Quebec City travel tips?
 

We will be taking our two kids (ages 13 and 10) to Quebec City this summer for a week. It will be our first trip to Quebec. We will be attending a conference, staying at a nice hotel in Quebec City. We are looking for suggestions for day trips from Quebec City. Any ideas from experienced Canadian travelers out there?

I spent a few nights in Quebec in '97. <BR>Thee Chute Montmorency is fairly close and a real treat to see. But, if you don't like heights, walking accross the bridge over the brink of the falls can be frightening. <BR> <BR>As a day trip, we drove up to the cathedral at Ste. Anne de Beaupre and continued on to the Saguenay Fjord. <BR>I would suggest that you investigate taking a river trip on the Fjord. There is a National Park, but it is hard to see anything because you either have to (1) walk a long ways, or (2) take a boat. <BR> <BR>We did not take a whale watching cruise, but wish we had. (We took one later from the Nova Scotia shore.) <BR>Also, drive around on Ile d'Orlean. It is close to Quebec and quite scenic, but well inhabited. <BR> <BR>The province of Quebec and the City have helpful tourist offices. In Quebec City, the tourist office is just outside the old city walls not far from the parliament building. I found them to be very helpful. And, if you like scallops, have some at the restaurant Louis Hebert. (Lewie Bear is how it sounds.)

Quebec City has a great summer festival called "Festival de l'Ete" every year. Not sure of date, usually in July. It's a good time. Check out Quebec tourism web-site for info. Bye.

Something not to be missed is the "Musée de la Civilisation", a hands-on, very state-of-the-art museum about different aspects of daily life, in Quebec and around the world. Actually, it's hard to describe, since it is so unique. Saying it's an anthropology museum wouldn't do it justice, since it is much livelier. Exhibitions are in English too. It's in the lower city, close to the harbor, and the bus terminal.

Good restaurant is "Le Parmesan", make reservations though. Great hotel is "Chateau Frontenac".

As well as all of the suggestions above, I suggest either a half- or full-day at "Village des sports," on a warm day. It's a large family-oriented fun center in the suburbs of northwest Quebec City. Bring your swimsuits because it has water slides and tubing slides of various heights, as well as dryer activities for children, teens, and parents. Lots of fun.

Quebec City is a fascinating place. I would second the suggestion to tour Ile d'Orleans -- it is a step back to the 18th century. There are a number of Quebecois restaurants on the island which will give a true flavour to Quebec culture. Near Ile d'Orleans, on the north shore of the St. Lawrence, is Ste. Anne de Beaupre which, IMHO, is the most dramatic church in all of Canada -- a must see. <BR> <BR>Near Ste. Anne de Beaupre is Mont Ste. Anne (no kidding!). Although one of the premiere winter resorts in Quebec it may also have summer activities. It's probably worth a closer look. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip.

Thanks for your replies and suggestions. One response mentioned whale watching and I am wondering where we go for that, and will whales be there in mid-June? Thanks again. <BR>

Whale-watching is done in a city about an hour north: TADOUSSAC. <BR> <BR>Voila.