If you’re looking for a short but sweet getaway with young kids, Quebec City is a surprisingly perfect option–especially if you are making the drive from New England. However, there is also a small international airport in Quebec City if you do not live nearby. With its charming cobblestone streets, Quebec City felt like a step into Europe. And with a mix of outdoor and indoor activities, there’s plenty to keep little kids entertained while offering some adult fun along the way. We spent a memorable 2.5 days in the city at the end of November, and I’d love to share some highlights from our trip while still fresh in my mind! I have a detailed itinerary below, followed by a bulleted inventory for quick reference.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arriving in Quebec City
We woke up very early to avoid a winter storm heading our way and started our 5.5 hour car ride from Southern New Hampshire around 4 a.m. We crossed the Canadian border around 7 a.m., which was a straightfoward process. Passports or passport cards are required for both adults and children to enter Canada and to return to the US. Be aware of the various rules for what you can or cannot bring across the border (I believe there are strict rules regarding food).
We arrived in Quebec City around 10:30 a.m., and checked into the iconic Château Frontenac, which set the perfect tone for our stay. We all absolutely loved the grandeur of the hotel — it felt like stepping into a castle, complete with sweeping views of the St. Lawrence River. The Frontenac leans more luxury than our normal hotel choice; however, we only stayed for two nights during the week, which made it more affordable for us. There are so many hotels with great locations in the city, so the Frontenac is not a must by any stretch. However, we did really enjoy our stay and feel it was worth every penny. We also loved that there is an indoor pool and spa, which is always fun for our kids and a nice break from the outdoor elements.
After unpacking, we spent a few hours exploring the surrounding area in the upper portion of Old Quebec. It’s easy to get swept up in the beauty of Old Quebec, even on a brief walk, and even on a cold, grey, and misty afternoon with little kids. The weather was around 35 degrees Fahrenheit, and we felt comfortable walking around in winter puffer jackets and wool hats and gloves. We wandered through the narrow streets, popped into a few shops, and admired the Christmas decor.
For lunch, we stumbled into Au Petit Coin Breton, a cozy little creperie. The waiter recommended chocolate and banana crepes for the kids (it’s vacation, why not), while Pete and I shared a delicious savory crepe of chicken, asparagus, and mushroom creme, followed by an apple maple dessert crepe. I realized then that I was going to be enjoying the culinary options on our trip! The menu at Au Petit Coin Breton was in both English and French, and the waiter here was happy to speak English with us.
After lunch, we made our way back to the hotel for a swim in the indoor pool (hot tub for me, thank you!) and some much-needed rest after our 4 a.m. wakeup call. The kids definitely burned off some energy there!
For dinner, we kept it simple with a 6 p.m. reservation at Parmesan, a charming Italian restaurant steps from the Hotel Frontenac. There are simply too many amazing restaurants to choose from, so I focused on kid-friendly for our first trip. Parmesan has classic Italian food, which is safe and enjoyable for my kids. Tip – make reservations ahead of time for your must-visit restaurants. The service was excellent. We dropped a few spoons and someone magically appeared within seconds to deliver a replacement.
After dinner, we ventured back into the crisp evening air to visit the Christmas markets, where we grabbed some hot chocolate and explored the beautifully lit stalls. The market is German themed but I would not consider it a traditional German Christmas market. Many of the vendors sold crafts and other hand-made goods. However, there was still traditional German fare and warm wine, if you are looking for it. The festive vibe and light snowfall really helped us get into the holiday spirit!
Day 2: Exploring the City’s Sights
We started our second day with a hearty breakfast at La Buche. La Buche is conveniently located only a few blocks away from the Frontenac in the upper portion of Old Quebec and offers traditional French Canadian cuisine (but is kid friendly). The kids ordered fresh yogurt and crepes again and Pete and I shared a large omelette. Serving sizes were generous and the food was cooked to perfection. La Buche feels like a festive winter cabin inside, and we really enjoyed the experience.
After breakfast, we took a short walk to the Dufferin Terrace, where we enjoyed the sweeping views of the lower portion of Old Quebec and the St. Lawrence River. The chilly November air didn’t stop us from enjoying the panorama — it’s a great spot for a family photo!
From there, we hopped on the Funicular ($5 per adult each way) to head down to the historic Petit Champlain district. The Funicular is a quick 2-3 minute ride, but you can also take stairs down. The Funicular is a hit with the kids, and the cobblestone streets of Petit Champlain are absolutely magical.
Next, we walked to the Musée de la civilisation. The lower floor of the museum has a kid-focused area with interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. The kid space is not huge (not like a traditional children’s museum), but it is still worth a visit. It’s a great stop for families, and we spent about 1.5 hours there. You could even pack a lunch and eat it there.
After the museum, we then hopped on the bus headed toward the Benjo Toy Store. When we travel with our kids, we almost always opt for public transportation versus a taxi, if possible, simply because we do not want to deal with car seats, etc. The bus system was easy enough to figure out using Google Maps for public transit directions. The bus was $3.75 CAD per adult, one way. Be prepared that the bus driver does not give cash back on fares.
Before going in Benjo, we grabbed a quick lunch at a nearby bakery, La Boîte à Pain. This bakery was a great find and seemed to be a local favorite (with very few tourists). For that reason, the line moves fast, and the menu is in French only, so be ready to choose quickly. I speak and understand some French, but I found I had to be confident and gracious in asking for assistance. We were excited to find that the bakery had a play area for the kids, so we could enjoy our food and a warm cappuccino while the kids played.
On to Benjo. We heard this toy store is a must-visit for families. It really is a nice toy store, offering a massive selection of toys from around the world. We let each of the kids pick out an early Christmas present that would entertain them on the rest of the trip.
Afterward, we decided to walk back to the hotel instead of catching the bus. The journey was a bit of a challenge (half of it was uphill and included steep stairs!), but we made it an adventure for the kids. There was some whining for sure, coupled with cold cheeks on a windy November day. Understandably, if you aren’t up for it, I recommend public transport or taxi. We stopped along the way to explore Place D’Youville and Rue St. Jean, which is full of shops and cafes. We grabbed some popcorn at Mary’s as a reward for our long hike.
For dinner, we had reservations at D’Orsay, a popular spot in the upper part of town, situated near the Christmas markets. The restaurant was bustling (it was Friday night), but the food was incredible, and the cozy atmosphere was well worth the wait. D’Orsay serves gourmet burgers and breaded chicken for the kids, as well as traditional Quebecois options.
Afterward, we walked back to Place D’Youville, where we watched ice skaters on the public rink, and poked our heads into a few shops. We took the Funicular down to Petit Champlain one last time to enjoy the views at night.
Day 3: A Visit to the Aquarium and Heading Home
On our final day, we enjoyed an early breakfast at Place Dufferin, the hotel’s breakfast spot. It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet with a great selection — perfect for fueling up before another day of adventure. The kids swam one last time in the hotel pool before we packed up and headed out. And of course, I took a final dip in the hot tub.
Our final stop was the Aquarium of Quebec, which turned out to be a great choice for a chilly November day. The aquarium was tricky to find and we had a Google Maps snafu, especially with ongoing construction, but once you’re there, it’s totally worth the effort. Be aware that there are various buildings on the aquarium campus, so you will want to stay bundled when you head in. The kids loved the outdoor polar bear exhibit and the giant salt water tank. We had a light lunch at the on-site cafeteria, and after a few more exhibits, we were ready to head back home.
Recap: Itinerary
Day 1
- Morning/Afternoon: Arrive in Quebec City, check in to hotel, quick city exploration (1-2 hours)
- Lunch: Au Petit Coin Breton (crepes)
- Afternoon: Rest and swim at the hotel
- Evening: Dinner at Parmesan, explore Christmas markets
Day 2
- Morning: Brunch at La Buche, walk to Dufferin Terrace, funicular to Petit Champlain
- Late Morning: Visit Musée de la civilisation
- Afternoon: Explore Benjo Toy Store and lunch nearby
- Evening: Dinner at D’Orsay, stroll down Rue St. Jean and Place D’Youville
Day 3
- Morning: Breakfast at Place Dufferin in Château Frontenac
- Late Morning: Visit Quebec Aquarium
- Lunch: On-site lunch at aquarium café
- Afternoon: Depart for home
Camp Avenue 