I'm planning a week-long trip for 8 people, age 1 to 71. We've decided on Montreal and Quebec City for a week in the middle of May. It looks like the weather will be nice then. We have 2 grandparents, my family including me, husband, 4 year-old and 20 months, single aunt and single uncle, both in their thirties. We'll have transportation.

Any recommendations for places to stay in both cities? Are there apartments to rent? Or small inns that we could rent most of? It would be nice not to have to worry too much about the kids waking people up and would be nice to have a place to relax with the adults after the kids are asleep.

Is there one more place we should spend a couple of days? From reading the posts on this site, it looks like a few days in each city is enough. We'll have 7 nights/ 8 days for the vacation.

Thanks!

FOR THE FOUR YEAR OLD -- Take it (boy, girl?) the the Insectarium, and, even better, equip the kid with a magnifying glass. Even the little kid will like the bugs.

There's also a great train museum on the south sohore, just west on Montreal (Candiac, I htink) that the bigger child will love, and lots of the adults will enjoy it, too.

Try Premiere Executive Suites for apartments for short term rent in Montreal.

The kids will enjoy just walking around in Old Montreal. There will be buskers on the weekend, and there are rocks to jump on and off.

I'd give several more days to Montreal than to Quebec City.

BAK

I'd like to be you!
I would add Ottawa. Well worth the detour. See the sound and light show that proclaims the glory of Canada. Changing of the guard\Parliament Hill and Byward Market street performances. Get a hotel on the Byward Market side as close to the Chateau\Castle direction. Probably the best value. If you want to splurg have the Grand parents room in the Chateau with a Hill view. (reserve in advance and don't but the line ohh we have no rooms left when you arrive. they try to fill the court yard rooms cuz people what the view etc) (web search aerial photos of Ottawa to see layout) For the elderly you can hire a Byward Market cart puller to transport them to the Hill area. (arrange day before even to meet you at hotel at certain time) I did that for my 3 women, in one cart, short distance = $7 they had a fun blast. I walked and met them there.

Quebec City has many Interpretation centers. See all of them that you pass by. The kids can be dressed up and entertained in period costume for photos in one of them. Lots have videos and stuff to catch the eye of the kids as well. Take the chateau(castle) tour. Guide is in period costume and the Chefs roof top gardens are impressive.
I would stay at the http://www.gitedelamontagne.com/english/home_en.php It is half way up the cliff and the roof top patio view at night alone is reason enough. It is right at the top of the breakneck stairway, around the corner from the Chateau-upper town- and port. Central location (71 year old less walking but hills are unavoidable) and I can't imagine a better location in any place. If nothing else have the older folks stay here. I guarantee they will like sitting on the roof at night. 1 1/2 -2 days is good unless you like to linger by hanging around forever.
Montreal expensive to stay in the old town. But with all the hassles of commuting and stuff I pay the price. However the subway system is so good that you can stay anywhere on the route if price is good enough and be where you want in a flash. Buy a tourist 3 day pass I think. CASH ONLY for pass at the subway booth. Walk around the old city go over toward locks for the history museum, try to be there for the International Fireworks Competition Wed and Sat. (USA 4th of July FW would be hard pressed to be as good as these) Go to the top of the mountain, very impressive location and Chalet.

To recommend a more specific travel day hotel day location etc I would need to know where you are coming from and entering exiting etc. Have a great time!

ps you all can visit Gram etc on the roof at night. Plenty of room then go to your own place. It would be an enjoyable walk at night and romantic if any are inclined toward that.

Thanks for the great replies! We will be driving up from NY (grandparents live in Rochester, we're in VA). We'd like to stay in just 2 places just because moving is such a hassle with the kids and we'll probably spend a night traveling each way too. I checked out the website for Quebec City and the inn looks neat. If it was available, we could probably all stay there. I also found a house that says it is next door to Chateau Frontenac and has 5 bedrooms and a full kitchen. It might be nice to prepare some of our meals, especially with the kids.

I've also found a couple of places to rent in Montreal. They are in the Plateau district. The ads say they are close to a Metro stop. How convenient is this district to being able to see the sights? I'll also check out the apartments recommended above.

Thanks for your help!

The Plateau is a very nice place to stay in my opinion, very typically French Montreal, with boutiques, cafes, etc., although you =will= have to take the subway from there to the main attractions in Old Montreal or downtown Montreal - only 15 minutes ride approximately (probably better than driving and parking downtown). If you decide to go with this apartment, check if they have a parking spot for your vehicle, as parking is quite restricted in the area.

ps. My daughter eats very little and I mean very picky and little for 17 years young. On trips like these we end up in tourist areas eating at restaurants because they are located in these areas. So we ended up at the well located Le Cochon Dingue restaurant, the pig place.
We wanted the children’s menu for her. The waitress explained that it is usually only for 15 or less ages or something and that the portions are very small. We insisted so she complied. The children’s menu portion size was what we are used to in the States. We were desperate to find places that did not require us to eat like pigs (nice pun) We found a Subway outside the Jean Gate as I recall and were very happy then. This Gate also has a very neat square worth visiting as well. With some web searching you can pre-locate some of the places that are cheaper and don’t supply huge meals.
(Le Cochon Dingue the pig it has one of the best locations in Quebec. The Rue Champlain street offers some of the best people watching. Le Cochon Dingue can be entered from either the Rue Champlain or the Rue Petit Champlain/lower town main streets.)

Thank you for the great information. We have settled on a house in the Plateau district in Montreal and one in Quebec City right next to Chateau Frontenac. We're excited about the trip.