Best Things to Do in Chelsea, Quebec in a Weekend

Things to Do in Chelsea, Quebec: Day 1

You've arrived in Chelsea for the weekend. For day one of our Chelsea itinerary, we're going to spend the whole day in the village.

There are so many great things to do in Chelsea, Quebec and enough to keep you busy for the entire day. Or maybe you'd rather focus on relaxing? Our first stop in Chelsea is one of the most relaxing spots around!

Nordik Spa Village Chelsea

Nordik Spa Village Chelsea is the original wellness haven created by Groupe Nordik over 20 years ago. Today, it is the largest spa in North America and one of the best things to do in Chelsea and Outaouais region.

In total, there are  10 outdoor pools, nine saunas, steam rooms (with an intriguing light display on the walls that I'd never seen before!), and both indoor and outdoor relaxation areas inside yurts, hammocks and more.

Scandinavian spas like Nordik Spa Village Chelsea encourage you to alternate between hot, cold, and relaxation for optimal wellness.

There are other unique experiences to add to your wellness journey like Kalla, an underground floating saltwater pool that mimics the experience of weightlessness that you'd have in the Dead Sea. Floating in the highly concentrated Epsom salt water is extremely beneficial for your health.

Don't miss the Aufguss ritual, a choreographed sauna experience. There are snowballs infused with essential oils that are placed on top of the hot stoves, and the ritual leader will wave a towel to disperse the scents throughout the sauna.

You can also dine at the restaurant, Le Resto, or enjoy a light bite or coffee at Mezz Cafe. Le Resto serves lunch and dinner, focusing on farm to table gastronomy. There are quite a few vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options on the menu, all clearly marked.

Olivia Bistro

Olivia Bistro is a great place to stop for lunch if you didn't dine at Nordik Spa Village. They focus on healthy and fresh food and drink, such as gourmet salads, tacos, stuffed avocados and smoothies.

There are a few vegan options and they're also willing to modify some dishes as well, like swap out some ingredients or sauces. I ordered a Bang Bang bowl that typically had chicken, but they switched it out for tofu and added a vegan sauce.

I also asked for my smoothie to be made plant-based by removing the yogurt. Olivia Bistro has a really cool vibe that reminds me a bit of southern California. Oh, and the chocolate zucchini bread is also naturally vegan and so tasty.

Café Les Saisons

Cafe Les Saisons is just across and down the street from Olivia Bistro (everything is a pretty close walk in Chelsea!). You can't miss the bright red house with the patio seating in front of it.

They serve specialty coffee, tea, sandwiches, salads and sweet treats. I needed a caffeine fix, so I stopped by for an iced vanilla soy latte that was so refreshing and satisfying.

The owner started this coffee shop as a place for people to meet, feel welcomed and visit in all seasons. I definitely felt warmly welcomed upon my visit! I also love how they feature art by local artists up on the walls.

La Petite Grocerie

La Petite Grocerie is a boutique shop with gifts and souvenirs. I discovered the store because it's where I also needed to check in for my stay at Lofts du Village.

There are so many cute finds here. Everything is handpicked and curated for the shop, and mostly everything is locally made. There are accessories, clothes, bath and body products, things for the kids, puzzles and games, crafts and more.

Terrasse du Square

Terrasse du Square is a central meeting place in Old Chelsea in front of Distillerie du Square. While you're here, definitely pop into the Distillery if you'd like to purchase their spirits.

I also ended up enjoying a cocktail from their outdoor bar in Terrasse du Square. As for food, there is a food hut cooking up yummy Mexican fare that you can savour on the patio. I loved the Verde bowl!

Terrasse du Square is dog-friendly and it's also family-friendly as well. Make sure you spend some time at Terrasse du Square chatting with your friends over some beverages or a meal.

La Cigale

La Cigale is an ice cream stand in Chelsea, right in the middle of town. On a summer evening, there will likely be a lengthy line. But, it's worth the wait!

They have a number of ice cream flavours that can be quite unique and imaginative. For me, I was pleased that they offered a non-dairy ice cream. This time, it was banana Oreo vegan ice cream, which was a great combination. I loved it!

Chelsea & Co Microbrewery

Chelsea & Co Microbrewery is a craft brewery at the edge of nature, featuring a large outdoor patio and indoor space to enjoy their brews. There are quite a few of their beers on tap, so I suggest trying a beer flight if it's your first time there.

You can also find their beer at other local establishments throughout Outaouais region, but there's nothing like visiting the brewery itself. There's intriguing art splashed across the walls, and all of the beer taps have a cool design.

This is the only location in Chelsea where you might need to drive to reach it. By foot, it's a 30 minute walk from Old Chelsea. You could also get there quicker by bike.

Where to Stay in Chelsea, Quebec

I stayed overnight at Lofts du Village in the heart of Chelsea. It's like having your own apartment or condo right in town. I had the pleasure in staying in one of their bright and spacious lofts, and my stay exceeded my expectations.

Walking into the loft, I immediately noticed the huge, modern kitchen. I could easily cook all of my meals here if I wanted, plus the space was big enough for entertaining as well.

The bathroom has a large shower and double sinks. And then there's a large living room with a queen bed, couch, chairs and TV. The windows wrapped around two edges of the room to allow plenty of light to flood the room.

Every loft is individually decorated and they're also sound proofed. I didn't hear any noise from the street below, though it is a pretty quiet neighbourhood to start. I'd love to stay here again in the future.

Book your stay at Lofts du Village.

More Places to Stay in Chelsea and Area

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Things to Do in Chelsea, Quebec: Day 2

It's time for day two in Chelsea, Quebec. We'll start the day with one of the very best things to do in Chelsea, bike riding around Gatineau Park. This is where you'll enjoy one of the very best lookout points in the region.

Then, we'll actually depart Chelsea and make a short drive to Wakefield for Ferme Juniper and the village of Wakefield itself.

Rent E-Bikes and Ride to Gatineau Park

For the first adventure of the day, let's spend the morning riding e-bikes at Gatineau Park. In Old Chelsea, Nomades du Parc offers all kinds of bike rentals, including e-bikes.

E-bikes are a fantastic way of getting around. They're easy to operate (it's as simple as riding a bicycle!) and they provide an assist that helps you pedal up the hills a bit easier.

Now, it's time to go cycling at Gatineau Park. It's only a short bike ride from Chelsea to reach the entrance to Gatineau Park. You'll need to ride on the side of the road, but there is a bike lane. Chelsea is very bike-friendly.

There are 32.5km of cycling pathways in Gatineau Park on paved roads. As there is some hilly terrain, the e-bikes certainly come in handy.

Be sure to ride all the way to the Champlain Lookout. It's one of the best scenic lookout points in Gatineau Park. To ride to the Champlain Lookout and back with short breaks took about two hours in total.

Juniper Farm

Now, we're going to embark on a little road trip to Wakefield, which is only a short drive from Chelsea. If you are feeling energetic, you might even be able to bike to Wakefield from Chelsea! We drove to Wakefield and spent the afternoon there.

The first stop is a little outside of Wakefield in the countryside, Juniper Farm (Ferme Juniper). They have a farm store, a farm to table cafe, and there are also seasonal activities on the farm (sunflower maze, pumpkin picking, and a holiday market). You can also wander the fields for photos if you'd like, too.

For lunch, dine at the Juniper Farm Café. There's an ordering window and you can dine at the picnic tables overlooking the farm. They create fresh dishes using organic ingredients from the farm.

There are quite a few vegan options. I ordered the Vegan Farmwich which had tempeh and chipotle hummus. It was super yummy!

Explore Wakefield, Quebec

Wakefield is a picturesque village that was founded in 1830 by Irish, Scottish, and English immigrants. Nowadays, it's a tourist destination and known for its thriving arts scene.

Go for a walk along the rail trail beside the waterfront. If it's a hot day, hop in the water for a swim or go paddling here. Here are some cafes and boutiques in Wakefield that are not to be missed.

Boutique Jamboree specializes in unique gifts and home decor. Wander through the aisle and rooms of this shop and discover many colourful displays. I found so many cute things that I'd never seen before.

Wakefield Confectionery is a dream for the kiddos and anyone with a sweet tooth. They're a mainstay in town, selling homemade treats, fudge and chocolate since 2003.

Khewa is an Indigenous art gallery and boutique in the heart of Wakefield since 2001. There is a wide variety of handcrafted works by Indigenous, Métis and Inuit artists.

Bluebarn Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee shop in Wakefield that takes pride in creating the best roasts and blends. Their "farm to barn" process (yes, they roast their coffee in a blue barn!) aims to make that perfect cup.

Wakefield Covered Bridge

The Wakefield Covered Bridge is very special to the local community. Sadly, the original historic bridge was decimated in a fire back in 1984. The community came together to rebuild it.

In 1998, the new Wakefield Covered Bridge opened to the public. It's a pedestrian-only crossing, and I suggest walking back and forth with your travel buddies. You can park a short distance away at the Fairnbairn House.

More Blog Posts About Outaouais Region

I hope you enjoyed reading about the best things to do in Chelsea, Quebec. Doing some more traveling around Outaouais region? Here are some more blog posts that you'll find useful!

• 3 Days in Outaouais Itinerary (Pontiac Region)