DaveBrad

Well, we wanted to go to Paris again this March, but with the dollar taking such a beating, we decided to go someplace a bit closer to home with a little better exchange rate. So, we're going to Quebec and Montreal. My wife and I are early 40s and this year we're taking my daughter, who's 13. Got some great advice from Fodorites for my first trip to Paris last spring, so any travel tips or suggestions you have for cool things to see and do that may not be in the tourbooks will be most appreciated. Mercí!

aucho53

Hi davebrad,

if you give us some more specifics about budget and interests you'll likely get more advice.

for the montreal portion i would not miss :

old montreal
the plateau
little italy is fun if you have the chance to get to it, you can also explore the jean talon market.

we have great restaurants here:

L'express
L'academie
Casa Napoli
Garcon
Queue De Cheval
Gibby's

the list is never ending but we need more specifics from you.

Hope that was a helpful start!

Layla

zootsi

The above post has some good info. Go to the bounjourquebec website, and order the free guidebooks to both cities (very helpful). If you search back you will find a ton of info.
A few fun things for a 13 year old:
Montreal - Biodome, paddleboat ride at the waterfront, renting bikes and doing the Lachine Canal trail, eating outside in the Old City or on Prince Arthur street, catching one of the numerous festivals - jazz fest, just for laughs, French Music fest, African culture, international fireworks, etc,etc.
Quebec City - Montmorency Falls, Museum of Civilization, changing of the guard, ferry ride, street entertainers, etc.
Unfortunately, the exchange rate with Canada is also pretty dismal, but you'll still have a great time!

DaveBrad

Thanks, Layla and zootsi. Budget-wise, I'd say we're looking for things in the "moderate" range. We're certainly not rolling in money, but we're comfortable. And honestly, my wife and I are entertained just by walking around and looking at gardens or old churches, going to an art museum, exploring local history, having a quiet meal at a little cafe, things like that. However, with my 13-year-old along, we've got to do a little more. This is her first sort of "grown-up" vacation, and although she's 13, she's still more of a "kid" than an "adolescent" so we kind of need stuff with "kid appeal." On the other hand, she does like more adult activities like shopping, music, etc., so you can see where this might be a challenge!

I think she'll still enjoy some of the history, and she understands this vacation is not only about her, but I'd like to make sure and do some things she'll find memorable. We're taking the train from Montreal to Quebec halfway through our trip and she's looking forward to that. We've read about the biodome and that sounds interesting. I think she'll like a boatride, too, but I'm wondering about the weather in mid-March...will the rivers be frozen? Actually, just in general, what should we expect weatherwise? I'm preparing for it to be pretty chilly. We're from the Washington, DC, area so mid-March is starting to warm up and turn springlike here, but I remember from my days stationed up in North Dakota that March can still be pretty cold up North.

In Montreal, what about Olympic Stadium and the Parc du Mont-Royal? A kid should enjoy those, right? Everything you mentioned with regards to Quebec City. Zootsi, sounds right up her alley!

Anyway, we've bought a good guide book and started looking so I think we've got some ideas going, plus what you all have suggested and any other ideas you have, it will be a fun trip!

Thanks again!
-Dave

DaveBrad

Sorry, I thought of a couple other specific questions...

I've read about the Plateau area you mentioned, Layla. It sounds really fun. Can you give me more details, specific recommendations, Metro stops, etc.?

By the way, in Montreal we're staying at the Place d'Armes Hotel in the Old City. In Quebec, we're staying at the Chateau Frontenac, about which I'm VERY excited! And, at that time of year, the room rates are really quite reasonable (like I said, we're definitely not rolling in money)!

And, speaking of Quebec, Zootsi you also mentioned Montmorency Falls. I'd like to see that, but we're not planning to have a car. Is there transportation available?

Also, we'll be there over Easter weekend and I think I read that Good Friday and Easter Monday are national holidays. Will our activities be limited on those days? Will museums or other attractions be closed, or is it like here where businesses close, but museums and restaurants are open? One really cool thing for us is our hotel in Montreal is about a block from the Basilique Notre Dame, so we're looking forward to Easter mass there. I assume it will be in French, yes?

Thanks again!

SusanInToronto

One restaurant that we liked in Montreal was Au Pied de Cochon. It's a bustling noisy kind of restaurants and we saw people come in with children. You will definitely need reservations there. Another good place was Lemeac. It was a little more formal, but one thing that we enjoyed was that they had a 2 course fixed price menu after 10 PM - it was $25 and very good value. Dining later seems very Parisian, so that might be fun for you all. (If you go, your daughter would probably love the pain perdu for dessert.)

zootsi

Dave - I just realized you did mention March. March in this part of the world is still very much winter, although late in the month there may be some early signs of spring. Boat rides, bike rides and dining outdoors are not an option, sorry! However I believe ice skating and possibly even horse drawn sleigh rides might be. The Biodome (which is in the Olympic Stadium)is wonderful in cold weather, and Montreal's Fine Arts museum is very nice. If the weather gets really brutal, Montreal's underground city is a good shopping and dining option. The underground city is really a series of huge interconnected shopping malls and Metro stations - not to culturally interesting, but lots and lots of shopping! Montreal's plateau area is considered the 'hip' part of town - lots of interesting shops and places to eat (many byob). The prime Metro stops for this part of town are Sherbrooke and Mt. Royal. If you want to lunch at a very authentic French bistro, try Cafe Cherier, just outside the Sherbrooke Metro stop.
I do believe there is public transportation to Montmorency Falls, which I understand is quite amazing in the winter.

aucho53

Hi DaveBrad,

Zootsi suggested the Biodome...I think thats an excellent suggestion. Since the weather in March is pretty cold, and could be unpleasant, the Biodome would provide you with a fun indoor activity for your family.

I would take the Metro to Mt. Royal. It is a very fun area. Your daughter might enjoying stopping in some of the great chocolate shops in the area. On Rue St Denis there's Suite 88 (www.suite88.com), you guys can grab one of their tables and enjoy some unique chocolates and desserts (cakes, waffles etc) and there's also Chocolats De Chloe on I believe Roy St. They have some of the best chocolate that I've ever tasted, they are a little pricier than Suite 88.

If you're up for some exercise you guys could rent skates and head to The Atrium 1000 De La Gauchetiere and do some indoor skating at a beautiful rink. Your daughter might enjoy that as well?

You will enjoy staying in Old Montreal, it's a great area. You guys can take a horse and buggy ride around the area, your daughter might get a kick out of that as well.

Montreal is a fun and vibrant city so I don't think it will be that difficult for you to find things to enjoy as a family. If your daughter enjoys shopping she'll love Montreal! There are great music stores here...There's a massive HMV on the corner of Peel and St Catherine St. that she could check out.

If you need any help with specifics let me know, I'm a Mtl resident so hopefully I can give you a hand!

Layla

aucho53

oops....I wasn't very clear. When I refer to the area around Mt Royal Metro stop I mean the Plateau! Sorry!!

Layla

Jojonana

There is also the Science Center that is very interesting for parents and teens alike :

http://www.centredessciencesdemontre.../en/index2.htm

And I really like the Pointe-à-Callière museum that is only a 5-10 minute walk from your hotel. Nice multimedia presentation of Montreal's history!

http://www.pacmusee.qc.ca/index.aspx?lang=EN-CA

When in Old Montreal and in need of a scrumptious sandwich and one of the best coffee in town, don't miss Olive et Gourmando on St-Paul.

http://www.oliveetgourmando.com/index_flash.cfm

For supper, I really like Stash on St-Paul also for great Polish food in a warm atmosphere. Specially welcome in March!

DaveBrad

Thank you all SO much for all the recommendations...I'm lovin' it! Especially restaurants that might cater to younger tastes. My kid is a VERY picky eater...she pretty much sticks to mac & cheese or plain pasta, hot dogs, grilled cheese, french fries, and an occasionally chicken breast. So, a good sandwich place like Olive et Gourmande will be perfect...I'm sure they can whip her up a plain cheese panini!

Thanks again for all the suggestions...please keep 'em coming!
D

DaveBrad

Another thing I thought might be fun was to try and see some hockey while we're in Montreal or Quebec. I checked the Habs' schedule and I know they're not in town when we're going to be there (Montreal: March 19-23; Quebec: March 23-26), but I was wondering if Montreal or Quebec had any semi-pro teams that might be playing. Or, do the colleges have teams (like McGill, maybe)?

Again, any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

SusanInToronto

Oh yes, I forgot about Olive and Gourmando. Really good sandwiches. I also got a chocolate and banana brioche there that was fabulous! I can't imagine even a picky eater not liking that

zootsi

A great place for lunch with a picky eater might be one of the Commensal cafeterias. These are somewhat upscale, vegetarian cafeterias found in both Montreal and QC. They offer a mind boggling selection of pastas, Mexican, salads, Asian, pastries, etc,etc. Very comfortable places to unwind for a mid day break.

laverendrye

DaveBrad: You may have some difficulty finding a hockey game while in Montréal or Québec. Your best bet would be the Québec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. However by the time you will be there, the regular season is over and you will have to count on the Remparts making the playoffs. Montréal does not have a QMJHL team, as the only thing that counts there are the Canadiens. It's the only Canadian NHL city to have neither a junior nor AHL team. University hockey is out as well, as the Canadian championships will be going on, but in Moncton NB.

There should be lots of local minor hockey, but I don't think that's what you're looking for.

goddesstogo

Sorry to be such a downer, but I was in Montreal in March in 2006. It was very, very cold and Old Montreal, which I love in spring and summer, was pretty well desolate.

I'm sure there are lovely indoor things to do, but keep that in mind when you're making your plans. Of course, if you're outdoor sports enthusiasts, there's probably more stuff for you then there would be for me (a couch potato).

wow

Hi, DaveBrad: Just curious as to why you have selected March 19-26 to travel to Montreal & Quebec City. Maybe it's your daughter's Spring Break?

aucho53

Hi DaveBrad,

Even if your daughter is a picky eater I'm sure you won't have a problem finding great food that you can all enjoy in the city. If you're shopping and wanna stop for a fast food lunch head to the food court in The Eaton Center on Ste. Catherine St. It's the biggest food court in North America and it's got something for everyone.

If you like Italian, also directly across from the Eaton Center is Guido & Angelina's. The food is pretty good, the price is decent and you're daughter can get a pizza, or pasta with oil and garlic, or plain tomato sauce etc.

Others have mentioned that the weather will be a concern but don't worry about it too much, you will still have a great time!

Layla

Leely

I will be in QC for the first time in February, also at Chateau Frontenac, so will try to keep an eye out for fun things/restos for a 13 year old (if I can adequately wrap my 30something brain around that concept). I'll post any findings on this thread.

Enjoy your visit!

DaveBrad

Thanks, everyone, for all the responses! Laverendrye, bummer about the hockey, but thanks VERY much for the info...you're obviously an expert! At least I know I can pretty much cross that off the list (but I'll keep an eye on the Remparts for playoff possibilities...do you know if they have a website?).

And, yes, we chose this time of year because it coincides with my daughter's spring/Easter break. Since Easter's so early this year, we wind up there while it's still essentially winter (even though spring technically arrives about the same time we do!). Personally, I love the cold weather...my wife and daughter, not so much. But, they're prepared for it and we're still looking forward to a good time. And, as zootsi pointed out, some of the sights may be even prettier, like Montmorency Falls.

Zootsi and Layla, special thanks for the tips on Commensal Cafeterias and the Eaton Place Food Court! Knowing my kid, a visit to the largest food court in North America will be the highlight of her trip!

And, Leely, thanks very much in advance for any "reconnaisance" you can do on Quebec City for us! It's much appreciated.

Speaking of Quebec, my wife said she read something about a toboggan run that they set up during the winter between the upper and lower cities. Does anyone know if that will still be set up in late March? Also, I think she mentioned something about an indoor water park, but I can't remember if that was Montreal or Quebec.

Thanks again, everybody!
D