We are a retired couple who are thinking about driving from Boston (with another couple) to Quebec after Christmas. We are thinking about going up around 12/29 to stay over New Year's Eve. Has anyone done such a trip? Any advice on where to stay (we want to be in the Old City). Open to any and all suggestions and advice

Bonjour Paula,
Premier Moisson ('best pick of harvest') is a chain of boulangeries throughout the province. They'd be a strong contender for Best Bakery in all of Canada. They sell a lot more than just bread and such. Excellent salads plus more.
There is an outlet in Quebec City.
Best Wishes.
I am done. The end.

Thanks for the recommendation -- will seek out this shop!

Last winter, we traveled up from Boston. Roads can become slick after dark, so leave early. Make reservations as soon as possible if you want to be in the center of Old Quebec—New Year's fills up quickly. If you want luxury, stay at Fairmont; if you prefer boutique elegance, stay at Hotel 71.

I don't know how you prepare your car for winter driving in Boston, but proper winter tires would be ideal.

At the least, get new wiper blades and buy some Canadian windshield washer fluid at the first Canadian gas station, rated to minimum -40°C.
I keep a few microfiber towel soaked in windshield washer in ziplock bags to keep my headlights, rear view cameras and other sensors on my CRV clean
Get a proper snowbrush and ice scraper.

Road conditions and temperatures can change rapidly that time of the year.
We frequently get thaws in January that turn December snowfalls into crust and ice.

https://www.quebec511.info/en/Default.aspx

We were in Quebec city last NYE and believe it or not, there was no snow at all. But that was just a freak thing and do not count on it being like that any NYE. There are a lot of hotels and small Inns in the old part of the city but look at booking now as others have suggested.

Thanks so much for your response and advice. Will explore making reservations now.

Thanks -- these are great pieces of advice and will take advantage of them. Need to be prepared.

Thanks -- will start the process of making reservations now. Appreciate the advice.

Hey Paula, welcome to the forum, I would sugges the local market of the Old Quebec, you will spend hours going through the market, if you are fine with walking ofc.

This is great. Look forward to exploring this special place.

We stayed over New Year’s a few years back in a lovely B&B in the old town. Insulation was not an area of strength. Not sure we ever got warm. Check reviews from winter visitors for places you are considering.

Good, grippy boots and your warmest clothing. The ever fashion-conscious Québécoises were wearing full ski gear as temperatures plunged almost to the point where Fahrenheit and Celsius are the same. On the other hand, early January is the classic time for a warmer spell with yikes, freezing rain. There are handrails on the steep sidewalks for a reason.

But don’t let me scare you off. The illuminations and markets were wonderful.

I was in Quebec City last year, the weekend before Christmas We had a few flurries of snow in the evenings but that was it. There was packed snow on he boardwalk. However, it was zero degrees or less the whole weekend. It seemed warmer in the lower part of Old Town because there was not so much wind. We stayed at the Hotel Clarendon right on the square.