Quebec City/Montreal in Winter

I can only speak for Montreal. The city does not "shut down" b/c of the cold. You will get "clear-cold" and "snowy cold". You will also get "windy cold" downtown. And, you will get "sunny cold"....the best kind of cold in Montreal! You won't get "rainy cold" in Winter ( Dec/Jan/Feb/Mar) but you may get "rainy cold" in November and also "windy cold".
When do you plan on going to Montreal? Also, where do you live? i.e, are you accustomed to any kind of cold?

This is great, and so far not a disincentive! I'm from San Francisco now (never cold enough to snow), but originally lived in the northeast US so have experienced my share of blizzards. My son is experiencing Boston area weather now, and my daughter wants to see some snow.

So...when are you going to Montreal/Quebec City?
NE US is practically next door to Montreal so you should be fine, TravelinMom!

Looking at sometime between Dec 23 and 31, but still in very early planning stage!

Downtown Montreal is Winter Wonderwonderland @ that time of year....especially if they get some snow!! They do a great job decorating for the Holidays. All of the trees with their little lights around McGill make everything look magical!

I have been to Montreal at the exact same time frame that you're planning to be there, and I'm from Vancouver, which weather-wise, isn't much different than San Francisco.

The kind of cold isn't like anything we get here here on the west coast. It's a very dry, moisture-sucking cold. If the wind blows, it can be painful. During the day it can be pleasant, but at night I wouldn't want to be walking around without some sort of waist-length down jacket and insulated boots. If you're planning to wear jeans, be sure to wear something like tights or long underwear underneath them. A warm scarf, a warm hat that covers the ears, and warm gloves/mitts is crucial at that time of the year.

Saying that, I love Montreal at that time of the year. I find it a lot of fun to bundle up and go for walks outside - it's a novelty to experience that kind of cold for me. However, the best part is that Montreal is totally set up for the cold - people hibernate inside in all the fantastic restaurants, coffee shops, lounges. It's a great excuse to venue hop. And even during the day, you can escape the cold by popping into the shopping centres, which are all connected through tunnels, which are connected to the Metro system.

Have fun!

Okay, time to start planning a trip. I don't want to drive in the cold/snow, so want to be at a hotel that's located near great public transportation (where I won't have to wait in the cold!) or ideally within walking distance of the best sights. Any ideas?

(We like museums, esp. science-based, not into shopping, and our hotel need only be a clean place to lay down our heads -- no frills necessary)

Thanks!

A lot of Montreal hotels offer a "sweet deals" package with first night at a reasonable rate, second night half of that price.
http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/Offers/Autumn

Given your preference for being near public transit and museums I would say down town would be the best area for you.

The metro system is very good and there is an "underground city" linking it to lots of these hotels and to shopping areas downtown.

RE museums, the science museum is pretty much geared to younger kids. The Biosphere is a better choice for adults/all ages. It is in the old Expo geodesic dome designed by Buckminster Fuller

You might want to re-post with a heading more specific to hotel choice

I'm taking a month off to travel along the East Coast and up into Canada, what should I see in Quebec? Also do any of these tours sound good to anyone? Tours: http://blog.tours4fun.com/october-specials-get-it-while-its-hot.html I need an opinion.

Quebec City doesn't shut down either; they even have a Carnival in February (which was good fun with plenty of people out when I went despite the 25 below Celsius temperatures... I enjoyed the "ice slide"... but perhaps it was that "caribou wine" talking that kept me happy). Both cities can be enjoyable in the time period you suggest... I live in Montreal and have visited the Vieille Capitale numerous times. If you're lucky, you might even get -5 degree Celsius to -10 degree weather and experience the joy of skating outdoors, on Parc Lafontaine or in the Vieux Port. If you don't have appropriate winter coat (your "winter" coat for SF won't cut it here), thick scarf, gloves, hat and boots (you need traction or you'll fall every few steps), buy some or you won't be happy! Longjohns are not a bad idea if you plan to go out skating.

I love Montreal even in winter, but one must dress for it!

Best wishes, Daniel

Thanks, everyone. I know it will be a great trip!

johnnysegal - when are you going? Weather is a huge factor as you head north of Boston. There is so much to see and do in Quebec City and Montreal, you could easily split a week between just these two cities. As for the 8 day east coast tour - whew - I was exhausted just reading it! One day bouncing form New York to Philly to DC? They gotta be kidding. Then Niagara Falls to Boston? That is a looong haul. Do a trip on your own and concentrate on one area.