Hotel to Stay At

Like with any city, there is no shortage of hotels in Laval you could stay at. However, there is a brand new one with amenities you won’t want to miss. Say hello to the Courtyard by Marriott Montreal Laval!

This brand new hotel has 188 stylish rooms and suites, each boasting modern amenities such as a mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, large desk with an ergonomic chair, cozy seating area and more plugs than I’ve ever seen in a hotel room. As with every Marriott property, the beds are luxurious with plush pillows and sleek sheets. It was certainly a struggle to get out of bed each morning because I was so comfy! The bathrooms have plenty of counter space and a rainfall shower, though some have a bathtub as well.

On the second floor, you’ll find the in-house restaurant, RossoCielo. Whether you’re a guest at the hotel or just visiting Laval, you should ensure a meal here is on your itinerary. Elegantly decorated, this modern restaurant features huge windows that allow plenty of natural light to illuminate the space. Take a seat and bask in the sun’s rays or take a seat on their beautiful outdoor terrace.

Ravioli Aragosta from RossoCielo

Their menu focuses on Italian-inspired dishes, many of which will have your mouth watering before you even order. As we had skipped lunch that day, Kat and I decided that alla fuoco pizza would be the perfect appetizer to share as this tomato-based pie is topped with mozzarella Di Bufala, prosciutto and arugula. I then followed it with their ravioli aragosta – plump little morsels stuffed with lobster and ricotta, bathed in a pistachio pesto with a hint of lemon zest. I was incredibly impressed not just because the sauce was divine but because the ravioli actually had chunks of lobster in it. What more can a gal ask for?

The Courtyard by Marriott Montreal Laval also features Laval’s first and only rooftop patio. Located on the tenth floor, you’ll be treated to incredible views as far as Mont Royal! The only downside is that it’s only open Thursday through Sunday so if you’re visiting earlier in the week like we did, you’ll have to return in order to experience it.

Conveniently located across from Montmorency Metro Station at 500 Rue Lucien-Paiement [map], it makes exploring anywhere between Laval to downtown Montreal a breeze if you want to leave the car parked! If the Courtyard by Marriott Montreal Laval is booked during your intended travel dates, check out these other great Laval hotels.

Views from the Tenth Floor Terrace at the Courtyard by Marriott Montreal Laval

Things to Know For Your Visit to Laval

Ready to plan your own adventure to the city of Laval? Here are some things to know and insider tips to ensure you have the best experience possible!

Do You Need to Know French When Visiting Laval?

As when travelling anywhere that English is not the first language, it’s always helpful to know a few phrases of the language that’s predominantly spoken. In Laval, you don’t need to be fluent in French however knowing your typical polite greetings such as hello, please, thank you and goodbye can go a long way. 

What’s the Best Way to Explore Laval?

While you can utilize public transit or the self-serve electric scooters found around the city, I highly recommend having a car for this adventure. It makes exploring the more rural areas much easier so you can truly appreciate all that Laval has to offer!

Can You Turn Right on Red at Stoplights in Laval?

Yes you can turn right on red stoplights in Laval! It’s just while you’re on the island of Montreal that this is illegal and could result in you receiving a ticket.

Disclaimer:
This article was crafted in partnership with Tourisme Laval however, all of the content and opinions outlined here, as always, are honest and speak to my personal experience.

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