If you haven’t been to Québec City with your family in the winter, you’re missing out! I first visited eight years ago when I was very pregnant and immediately knew I had to return with Luka so he could experience all the magic. From North America’s largest winter playground and a breathtaking ice hotel to a toboggan ride that will have you going 70 km/hr and the world’s largest winter carnival, Québec City has truly mastered the art of winter fun. Trust me, this is a trip your family will never forget and should be at the top of your winter travel bucket list!
Here are some activities you NEED to try when you visit Québec City with kids…
8 Family-Friendly Winter Activities in Quebec City
1. Visit Hôtel de Glace
Your jaw will literally drop when you step inside Hôtel de Glace. Made from 3 000 blocks of ice and 35 000 tons of snow, it’s a true architectural marvel that is re-imagined and built from the ground up every winter. It’s honestly reason alone to book a trip to Québec City. Luka loved exploring all the unique suites, going down the ice slide and drinking from a hand-carved ice glass for the first time.
Oh, and you don’t need to book a stay to experience Hôtel de Glace (although, I do highly recommend it). You can pop by to admire the suites during the day, visit the ice chapel, grab a drink at the ice bar or dine at North America’s only ice restaurant brought to life in partnership with Le Château Frontenac…
2. Go Ice Fishing At Village Nordik
I had no idea you could go ice fishing in Québec City! Located on Louise Basin at the Port of Québec, Village Nordik turned out to be one of our favourite family-friendly activities on this trip. Once you arrive onsite and pay the activity fee (Mini Fishers under 5 are free) you’re given a fishing rod along with some bait before being escorted to a pre-drilled ice hole. Chairs are also provided so you just take a seat as a family and patiently wait. It took a bit of time to get the hang of it, but Luka caught his first fish!! Bonus: you can keep the fish (quota of 5) so we gave the trout to our friend who enjoyed it for dinner.
3. Toboggan Down Au 1884
Can you believe that locals and visitors have been tobogganing down this slope since 1884?! Overlooking Le Château Frontenac, it’s the best $4 you’ll spend in Québec City. Beyond the epic views, you’ll also experience quite a thrill zipping down at speeds up to 70 km/hr! Best part? You can share your Au 1884 ride as a family because the toboggan is large enough to accommodate four people.
4. Go Tubing at Village Vacances Valcartier
Village Vacances Valcartier is North America’s largest winter playground aka tubing heaven. With over 35 tubing runs, a skating trail, indoor waterpark and Hôtel de Glace onsite, you could literally spend days here. Tubing runs range from moderate (for all heights/everyone) to extreme (ultra-steep, ultra-fast reaching speeds of 80 km/hr) so there’s something for the entire fam. They even have snow rafting (which I didn’t know was a thing) and a unique slide called the Tornado. So. Much. FUN!!! Get your lungs ready because you’ll be screaming all day.
5. Go Skating
There’s something so magical about skating at Place D’Youville, especially during sunset when the colours peek through the iconic Saint-Jean gate. The rink is relatively small, but the atmosphere definitely makes up for it! And if you’re in the mood for a bit of dancing on ice, head to Port of Québec Discoglace where they have some fun programming, including live DJs and concerts.
6. Attend Carnaval De Québec
Bonhomme!!! The reason we packed our bags and headed to Québec City this year was so Luka could experience The Québec Winter Carnival for the very first time. And when I saw the smile on his face, I knew we made the right decision. He was OBSESSED.
Carnaval De Québec is the world’s largest winter carnival and runs for 10 days every year from late January to mid- February. This festival is made for kids (and big kids like me lol) and will become a forever memory for your family. We spent our days trying all the activities at the Gougoune et Doudoune playground, admiring the ice and snow sculptures around town, visiting the Ice Palace of Bonhomme, taking in all the live entertainment and — our favourite highlight — experiencing the incredible night parade!
7. Visit Montmorency Falls
Did you know that Montmorency Falls is taller than Niagara Falls?! I did not. You can take a cable car to the top of the cliff, admire the falls from a viewing platform below or walk up to the base of the falls where you’ll often spot ice climbers! I’ve had a chance to visit this waterfall during every season and think winter is the most majestic so make sure to pop by with your family.
8. Explore Old Québec
Québec City is my favourite Canadian city to explore by foot. It’s charming, there are delicious flavours around every corner, it’s dotted with quaint shops and every angle looks like a postcard…
A family stroll through Old Québec is a must! It’s a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Petit-Champlain district is pure magic and home to one of the oldest shopping streets in North America…
Family-Friendly Hotel in Quebec City
I highly recommend staying at Hilton Québec if you’re travelling as a family. We loved their recently renovated suites (spacious, clean and bright), their incredible onsite restaurant (CABU Boire et manger) AND their heated indoor-outdoor pool which is always a bonus for families! You also can’t beat the location of this hotel — our room literally overlooked Carnaval and Old Québec with epic views of Le Château Frontenac. Being walking distance to attractions is a lifesaver when visiting during such a busy time of year.
Oh, and definitely book an Executive suite because they’re located on higher floors and – more importantly – grant you and your family access to the Executive Lounge so you can enjoy complimentary breakfast, refreshments, late afternoon bites and a private concierge service.
Must-Eat Restaurants In Quebec City
Québec City has a solid food scene so whether you’re looking for fine dining, a classic Québécoise experience or a quick bite at a local spot, your tastebuds will be happy. Here are a few of our faves that you need to check out:
Le Hobbit
This MICHELIN-recommended restaurant delivers on all fronts — the food, exceptional service, ambiance, cocktails, all of it. Let’s just say that if I lived in Québec City, I’d be a regular at Le Hobbit. It’s warm, it’s cozy, it’s unpretentious and exactly where you’ll want to dine on a cold winter’s night. The menu is in constant rotation so lean on the knowledgeable servers to guide your culinary journey. You won’t regret it.
Bistro Le Sam
Located inside Le Château Frontenac, one of the most photographed hotels in the world, you’ll find Bistro Le Sam. Head here during the day to dine with spectacular views of the St. Lawrence River or in the evening to enjoy an intimate dinner with your family. Oh, and their mixologists are award-winning so don’t leave without trying a cocktail or two. I had one of the best tequila-based cocktails I’ve ever tasted. Order the Beep!Beep! and thank me later.
La Bûche
Whatever you do, don’t skip this gem. Serving up traditional Québécoise cuisine, La Bûche is an institution in Québec City. Every element is memorable at this restaurant — from the lively ambiance to their unique bathrooms — making it a super fun dining experience for families! We love their duck wings, sugar shack brunch and the special maple taffy treat they serve at the end.
CABU Boire et manger
Tucked inside Hilton Québec and led by an award-winning female executive chef, CABU Boire et manger is a fab spot for family dinners. The restaurant’s tag line is “a story in every bite” with Chef Marie-Chantal Lepage showcasing local ingredients so you’ll get a great taste of place here.
Snack Bar Saint-Jean
And lastly, no trip to Québec is complete without poutine. I always survey locals about where to find the best and – in the case of Québec City – all of them pointed me to Snack Bar Saint-Jean. They were spot on. The poutine here is perfection — the fries, cheese curds, gravy — all of it. A must-stop when visiting Québec City!
A huge thanks to Destination Québec cité for hosting us on this press trip and sponsoring this post. As always, opinions are my very own.
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