10 best family activities in Québec for summer

In summer it only takes seven hours to fly direct from the UK to Montréal, Canada’s second largest city and gateway to gorgeous Québec: the country’s largest province, where French is the first language, natural beauty doesn’t know when to stop and the unique culture blend couldn’t be more authentic or generously shared.

Easy to reach and easy to get around, Québec is the perfect province for nature explorers and urban adventurers. It’s kid-friendly from cool campgrounds to heritage hotels, and packed with the type of unique experiences destined to go down in family history as part of the best holiday ever.

But since it’s also one of the largest Canadian provinces, you could probably use a little local know-how to help with planning where to stay and where to go on a family holiday. So here are the top 10 family activities tried and tested by the experts at QuébecOriginal and all highly recommended for the summer. Families can also find out what the locals have to say about this extraordinary Canadian province they’re lucky enough to call home.

10. See scenic Québec on a thrilling seaplane flight

With its great swathes of forest, scattered with no less than 150 lakes, not to mention waterfalls, pools and rivers, Parc National de la Mauricie is an amazing family adventure on the ground. But nothing on earth is quite as stunning as the overview of this quintessential Québec landscape from aboard one of the fantastic local seaplanes.

Catch a flight with the experts at Hydravion Aventure and glide over the woodlands and waterways of La Mauricie, watch the legendary St Lawrence River valley unfold beneath you, spot shy residents of wildlife reserves, and glimpse tantalising hints of Québec’s magnificent northern wilderness in the distance. It’s an unforgettable experience for kids, and flights range from a fun 30 minutes right up to the expansive 75 minute voyage: complete with in-flight narration and personal headphones.    

Where

Hydravion Aventure, Saint-Étienne-des-Grès, Québec

Opening hours and prices

From May to October, three flights daily, 8am to 9pm

Scenic Flight, 30 minutes, Adult from £56 and under 12 from £45

Where to stay

Hôtel Sacacomie, Saint-Alexis-des-Monts . A Luxury lakeside lodge in forest setting close to Parc National de la Mauricie

Family room with forest views, from £170 per night (based on a family of four)

How to get there

Hydravion Aventure is one hour, 45 minutes’ drive north east of Montréal on Autoroute 40N. Otherwise, take a seaplane transfer directly to your hotel in the region of Québec Authentique.

Find out more about Scenic Seaplane Flights in Québec for summer

9. Meet the whales in Baie-Sainte-Catherine and Tadoussac

No less than 13 species of large marine mammals make their home in Québec’s waters and enchanting belugas are in permanent residence, year round, in the St. Lawrence River. When the province says it’s one of the best places in the world to watch whales, there’s no argument.

For the best of the best, catch a zodiac cruise from Baie-Sainte-Catherine in summer. Piloted by a naturalist captain and with as few as 24 passengers on board, these legendary dinghies bring you as close as can be to the legends of the deep, in complete safety and comfort. Cruises last for two hours and sightings of anything from humpbacks whales to dolphins are as good as guaranteed.

Alternatively, fit a great Québécois road trip into your holiday and follow the Whale Route stretching along the St Lawrence river banks from Tadoussac to Blanc-Sablon. It’s marked by blue and white signs and has over 25 whale-centred destinations to aim for so even the shortest drives are big on rewards.   

Where

AML Cruises, Baie-Sainte-Catherine and Tadoussac, Québec

Times and costs

June to September, daily cruises at 7.30 am and 4pm

Two hour cruise, family of four, £173.

Where to stay

Hôtel Tadoussac, Tadoussac . A Heritage hotel with pool and kids club, overlooking Tadoussac Bay, family room from £107 per night (based on family of four)

Gite la Maison Rochefort, Baie-Sainte-Catherine. A quaint bed and breakfast that overlooks the St Lawrence River and serves a delicious breakfast of homemade ingredients. A family room from £59 per night (based on family of four)

How to get there

Baie-Sainte-Catherine is two hours, 30 minutes drive from Québec City on QC-138E

Find out more about AML Whale Watching Cruises in Québec for summer

8. Experience enchantment in Foresta Lumina

Leave any cynicism you have about ‘magical’ experiences at the entrance to Foresta Lumina, it’s spellbinding. Imagine a night-walk through one of Québec’s dense and mysterious forests in the Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook, illuminated by fireflies and fairy lights, illustrated with myths and legends, and accompanied by ethereal music every step of the way. The trail follows the footsteps of a young girl called Margaret who lived near the forest of Coaticook decades ago and was blessed with an uncommon gift; she could see what others could not see. Today, her soul still breathes in these woods.

The entire route is just under three kilometres, but it’s scattered with interactive fun so leave at least a couple of hours to let kids try everything from playing instruments with their feet to drawing on vast walls with luminous chalk, daring across mist-wreathed bridges, and gazing in awe-struck wonder at the fantastic characters who make their home in this curious and captivating, one-of-a-kind, forest.

Where

Foresta Lumina, Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook, Québec

Opening hours and prices

From June to October 2018

22 June to 2 September, every day from 8.30pm

7 September to 13 October, Friday and Saturday from 7pm

Adults, £9. Six to 15 year olds, £5. Under sixes, free 

Where to stay

Manoir Hovey off the lake Massawippi in Eastern Township  

Stunning Relais & Chateaux lakeside property with a range of accommodation starting at £300 per night

For the more adventurous try Ready-to-Camp Tents, Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook Camping Village

Fully-equipped family tents from £57 per night (based on a family of four)

How to get there

Foresta Lumina is two hours’ drive east of Montréal on Autoroute 100 or 30 minute drive from Manoir Hovey

Find out more about the light shows on offer in Québec

7. Sea kayak Québec’s fabulous fjords en-famille

Québec does scenic grandeur as easily as breathing, but even here, few places are quite as spectacular as Parc National du Fjord-du-Saguenay: heartland of immense glacial fjords, dramatic cliffs, silent bays and sea kayaking.    

Naturally, if you want to kayak alone, you need experience and good navigational skills. But this gloriously wild park is amazingly accessible too, and guided kayaking expeditions round stunning Baie-Éternité are awesome for first timers, and reassuringly safe and comfortable, without compromising on the local scenery. They’re also a great way to respect one of Québec’s finest traditions: low-impact adventuring for all.   

Where

Baie-Éternité, Parc National du Fjord-du-Saguenay, Québec

Opening hours and prices

Park open all year

From June to October there are a range of operators offering guided sea kayak tours. A family sea kayaking tour for two adults and two children costs from £78

Where to stay

Echo Cabin in the Fjord-du-Saguenay. Brand new cabins with large windows, fire pits and secluded outdoor spaces, perfect for family stays that want to connect back to nature

Charming one bedroom family cabins in Parc National du Fjord-du-Saguenay

From £90 per night (based on a family of four)

How to get there

Parc National du Fjord-du-Saguenay is two hours, 55 minutes drive north east of

Québec City on QC-175N

Find out more about guided sea kayaking tours in Québec

6. Mont-Tremblant for fabulous zipline adventures

Québec could well lay claim to being the ziplining capital of Canada, so when you want the lengthiest lines, incredible 360˚ views, awesome technology and expert guides, this is where to find all that and more.   

One of the many ziplining highlights of the province includes Ziptrek Ecotour conveniently located within the quaint pedestrian village of Tremblant. An awe inspiring journey that allows you to soar high above the trees and experience one of the most spectacular zipline courses in the world. It’s the ultimate zipline tour experience – zipping from the summit of Mont-Tremblant back down to the pedestrian village. Featuring five distinct and spectacular ziplines that total almost 4km in length, this epic experience caters to both youngsters and adults, converting even the timid into daredevils. With excellent equipment and amenities as well as friendly and professional staff, this experience is a must when in the Laurentians region.

Where

Ziptrek’s course is located right on the signature mountain of Mont-Tremblant resort

Opening hours and prices

From May to December, 8.30am to 5pm

Ziptrek (3 hours), children from 7-15 , from £45

Ziptrek (3 hours), 15 or over, from £58

Where to stay

Stay in one of the many Tremblant resorts in the fabulous Pedestrian Village. Suites, Condos and hotel rooms perfect for families

How to get there

Conveniently located within Mont-Tremblant resort, the Ziptrek ecotours centre is located five minutes’ walk from any accommodation in the village

Mont-Tremblant Village is one hour, 30 minutes’ drive north of Montréal on Autoroute 15N

Find out more about ziplining in Québec

5. Go wild for Québec’s wildlife at Bioparc de la Gaspésie

Spotting wildlife in nature takes patience and, since that’s not a trait most kids are known for, Bioparc de la Gaspésie is the perfect solution. Here, animals from over 40 different species live in natural environments, divided into five unique eco-systems, all explored on one fascinating 1.5km long trail. Every wild resident is native to Québec, so kids can expect encounters with black bear and bobcats, mighty moose, grey wolf, river otter, raccoon, beaver and woodland caribou, to name but a few.

Leave plenty of space in your plans for the famously good fun animal feeding events, along with time to visit the Insectarium and Reptile Pavilion, as well as the charming Little Farm. And during summer, you can even go wild after dark as the Bioparc stays open until 9pm on full-moon evenings.   

Where

Bioparc de la Gaspésie, Bonaventure, Québec

Opening hours and prices

June to October, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Adults, £14. Children from three to 14 years, £8.  

Where to stay

Seaside Cottages, Bioparc de la Gaspésie. Two and three bedroom beach cottages on Chaleur Bay

From £99 per night, minimum two night stay (based on family of four).

How to get there

Bioparc de la Gaspésie is seven hours drive from Québec City on Autoroute 20E

Find out more about Bioparc de la Gaspésie

4. Family fun 1920s style in historic Val-Jalbert

Way back in the 1920s, Val-Jalbert was a model ‘company town’ and one of the first in the Province of Québec to have electricity and running water. Today it’s a beautifully restored heritage village, packed with tales of the past, along with pretty buildings, traditional trolley buses, and old fashioned businesses, still working as hard as ever.

Take one of the entertaining guided tours, catch fun theatrical performances, tuck into hearty local cooking, and don’t forget to bring your walking boots: not only is Val-Jalbert a charming, time-stood-still town, it’s surrounded by well marked hiking trails. Make it your mission to climb up to at least one of the five famous viewpoints, and don’t miss the spectacular Ouiatchouan Falls – they’re taller than Niagara.  

Where

Village Historique de Val-Jalbert, Chambord, Québec

When

Open year round, with a summer-long event programme

Where to stay

Period Houses, General Store or even some Mini-Cottages, Village Historique de Val-Jalbert

One bedroom family cottages from £71 per night (based on a family of four)

How to get there

Val-Jalbert is two hours, 40 minutes drive north of Québec City on QC-175N and QC-169

Find out more about Village Historique de Val-Jalbert in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean

3. Feast at Montréal First Friday Food Trucks

Québec doesn’t have a cut-off point when it comes to summer festivals. You can celebrate anything in Montréal from the Montréal Circus Festival (Montréal Complètement Cirque) and the Festival d’été de Québec summer festival in Québec City, Canada’s largest outdoor music event, both in July to the gorgeous Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival at the end of August.

But whatever you do, don’t miss First Friday Food Trucks: it’s the country’s biggest food truck event, now in its fifth year, and held on the first Friday of every month in the heart of Montréal. Go for the fabulous eats, hang out for the live music, and stay late to soak up the incredible atmosphere. Family-friendly and fun for kids, from toddlers to teens.  

Where

First Friday Food Trucks at Parc Olympique

Opening hours and prices

First Friday of every month, from May to October

Where to stay

Le Centre Sheraton Montréal Hotel. A Lux family hotel in Downtown district, Deluxe Family Room from £183 per night (based on a family of four)

Find out more about First Friday Food Trucks in Montréal for summer

2. Cycle VéloVolant, the world’s highest tree canopy route

Québec loves cycling: 12,000km of cycle paths criss-cross the province, the 5,000km long Route Verte network of bike paths is the longest in North America, and you can even cycle through the treetops here, on VéloVolant: Canada’s only tree canopy bike route, and the highest in the world.

Stretching for 1,000m over the spectacular Missisquoi River Valley, VéloVolant lets you soar above leafy maples and majestic pines on fun, recumbent cycles. The bikes only go as fast as you pedal, so you can zip along, or sit back and admire the view. And from vast waterfalls and immense ravines to the glorious Green Mountains of Vermont, there’s always something astonishing to admire.

Where

VéloVolant, Au Diable Vert, Glen Sutton, Québec

Opening hours and prices

From May to November, 10am to 5pm

Adults, £28

Children 12 to 17 years, £20

(20% discount for overnight guests at Au Diable Vert)

Where to stay

Choose one of the three Mountain View Rustic Cabins or stay in a Treehouse for those thrill seekers

Cosy family cabin, sleeps up to eight, starting from £102 per night (based on family of four)

How to get there

One hour and 30 minutes drive south east of Montréal on Autoroute 10E

Find out more about VéloVolant in the Eastern Townships

1. Fun it out at Canada’s largest theme park

Not only is La Ronde the biggest amusement park in Canada, it’s the only one in Québec and part of the fabulous Six Flags family, so you can look forward to a combo of good old fashioned family fun, glittering shows, and plenty of record breaking white-knuckle action.

It’s only a short bus journey from the centre of Montréal, but sits on an island, which only adds to the excitement. Not that 40 plus rides, including the mammoth Goliath rollercoaster, really need any extra help on that front. Teens can expect thrills on a minute-by-minute basis, toddlers have heaps of pint-size attractions to keep them happy, and year-round events work the magic for everyone from Grandparents Day in June to Fright Fest for Halloween.

Where

La Ronde, Île Saint-Hélène, Montréal, Québec

Opening hours and prices

From April to October

Open 7-days in June, July and mid-August from 11am to 9pm.

Open Saturday and Sunday in late August, September and October from 11am to 7pm

Day Tickets from £33

Where to stay

Le Germain Hôtel, Montréal. A Chic, family-friendly hotel in the heart of Montréal’s lively Downtown district

Family suite from £182 per night (based on a family of four)

How to get there

La Ronde Amusement Park is 40 minutes by bus from Downtown Montréal

Find out more about La Ronde Amusement Park in Montréal

Want to know more about summer in Québec, planning a family holiday, where to stay and where to go? Head to QuébecOriginal and hear what the locals have to say about the extraordinary Canadian province they’re lucky enough to call home.