huskermom

Hi--

I'm taking my family (including 2 younger teen boys) to the Boston area for a week in late June. We've decided to add an additional week to the trip, and drive up through Vermont to visit Quebec (Montreal and Quebec City?) in early July. This will be our first visit of any length to Canada, and our first to Quebec. Any ideas on great things to do and see with teens? My sons like outdoorsy things, but they're also great with historic/ethnic neighborhoods, museums, etc. Where would you go and what would you see? We speak zero French--I'm assuming that won't be a huge issue? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated--thanks in advance!

garyt22

Old Montreal has a European flavor and Quebec City is like being dropped into a section of Paris... try some french Canadian cuisine and consider a half day bus tour around each city... have fun!

laverendrye

You'll find lots of suggestions for things to see and do in both Montreal and Quebec city on this forum, but I haven't noticed any mention of the jet-boat tours of the Lachine Rapids (Saute-Moutons). I think that your sons (as well as parents) would have a great time. They depart from the Old Port in Old Montreal.

huskermom

Thanks so much for the responses. I've been looking through the forum, and most of the threads are oriented more toward adults and fine dining (understandably so--both are very sophisticated cities). My kids would love the French-Canadian cuisine--any ideas for more casual dining that still has a very local flavor, and things that younger teens specifically would enjoy? Our plan so far is to spend the time wandering around the historic areas of each city. I'm having trouble sorting out if there are specific things they would enjoy visiting ("must see" things when you visit) or is it more a matter of just soaking up the ambiance of each area? Thanks for the info on the jet boat tours laverendrye--they really would like that. We've planned for about three days in each city--is that too much, or would you divide it up differently? Would you add in side trips to other areas? We're in the very early stages of planning. I really appreciate any and all advice that you might have. Thanks again.

zootsi

First thing I recommend for first timers to either city is - get the free guidebooks offered by the Quebec tourist office. The website is boujourquebec. Three days in Montreal is good, 3 days in Quebec City is good if you have a car and can explore the surrounding areas.
Ideas for Montreal
- visit Prince Arthur street in the evening. Lots of sidewalk restaurants, street entertainers, and folks of every description out for the evening.
- visit the old port. Always something going on there - boat rides, I-max theater, labrynth, flea market, bike & rollerblade rentals, etc.
- rent bicycles and explore the miles and miles of bike trails that cris-cross the city. The Lachine Canal route is the most popular.
- visit the Olympic park, home to the Insectatium, observation tower, and biodome (great for a rainy day).

Quebec City
- Watch the changing of the guard.
- Go up in the observation deck just outside the old city.
- Visit the Museum of Civilization.
- Visit Montmorency Falls.
- Drive around I'le De Orleans.

You'll find plenty to do!

garyt22

Smoked Meat sandwiches and Poutine (fries/gravy w cheese) are must eats on your trip... theres also several places that serve regional foods, elk, maple products, local produce and for some reason, the pastries from the little shops are real good... also plan on the International Fireworks festival and the Montreal Jazz Festival...

zootsi

I forgot to mention - if you are in Montreal in early July, you may be there for the Jazz Fest. This could either be a good thing or not so good. The Jazz fest is amazing, lots of free outdoor concerts (not just jazz, but also lots of world music, blues, etc). Very crowded, but safe. Getting a place to stay during the fest can be tricky and expensive. If you are in Montreal at this time look for a b&b or small hotel away from the crowds, preferably in the Plateau are.

huskermom

Thanks again--this is very helpful! I just looked up the Montreal Jazz fest--we're scheduled to be in Montreal at the same time. We'd definitely enjoy it, but thanks for the tip--I'll start trying to line up a hotel or B&B NOW. Can anyone recommend a small hotel or B&B in the area you mentioned? If we're going to have to pay $200.00 or more/night/room for two rooms (we can use one room with two double beds if we need to in a regular hotel) we'll destroy our budget--we may have to change our plans and do something different. I'm ordering the guidebooks you recommended today--I know both cities are incredibly beautiful, and it sounds like we're going to love them both. Thanks for the tips on where to go, etc. The kids will love the sandwiches, poutine and pastries as well. Again, I really appreciate the advice!

Vttraveler

If you are going to stay in Montreal for at least three nights, there are some good prices via the Sweet Deals promotion at the tourist office web site.
http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/Offers/Summer
We have stayed at Auberge de la Fontaine in the Plateau neighborhood recommended by zootsi.
We have stayed at Auberge de la Fontaine which is in the Plateau district.

Another way to save some money is to stay outside Montreal the first night. There is a Holiday Inn Express right off the highway in St. Jean sur Richelieu and there are a number of chain hotels just west of the city. I would recommend trying to stay in the city for most of your trip though.

We use the book Resto a Go-Go: 200 Cheap and Fun Places to Eat and Drink in Montreal by Sarah Musgrave for ideas for inexpensive restaurants. It lists places like the Khyber Pass, an Afgan restaurant on Rue Duluth. There is a limited preview of an earlier edition on google books. Prices will be out of date but the restaurants listed are still good value.
Schwartz's Delicatessan is the classic place to go for smoked meat sandwiches. Montreal bagels are great--try St. Viateur or Fairmont bakery. There is a good-sized Chinatown near Old Montreal.

For history in Old Montreal, the Pointe-à-Callière archeology museum is outstanding. We also like the Biosphere ecological museum on Sainte-Hélène Island. It is inside the old Buckminster Fuller geodesic dome built for Expo 67. There is also a fort on the island, but I think the forts outside the city at Chambly and Fort Lennox at Île-aux-Noix are more interesting if you can fit them in en route to Montreal.

La Ronde amusement park is another possible destination.

The metro and bus systems in Montreal are very good.

Jojonana

Poutine is a must! And if you stay at the Auberge de la Fontaine (beautiful, just in front of the Parc Lafontaine where many Montrealers picnic, relax and just enjoy), you are walking distance to arguably the BEST (and most fantastic choice) in the Province : La Banquise, on Rachel street. http://www.restolabanquise.com/index...&sp=&langue=an

You can also use the BIXI system, which are public bikes. Here is the site for more info. I personnly LOVE this system, there are a lot of places to park the bikes all over the city.

http://montreal.bixi.com/rolling-with-bixi/how-it-works

Jojonana

Oh god, just looking at the Banquise Website and I have a sudden craving for Galvaude Poutine! ;-)

Jojonana

If you stay in Montreal a whole week (there is plenty to do!), you could also think about renting an apartment! It's my preferred way of traveling!

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/canada/quebec#a322

Vttraveler

the entry about La Fontaine park reminds me that your kids would enjoy the tam tam drums in Jeanne-Mance Park on Mont Royal if you are in Montreal on a Sunday

huskermom

Thanks so much! This is so helpful. I don't think we're going to be there long enough to rent an apartment, but I'm checking out the hotels you listed and it looks like we can get into the Auberge de la Fontaine--DH is handling reservations and checking prices. At least we know which areas are the best to look for. La Banquise sounds wonderful! The kids would love biking through the city too. We won't be in Montreal on Sunday, but thanks for the tip on the tam tam drums! I'm going to order guidebooks and check out the sites/museums/forts you've listed--we're driving so no problem doing things enroute. I think we'll all have a terrific time! Thanks so much for all of the advice--I really appreciate it.

Vttraveler

The Auberge de la Fontaine is right on one of the city bike paths. La Maison des cyclistes is a few doors down. There are many restaurants along Rue Rachel where the hotel is located and Rue Duluth, one street to the south. Many are BYO beer or wine.

This is a link to a brief description of the Plateau which has a further link to the Auberge review
http://www.fodors.com/world/north-am...-and-environs/

One of the nice features of the hotel is access to a kitchen with snacks--could come in handy with teenage boys.

Jojonana

And if it doesn't work out for the Auberge, there are apartments that rent for less than a week. It's often well worth looking into!
Have a great time!

Jojonana

I walked by this place today, and it looks lovely! Another good bet in the Plateau area:

http://www.marieanne-garnier.com/English/index.html

Vttraveler

We also noted the B & B mentioned by Jojoanna when we were in Montreal this winter. It does look like a nice place to stay

Audream

I recently discovered there was a lot of activities on Lachine Canal like rafting or kayaking, even surfing. Otherwise you can all rent bikes and follow the paths along the Lachine Canal. Actually you can bike everywhere.