Winter Fun Guide to Québec City for Families: Where to Stay, Eat & Explore

Winter Fun Guide to Québec City for Families: Where to Stay, Eat & Explore

It feels really good to be travel writing again, and today, one of my favourite topics of all – how to discover the joie de vivre of Winter in Quebec City with your family.  I hadn’t been back to Québec City since a class trip in Grade 7.  After an 8-hour ride listening to Nirvana’s “Nevermind” cassette tape on a yellow SONY Walkman on repeat, our coach bus would pull up to a magical place I definitely didn’t appreciate to the fullest then.  Returning with the family in late Winter 2020 would present a state of real-life nirvana we didn’t realize would be our last for some time – Québec City would also become the place we were when the whole world came to a stand-still.  The forever kind of family memories were made here and it’s a place we look forward to returning to.  Blanketed in glistening snow, Winter in Québec City is another level of enchantment, and we’re excited to be sharing a Winter Fun Guide to Québec City for Families: Where to Stay, Eat & Explore so you can get a start on planning your cold weather family travels!

Disclosure: House of Kerrs receives compensation and/or hosted travel experiences to facilitate our family travel reviews.  This post was made in partnership with Destination Québec cité.  As always, our review is based on our authentic experience.  Some links will direct you to our travel booking partners which we may earn a small commission from that we use to keep our family travel content flowing.  View our Disclosure for more information.

Article has been published on AllwaysTraveller.com.

For COVID-19 Guidance for Visitors to Québec City, please see the latest updates HERE before planning/visiting.

Why Québec City for your Winter Family Vacation?

With its over four-centuries old world charm and euro-flare, prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, world-renowned gastronomy, and culturally rich amenities, this French Canada gem of a destination is not only one of our nation’s most magnificent, Québec City is also exceptionally family-friendly and bursting with fun options for all ages!

How to Get to Quebec City

We travelled by car for our 4-night family stay, which is just shy of an 8-hours’ drive from Toronto.  For the best ways to get to Quebec City by bus, plane or train, go HERE.

Winter Fun Guide to Québec City for Families: Where to STAY

Village Vacances Valcartier

If having the benefit of activity-loaded family resort life coupled with being beautifully close to all the top spots of Québec City appeals to you, a stay at Village Vacances Valcartier is a fantastic choice!

Not only does Valcartier Village offer family-friendly suites & eats, it’s also home to North America’s largest Winter playground & snow tube park and ONLY ice hotel – Hotel de Glace!  After experiencing the joie de vivre outdoors, the fun doesn’t have to stop there – the resort also has a ginormous indoor water park (Bora Parc) gaming centre, and luxury spa!

All the know-before-you-go details on booking a stay at Village Vacances Valcartier HERE.


Booking.com

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

If staying in one of the most iconic hotels in the world coupled with being just steps away from the most popular sights, eats & attractions of Québec City is what you’re going for, a royal family stay at the luxury heritage hotel Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is THE PLACE – the regal KING of all the North American hospitality castles!  It’s the most photographed hotel in the world with unbeatable views of the St. Lawrence River!

Families will appreciate a concierge to assist with your stay in & out of the hotel, an indoor pool, a variety of casual-to-fine dining options (Starbucks included), spa services for parents to rejuvenate & so much more.  Suite style accommodations with iconic names like Hitchcock, Celine Dion, the Trudeau & more give an added feel of “specialness”.

Family History Lesson: the hotel is named after Louis de Buade Comte de Frontenac – the first governor of Ville de Québec.

*NOTE: we did not stay at Chateau Frontenac this trip, but I have been a guest previously.  We did have a tour of the family suites, the historic gallery & facilities and can verify the $75 Million dollar renovation (including guest rooms) it underwent for a contemporary update since my last visit is spectacular while graciously preserving its historic legacy.  Room Price Range: $300 CAD for a regular room with double beds – $3000+ for a Fairmont GOLD Suite.  Large families (of 5+) like us will likely need to book two rooms here, which makes this choice more of a splurge compared to Valcartier Village.

**Please check the hotels’ websites for guest stay, safety & facility sanitation protocols before you book & visit.**

Booking.com

Winter Fun Guide Québec City for Families: Where to EAT

In addition to immersing in the on-premises family eateries at Valcartier Village, here are our suggestions on where to eat to get the Québec City family foodie experience:

Chez Ashton

A casual eatery in the heart of Old Québec City, where the quintessential fare and food star of la belle province, Poutine, was born!  First offered to customers in 1972 by the Owner of the same name, Chez Ashton takes their poutine production very seriously. If poutine is what you crave THIS is the spot!  I recommend the Authentic Ashton – Poutine menu HERE.  You’ll also appreciate their fun Winter promo – poutine price discounts in sync with weather dips (-20 degrees means 20% off, for instance!).

Le Grand Marché de Québec

Shop & dine your way through locally produced and grown Québec goodness at Le Grand Marché de Québec – a newish agri-food hub showcasing 100+ local food producers and artisans and offering culinary workshops and demonstrations to inspire your family of foodies & budding chefs!  A full-sensory experience for families looking to taste or take-away gourmet goods, the aroma of freshly made foods, baked treats, breads and coffee will hit you the moment you step in.

Our favourite spot to eat lunch was the family-friendly Les Arrivages – an open concept dining area on the upper level offering daily chef-prepped lunch specials made with local ingredients.  The artisan soup bar was delicious, as were the freshly made fish n’ chips, roasted chicken and poutine with chorizo.

Don’t leave without a fine chocolate-dipped ice cream cone from Chocolat Harmonie chocolate factory (nut-free options for allergy-aware families and so good we went twice!) or a slab of Québec authentique maple syrup fudge!

Families will appreciate lots of free on-site parking and family fun zones to take an intermission between all that good eating and shopping.

Sapristi Champlain

A modern yet inviting bistro bar located in my favourite area of Old Québec City – Quartier Petit Champlain – serving a beautiful blend of Italian favourites for families, like pizzas and pastas, as well as traditional French fare.  We loved the appetizers du fromage (like Mozzarella Frit Maison), Margherita Pizzas and Spag con Pollo!  The service was friendly and the modern meets rustic ambiance so appealing.

We’d also have suggested Bistro Tournebroche for it’s delicious eats but have learned it’s closed since our 2020 visit.  It’s now called Bistro Hortus, and while I can’t vouch for the food, I can say its location is excellent!

Aux Anciens Canadien Restaurant

For a finer dining family experience, feast at the oldest house in Quebec City (Maison Jacquet) built between 1675 and 1676 – now the home of Aux Anciens Canadien Restaurant!  Game, hearty meat pies and fancier fare like Beef Wellington can be enjoyed here.

Cabane a Sucre

A visit to a cabane a sucre (“sugar shack”) is a sweet adventure for families to learn more about the maple sap extraction process originating from Indigenous Peoples and to sample maple syrup-laden Québécois cuisine and treats (like the well-known maple taffy made in snow called tire d’érable or tire sur la neige en français).  Fun Fact: Quebec produces over 90% of all of Canada’s maple syrup supply! {Source: Aliments du Quebec}

We enjoyed maple syrup-infused treats from the sugar shack at Valcartier Resort, but if you’re looking for more options, check out these other Cabane a Sucre suggestions for Quebec City.

Winter Fun Guide to Quebec City for Families: Where To Explore

Families will not be hard pressed to find fun things to do the whole family will enjoy!  At the time of our visit, our kids were tyke – tween age and these attractions made for some fantastic fam-ventures.  Here are some of the best things to do for families in Quebec City:

Old Quebec

The Euro-flair, the historically-rich magnificence, Old Québec is a sight for the wandering family’s eyes, and visiting in Winter, pure magic!

Place D’Youville

For outdoor family fun, visit Place D’Youville – a large outdoor urban square surrounded by historic buildings & fortification walls offering family ice skating in Winter. Stationnement D’Youville is also a fantastic spot to park your car as a starting point to explore Old Québec with a guided exploration of some of the old town “bests”.

Guided Family Walking Tour of Old Québec

Our family usually roams freely with a very loose agenda during our travels, but a guided family tour by foot (the best way to take in Old QC!) with Tour Voir Quebec was the way to go to discover cool facts we may not have otherwise through the insights of uber-friendly, long-time local Jim.

We got to see the insides of galleries, notable spots (like the signature Simmons store, where Poutine originated, the newish Monsieur Jean hotel, etc.) and of some of the most well-known landmarks in Old Québec, including those in the Art District, the iconic Le Chateau Frontenac, and the breathtakingly ornate Basilique-cathédrale Notre-Dame de Québec (sacred home to the only Holy Door outside of Europe!).

Québec City History by Virtual Reality

How do you get kids tyke to teen to sit through a thorough history lesson of Québec City without whines of boredom?  By way of interactive VR and family gaming activations at Immersion Quebec!  This is edu-tainment the WHOLE family will enjoy!

Le Quartier Petit Champlain

The charming boutiques, cafes, and architectural details of Quartier Petit Champlain will capture your heart & warm your wandering soul.  It’s the prettiest and most fairy tale-like place in Old Quebec, in my opinion.  Here are the spots we wandered that may make your family fall deeply in love too:

*NOTE: the best way to explore Quartier Petit Champlain is by foot.  If travelling by car, there are lots of fee-to-park lots close by.  We parked at Les terrasses du Vieux-Port off of Rue Dalhousie.

Place Royale

A picturesque cobblestone square where la belle of the province all started —the site where Samuel de Champlain founded Québec City in 1608!  Dusted in the glistening white of Winter flurries, this area is enchantment magnified!

You could indulge in some shopping, refuel at one of their quaint cafes or take in the views of the 17^th century church (Notre Dame des Victoires) while playing a family game of “Catch Me If You Can” – the location where a scene of the motion picture starring Leonardo Di Caprio & Tom Hanks of the same name was filmed!

Stroll the Street of Petit Champlain (rue de Petit Champlain)

When I think about the magic of Québec City in my mind’s eye, it’s the postcard perfect street of Petit Champlain that is forever at the forefront.  The fact it stays decorated beyond Christmastime adds to its wintery wonderland allure.

Take a family stroll, pause for a family selfie on the “Broke-neck” steps (the oldest staircase in Quebec City & connector to Upper + Lower Town), count how many different colours there are on all the vibrantly pretty doors aligning the street (J’adoor!) and finish with a stop to warm wee hands at their warming stations.

Funiculaire du Vieux-Quebec

For a truly unique experience take a family ride up the Funicular at the North-end of your rue de Petit Champlain stroll for a 45-degree panorama view of the St. Lawrence River & Lower Town of Old Quebec.  Entry on the lower level is inside the maison Louis-Jolliet – discoverer of the Mississippi River – while upper-level entrance is situated on the Dufferin Terrace near Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac.

There is SO much more we’ve yet to experience in Old Québec City, and if you’re looking for more to add to your family itinerary, visit Destination Quebec Cite’s 10 Best Things to Do suggestions.

Québec City Area

Hôtel de Glace & Valcartier Village

Just 30 minutes outside of Québec City’s core is a one-of-a-kind Winter oasis at Village Valcartier – home to North America’s LARGEST snow tube park & and ONLY hotel made of ice – Hôtel de Glace.

All the know-before-you-go details, including how to save some bucks on family activity + experience passes HERE.

Montmorency Falls (PARC DE LA CHUTE-MONTMORENCY)

Filed under one of our family’s ultimate faves of Québec City, a visit to the natural water wonder of Montmorency Falls is a must!  It’s located about a 15-minute drive from Old Quebec in parc de la chute-Montmorency and worth the jaunt in every way.  Seeing the partially frozen 83 m towering falls (that’s 30 m higher than Niagara Falls!) by cable car and then from the you-could-almost-touch-it viewing deck is spectacular.

Once up top, take a family hike on one of the trails, walk the suspension bridge, let the kids play at the outdoor playground and then warm up with a hot beverage at Manoir Montmorency while learning a bit more about this Canadian heritage site at the interpretation centre.

TIPS:

·         definitely check the website for modifications to operations (especially in Winter) before you visit.

·         Reservations are not required (at this time) & tickets are purchased on-site.

·         Get the Family Pass (about $42 CAD) for the round-trip cable car ride (if open) to save some bucks.

·         Bring some snacks or pack a lunch as food facilities operate on reduced inventory/hours during Winter months, or time your visit for “one of the best brunches in the region” served at the Montmorency Manor.

What is the Best Time to Visit Québec City in Winter?

If immersing in the unique experience of Quebec’s Winter Carnaval  (one of the world’s largest!) and getting a glimpse of Bonhomme de Neige is on your family’s bucket list, you’ll want to plan your visit for the beginning of February (and BOOK SUPER EARLY!).

If you want to experience Québec City in Winter but avoid larger crowds, book around the high-demand school holiday calendar.  We loved our early March stay that fell right BEFORE March Break.  I’d suggest booking early if you’re a larger family like us to snag a family suite!

What if Your Family Doesn’t Speak French?

If you’re French-speaking capability is Grade 10-level like mine or comprised of just a few words (like Bonjour/Au Revoir/Merci), don’t let not being fluent in French be a barrier to visiting Québec City, as every spot we ventured to had staff and locals who were bilingual and happy to communicate in one’s language of preference!  If you’re looking for an English to Canadian French Guide for your family travels, Merriam-Webster’s French-English Dictionary is a good one.

How Many Days Should Families Spend in Québec City?

Our family visit to Québec City was originally for 3 nights and we extended it to 4 –  an ideal number of days, in my opinion, to really immerse in the offerings of Québec City for families (if you can wing it).

How to Save Money on Your Family Trip to Québec City

To benefit from some family deals, take advantage of Québec City’s latest promotions & packages, including 30-40% savings on admissions fees to top attractions with a Québec cité Passport!

Unique and New Experiences for Families in Québec City

If your family is always up for the NEW & UNIQUE, check out What’s New to See & Do in the Quebec City Area and follow Destination Québec cité on social @quebeccite!

We hope you’ve found this Winter Fun Guide to Quebec City for Families useful in planning your next fam-venture and deciding where to STAY, EAT & EXPLORE.  If you have any questions, please comment below or reach out via EMAIL!  Merci beaucoup to Destination Québec cité for helping us create memories we’ll treasure forever!

Bon voyage!