Canada

Quebec City with Kids: 25 Things To Do in Old Quebec and Beyond

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 09/07/2019 - 2:15pm

Quebec City is often touted as a European vacation alternative—a picturesque city where you can walk cobblestone streets, sit in bistros, and order in French without a transatlantic plane ticket. Yes, Quebec’s old town streets are quaint and pedestrian-friendly, but families should visit Quebec City because it’s full of wonderful and unique attractions and culture in its own right.

As the only walled city in North America and a Unesco World Heritage site, this Canadian city is full of history. Yet, the best things to do in Quebec City also include modern attractions, such as family-friendly museums, an indoor amusement park, and lots of great outdoor spaces, parks, and festivals that make it a fun place to visit.

Read on to discover the top things to do in Quebec City with kids. Then make sure to read about our top picks for Quebec City restaurants for families.

Best Family Travel of 2018: Great Cities, Beaches, Hotels, and Memories

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Sat, 12/22/2018 - 2:00pm

Our Mommy Poppins families really traveled this year! We scoped out some amazing cities with our kids in tow, from New Orleans to Santa Barbara, up to Vancouver and over to Chicago.

There were some epic science museums to explore, Christmas towns to make us cheery, gorgeous beaches, fun at amusement parks, and of course, a slew of entertaining family-friendly resorts, from Mexico and the Caribbean to Los Angeles and New England ski resorts.

So if you’re planning your next family vacation, take a look at our favorite destinations from the last year, including these warmer climates for February or spring break. In each profile, we highlight the most kid-friendly activities and events and let you know what to skip with toddlers or what to see with the teens.

Vancouver With Kids: 30 Great Things To Do as a Family

Submitted by Thien August on Sat, 08/11/2018 - 1:20pm

One of Canada’s most ethnically diverse and densely populated cities, Vancouver, British Columbia is the crown jewel of the country's West Coast.

Less than an hour by car from the border with the United States, Vancouver is the gateway to the Pacific Rim and draws visitors from all over the world. It’s not just the city’s location that makes people flock there, but also the stunning backdrop of mountains, temperate weather, and world-class parks and amenities.

With the ocean and mountains within a short drive, Vancouver is a veritable outdoor playground. This cosmopolitan city is waiting for your next adventure. With a favorable exchange rate in Canadian dollars, free public parks, and an easy-to-navigate public transportation system, Vancouver offers great value and seemingly endless and unforgettable experiences.

25 Ways To Enjoy the Beauty of Banff with Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sat, 02/17/2018 - 2:00pm

Nestled in the Canadian Rockies is the majestic town of Banff. Built as a tourist destination on the Canadian Pacific Railway, this charming mountain town has entertained the likes of royalty, presidents, and my entire crazy, extended family for a whole week. Our family trip to Canada was definitely one for the memory books.

25 Best Things To Do in Ottawa, Canada with Kids

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Mon, 02/20/2017 - 9:27am

Even if you are not considering a post-election move north, Canada’s bilingual capital is a fine family vacation. Ottawa beckons with a full plate of both indoor and outdoor activities all year, so don’t dismiss a winter visit. Be sure to pack the long underwear because residents don’t let tundra-style weather keep them indoors.

As Canada’s capital, this city is a showplace for the country, so the feel is similar to Washington, D.C., with a fine array of national museums and cultural offerings to complement the active adventures. It’s urban, but the manageable size, expansive green spaces and excellent public transportation makes it easy to navigate. As the government seat, the dashing young Prime Minister has been spotted at local playgrounds with his kids and participating in the weekly free yoga class on Parliament’s lawn, so look forward to the possibility of excellent political eye-candy.

Ottawa is closer than you might think, a one hour flight or seven hour, 336-mile drive from New York City. Here’s our guide to the best family activities in town.

Niagara Falls: Family Bucket List Vacation Spot

Submitted by Roberta B on Sat, 07/09/2016 - 1:05pm

If you breathe oxygen, it's on your bucket list. Heck, there are probably even some alien life forms out there that want to take their kids to Niagara Falls. It would be hard to overstate the breathtaking power and natural beauty of this international landmark, the first of our national parks, but I'll do my best.

I was lucky enough to stumble, with a little good advice, onto an itinerary as easy as a vacation should be, allowing our family to see Niagara Falls from above and below, from in front and behind, by day and by night, from the US and from Canada without waiting more than a few minutes in any line or spending a lot of money. To be fair, we pulled off this feat in June; repeating our movements in July or August might be more crowded, but I still think it will be the path of least resistance. Or you could go to the other extreme and see the Falls in winter, which by all accounts is a whole other kind of magical.

If you have time to explore a few fun things beyond the waterfalls—of which there are overwhelmingly many—there are some great free options. You'll run out of time before you run out of things to do in Niagara.

Head to Canada for Skiing & So Much More at Whistler Blackcomb Resort

Submitted by Mary Beth Lawlor on Sun, 03/29/2015 - 12:04am

There are many reasons to head to our neighbor to the north for a family ski vacation. Whistler Blackcomb, which is a little over two hours from Vancouver, Canada, offers a longer ski season (November through May), a huge variety of terrain and the added benefit of a favorable exchange rate. The enormous ski resort, boasting two mountains and more than 8,100 acres, doesn't feel daunting though. Whistler Blackcomb is incredibly family friendly and offers above average skiing and amenities for children. My son and I recently enjoyed a few days at Whistler Blackcomb and found this ski resort wonderful and accommodating.

Our Best Family Travel of 2014: Top Family Resorts, Beach Towns and Super Cities

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sun, 01/04/2015 - 12:10am

2014 was a great year for travel. Our bloggers visited dozens of southern cities, mountain towns, Caribbean beaches, and kid-friendly resorts so we could share some of the best travel destinations for families with you. We discovered fantastic new beach resorts, revisited great national parks and broadened our horizons at new destinations. Whether you’re planning your next trip, or you just want to do a little armchair travel through our photo galleries, here are our top ten travel destinations from 2014.