City: Tadoussac
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What to do and see in Tadoussac, Canada: The Best Places and Tips
Tiny Tadoussac, a Quebecois village of fewer than 900 inhabitants on the St. Lawrence River, is renowned as a whale watching destination. Tours are readily available to see the vast creatures feast on krill in the St. Lawrence and to explore the stunning Saguenay fjord, but you can often spot whales from the shore. The oldest surviving French settlement in the Americas, Tadoussac has a slew of national parks within easy reach. There is a frequent free ferry service across the Saguenay River.
Restaurants in Tadoussac
1. Sentier de la Pointe-de-l'Islet Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 413 reviews
Reviewed By Soulia - Ottawa, Canada
Great family oriented trail which gives you access to amazing views. Not too long, a bit busy but still worth it. Saw many belugas, 1 whale and 1 seal. Would recommend. Bring your binoculars to spot whales further out (if you spot a tour boat, changes are you will spot a whale.
2. Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 360 reviews
Reviewed By AnLily
Facing the secluded inlet behind, we abandoned our rental bikes behind the grey museum and visited the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre--hidden with parking beyond the pink boutique that faces the dock. We learned two blue whales were spotted that day in the area. Tucked below out of sight, the interpretive centre is solely designed for francophones; but we were given English translation books to read along. The admission price is $13/adult, while children and teens enter for free. Teens would be more interested in the short film in the room adjoining the tiny display museum. The second storey is reserved for researchers, so after about 40 minutes we were ready to return our printed English guides. The small souvenir store sold everything whale/dolphin, and fleece jackets for tourists. All profits go to Group of Researchers on Education of Marine Mammals. It's worth visiting the souvenir store, just to browse the informative poster/ books. We picked up our bikes where we'd left them beside the dry dock, an example of the kind used at Tadoussac since 1620. (As seen elsewhere, the town was a trading post since 1589 before then.) The washrooms in the museum are clean, and little tykes would love a parting photo at the statues of belugas.
3. Otis Excursions
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 218 reviews
Reviewed By Roger G - Chilliwack, Canada
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip with Otis Excursions. We were given great waterproof clothing and had a fantastic three hour trip on the St. Lawrence seeing many beluga, minke and fin whales.A suggestion, unless you want to got absolutely soaked avoid the smaller zodiacs and take a ride on the much larger, more comfortable and dryer large zodiacs. Would highly recommend this organization
4. Petite Chapelle de Tadoussac
Overall Ratings
4 based on 179 reviews
Reviewed By AnLily
The little white Chapel with red steeple is an unmistakable sight at the harbour. It was built 1.5 centuries after Tadoussac was settled, by a Jesuit missionary who evangelized the migratory native Innu who gathered at the shore in summers. The overwhelming majority of Inuit still self-identify as Christian (and local descendants help run the church). The wooden structure looks almost as it did in 1747, but the back room hidden behind the altar now houses a simple museum. The history of the Innu is recorded there before Conquest (3 decades following 70,000 French Canadiens and the fall of Montreal). Likewise, the Holy Canadian Martyrs who educated or translated the Innu language are remembered. My kids hurried me along for our bikeride; but if I ever return to the little Chapel, I would leave a donation for the Innu museum.
5. Croisieres AML
Overall Ratings
4 based on 836 reviews
Situated at the confluence of the St. Lawrence River and the Saguenay Fjord, Tadoussac and Baie-Ste-Catherine are the main entrance to the most beautiful whale watching site in the world! Croisieres AML offers you an unparalleled experience with nature.
Reviewed By vera h - Jakarta
I was expecting to see the whale while sipping my coffee on this big boat. Ended up watching small boat enjoying their close encounter with the whales.
6. Excursions en Mer Baie de Tadoussac Day Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By 117abbas - Hyderabad, India
Many people who had visited Tadoussac told me that when they visited Quebec province, they went to three places: Montreal, Quebec City and Tadoussac!!The last because they wanted to go whale watching. It has been touted as the whale viewing capital of the country and for reason:the warm waters of the Saguenay river, rushing 100 kms through steep cliffs from its source at Lake St. Jean, mix with the frigid and salty waters of the mighty St. Lawrence just where Tadoussac is located. This causes krill to breed profusely, the krill being the favourite food of whales. This food chain results in huge crowds of whales gathering around Tadoussac and near the mouth of the Saguenay river during summer to enjoy a good repast!! That's when the speeding zodiacs and cruise boats carrying upto 600 passengers flit in and out f Tadoussac and nearby towns in search of the behemoths. Large and small species of whales can be found her including belugas and minkes which bring hordes of tourists to come and gawk at these rather rare mammals.
Our reason for visiting Tadoussac, however, was not to go whale viewing. That is why we chose the most appropriate season for our type of tour, to go in search of fall colours all over Quebec.
7. La Maison des Dunes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
8. Microbrasserie Tadoussac
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By Michelle d
We stumbled upon this brewery while visiting Tadoussac on our summer family vacation and were so glad we did! The staff was super friendly, and we loved the clean, modern interior and viewing window into the brewery itself. Their location overlooks the harbour and they have both indoor and outdoor Seating options. And then the beer itself! My husband declared their IPA the best one he's ever had - those are strong words of praise from him. I'm still missing the Pale (Wh)ale and look forward to the day I can get in Ontario!
9. Aviation du Fjord
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By lorenzp2014
We were having a flight on a slighly clouded day with the complete family. My son (12) was afraid first but after the smooth start he (and everybody else) enjoyed the beautiful flight over the national park, the St. Laurence River, Tadoussac and the Fjord. Really amazing and worth every cent.
Everybody would have loved just to stay in the plane (which is a 61 year old lady - quite noisy but also very unique) and take another tour.
10. Chauvin Trading Post
Overall Ratings
4 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By Marine5068 - Madoc, Canada
Was walking by and noticed the old building and rustic grounds so we went closer only to realize that it was a lot to enter the tiny cabin like trading post of yesteryear. We kept going on to our lunch spot without dropping money to go in, to see a room.
Sorry but it was an epic fail on the town itself. Just being blunt.
Maybe they could make it an attraction and provide more flash to get us involved, then we'd be willing to fork over hard earned cash.
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