Quebec with young kids
 

We are driving from Boston to Quebec and plan on staying in Quebec City for 5 nights or so. We have a 5 and a 6 year old and so prefer to stay somewhere that has a separate bedroom (preferably apartment), so we don't have to go to sleep at 8pm! Any recommendations? Also, can we get rid of our hire car whilst in Quebec - we are quite happy to walk and catch transport.

With small children, I'd recommend one or two nights in Quebec City (if you really want to drive that far north just to see Quebec City) and spending your other nights in Montreal, where there is much more to do with young children.

Quebec City is not that large and can be explored on foot and via public transportation, but you'd want a car for exploring the area.

Montreal, on the other hand, does not require a car (and you wouldn't want to pay to park it overnight). The subway and buses and magnificent (and easy to use) for getting all over. You can pick up excellent bus/subway maps in any station (Or check their website - http://www.stcum.qc.ca/English/metro/a-mapmet.htm). Note that the three-day tourist passes are a real bargain (and valid for unlimited travel on the metro and buses).

If you visit Monreal, be sure to check the official tourist website for the schedule of events, especially dates during your visit (you may want to schedule your visit accordingly) for the International Fireworks Competition.

http://montreal-fireworks.com/

http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/B2C/00/default.asp

The last website has an extensive list of seeing and doing with children as well.

PS I'm not sure about getting rid of the car.

Also, when renting a car - be SURE to ask about driving into and back out of Canada.

I would agree with this. I don't see Quebec City being a terribly "kid friendly" place, so 5-6 days is a LONG time (it would be a long time for me as an adult).

See http://www.zoogranby.ca/en/index.cfm

Highly recommend for your kids (yourselves as well).

About an hour due east of Montreal, and "on the way" if you're driving from Maine, NH, Vermont...

Quebec also has things for kids (the rebuilt aquarium, a zoo - not the granby one mentionned above and a water amusement park to name a few...)