萝莉射区

With all the charm of a European city but a proud history that鈥檚 firmly French-Canadian, 蚕耻茅产别肠 City is a perfect place to travel with kids 鈥� and fortunately for North Americans, it鈥檚 much closer than Europe.

Founded in 1608, the provincial capital has engaging activities for the whole family, many of which are accessible on foot or with a short taxi/Uber ride. The best part? Kids aren鈥檛 just tolerated here, they鈥檙e welcomed with open arms, as many establishments cater to children through designated programming and discounted (or free) pricing. Here's everything you need to know about visiting 蚕耻茅产别肠 City with tots in tow.

Why is 蚕耻茅产别肠 City good for kids?

You鈥檒l be far from the only one traveling to 蚕耻茅产别肠 City with kids. Historic sights like the Fortification Walls and Le Ch芒teau Frontenac are just as amazing for parents as they are for children, and there are plenty of benches to give your feet a rest. Restaurants usually have kids' menus and open earlier for dinner than in Europe. While there are just a few public toilets in the city, changing tables in restaurants and fast-food-chain bathrooms are common 鈥� you鈥檒l just need to buy something.

Yes, this is a French-speaking province and English isn鈥檛 spoken by everyone in 蚕耻茅产别肠 City. However, you shouldn鈥檛 have too much trouble in the most-visited establishments. That said, a few words of French would help and the effort is appreciated by locals. You and your children can practice some basics like 鈥渂onjour鈥� (hello) and 鈥渕erci鈥� (thank you), for starters.

If you bring a stroller, note that the main historic area, Vieux 蚕耻茅产别肠 (Old Town), has lots of cobblestones, especially in Basse-Ville (Lower Town), and a tiring set of steps to Haute-Ville (Upper Town). The good news is you can take 蚕耻茅产别肠鈥檚 nearly 145-year-old up and down, though strollers must be folded up before you enter the building.

Where is best in 蚕耻茅产别肠 City for kids?

The most interesting neighborhood in 蚕耻茅产别肠 City, Vieux 蚕耻茅产别肠, is just as entertaining for parents as it is for kids. You鈥檒l see homes dating back to the 1600s, intriguing statues, and replica cannons atop the city walls. You鈥檒l also likely see guides dressed up in period outfits, which kids get a kick out of.

Best things to do in 蚕耻茅产别肠 City with babies and toddlers

Aquarium du 蚕耻茅产别肠

Watch jellyfish drift, walruses flip-flop and polar bears munch their lunch at 蚕耻茅产别肠鈥檚 aquarium. There are 10,000 animals spread over 100 acres of tanks and pools. While kids love the fishies, the aquarium is also a great opportunity for parents to learn about 蚕耻茅产别肠鈥檚 fascinating fauna since most of the animals are from nearby habitats. It's free for kids under two.

Take the L茅vis Ferry

The best view of Vieux-蚕耻茅产别肠 and the famous Ch芒teau Frontenac hotel isn鈥檛 from the city center, but from the St. Lawrence River while traveling on the . The commuter ferry is a pleasant 12-minute ride and tickets are cheap (free for kids under five).

Benjo

This shop in the newer part of 蚕耻茅产别肠 City isn鈥檛 simply a toy store, it鈥檚 a toy extravaganza, with a huge selection of children鈥檚 books, toys and candy spread over 20 departments. There鈥檚 also a free indoor train for tired little legs.

Best things to do in 蚕耻茅产别肠 City with kids

Terrasse Dufferin

First opened in 1838, Terrasse Dufferin is the hub for visitors to 蚕耻茅产别肠 City and a delightful space for kids to explore. Gaze over the stone wall down at the Saint Lawrence River on one side, and up at the towering Le Ch芒teau Frontenac hotel on the other. In winter, Terrasse Dufferin has a toboggan run where kids and adults have hours of fun.

Chute de Montmorency

Gushing from 83m high (272ft 鈥� nearly 30m/100ft taller than Niagara Falls), 蚕耻茅产别肠鈥檚 Chute de Montmorency are a dramatic sight. Trails and a bridge overtop provide plenty of angles to look at the powerful water and a lot of room for kids to run around. There鈥檚 a playground near the entrance, a 300m-long (984ft) zipline across the canyon in front of the falls, Via Ferrata courses and a gondola to add to the thrill.

Mus茅e de la Civilisation

蚕耻茅产别肠鈥檚 foremost history museum in a gorgeous Basse-Ville building traces the stories of Indigenous peoples in the province and has exhibits specifically designed for kids. One exhibit, , is a funhouse with secret passages, oversized furniture and interactive installations. Kids have reduced fare entry or free if under five.

Carnaval de 蚕耻茅产别肠

The cuddly red-hat-wearing Bonhomme mascot welcomes kids and adults with a big smile and open arms to the world鈥檚 largest winter carnival. is at the same time as Mardi Gras and Rio de Janeiro鈥檚 Carnaval (late January to early February) and has the same origin story: a Catholic celebration of the days before Lent. However, 蚕耻茅产别肠鈥檚 Carnaval is decidedly more kid-friendly than other popular carnavals, with slides, ice sculptures, live performances and competitions. Yes, it gets very, very cold, with temperatures dropping below 0掳F at night, so be sure to wear warm clothes 鈥� a cup of steamy hot chocolate always helps.

脡谤颈肠辞 Chocolate Museum

Speaking of chocolate, on lovely Rue Saint-Jean is a small shop that sells delicious artisanal truffles and ice cream. The store also has a small museum detailing the history and production of chocolate, with cacao beans and tools on display. The museum isn鈥檛 big 鈥� it鈥檒l take maybe 15 minutes to go through 鈥� but it鈥檚 a good way to break up the day with a sugar boost.

Wendake

North of 蚕耻茅产别肠 City, the Indigenous community of Wendake celebrates the history of the Huron-Wendat Nation with a recreated Longhouse where as many as 80 people would have lived. There鈥檚 also an informative museum and programming in the Longhouse that includes myths-and-legends storytelling by the fire. Don鈥檛 miss , an auditory and visual experience that tells Huron-Wendat creation stories amongst the trees.

Village Vacances Valcartier

Further north, is a giant waterpark with slides, a wave pool and the extraordinary (Ice Hotel) in winter. It鈥檚 possible to visit the Ice Hotel without staying the night (it gets pretty cold) 鈥� traditional Valcartier rooms are more suited for families.

M茅ga Parc

No matter when you visit 蚕耻茅产别肠 City, get a taste of winter at , which has a 228-meter (750ft) circular skating rink. M茅ga Parc also hosts a carousel, bumper cars, arcade games and more.

Best things to do in 蚕耻茅产别肠 City with tweens and teenagers

Arbraska Chauveau

Swing like Tarzan from treetop to treetop (if he was connected by a safety line) at this not far from downtown. It's located in a beautiful natural habitat and also features year-round ziplines, cave tours, a giant trampoline, and chalets if you want to stay overnight.

La Citadelle

Mostly built in the 17th century, 蚕耻茅产别肠鈥檚 Citadelle is a massive military fortress meant to fend off an American invasion that never came. Today, the impressive compound is an active military base for the Canadian Army鈥檚 only French regiment and hosts tours that take visitors inside the bunkers. The adjoining museum provides an overview of Canadian military history, including uniforms, music (queue the bagpipes), and a description of Canada鈥檚 role in the two World Wars.

Planning tips

• 蚕耻茅产别肠 starts getting cold in September and stays chilly until June. The deepest months of winter do get pretty icy, but don鈥檛 let the cold deter you. There鈥檚 something particularly enchanting about 蚕耻茅产别肠 City in winter, with the snow amplifying the sound of crunching beneath your feet. Just be sure to bundle up.

• Renting a bike is a fun way to get around when there鈥檚 no snow on the ground. has bikes to rent and can recommend trails based on age and experience.