Summertime fun close to home

Located on Montreal’s Ste. Helene Island, the La Ronde amusement park has rides for young and old alike. Whether you’re looking to spin around in the magic teacups or carousel with your young kids, or give your lungs a workout on one of the park’s many rollercoasters, La Ronde is sure to provide plenty of screams and laughs.

Throughout the summer, La Ronde is also hosting the Loto-Québec International Fireworks Competition on Saturdays and, starting July 23, Wednesdays. Starting at $2 on top of rides admission, people can watch the colourful displays up-close from the stands at La Ronde.

For more information, visit www.laronde.com.

A day at Parc Safari in Hemmingford is a three sided adventure. Visitors can see the animals from five continents in an adventure safari by car, take a walk around the wildlife observatory, or follow the deer trail. Thrill seekers can get their fill at the wild rides amusement park. And, if you remember your bathing suit, you can splash around in Parc Safari’s water park, too.

For more information, visit www.parcsafari.com.

If you’d like to visit the Americas, Asia, Oceania, and Africa all in one day, consider a trip to Granby Zoo in the Eastern Townships. In addition to watching furry, feathered, scaled, and shelled creatures, visitors can also jump on the bumper cars, small train, or Ferris wheel, or cool off at the Amazoo water park.

For more information, visit www.zoodegranby.com.

With summertime keeping the mercury high, a downhill ski mountain might not be the first thing to come to people’s minds. But Ski Bromont, also located in the Eastern Townships, has a water park full of slides, pools, and other rides sure to provide a splashing good time for the whole family.

For more, visiting www.skibromont.com.

Head up north, and you’ll find more aquatic amusement to keep the family cool and entertained on a hot summer day. Cool off under the giant floating tap at Piedmont, take a tube ride down the river, get your adrenaline pumping on the many water slides, or take a thrilling white water raft expedition down the mountain. There’s even room to play volleyball if you’re feeling a bit water-logged.

For more, visit www.parcaquatique.com.

Located only 30 minutes from Montreal, Quebec’s largest water park in Pointe Calumet has over 40 attractions, a large beach, and picnic areas for family fun.

Take a relaxing ride down the lazy river or get your heart pounding on the 200 foot, seven-storey Tornado. Super Aqua Club has water rides for all difficulty – or courage – levels.

For more, visit www.superaquaclub.com.