Learning and adventure at Jardin des Glaciers in Baie Comeau, Canada

I have a confession to make.  Sometimes, I wish for a family vacation spot that has it all.  You know what I’m talking about?  I want to have fun – but I want the opportunity to learn something new, too (for both me and the boy).  I want to introduce my kid to some adventure.  But my inner screeching Mom needs it to be safe.  And I want a natural landscape that will knock my socks off.  Simply speaking, I want it all.  It shouldn’t be too much to ask.

And at Quebec region’s Jardin des Glaciers in Baie Comeau, it’s not.  This huge, 40-square-kilometer park is like nothing you’ve ever seen.  Broken up into several thematic “zones,” you can learn about what 20,000 years under the ice can do to the environment, dig for fossilized sea shells, zipline across a glacial lake or trek in the manner of the People of the Ice Age.  What’s more?  The whole family will have a blast doing it.

Here are a few things not to miss during your visit:

1. Search for fossils in the Seashell Valley

Sure, you could take your kids to the beach to search for seashells.  But have they ever seen a shell deposit in the middle of the woods?  After the local glacier melted, the land that’s now Baie Comeau was flooded by the Goldthwait Sea.  From that flood, a huge seashell deposit remains called the Seashell Valley.  You and the kids can excavate and identify a variety of shells with the help of a guide – fossils that have remained buried for hundreds of thousands of years.

2. Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kid Multimedia Experience

Okay, I know, I know – everyone skips the Visitor’s Center, especially when you are talking about a nature park.  I wasn’t particularly keen on going in myself.  But Jardin des Glaciers has a fantastic Glacier Exploration Center with a Multimedia Show Trail.  It’s a fantastic, immersive multimedia experience that really sets the tone for the rest of your adventure.  Don’t miss it.

3. Get adrenalized!

The park’s aptly named  Adrenalin Zone has a lot of fantastic opportunities for those families that like to kick up their heart rates.  There is ziplining, rappelling, rock climbing and more.  The Via Ferrate is a 2 kilometer mountain-side path along the St. Lawrence – I’ve never experienced anything quite like it.  But what’s even more awesome is that the Adrenalin Zone is not limited to the bigger kids.  There are practice areas for smaller visitors so no one is left out of the adventure (with proper equipment and trained guides, ‘natch).  That much fun should be illegal (and likely is back home).

4. Walk like a Neanderthal

Head to the Nature Zone to follow in the steps of Ice Age peoples as they made their way to warmer ground.  Guided tours will offer not only a glimpse into life thousands of years ago – but cool native structures and artifacts to explore.

5. Enjoy the beauty

Jardin des Glaciers also offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, boating and kayaking.  Get out and enjoy all the gorgeous sights along the St. Lawrence River.  The family will enjoy the gorgeous landscape – and likely see some local wild life specimens, too.  Moose, anyone?

September 20th, 2010 | by Kayt Sukel Comment