The ultimate Quebec family road trip

Traveling the roads of Quebec to discover the great outdoors is the dream of many families, isn't it?

That being said, when you don't know the destination too well, it's quite difficult to design an itinerary without the fear of missing out on the most beautiful places.

Here is the itinerary for the ultimate Quebec road trip to do on your next visit to La Belle Province with the family.
 

Road trip map

Road trip summary

Day 1-2 : Montreal 

Day 1

Welcome to Montreal: a multicultural city, cultivating a sweetness of life that will appeal to the whole family!

After taking setting in your hotel, venture out to the downtown area , this very North American neighborhood where you can find skyscrapers. Change of scenery guaranteed.

Those who need greenery and are too eager to see squirrels (yes, we know you're quite fond of squirrels), bet on one of the many parks in the city.

Pleasant and equipped with play areas for children, Lafontaine , Jarry , Laurier and even Mont-Royal  parks are very popular with families.

Day 2 

For a true Montreal experience, start the day with a nice warm and soft bagel.

Then set off for Old Montreal , the historic district of the city, ideally located on the shore of the St. Lawrence River.

Place Jacques-Cartier , rue Saint-Paul  and the Old Port  are the liveliest corners. You will find many restaurants, cafes, art galleries and souvenir shops, not to mention activities popular with children, such as the Montreal Ferris Wheel  or the Montreal Science Center .

In the afternoon, stroll through the charming streets lined with colorful houses in the Plateau-Mont-Royal .

End the day in style by going to Mont-Royal Park, then to the Kondiaronk belvedere  to admire one of the most beautiful views of Montreal. It is definitely one of the best photo spots in Montreal.

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Day 3-5 : Mauricie  (350 km)

Day 3

Enough of the city, you are here to discover our great outdoors, aren't you?

It is therefore in the morning that you will take off to Mauricie.

With its national park , mountains, forests and countless bodies of water, this region brings together just about all the great Quebec clichés.

Here, a stay in an outfitter  is essential. These isolated wilderness inns are the perfect place to get back to basics.

Fishing, canoeing, wildlife observation: your little adventurers will have the best playground to spend all of their energy.

Day 4

Today, head for Village du Bûcheron , located in the charming municipality of Grandes-Piles .

The site recreates an early 20th century logging camp with several wooden buildings such as a cache, a men's camp, a forge, an office, etc.

All in tales and songs, visitors are transported into the world of Quebec lumberjacks of yesteryear, to the delight of the whole family.

How about ending the day with a seaplane flight ? From up in the air, you will become aware of the true immensity of the region's wilderness: the boreal forest in all its splendor!

Day 5

A stay in Mauricie is not complete without a visit to its national park.

A beautiful panoramic road crosses the park, granting you access to a multitude of belvederes, each with more breathtaking views than the other.

The Passage and Île aux Pins lookout  and Lac Édouard beach  are among the must-do stops.

Families looking for action won't pass up the opportunity to take the ever popular Waber Falls Tour , combining the joys of hiking and canoeing. A trip that will take you between 6 and 8 hours!

Day 6 : Lac-Saint-Jean  (166 km)

This morning, leave early and head for Lac-Saint-Jean, a true inland sea.

The perfect family activity in the region is undoubtedly a visit to the famous Saint-Félicien Zoo .

Here, animals well-being is a priority: you will only find native and exotic Nordic or cold-adapted animals.

The must of the park: the train ride on the nature trail.

You are in captivity as the animals live their lives in freedom. Caribou, moose, wolves, black bears, bison, and musk oxen will parade before your amazed eyes and those of your children.

Bring your camera, you will witness unique animal life scenes!

Day 7-8 : Saguenay Fjord  (208 km)

Jour 7

This morning, before taking the road to the Saguenay Fjord, step back in time and devote your first part of the day to visiting the historic village of Val-Jalbert .

This authentic village from the 1920s is a real open-air museum.

On the program: theatrical events, tour of the village by tram, ascent by sky tram offering a breathtaking view of Lac-Saint-Jean, and of course, the magnificent and imposing Ouiatchouan waterfall .

Then take the road towards Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay , in the Baie-Éternité section ,  located on the south shore of the fjord.

The ideal is to spend the night in the park which offers several accommodation options: camping, ready-to-camp or chalets, there is something for all budgets.

In all cases, bring marshmallows, the children will enjoy roasting them around the fire, while remembering the good memories already accumulated since the beginning of your Quebec travel.

Jour 8 

After a good night's sleep in the heart of nature, put on your hiking boots and set off on the most beautiful trails in the park.

The popular ascent of Cap Trinité  via the du statue trail will offer you a spectacular panorama over the fjord. Allow 3 to 4 hours to complete the hike.

Other, easier trails are also accessible. Head to the park entrance office to get advice from park rangers .

Are you tired of hiking? Other activities are available: Via Ferrata  (my favorite), zodiac or sailboat cruise , sea kayaking excursion  and more!

Day 9-10 : Tadoussac  (134 km)

Day 9

Your road trip continues towards Tadoussac, the oldest village in Canada.

On the road, a few kilometers after leaving Fjord-du-Saguenay National Park, do not miss one of the most beautiful views of the fjord: L’Anse-de-Tabatière . You will get there on a short 10-minute loop trail.

On the way back down, don't miss on the opportunity to stop in the charming and picturesque village of Anse Saint-Jean .

Then venture back on the road to reach Baie-Sainte-Catherine to take the ferry to Tadoussac.

Spend the rest of your day strolling through the village and visiting the shops and various art galleries.

Jour 10

If you are here, you surely know that the Tadoussac region is a unique site in the world for whale watching.

The flagship activity of the day is undoubtedly the whale watching safari .

On a sea kayak, by boat or aboard a zodiac, the excursion will be lead by a naturalist guide with whom you will identify several species, including the whale and the beluga.

In the company of young children, I advise you to opt for the boat, which is more comfortable.

If you don't have sea legs, go to the Pointe-de-l'Islet trail , near the Tadoussac marina. The place is sure to lead to beautiful observations.

Day 11 : Charlevoix  (144 km)

New day, new destination awaits. And not the least: Charlevoix is ​​renowned for being one of the most beautiful regions in Quebec.

Its astonishing geography is due to the fall of a meteorite of 15 billion tons, 350 million years ago. Between sea and mountains, steep cliffs and sublime national parks, Charlevoix is ​​said to be enchanting ...

Leaving Tadoussac, you will follow route 138 , ranked among the most beautiful scenic roads in Quebec.

The first stop that I suggest is Port-au-Persil , a charming municipality offering a breathtaking view of the river.

As you only have one day in the region, you will have to make choices: Visit the Hautes-Gorges National Park  for its sports hikes and its cruise, the Grands-Jardins park  for its Via Ferrata and its easy hikes accessible with children, or the Isle-aux-Coudres tour , pleasant to do by bike.

All three options offer magnificent landscapes.

The village of Baie-Saint-Paul  is an excellent option to spend the night.

Day 12-14 : Quebec City  (93 km)

Day 12

This morning, stroll through the alleys of Baie-Saint-Paul, lined with boutiques and art galleries.

Then hit the road again for the last destination of your ultimate family road trip: Quebec City.

Just before arriving in town, stop off to admire the Montmorency Falls . At a height of 83 meters, it is the highest waterfall in the province.

You have finally arrived in the beautiful city of Quebec, known as the birthplace of French culture in North America.

Perched on Cap Diamant , which overlooks the St. Lawrence River, the city is full of historic gems, recognized and protected by UNESCO.

Day 13

Devote your first morning of visiting Quebec city to the lower old town: from Place Royale  to Petit Champlain , wander the small alleys as you wish.

In the afternoon, head for Upper Old Quebec to pay a visit to the Château Frontenac  and the Dufferin terrace  from where you will have an exceptional view of the St. Lawrence River, Lower Town and the surrounding region.

End this beautiful day at the Plains of Abraham . This immense urban park is to Quebec what Central Park is to New York (history less, I grant you).

With its large expanses of grass and lush woods, the place will certainly appeal to children, whom will have a blast.

You will not be far from the Grande Allée , which hosts a variety of good restaurants and lively terraces. Spoil yourself!

Day 14

How about enjoying the great Canadian outdoors with your family one last time before your departure?

To do this, head to the Jacques-Cartier National Park , located a 25-minute drive from Quebec City.

Here, the landscape is magnificent. A vast mountainous plateau, fractured by steep-sided valleys where one of the most beautiful rivers in Quebec flows. This will be your playground for the day.

Plan a picnic for the whole family!

Day 15 : Montreal (250 km)

What, is it already over ?!

You are driving towards Montreal, your head filled with memories, already thinking of your next getaway in La Belle Province.

How about if you an RV road trip next time? We'll talk about it soon ...

As we say here "Ce n'est qu'un aurevoir"! 

I hope that this itinerary will leave you yearning for a Quebec visit, and that it will help your planning of your upcoming family road trip in Quebec.

If you have any question or comment, do not hesitate to leave them in the comment box below!