OT - Please help, graduation trip to Quebec City

[tc's disney mom]

Hi,

My daughter is graduating from high school on June 1st, and she will be majoring in French in college. I would like to plan a short trip to Quebec City for this summer, but I'm in the very early stages of learning about Quebec City, and I would appreciate any help that you can give! We would be driving from the Philadephia PA area (we applied for passports, but they have not arrived yet, so I don't believe we can look at air travel.) Also, money will be a consideration, since we will also have college expenses in the fall. We would be able to travel at any time during the summer. If you have any ideas for where to stay, what to see, weeks that would be best/worse to go, I would really appreciate it!

Thanks very much in advance!

 

[Sammyjo]

I live in Quebec. My advice, stay near of old Quebec : http://www.hiltonquebec.com/en/accueilAff.asp

My favorite date is during the festival of summer of Quebec 5-15 July : http://www.infofestival.com/en/index.asp

What to do in Quebec : http://www.quebecheritage.com/en/museal.html

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Quebec City is a wonderful historic place to spend some time during the summer. Might I recommend the Restaurant aux Anciens Canadiens on St. Louis Street inside the walls of the Old City? Check out the lunch menu -- a wonderful array of choices for only $14.95. I would wholeheartedly recommend the Lac St-Jean meat pie made with wild meats.

Breakfast at a Creperie is another experience that is not to be missed. Be sure to explore the Lower City, as well, with its tight streets closed to vehicles and steep stairways (the Funiculaire is definitely the way to get back up to the upper city). The Quebec Museum of Civilization is an enjoyable way to spend some time during the day.

You may tour La Citadelle -- a operational Canadian Armed Forces base within the walls of the Old City, and the 2nd home of Canada's Governor-General, the Queen of Canada's official representative here.
We found the Frommers guide to be an excellent value with walking tours included.

 

[tc's disney mom]

Thank you so much for these replies! I told my daughter about this trip idea, and she is very happy about it!

I would love to stay at the Hilton, but I think it may be too expensive for our budget right now. (We did stay at the Hilton at Niagara Falls, and that hotel was one of the nicest we've ever stayed at.) Is anyone familiar with the Courtyard by Marriott in Quebec City? This would be more affordable for us.

Thanks again!

 

[dsneygirl]

Be sure to check out what hotels you can get for cheap on Priceline.com. Go to BiddingForTravel.com and find their section for Quebec. People are reporting getting 3* or 4* hotel rooms for $65-$75 a night. Before bidding on Priceline, you'll want to carefully read over all the information in the FAQ section at biddingfortravel: http://p070.************/Hotels/fpricelineandexpediabiddinghotels

 

[FrenchSnowWhite]

There's many hotels in Quebec city! Look at Best Western/ Choice hotels/ Holiday Inn.

They will all lead you to nice hotels in Quebec city.

Because you're right Hilton is way toooo expensive

If you want some specific help, please pm me, I'll be glad to help, I'm 2 hrs away from Quebec!

 

[rewok]

If you go during the week, be sure to try out the fancy restaurants for lunch, SO affordable, and food is same quality, albeit choice is more limited. One favourite is Gambrinus, just across Chateau Frontenac, nice lunch menu, small terrace, and affordable. I also like L'Entrecote St-Jean for steaks, quite affordable at night, and they can cook the steak how I ask! Soup, salad, steak & fries, small dessert and coffee between 23$ and 29$ depending on steak size. Beware also of restaurants on Grande-Allée with those nice looking terraces, they are for TOURISTS! Meaning food quality is not so great, and prices are not a bargain either. Even us got caught once (French speaking frequent visitors), tired after a long day of walking, menu didn't look so bad, you know!

No need for a car here, Old Quebec is great just to walk over and enjoy the atmosphere and sights. Check out the little street, go down "l'escalier Casse-Cou" (Neck Breaking Stairs!), You can also visit the Citadelle (they offer tours both in French and English) and see the Plaines d'Abraham. As far as museums go I enjoy the Civilizations museum, they usually have an interesting feature exposition.

I've stayed at Chateau Bellevue, small centrally located hotel, very affordable in the winter, not sure about prices in summer thought. And used B&B with success for summer, but most of them are a 20 minutes walk from the Old Town. If you'll consider them, I can give out 2 address. It's pretty cheap, 75$ a night with breakfast included, for a room for 2 (not parking, we paid park a few blocks away).

Just be prepared that some people do not to understand or speak English perfectly, but usually it's manageable (I think!, I'm French so no real hands-on experience... but I did sit down at breakfast in B&Bs with Americans, and they were happy with their experience) and with your daughter college French, you're at an advantage!

As you can see, I love to visit Quebec city, and we try to go for a romantic week-end once a year, it's just 3h from home. I'll be happy to answer your questions.

 

[tc's disney mom]

Hi everyone! I'm the OP's daughter, and I just want to thank you all for your advice! I'm really looking forward to this trip--there are so few places in the U.S. to practice French, and I've heard Quebec City is beautiful

Pour les francophones, je vais essayer d'ecrire en francais
Merci beaucoup, tout le monde! Je suis la fille de "OP." Merci en particulieur aux quebecois/quebecoises pour les conseils. J'etuderai le francais a l'universite, et ca serait fantastique de parler un peu avec des francophones, et de voir Quebec en meme temps!

 

[FrenchSnowWhite]

Hi everyone! I'm the OP's daughter, and I just want to thank you all for your advice! I'm really looking forward to this trip--there are so few places in the U.S. to practice French, and I've heard Quebec City is beautiful

Pour les francophones, je vais essayer d'ecrire en francais
Merci beaucoup, tout le monde! Je suis la fille de "OP." Merci en particulieur aux quebecois/quebecoises pour les conseils. J'etuderai le francais a l'universite, et ca serait fantastique de parler un peu avec des francophones, et de voir Quebec en meme temps!

For your dd:

Tu es très bonne en français écrit en tout cas!! Si jamais tu as envie de parler ou écrire en français, ça me fera un réel plaisir de parler avec toi!
On pourra parler de Disney!!!

A bientôt! Manon from Montreal !

 

[rewok]

tc's disney mom, for your DD as well:

Moi aussi, je te donne mes félicitations pour ton français, il est vraiment excellent! Et profite bien de ton voyage pour te pratiquer à parler avec des Québécois, l'accent sera peut-être un peu différent cependant.

 

[tc's disney mom]

Thanks again to everyone for the replies! And my daughter would like to thank you for the replies in French, she was so happy to receive them!

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I would also recommend the Chateau Laurier Hotel in Quebec City, just outside the Port St. Louis -- my wife and friends have stayed there twice while I camped out on the Plains of Abraham at an historical re-enactment.

 

[FrenchSnowWhite]

Thanks again to everyone for the replies! And my daughter would like to thank you for the replies in French, she was so happy to receive them!

Bienvenue!!! that means you're welcome!

 

[Kazzy1548]

You may find it intimidating to be in a place filled with people who don't speak english, but you'll find the french-canadian people to be very welcoming and friendly. If you get a chance, try our local speciality called "poutine".

Bonne chance avec ton voyage, amuse toi bien.

Kazzy

 

[RoyalCanadian]

You may find it intimidating to be in a place filled with people who don't speak english, but you'll find the french-canadian people to be very welcoming and friendly. If you get a chance, try our local speciality called "poutine".

Bonne chance avec ton voyage, amuse toi bien.

Kazzy

I have never once run into anyone working in the hospitality industry (stores, restaurants, hotels, etc., etc.) in Quebec City who couldn't speak English fluently.

 

[Skyscraper]

You should check tripadvisor . co m and type quebec city, tons of reviews for the hotels.

Be sure to check if the hotel has a pool and conditionned air, a lot of older hotels don't and it can be very humid and hot in Quebec city.

Be sure to take the ferry between Quebec city and the south shore. The best view of Quebec is from the ferry and it's very cheap.


The Montmorency waterfall is quite impressive, higher than Niagara Falls and only an easy 5 minute drive from downtown.


Les Anciens Canadiens restaurant is my favorite in Quebec city and I highly recommend it too.

Try Duck cutlet braised in maple syrup sauce, my favorite meal in the world. It may be expensive, but it's worth it.

Ghost tour of Quebec city is real fun too.




You can visit the highest skyscraper in Quebec city, there's an observatory at the last floor.

Eat one Beaver tails (Queues de castor) ! It's way better than funnel cakes


If you have any questions, feel free to ask me, I've lived in Quebec city for 23 years !

Have a nice trip !

 

[tc's disney mom]

Oh, I love Beaver tails, we used to get them at the Canada pavillion at Epcot. We will be sure to get them on this trip!

I'm still looking at hotels, and trying to keep the costs down. We will be driving from Philadelphia, about 11 hours I believe. I'm wondering (in true Disney money saving fashion) should we try to stay at a hotel on the outskirts of Quebec City on the first night, to try to save some money? Then the next morning, we could check in to a hotel near to the old city? If you have any ideas for a good first night hotel, that would be great. We would be travelling on Autoroute 20 north toward Quebec City.

Thanks again to everyone!

 

[Skyscraper]

Look for Sainte-Foy hotels on tripadvisor.com, it's less than a 10minute drive from the Old City, with free parking and mega shopping malls.

I think you should bid on Priceline for a 4 star hotel category because the only hotel that people win is the Loews Le Concorde in Quebec city. Awesome location, just outside the city walls but in front of the battlefieds park. The hotel is very luxurious and you can obtain it for arount 80$ bucks on priceline, maybe less or maybe more, it depends on what dates you travel.

What are your dates ? It will be easier for me to help you choose an hotel.

 

[Skyscraper]

But before bidding on Priceline for a 4 star in Quebec city, I would call the Lowes Le Concorde and ask them if all their room have been renovated, if not, I would not bid for a 4 star but for a 3 star. Looks on biddingfortravel.com and betterbidding.com for hotel you might get on priceline in quebec city.

 

[Skyscraper]

I totally forgot !
The most beautiful toy store in Canada, Benjo, at St-Joseph street, near St-Roch park. (lower town near the old-port).
flickr.com/photos/marieguerette/20784112/

Eat at Cora for breakfast one morning just in front of Park St-Roch, then explore the park and St-Joseph street and Benjo toy store then go to the Old Port farmer's market, you'll like it.