20 Best Things to Do in Laval That You’ll Love

Did you know that Laval is the third largest city in Quebec after Montreal and Quebec City? There are so many amazing things to do in Laval with something for every interest and preference. I spent three awesome days in Laval, experiencing so many fun-filled and exciting activities and attractions.

Although I’ve travelled to Montreal many times (check out my 3 days in Montreal itinerary to plan your trip!), Laval is a unique destination to visit in its own right. You can add on a few days in Laval to your Montreal trip or visit Laval entirely on its own.

Getting There

Getting to Laval is easy, whether you’re driving, flying or taking the train. If you’re traveling from afar, you can fly to the Montréal–Trudeau International Airport. Find the best rates on flights to Montreal on Skyscanner. From the airport, it’s possible to take a taxi or an Uber to Laval.

In terms of public transportation, take the bus from the airport to Station Lionel-Groulx, then take the orange line (line 2) to Station Cartier in Laval. The City of Laval is part of the BIXI bike-sharing network. If you don’t mind the extra workout, you can ride a rented BIXI bike all over the city.

My preferred way of getting around Laval is by car. I drove to Laval from my hometown near Toronto. However, you can rent a car at the Montreal airport to get to Laval. Laval is a 20 minute drive from the airport. I recommend comparing car rental prices and booking your car hire at Discover Cars. They’ve got the best rates and excellent customer service.

Where to Stay in Laval: Grand Times Hotel

The Grand Times Hotel Centropolis in Laval is one of the best places to stay in the city. I spent three nights at this modern and luxurious property and thoroughly enjoyed my stay. These hotels are 100% Quebec-owned, and the hotels are furnished and serviced by local industries and individuals. You can feel good about your dollars staying within the community.

As the name suggests, this hotel is close to the Centropolis, so you can walk to the shops and restaurants there. In fact, you’re right in the heart of the city, making it the perfect location for getting to all of the attractions I’ve listed in this “best things to do in Laval” itinerary.

My corner room had windows wrapping around the suite, allowing for sweeping views and light to enter the room. Enjoy the flatscreen TV, high speed Wi-Fi, a small kitchenette (fridge, microwave, sink, coffee maker), a desk, and a living space with a couch. The spacious room has an open concept feel, and I had a restful sleep every night.

Things to Do in Laval: Ferme Marineau

Ferme Marineau (Marineau Farm) is an amazing attraction in Laval where you can experience a day on the farm. Shop at their farmers market, go for a stroll in the fields, and participate in seasonal activities. It’s easy to spend hours on this farm that’s been an institution in Laval for over 100 years.

Flower Festival (Festival la Grande Aventure Florale Marineau)

Marineau Farm’s Flower Festival takes place from the end of July through to September. Wander through the beautiful flower fields and you also have the opportunity to pick your own flowers, too. Create a uniquely designed flower bouquet to bring bright and cheery flowers into your own home.

There’s a corn and sunflower maze that’s more interactive than other corn mazes I’ve visited in the past. There are multiple choice questions to solve throughout the maze that you’ll use to solve the bigger puzzle at the end of your journey. I also love that the corn maze transforms into a sunflower maze towards the end of the walk. Plus, the corn maze exits out to the pretty flower fields.

Aside from the flower fields and corn/sunflower maze, there are other activities to enjoy at the Flower Festival. Play the giant games at the agricultural park, listen to live music, take a break at the cafe for food and drink, and capture the moment at numerous photo stations scattered throughout the farm.

Pick Your Own

Depending on what’s in season, Ferme Marineau offers “U Pick” fruits on the farm. They offer pick your own strawberries, blueberries and pumpkins. They grow the best fruits according to their soil type, and you can be sure that the fruit is bursting with fresh flavour. If you don’t feel like picking your own fruits in the field, there are always fresh fruits from the farm available at their farm market.

The farm manager will assign you to a particular area with the best rows according to the ripeness of the fruits. They’ll also give you instructions on how to best store your fruit to maintain its freshness. As for the pumpkin patch, they grow over 15 varieties and they also provide wheelbarrows to help you carry your pumpkins to the entrance.

And as I mentioned above, Ferme Marineau also offers pick your own flowers during the flower festival. Some of the flowers last well into September so it could be possible to pick flowers at the same time that you pick pumpkins (the sunflowers are usually done by September though).

In the 90s, Marineau Farm was one of the largest dried flower producers in Canada. Nowadays, they have a floral interpretation centre where you can learn flower drying techniques to extend the life of your bouquet.

Farmers Market

This is one of the best places in Laval for fresh vegetables and fruits. Marineau Farm’s market features fruits and veggies grown right on their farm. In addition to strawberries and blueberries, you might find cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, radishes, lettuce, onions, herbs, corn and pumpkins, depending on what’s in season.

Ferme Marineau has a wide variety of prepared products made with their own crops. It’s possible to find baked goods (cold pizzas, breads, pies, and more), marinades, jams, honey, and homemade raspberry and strawberry beer.

Their two beers, La Fraisière (strawberries and honeyberries) and La Framboisière (raspberries), are a collaboration between the farm and Domaine Brune Houblonde. These are refreshing Berlin style beers that are perfect for patio weather. They’re made with Ferme Marineau berries, Laval hops, and Quebec barley and wheat.

The city of Laval is home to a very unique attraction called Illumi. Illumi Laval is a dazzling world of lights by Cavalia, and it’s the largest light, sound and multimedia show in the world. There are 25 million lights in total and thousands of light structures.

Illumi gives you the option to visit on foot or by car. I recommend visiting on foot if possible because you can get up much closer to the light displays and wander around as you choose. It’s so much fun to explore at your own pace. In total, there are 19 universes to explore, including the magical forest, winter wonderland, puppies and kittens, house of the bats, the missing pirates, and the illuminated earth.

Illumi has another attraction, Boing Boing, featuring giant inflatables. From 5:00pm, this large inflatable course stretches across 1km. People of all ages can bounce across three bouncy courses all summer long. You can visit Boing Boing before sundown and then venture towards Illumi at dusk. Allow yourself at least a couple of hours to walk around Illumi as there are many different worlds to cover during your visit.

Kayaking at Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles

Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles is a wildlife preserve and non-profit organization that protects, conserves and showcases the Mille Îles River and its tributaries. The waterways and 10 of the neighbouring islands encompass a 26 hectare wildlife reserve. It’s the perfect place for nature lovers, and you can easily make a day trip here.

I embarked on a half day kayaking tour with a knowledgeable employee from the park. She guided me around the islands and we stopped at one of them for lunch and a short hike. You can rent kayaks from the park to tour around on your own or launch your own kayaks for a fee.

I’d love to return for the guided sundown paddle around the islands, a magical kayaking trip at sunset. There’s also a little exhibition where you can learn more about the history and ecology of the region. This is one of the most wonderful parks for outdoor activities and education.

The park is also home to the Quebec Turtle Rehabilitation Center. There are eight species of turtles in Quebec and sadly, their populations are declining due to habitat destruction, illegal captivity, and increased mortality on roads. Through care, education, and citizen support, the Quebec Turtle Rehabilitation Center aims to rescue, rehabilitate, and eventually release turtles into the wild. You can learn more and visit the current resident turtles.

Indoor Skydiving at iFly Montreal

iFly Montreal (formerly known as Skyventure Montreal) is an indoor skydiving facility where you can fly like a bird in their thrilling wind tunnel. Their expert instructors will guide you through the activity and you’ll be floating and flying in mid-air in no time.

Even though I’d never attempted skydiving or indoor skydiving before, I felt quite accomplished having taken on such a new and exciting activity. The staff will get you all suited up and you’ll learn the basic moves. Then, you’ll take turns with members within your group in the wind tunnel.

I was really surprised at how quickly I picked up indoor skydiving. Your instructor will help you stay parallel with the ground as you glide through the air. Mine provided me with hand signals to demonstrate how I might have needed to change my arms, legs or hands.

We were also given the option to fly way up high in the tunnel with the assistance of our instructor. I thought that this was going to be really scary, but it actually wasn’t scary at all! It felt very freeing to fly! There’s also a camera snapping photos of you throughout your journey that you can purchase at the very end. I’d love to try indoor skydiving again as I had such an amazing time.

Shop and Dine at Centropolis

Centropolis is a large shopping and entertainment centre in the heart of Laval. It’s a great place to go for a walk, dine at the restaurants, and meet your friends. While iFly Montreal is located at Centropolis, other entertainment and activities include Cineplex, Escalade Clip ‘n Climb Laval (rock climbing), and the Putting Edge (mini golf).

You’ll also find boutique shops, delectable restaurants and cozy cafes. I frequented two restaurants at Centropolis, LOV and Mandy’s, and I’ll be writing more details about them in my food section below. There’s also a fitness centre, hot yoga studio and more. Going to the Centropolis is one of the best things to do in Laval, whether you’re going for dinner or an exciting activity.

Things to Do in Laval: Rent a BIXI Bike

It’s easy to go cycling with BIXI! Just as in Montreal, there are BIXI bike stations all over Laval. To rent a bike, you can simply purchase a one-way pass or a membership. Go cycling wherever you like! Just make sure that you return your BIXI bike to one of their stations once you’re finished. It’s a great way to get from point A to point B in Laval or simply take your bike to one of Laval’s beautiful parks.

Musée de la santé Armand-Frappier

Musée de la santé Armand-Frappier is an interactive museum dedicated to the field of health and the human body. There are intriguing scientific workshops and fun activities for visitors of all ages. Plus, the museum is right next to the Cosmodome, meaning that it’s easy to visit both museums at the same time.

Spend some time in the science lab participating in an interactive activity. Peer into microscopes or learn about how vaccines are developed. Throw on a lab coat and get ready to learn something new from qualified instructors. The museum aims to awaken and nurture curiosity about human health science in young and old alike.

When I visited, I really enjoyed the temporary exhibit about various pandemics over hundreds of years and how we overcame them. There are always new temporary exhibitions coming to the museum, so you can return many times for new experiences.

Things to Do in Laval: Cosmodome

Cosmodome is a space museum in Laval with exhibitions, activities, and day camps for kids. There’s a permanent exhibition at the Cosmodome artifacts related to astronautics and space exploration. Walk through our solar system and its planets (built to scale), see rocket ship models, and gaze at an actual moon rock.

Another main component of the Cosmodome are the virtual missions. These are 60-minute long interactive and virtual adventures with videos and fun games. Right now, choose between The Impossible Dream, The Red Planet, and The Outer Limits of the Cosmos.

There are also training simulators where you can feel like an astronaut for the day. Each simulator recreates a situation that an astronaut may encounter in outer space or at the International Space Station, including weightlessness, moon walking, disorientation and more. For children who are fascinated by space sciences, there’s no better experience than sending them to space camp.

Drink Craft Beer at Les Insulaires Microbrasseurs

Beer fans, you’ll love this one! One of the best things to do in Laval is sample craft beer at Les Insulaires Microbrasseurs. Inspired by beer gardens and tropical island vibes, Les Insulaires Microbrasseurs celebrates local craft beer and island life in Laval.

Try one of 21 different beers on tap, including regular and seasonal varieties (or try a flight to sample a few of them). I also recommend going for dinner here as they have an extensive menu of meals and appetizers. I loved the Israeli Couscous dish with homemade hummus and fried maple tofu. Yum!

Wine Tasting at Chateau Taillefer Lafon

Chateau Taillefer Lafon features a stunning mansion, expansive vineyards and a beautiful property where you can purchase their wine. It’s quite possibly the most gorgeous wedding venue in Laval, too. I visited Chateau Taillefer Lafon to sample the wines and experience this magical castle and vineyard.

It’s the first winery in Quebec to have the “Château” designation, one that’s typically reserved for large European vineyards. Even though this winery is right within the city limits, it feels like you’ve been whisked away to Europe from the moment you arrive. Château Taillefer Lafon produces quality wines and ciders, including white and red wines, sparkling wine, rose and more.

I loved sipping wine on the property, watching the groundhogs play around the garden. The terrace and gardens are generally reserved for private events and celebrations. I suggest purchasing a few of their products and organizing your own wine tasting among friends.

Things to Do in Laval: Zones Musicales

Throughout the summer months, Zones Musicales offers free outdoor concerts and performances. These large-scale shows and intimate performances take place across eight venues in the city, such as public squares, city parks and banks.

I attended a performance by the Laval Symphony Orchestra at Parc Bernard-Landry. The concerts are free and there are no passes required. Simply show up! I recommend bringing your own folding chair so you’ll be comfortable during the concert. During my concert, the orchestra performed tunes from popular movies, as well as the classics. We heard Beethoven and Mozart alongside the music from Star Wars and Harry Potter.

Best Vegan Dining in Laval

Laval is home to many lovely and unique dining experiences, and there’s truly something for every taste. As I follow a vegan diet, I was delighted to see many vegan and vegan-friendly options in the city. Here are a few establishments that I recommend checking out when you’re in Laval. You can also read my full vegan guide to Laval with even more options.

LOV Restaurant

LOV Centropolis is an amazing vegan restaurant that everyone can’t help but love. I’ve dined at their location in Montreal and I couldn’t help but feel excited that I’d dine at their Laval location, too. Their restaurant is bright and welcoming, and the menu features many eclectic international dishes gone vegan.

I ordered the dumplings to start and the LOV tacos as my main. It’s fantastic that you can order both Asian and Mexican dishes at the same restaurant. They also offer burgers, bowls, risotto, curry, and a number of delectable desserts. Take a peek at their innovative cocktail menu, too!

Mandy’s Gourmet Salads

Mandy’s at Centropolis is a great lunch spot where you can order salads, bowls and smoothies. Choose from their signature dishes or create your own meal. I really enjoyed my teriyaki tofu bowl and vegan chocolate chip cookie.

Gatto Matto

Gatto Matto describes themselves as an avant-garde Italian restaurant featuring cuisine developed by their talented multi-dimensional chef. The decor is exquisite and looks straight out of a stylish Instagram feed. Choose from Italian favourites like pizza and pasta, as well as a dynamic wine list. This is a great spot for a romantic dinner or a girls night out with your gal pals.

Boulangerie La Bête à Pain

For breakfast, start your day off right at Boulangerie La Bête à Pain. La Bete a Pain is a bakery and restaurant with three locations, with one of them in Laval. Stop by for a pastry or fresh bread. You can dine here for breakfast or for lunch. I had a light breakfast of baguette with jam, as well as their mouthwatering breakfast potatoes. The coffee here is exceptional, too.

Coffee Shops in Laval

More Things to Do in Laval

• Solve an escape room with your pals (Escaparium Laval, Immersia Escape Games, Le Cube Secret or Escape Game Centropolis)
• Sainte-Rose Golf Club (Club De Golf Ste-Rose)
• Centre D’interprétation de L’eau (science museum about the importance of water)
• Go cross-country skiing in the winter
• Church of Saint-Eustache
• Maeva Surf (temporarily closed)

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