Recommenda-tions for Quebec ?

Isabel

I would appreciate any advice that anyone may have on where to stay in Quebec. Is there a part of the city that is "better" than the other ? My son has wanted to go for many years and we are finally going to go.

Thank you in advance !

Isabel

9 years ago

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20 replies

Latest reply was from Isabel

Debora

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Isabel! Hello! You are going to love Quebec! We were there in September for our 35th wedding anniversary and LOVED it. I would stay in the old city, Vieux-Québec, if you can. The old city is made up of two parts: the upper town and the lower town. Both are wonderful. Since it was a special occasion, we splurged and stayed at the Auberge Saint-Antoine in the lower town. It's an amazing hotel, part of the Relais & Châteaux chain. Another well known hotel is the iconic Château Frontenac in the upper town. This is the one that looks like a castle and is probably the most photographed site in the city. Even if you don't stay at the Frontenac, be sure to walk along the promenade in front of it and also take a look inside. There are also plenty of mid-range options to be found in the old town. It's all beautiful.

Here are a few photos to entice you! I'll be back tomorrow with more on what to do. So excited for you! xo

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9 years ago

Style Fan

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I love Quebec. I really need to move there. My stepson and his partner just spend 4 days there. They stayed at the Chateau Frontenac. They loved it.

9 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

We stayed at the Chateau Frontenac in September and loved it! Highly recommend it! Have a drink in the bar and tell Guillaume the bartender his Facebook friend from California says "hi!"

I have a whole list of recommendations for places to eat and things to do on my computer at home. If you'll PM me your email address I will send it to you tomorrow!

Debora -- we did a bike ride out to Montmorency Falls and it was just amazing! Here is Lovely Fiance on the bridge going over the falls that is shown in your photo!

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9 years ago

Debora

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Mary, what a great photo and congratulations again on your engagement! We took a peek at that bar in the Frontenac and it is beautiful. I wanted to look at it because it is mentioned in Louise Penny's book Bury Your Dead, which is set in Quebec City. If it hadn't been so early in the day we would have had a drink there!

Isabel, it is definitely worth a day trip to the Montmorency Falls. They are taller than Niagra Falls, but not as wide. Very impressive! The falls are close enough to the city that you can bike to them (as ambitious Mary & Gentleman Friend did), or take a cab (like lazy Mr. & Mrs. Debora).

We also took a guided tour of the Citadel and learned about Quebec's military history. We spent a lovely afternoon at the Musee de la Civilisation. Other highlights included the Place-Royale, a beautiful square considered to be the birthplace of French-America. The Quartier de Petit-Champlain, with its shops and cobblestone streets. Strolling on Terrasse Dufferin by the Chateau Frontenac.

Feel free to PM me, too, if you have any questions. Have a wonderful time!

9 years ago

Neelie

Veteran

If you have an extra day (and a car) I suggest you head to Mont Ste. Anne, about an hour away. It is the downhill ski area closest to Quebec City and has beautiful hiking trails, and you can ride the gondola to the top for amazing views. So beautiful and one of our favourite places to hike. We actually stayed there at a hotel at the base of the mountain, and just spent our first and last days in the city as we preferred the countryside, but QC is amazing.

If you don't stay at Chateau Fontenac do go in for high tea in the afternoon, it is beautifully served and so delicious with the scones and pastries.

9 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Also liked the Chateau Frontenac.Their brunch is amazing also.

9 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

OMG !!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you ladies !!!!!

You have planned my trip ! This is a very special trip for us. My son, who has Asperger's , suffers from severe anxiety. He had a very bad year last year and came close to being hospitalized. It was tough on all of us. We haven't been able to travel together as a family in 10 years ( except for the summer family reunions in Michigan ) because he has been too anxious to travel and has a hard time with change. Last month, he said he was ready to actively start working on his disability and really wanted to go on a trip. He turned 14 and now has the capacity to understand that he is on the spectrum and has to work a bit harder than others on his emotional well being. He asked if Quebec was ok. I was THRILLED ! So it is worth the splurge. I would sell all my clothes and shoes ( but not the handbags ) if I had to ! Luckily, we are blessed to not have to do that. I will try to book at Chateau Frontenac or Auberge.

He is anxious about the trip and asked how we will know where to go or where to stay. I told him that the YLF ladies would help. And you did. As always.

Once again, you lovely ladies have added such wonderful part to the tapestry of my life. Thank you !

MARY !!!! Congratulations !

XXXXXXXXXX

9 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

Debora, what STUNNING pictures ! He will love it.

9 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

I got the frontenac for 5 days! Yeah ! Now I will have to print out your messages for our itinerary.

Deb, I will PM. Thank you for the offer. The last time that I went on a trip, Una literally did our itinerary ( to Hawaii ). LOL and we texted while I was there to make sure that I was getting it right... : )

9 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Woo hoo!! You will have a wonderful time!

9 years ago

Debora

Veteran

Hooray! You are going to love the Frontenac. What kid wouldnt want to stay in a castle!!! Wishing you a fabulous trip!
Bon séjour!
xoxox

9 years ago

pil

Veteran

Here's to a fabulous trip!

9 years ago

L'Abeille

Veteran

Have a wonderful trip! I stayed at the Chateau Frontenac on a school trip at age 15 (a very long time ago) and each of my 4 kids has had a school-planned trip to Quebec City as part of the Grade 8 graduating festivities, so it seems like a good fit for a 14-year old. If you like, I can ask my kids what they remember about the trip that made it special. I think I recall there is a giant skating rink inside a shopping mall, but if you are not shopping-deprived like us rural Maritimers it wouldn't be such a big deal.

If he enjoys history, I think they have a great presentation (video? sound and light show?) at the Plains of Abraham (where the French lost North America to the English) of how it all went down.

If you go to the Montmorency Falls and/or Mont Ste-Anne, you will also go past the island of Orleans, which might be worth part of a day trip. Artisanal farms and some fun activities, the one I recall was dog sledding.

9 years ago

Isabel

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L'Abeille, thank you , that would be wonderful. My son LOVES history and is quite the geography buff , including : the history of people, the migration of people, the weather in the area, etc.

I am so excited. I will make sure print out your suggestions also. What a wonderful 8th grade trip.

: )

9 years ago

Debora

Veteran

Oh, Isabel, he's going to love it! Be sure not to miss the Musee de Civilisation. It tells all about the history of Quebec.

Are either you or your son on Instagram? You might enjoy following Quebec City Tourism's account. Gorgeous photos of the city and surroundings. I can't seem to paste links on my iPad, but just goggle "Quebec region" on Instagram and it will take you to their account.

So excited for you!

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9 years ago

Suz

(website)

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Isabel! I am so sorry I am late here. I also have a hotel rec, but I see you are set for that. Absolutely thrilled you are staying in the Old City. You will have a lovely time! My brother and daughter and I spent a few days there this summer. If you have questions and want to PM me, please feel free. In the meantime, some pics to whet your appetite! Bon vacance!

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9 years ago

Suz

(website)

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Oh, and they also have one of those things where you just put your phone up to it and it will explain all about the landmark you are in front of....assuming you have the app, that is...

9 years ago

L'Abeille

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Came back to say, frog's legs. And poutine.

My youngest DD says: Don't miss the museum at Place-Royale (part of the Museum of Civilization complex, but a separate location in Old Town). It depicts life in the early days, including putting on costumes. On weekends there is a youth program that includes role-playing as a wheelmaker's family. The admission includes a walking tour of Old Town that points out where carriages scraped the corners of buildings and where goods from France were unloaded. Also there's a history of old Quebec that is displayed in film on the outside of a building in the Port.

She says Cirque du Soleil puts on a free show in summer (at least last year when she worked there). The pre-teen boys she worked with loved geocaching, which a company organizes in Old Town.

Suz, is your daughter taller than Mom yet?!

9 years ago

L'Abeille

Veteran

Also they have a great cold water creatures aquarium if you're into that.

9 years ago

Isabel

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Deborah...what an awesome idea ! We are both on Instagram. We will start doing that.

Suz...I will find that app ! LOL that sounds fantastic. The pictures look amazing. We are so excited.
'L'Abeille, please thank your children. Geocaching is something that he will LOVE. My daughter will love Cirque du Soleil. We love aquariums. And my son has been talking non stop about putine. : )

Yay ! Thank you so much ladies.

9 years ago

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