Family-Friendly Quebec City

My first full day in Quebec City did not disappoint. I traveled in and around the city and visited some of the most popular family-friendly attractions. Two of the attractions were Parc de la Chute-Montmorency and Aquarium du Quebec. Both are suitable for children of all ages and were even budget friendly.

While Quebec may seem very European, it will not hurt your wallet the way the Euro does. Many of the local museums, pools and parks are free of charge.

Of course in the winter, the snow is always free! 😉

Parc de la Chute-Montmorency

Located 5 miles east of Quebec City, Parc de la Chute-Montmorency is a site not to be missed. The main attraction here is Montmorency Falls.  At 272 feet, this waterfall is 100 feet higher than Niagara Falls!

The whole area is amazingly beautiful.

Open year round, the park can be explored by foot or cable car. Cable car hours are limited in winter months, but are open daily in the summer. Rates start at $4.50 (one way) for a child, and $8.75 (one way) for an adult.

There is a foot bridge at the top of the falls. Unfortunately, it was a bit too cold and windy on this day to make the trek across.

Bridal Veil Falls- smaller waterfall at the entrance of the site.

The falls can be observed on the terrace at Mortmorency Manoir, or from inside the fine dining restaurant.

View from the terrace...

I can only imagine how beautiful this looks in the Spring and Summer.

Aquarium du Quebec

Coming from Florida, I've seen a lot of aquariums. However, there were a few things at Aquarium du Quebec that I've never seen before.

The first being snow...at an aquarium! That alone made this a unique experience. 🙂

On the day of our visit it was really cold. I think this was the coldest cold I have ever felt.

It's so cold that the polar bears live in actual snow- outside!  I know this sounds crazy, but the only polar bears I've ever seen have been encased in glass in a temperature controlled room.

Even the Arctic Seals are outside. I guess this shows how cold Quebec gets in the winter!

Inside, the aquarium is home to almost 10,000 fish, reptiles, amphibians and marine mammals. You enter the aquarium through a huge tunnel where you are surrounded by sea life.

Another fun feature is the contact area in the Coastal Zone. Select tanks allow you to touch the marine animals inside.

The kids really seemed to enjoy this.

Here is something you don't see everyday-- a blue lobster! I can't recall ever seeing a blue lobster before.

These lobsters aren't even 1 in a million, they are 1 in 2 million! It's a genetic abnormality similar to albinism.

Due to time limits, I only got a taste of the aquarium. Other areas include the walrus tank, arctic garden, wetlands, water games and playground.

General admission to the aquarium is $16.50 for adults, $8.25 for a child 3-17 and free for 2 and under. Family passes also available.

Next stop on my adventure is Hotel de Glace, also known as the Ice Hotel.

Many thanks to Quebec City Tourism for hosting my visit.