Quebec City & Montreal in March - Looking for Advice on Sights, Food, and Getting Around
Jan 29th, 2008, 06:44 AM
#22
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My wife has found several more intriguing things she'd like to do during our trip, including going to a "sugar shack" where they're tapping the maple trees for syrup and they serve food and it's kind of a party! Does anyone have any recommendations on a good one to go to? Are they near Quebec and/or Montreal, or will we need a car to get to one of the farms(?) where they do this?
Also, as I mentioned before, we definitely want to see Montmorency Falls and now we're also thinking about visiting the shrine of Ste. Anne de Beaupre. I've found a 4.5-hour bus tour that hits both spots, as well as the Island of Orleans. It sounds pretty good, but I guess a car would give us a little more freedom.
I'd appreciate any thoughts you all might have.
Thanks very much!
Dave
Also, as I mentioned before, we definitely want to see Montmorency Falls and now we're also thinking about visiting the shrine of Ste. Anne de Beaupre. I've found a 4.5-hour bus tour that hits both spots, as well as the Island of Orleans. It sounds pretty good, but I guess a car would give us a little more freedom.
I'd appreciate any thoughts you all might have.
Thanks very much!
Dave
Jan 29th, 2008, 08:10 AM
#23
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Dave: The "sugar shack" or "cabane à sucre" is a great idea. You will find them outside both cities, and they should be open by the time you are there (it depends on when the sap starts running).
Here are some outside Québec:
http://www.quebecregion.com/e/erable.asp
There are also lots near Montreal, especially at Mont Saint-Grégoire and Oka, and further north in the Laurentians.
You would need a car to get to most of these, but I imagine that tour companies will also have tours to a cabane. Often people go there in groups for parties, so a tour group would be a great way to go. Check at your hotel or with the tourist office.
I've been to several near Montreal, but they are all much the same--I don't think you'll go wrong with any of them. They are lots of fun, and bring a good appetite.
Here are some outside Québec:
http://www.quebecregion.com/e/erable.asp
There are also lots near Montreal, especially at Mont Saint-Grégoire and Oka, and further north in the Laurentians.
You would need a car to get to most of these, but I imagine that tour companies will also have tours to a cabane. Often people go there in groups for parties, so a tour group would be a great way to go. Check at your hotel or with the tourist office.
I've been to several near Montreal, but they are all much the same--I don't think you'll go wrong with any of them. They are lots of fun, and bring a good appetite.
Jan 30th, 2008, 03:13 AM
#24
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30 minutes from Montreal, this would be the "cabane" I would recommend !!! it's in Rigaud on the west island part, straight, easy driving from downtown.
http://www.sucreriedelamontagne.com/english.htm
http://www.sucreriedelamontagne.com/english.htm
Jan 31st, 2008, 08:37 PM
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My family visited Quebec City this summer. We took a 1/2 day bus tour to Montmorency Falls, St.Anne and the Ile d'Orleans, and enjoyed it very much. The scenery was lovely, and the minibus also stops for freshly baked bread & maple butter.
Re. the Chateau Frontenac, please call them & make sure it's not still under massive construction. This summer the hotel was covered in scaffolding, and I would have been ticked if we had dropped the big bucks only to hear the constant hum of jack hammers. If you need an alternate hotel, I would recommend the Marriott Courtyard. It is not your typical Courtyard, but felt like a boutique hotel & had an excellent location at the walls to the old city. Lovely, friendly staff. http://www.marriott-quebec.com/
Something unusual to see: J.A. Moisan on Rue St. Jean, "North America's oldest grocery store." Lots of products I haven't seen anywhere else, plus the atmosphere of days past. (Many unusual candy bars & goodies!)
Re. the waterpark: It's 20 mins from the city, and looked fun, but we didn't get there. Looks like they have a winter wonderland you could all enjoy: http://www.valcartier.com/page.aspx?...=241&LA=EN
Have fun!!
Re. the Chateau Frontenac, please call them & make sure it's not still under massive construction. This summer the hotel was covered in scaffolding, and I would have been ticked if we had dropped the big bucks only to hear the constant hum of jack hammers. If you need an alternate hotel, I would recommend the Marriott Courtyard. It is not your typical Courtyard, but felt like a boutique hotel & had an excellent location at the walls to the old city. Lovely, friendly staff. http://www.marriott-quebec.com/
Something unusual to see: J.A. Moisan on Rue St. Jean, "North America's oldest grocery store." Lots of products I haven't seen anywhere else, plus the atmosphere of days past. (Many unusual candy bars & goodies!)
Re. the waterpark: It's 20 mins from the city, and looked fun, but we didn't get there. Looks like they have a winter wonderland you could all enjoy: http://www.valcartier.com/page.aspx?...=241&LA=EN
Have fun!!
Jan 31st, 2008, 08:58 PM
#26
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How about a visit to the Ice Hotel? There is a shuttle for $48/adult. http://www.icehotel-canada.com/en/ac...s/index.en.php
Feb 2nd, 2008, 01:50 AM
#27
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Quebec City is charming even in the winter. Don't miss Le Chat echaudé - (i.e. scalded cat), in the Lower Town, which has a delicious and varied menu all year round. My twin 13 yr olds loved it. Arriving from France last summer, I felt we got far better value for our money in Canada - even before the rise in the Euro! Also, Quebec chefs still take the time to prepare things from scratch.
I think Leyla has made some excellent suggestions on Montreal. If the weather is really cold, you can stick to the Underground City, which is connected by tunnels and metro. Your daughter is bound to enjoy the homemade French fries at l'Express, on St-Denis while her parents embark on something more adventurous - classic Fr. bistro menu with extensive wine list! L'Express is popular at all hours so reservations might be advisable!
I think Leyla has made some excellent suggestions on Montreal. If the weather is really cold, you can stick to the Underground City, which is connected by tunnels and metro. Your daughter is bound to enjoy the homemade French fries at l'Express, on St-Denis while her parents embark on something more adventurous - classic Fr. bistro menu with extensive wine list! L'Express is popular at all hours so reservations might be advisable!
Feb 2nd, 2008, 08:25 AM
#28
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In addition to the bonjourquebec website I recommend the Montreal tourist site:
http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/B2C/00/default.asp
It describes some promotional rates for Montreal hotels for multi-night stays (Sweet Deal promotion)
If you check under the Experience Montreal section you will see information about the different neighborhoods including the Plateau
There is also a section on winter activities
I second the recommendation for the archeology museum in the Old Port area (Pointe-a-Calliere). We have also enjoyed the film museum where you can rent Canadian films at booths--can't find the link right now but I will try again
If you aren't from/near another city with a Chinatown, your daughter might enjoy visiting that area
Our younger son is also a picky eater but likes crepes
http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/B2C/00/default.asp
It describes some promotional rates for Montreal hotels for multi-night stays (Sweet Deal promotion)
If you check under the Experience Montreal section you will see information about the different neighborhoods including the Plateau
There is also a section on winter activities
I second the recommendation for the archeology museum in the Old Port area (Pointe-a-Calliere). We have also enjoyed the film museum where you can rent Canadian films at booths--can't find the link right now but I will try again
If you aren't from/near another city with a Chinatown, your daughter might enjoy visiting that area
Our younger son is also a picky eater but likes crepes
Feb 18th, 2008, 09:25 PM
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DaveBrad, pop for dog sledding if anyone is interested. We just returned and that was a highlight--and something I think a 13-year-old would love (if she likes dogs). Rushing through the countryside as it snowed, everything so quiet and beautiful, the exquisite huskies, the excitement of going down hill, the workout of getting out and pushing uphill 
. We arranged through the concierge at Chateau Frontenac. I wanted to go every day!
. We arranged through the concierge at Chateau Frontenac. I wanted to go every day!
Feb 18th, 2008, 09:33 PM
#31
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Sorry, didn't mean to hit post.
There was a toboggan run right outside the Frontenac, to the right as you face the river. I *did* manage to do that every day I was there. $2/ride. I'm not sure when it stops running. You could call the hotel and ask.
We were a little disappointed in Laurie Raphael. The food was excellent, but to me there was just something a bit off with the service. Trying too hard? We much preferred L'Utopie--great food and wine and a more low-key atmosphere. Still sophisticated, though, so check the menu if you think you may want to go.
You can snowshoe in the Plains of Abraham. They rent them at the little museum there. We did in fact visit that museum to get out of the cold one day. And what do you know, we all enjoyed it. In fact, much of our time there was serendipitous. If we were getting too cold and were by a museum or church or restaurant, in we went.
I *hated* the Ice Hotel. Just my opinion.
There was a toboggan run right outside the Frontenac, to the right as you face the river. I *did* manage to do that every day I was there. $2/ride. I'm not sure when it stops running. You could call the hotel and ask.
We were a little disappointed in Laurie Raphael. The food was excellent, but to me there was just something a bit off with the service. Trying too hard? We much preferred L'Utopie--great food and wine and a more low-key atmosphere. Still sophisticated, though, so check the menu if you think you may want to go.
You can snowshoe in the Plains of Abraham. They rent them at the little museum there. We did in fact visit that museum to get out of the cold one day. And what do you know, we all enjoyed it. In fact, much of our time there was serendipitous. If we were getting too cold and were by a museum or church or restaurant, in we went.
I *hated* the Ice Hotel. Just my opinion.
Mar 6th, 2008, 10:06 AM
#32
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Leely...
I'm really sorry to hear that you didn't like the ice hotel! My wife is SO looking forward to seeing it...been talking about it for months. Is it one of those things you build yourself up for and then you're disappointed when it's just not spectacular? I hope it's at least a bit entertaining...she'll be crushed.
I think we're going to get a car in Quebec...we're planning to visit the shrine of Ste. Anne de Beaupre, Montmorency Falls, a sugar shack on the Ile d'Orleans (unless someone has a recommendation) and the aforementioned ice hotel, so I think we'll probably need one. Does anyone know if there are rental car counters in the Quebec train station or at least within a block or so? Also, is it pretty easy to navigate around that area? We're staying at the Frontenac.
Thanks!
D
I'm really sorry to hear that you didn't like the ice hotel! My wife is SO looking forward to seeing it...been talking about it for months. Is it one of those things you build yourself up for and then you're disappointed when it's just not spectacular? I hope it's at least a bit entertaining...she'll be crushed.
I think we're going to get a car in Quebec...we're planning to visit the shrine of Ste. Anne de Beaupre, Montmorency Falls, a sugar shack on the Ile d'Orleans (unless someone has a recommendation) and the aforementioned ice hotel, so I think we'll probably need one. Does anyone know if there are rental car counters in the Quebec train station or at least within a block or so? Also, is it pretty easy to navigate around that area? We're staying at the Frontenac.
Thanks!
D
Mar 6th, 2008, 05:11 PM
#33
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Hah, I never was really an advocate for going the the Ice Hotel, so that might have put me off a little. I think if someone is interested to begin with, she will find more to enjoy there. When you return, post your thoughts. It might be a love-it-or-meh kinda thing. Maybe--probably--I'm just an old sourpuss
If you like museums at all, they have some good ones, especially the Musee de la Civilisation.
We had a terrific time! I hope you do too.
A few pics are here (not many, most had my friends in them):
http://www.pbase.com/leelygoes/quebec_0208
And I did a hotel review on tripadvisor for the Frontenac:
http://tinyurl.com/2hsvfq
Enjoy it! A beautiful town with a rugged, ragged history.
If you like museums at all, they have some good ones, especially the Musee de la Civilisation.
We had a terrific time! I hope you do too.
A few pics are here (not many, most had my friends in them):
http://www.pbase.com/leelygoes/quebec_0208
And I did a hotel review on tripadvisor for the Frontenac:
http://tinyurl.com/2hsvfq
Enjoy it! A beautiful town with a rugged, ragged history.
Apr 4th, 2008, 11:11 AM
#34
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Well, we're back from our trip and it was really wonderful, despite the weather which turned out to be either gray and dreary or BRUTALLY cold the whole time we were there! In fact, there were about three or four inches of fresh snow on the ground (or I should say on top of the FOUR FEET that was already on the ground!) when we left Quebec on the 26th to come home.
It was beautiful, though. I'm actually glad we went in the winter because I think you should see a cold-weather destination in the cold weather at least once. Now, however, I'm ready to see it in June!
I kept a journal of our visit and, as I did for Paris, I'll put my travellog up on here when I've got it all typed up. I'm almost done getting my pictures ready for uploading to my flickr site, so I'll let you all know when they're up.
Thanks again to everyone for the advice. Oh, and Leely, we wound up not going to the Ice Hotel because the roads were not great and we only had two full days in Quebec and didn't want to waste a lot of time driving or riding on a bus.
We didn't go see the Shrine of St. Anne or Montmorency Falls either, which I'm a little bummed about because the pictures I saw of Montmorency when it's frozen looked really cool. But, we're definitely going to go again. My daughter even started trying to speak French and now she wants to take French when she starts high school next year! Now, that's an added bonus!
I'll let you know when my pics are up!
A bientot!
Dave
It was beautiful, though. I'm actually glad we went in the winter because I think you should see a cold-weather destination in the cold weather at least once. Now, however, I'm ready to see it in June!
I kept a journal of our visit and, as I did for Paris, I'll put my travellog up on here when I've got it all typed up. I'm almost done getting my pictures ready for uploading to my flickr site, so I'll let you all know when they're up.
Thanks again to everyone for the advice. Oh, and Leely, we wound up not going to the Ice Hotel because the roads were not great and we only had two full days in Quebec and didn't want to waste a lot of time driving or riding on a bus.
We didn't go see the Shrine of St. Anne or Montmorency Falls either, which I'm a little bummed about because the pictures I saw of Montmorency when it's frozen looked really cool. But, we're definitely going to go again. My daughter even started trying to speak French and now she wants to take French when she starts high school next year! Now, that's an added bonus!
I'll let you know when my pics are up!
A bientot!
Dave
Apr 4th, 2008, 12:42 PM
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Hi, Dave:
really looking forward for your trip journal. Me, my hubby and my going-to-be 13 yrs old daughter (in October 2008) will be visiting Quebec City and Montreal in August 2008. She is also going to high school next year. Want to see what places are worth to visit with a 13 years old kid. thanks.
cc
really looking forward for your trip journal. Me, my hubby and my going-to-be 13 yrs old daughter (in October 2008) will be visiting Quebec City and Montreal in August 2008. She is also going to high school next year. Want to see what places are worth to visit with a 13 years old kid. thanks.
cc
Apr 18th, 2008, 11:06 AM
#38
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Hi, Carrie, Janis and Leely!
Sorry, I haven't started the trip report yet, but I've been working on getting all my photos uploaded to flickr. That's finally done! Check out my sets from the trip at http://www.flickr.com/photos/davebrad/sets/
I promise I'll get to work on the trip report soon.
Take care!
D
Sorry, I haven't started the trip report yet, but I've been working on getting all my photos uploaded to flickr. That's finally done! Check out my sets from the trip at http://www.flickr.com/photos/davebrad/sets/
I promise I'll get to work on the trip report soon.
Take care!
D
Apr 18th, 2008, 01:18 PM
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Hi, DaveBrad:
thank you for sharing the pictures. for us we are travelling in August, we wouldn't see the snow scenes that you saw in March. we are planning to take ViaRail between Quebec and Montreal as well. From your pictures, it confirms some of places are worth visiting, thanks.
cc
thank you for sharing the pictures. for us we are travelling in August, we wouldn't see the snow scenes that you saw in March. we are planning to take ViaRail between Quebec and Montreal as well. From your pictures, it confirms some of places are worth visiting, thanks.
cc
