Lanaudière is bursting with activities and attractions to discover during the summer season. Whether you're looking for outdoor adventure, cultural discovery or relaxation, our region is sure to seduce you without spending too much.
Ready to discover the hidden gems of Lanaudière on a budget? Here’s a selection of affordable, charming activities to explore Lanaudière and create memorable moments without breaking the bank.
OUTDOOR
A true must-see in the region, the outdoor activities are accessible to everyone, and we’re proud to offer several affordable options to enjoy them in Lanaudière.
The Matawinie Regional Parks consist of 5 parks (Sept-Chutes, Chute-à-Bull, Lac Taureau, Forêt Ouareau, and Sentier National) where you can go hiking, biking, paddleboarding, obstacle course climbing, and rock climbing. Admission is $8.70 per adult and $3.48 per child. An annual pass, offering unlimited access to all five parks, is also available for $86.97 per person or $156.55 per family. Equipment rental is available for an additional fee, but if you have your own gear, this is a great, affordable way to enjoy nature and breathtaking scenery.
Admiring waterfalls and cascades is another activity that promises spectacular views at little cost. Among our suggestions is Chutes-Monte-à-Peine-et-des-Dalles park. The park offers FREE access to residents of Sainte-Béatrix, Saint-Jean-de-Matha, and Sainte-Mélanie. For everyone else, admission is $10 per adult and $6 per child. To see the famous Dorwin Falls in Rawdon, access is free for residents. Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children. The Chutes du Calvaire regional park, located in Mandeville, is FREE for everyone!
Birdwatching is a free activity that will appeal to all wildlife enthusiasts. Several species are easy to spot in the region, and SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. Feel free to check out our blog for our top recommendations.
Our bike trails let you explore the region and discover all its secrets! Most bike trails and routes are accessible FREE OF CHARGE and let you cycle through the region while enjoying magnificent scenery and numerous attractions. Discover them HERE.
To discover all the outdoor activities available in the region, click HERE. To find out all about our offers and packages, don't hesitate to consult our special section.
CULTURE
Who says culture isn't accessible on a budget? Certainly not us! Many museums, cultural events, and heritage tours are available FREE OF CHARGE or at a low cost. The Musée d'art de Joliette admission costs no more than $25 per family on other days and $15 during the transition periods between exhibitions, which take place about three times a year. Joliette residents can visit the museum FREE OF CHARGE at any time with proof of residence.
The Gilles Villeneuve Museum lets you learn more about the famous F1 driver without breaking the bank. Admission for adults is $12, and it costs $27 for a family of two adults and two children. It’s FREE for children under 6.
The Maison Louis-Cyr offers a wide range of activities at affordable prices. Escape rooms, virtual reality, virtual tours—there are plenty of options for sharing memorable moments with family or friends. Prices range from $10 to $40 depending on age and the activity chosen.
The Diane-Dufresne Art Centre, located in Repentigny, welcomes visitors FREE OF CHARGE during regular exhibitions and for less than $10 per person (FREE for children under 18) during major summer and winter exhibitions.
You can also visit the Maison Rosalie-Cadron in Lavaltrie for $7, and the Maison de la Nouvelle-Acadie, located in Saint-Jacques, for just $5 per adult.
You can also attend the Festival de Lanaudière at a low cost. Admission is free for spectators 17 and under, and there’s even a 50% discount for those under 25.
Among other FREE cultural activities, we recommend a visit to the Île-des-Moulins museum complex, which brings together three historic buildings housing its permanent and temporary exhibitions: the Maison Bélisle, the Seigneurial Office, and the Moulin Neuf. We also make a stop at the Chapelle des Cuthbert in Berthierville to admire the various exhibitions. Finally, at the Espace culturel de la Maison Antoine-Lacombe, discover the event “Allégeance – Jardins lumineux,” a free immersive experience combining light shows and soundscapes, presented Thursday through Sunday until fall.
In addition, numerous musical, cultural, and festive events take place in the region during the summer. Most offer FREE admission to the site; it’s the on-site activities that require a fee. You can therefore enjoy them without having to spend a dime. To view our events calendar, click HERE.
ACCOMMODATION
As we all know, accommodation is often the most expensive part of planning a trip away from home. However, there are still ways to keep costs down.
Camping is undoubtedly the most affordable option for staying away from home. We have several sites ready to welcome you, whether you’re bringing a tent, a trailer, or an RV. Check out the list HERE.
You can also split the cost of renting a cottage by teaming up with one or two other families to share the expenses. It’s a great way to create lasting memories. A getaway with friends or other couples is also a great way to enjoy a vacation at a more affordable price. Find the cottage of your dreams HERE.
Our hotels, inns, and experiential accommodations regularly offer deals and packages that are well worth it. The section HERE is updated frequently, so we encourage you to check it often.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
It’s getting harder and harder to go out as a family on a tight budget, but we promise there are family-friendly activities in Lanaudière.
Familizoo and the Complexe Atlantide water park are great options for families. At less than $25 per adult to see a wide variety of animals, it’s a price you’ll find in few other places in the province. As for the slides and numerous activities at Complexe Atlantide, rates don’t exceed $50 per adult and $35 per child.
Arbraska promises hours of fun in the trees for less than $48 per adult and $40 per child. Its Adventure Passport program is also valid at the other four parks (Rigaud, Laflèche, Mont-Saint-Grégoire, and Chauveau) and offers some great discounts!
The Grand Labyrinthe de Lanaudière, at the Ferme Guy Rivest, is undoubtedly a must-see in the region and an excellent budget-friendly option! Adults (14 and older) will pay less than $10, and children ages 3 to 13 will pay just $5. FREE for children under 2.
To view our complete section on family activities, click HERE.
AGRITOURISM AND CATERING
In Quebec, we love good food, and Lanaudière’s local products deserve to be showcased. So it’s definitely possible to make some great discoveries without breaking the bank.
Our gourmet tours Goûtez Lanaudière! are undoubtedly one of the best ways to discover local producers at an affordable price. You can visit the businesses through 5 well-thought-out tours that will also allow you to explore the region. We invite you, of course, to make a few purchases on-site or to take home, but you’re free to explore these routes on your own FOR FREE. It’s a great activity to do as a couple, with friends, or with family to meet local producers and learn more about the region. Plan your itinerary today!
Our restaurants are also going above and beyond to attract a wide range of customers with varying budgets. Snack bars, microbreweries, family restaurants, ice cream shops, cafés, bistros… you can find affordable options at each one. Don’t hesitate to check out the social media pages of the businesses that catch your eye, it’s the best way to make sure you don’t miss out on special offers.
As you've seen, Lanaudière is brimming with affordable activities and attractions to make the most of your stay. You'll be amazed by the richness and diversity of our region, which is sure to charm you...at a small price!
