Hotel Palace Royal - Quebec

Originally posted on Google Reviews.

A couple of times a year our family with two small children take time off for a short family vacation. This time we took a last minute hotel deal in Hotel Palace Royal in Quebec City and stayed in a basic double bed room from Sunday to Monday. We were attracted to the hotel's very good location (in Old Quebec, close to restaurants and services), nice pool, hot tub, gym, and sauna. The hotel and the room itself were very calm and clean, great for a family with small kids. However, the room was smaller than we thought, overlooked big city buildings, and had pretty high beds which we managed to re-organize for the safety reasons for our kids. Overall we had a wonderful stay and the standard of the hotel and the service from the staff were good. We would be glad to stay over again!

Baby Shower - Boy

Carrot Cake

Parc Jean-Drapeau and Biosphere - out of season

This beautiful park can be visited also "out of season". During summer time and winter time, many activities and festivals are organized in the park situated in Saint-Helene Island in the Saint-Lawrence River. However, during autumn and spring seasons, you can take a walk and enjoy the Biosphere and the beautiful view of Montreal calmly with your family. The Biosphere is an architectural, partly failed masterpiece which marked the Expo 67 held in Montreal in 1967. It is a very beautiful monument, a target of many photographers, and a "must" to see if visiting Montreal. The environmental Museum inside the monument can be interesting for kids, but when visited as an adult (without kids) many years ago, it was unfortunately a deception for me. However, whether you go and visit the Museum or not, this is a place to see with your family and a great free activity to do during a beautiful autumn or spring day.   

Ice Skating

This winter activity is fun! And you do not need to know yourself how to ice-skate with small kids! :-) I went to try ice-skating first time with my 3-year-old and was amazed how she loved it, even though it was very hard for her! There are many ice-skating parcs in Montreal, but we tried the safe and secure Parc de la Fontaine, as you can rent ice-skates there. With 15$ you can have a whole kit to your kid (skates, helmet and support) for 3 hours (I assure you this is enough!). You just need to choose a nice and not so cold day, and you will be given to your kids a wonderful winter experience! As it was her first time, I did not rent ice-skates for myself. But we had fun! And last, but not least, we ended our experience with a hot chocolate at the restaurant upstairs (you can bring your own food too!).

Grand Christmas market - Downtown

The Grand Christmas Market of Montreal, to be held in downtown (Quartier des spectacles) after the Santa Claus Parade in December is an event to visit with kids. Just to walk around and look all the small butiques and decoration can make you feel the Christmas even though it's cold and dark outside. You can even enjoy the karaoke in a warm and wintry tent and be amazed by the biggest Christmas tree in North America. This activity itself is free, as many other Christmas activities in downtown of Montreal, but you can spend some money on hot chocolate or some sweets at the market place.And do not forget warm clothes, especially for kids, as in all wintry events in Montreal!

Winter Kindom - Complexe Desjardins

 

As winters are cold in Montreal, many activities are organized indoors. Complexe Desjardis turned this year (2016) on Winter wonderland for one month before Christmas. The families could enjoy many small activities, water fountain, and a stunning light show every evening. This activity is free, but you can spend some money on food (as there is a food quarter) and on parking. On weekdays, the Complexe can be calmer, as many business and government buildings surround it, but over the weekends you can get lost in the crowd.

Santa Claus Parade - Countdown for Christmas

If you have small kids, this is a must event in Montreal. Mid-November, a Christmas parade is organized (this year 2016 - 66th edition!) on a Saturday afternoon in the city center (Ste-Catherine Street and Place-des-Arts). The parade lasts couple of hours, is free and a lot of fun. And what a joy kids have in the end when the "king of the party", Santa Claus, starts to appear over the horizon! Our 3-year old could not hold herself anymore (the baby was though sleeping) and the happiness in her face once she waived to Santa was overwhelming :-)