The Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac is perhaps the most well-known hotel in Quebec City. The gorgeous hotel stands in Old Quebec, in the historic district of Upper Town. It originally opened in 1883 as one of the first grand railway hotels and its Châteauesque-style architecture has become a symbol of Quebec City over the decades. The Canadian Government designated it as a National Historic Site in 1981, and the hotel is often one of the main reasons tourists come to visit Quebec City.

Needless to say, Chateau Frontenac is an incredible hotel to stay in if you have the opportunity to travel to Quebec City – and you may be surprised to learn it’s also great for children, too! The hotel itself has various family-friendly activities that are open to both guests and non-guests – some are even free of charge. There are also many child-friendly activities around the hotel, too. For visitors staying at the hotel, the Chateau’s central location provides numerous activities and attractions that will appeal to everyone in your party. The only hard part is deciding what to do first.

10 Search For Clues With This Hotel-Led Scavenger Hunt

One of the family-friendly activities Chateau Frontenac directly offers includes a scavenger hunt. According to the hotel’s website, the activity only lasts for thirty minutes, but children and their parents have the opportunity to search for specific clues within the walls of the hotel. It’s a great option if you have a bit of extra time to spare but don’t want to venture too far from the hotel. The best part is that families can take part in this activity at any time – simply ask the concierge for a map and get searching. This activity appears to be open to anyone who asks, even non-guests.

9 Meet The Prince and Princess Of Chateau Frontenac

This is another activity offered directly by the hotel for both guests and non-guests. Enjoy the old-world feel of the hotel (and Quebec City in general) by greeting the Prince and Princess of Chateau Frontenac. Young children will be especially excited to meet these fairy-tale-like characters, who are happy to pose for photos with the entire family. The prince and princess, always dressed in Victorian-inspired garb, often do free photoshoots around the hotel quite frequently.

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8 Learn The Hotel’s History With An Animated Tale

Chateau Frontenac also offers what it calls an ‘animated tale for the family.’ Parents and children alike are invited to sit down for a brief animated presentation that details the hotel’s history and its importance to Quebec City. Afterward, the animator will leave guests with a clue that will lead them outside to continue the festivities through what the hotel describes as an ‘outdoor rally.’ All in all, this activity should take around thirty minutes.

7 Go For A Guided Tour Of The Hotel – Kids Under 5 Are Free!

One activity the entire family will enjoy is a guided tour of the Chateau Frontenac. The front desk is able to arrange a convenient time for parties to enjoy a personal, walking tour of the iconic hotel. The tour guide will explain important details relevant to the hotel’s history, including architectural facts, its significance in Quebec City, and its famous guests. The tour is open to guests of all ages, so it’s great for families with children of various ages.

Be warned that this is not one of the free activities the hotel offers. The activity is open to the public and general admission for adults ages 17 and higher is $21. Youth between ages 6-18 are $10.50, while children between 0-5 get in for free. For two adults and two youths, you can purchase a reduced pass for $52.50. There is a discount for guests staying at the hotel, though the exact price is not specified on their website. Families can book a tour online or with the hotel’s concierge.

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6 Check Out The Pools At The Spa & Fitness Center

Although most hotels have pools, Chateau Frontenac’s spa and fitness center are especially luxurious, making it a treat for kids and parents alike.

Guests of the hotel should definitely pay a visit to the pool area at least once during their stay, particularly after a long day of tourist activities. The hotel features a 15 meters long indoor swimming pool, which happens to be wheelchair accessible. It also has an indoor kid wading pool as well as an indoor whirlpool. What’s more? The locker rooms for both men and women feature eucalyptus steam shower, pool and gym towels, and other bathroom amenities to make guests feel like royalty.

5 Slide On A Toboggan Right Outside The Hotel

Moving on, let’s now take a look at activities available around the hotel.

During the winter months, there is a toboggan slide only steps away from Chateau Frontenac that draws in visitors from all over the world. This iconic attraction has been a constant in Quebec City since 1884. Holding up to four people per toboggan, the ride can reach up to speeds of 70 km/h. It’s open from mid-December to mid-March, weather permitting, and costs $3 per person. But children as young as three are allowed to ride it with an adult, so it’s an activity the entire family can enjoy.

4 Take A Ride On The Funicular

The funicular is something children will want to check out as soon as they spot it!

The outdoor elevator conveniently links Upper Town to Lower Town and provides an incredible view of the city. The funicular slowly ascends and descends down a rollercoaster-like track, which leaves kids feeling like they went on an amusement ride. The best part is that the funicular conveniently stops at Quartier Petit Champlain, the oldest commercial district in all of North America, which generally makes it a must-see on many tourist bucket lists.

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3 Go Under The Sea At Quebec’s Aquarium

If you want to devote an entire day to an activity especially for your kids, consider taking a trip to the Aquarium du Quebec. Although this isn’t within walking distance of Chateau Frontenac, it is easily accessible through public transportation. The aquatic center boasts over 10,000 marine animals, such as polar bears, walruses, and seals. It also has a variety of indoor activities, like a rope course, discovery zone, and a treasure hunt. The only problem is you may have trouble getting your kids out of there!

2 Splash In Puddles On The Quebec City-Levis Ferry

This activity is another convenient way to see the city while still keeping children entertained. For a small price, hop on the Quebec City-Levis ferry that will transport you down the St. Lawrence. Not only is this convenient to get from place to place, but tourists will love the stunning view it provides of Quebec City.

Most children love being on boats for many reasons, particularly since it’s not something they often get to do. But this ferry will be especially fun for young ones since the deck is known as a ‘splash pad.’ The deck gets particularly wet, making it a great opportunity to allow kids to get their feet wet and splash in puddles. Think ahead before this activity – you may want to bring towels, a change of clothes, or even rain boots for your kids.

1 Blow Their Taste Buds Away With Poutine

If you live outside of Quebec, then chances are you’ve never tried an authentic plate of poutine. Most children love trying new food – especially if it’s junk food – so telling them they’re about to eat a plate full of French fries and cheese will likely pique their interest.

If you have young kids that are unlikely to sit still in a restaurant, consider taking a plate of poutine to go. Dufferin Terrace, located right in front of Chateau Frontenac, is a great option. The beautiful view will set well with adults, while the large space gives kids a lot of room to stretch their legs. With tons of great places to grab poutine (or another Quebec delicacy) within walking distance of the hotel, there’s no reason not to.

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