Montmorency Falls, Île d'Orléans and the Côte-de-Beaupré with kids
Fifteen minutes from Old Quebec, Montmorency Falls opens the road to Île d'Orléans and the Côte-de-Beaupré. An ideal family day in any season. Here are the stops to plan.
In short: Montmorency Falls (cable car and suspension bridge); on Île d'Orléans, year-round maple taffy at Relais des Pins; in winter, skiing at Mont-Sainte-Anne.
Montmorency Falls
1. Montmorency Falls Park
A waterfall taller than Niagara. Ride the cable car up, cross the suspension bridge over the falls and walk down the 487-step panoramic staircase. For the brave: a 300 m zip line and a via ferrata.
- 5300 Sainte-Anne Boulevard, Quebec City
- Open year-round (closed December 25)
- The cable car saves toddlers the stairs
- See the listing
Île d'Orléans
2. Le Relais des Pins
A sugar shack meal and maple taffy on snow year-round (except over the holidays), with a video about maple producers.
- 2013 Chemin Royal, Sainte-Famille-de-l'Île-d'Orléans
- See the listing
3. Sucrerie Blouin
An old-fashioned sugaring-off by the river: trees tapped with buckets and sap boiled over a wood fire.
- 4315 Chemin Royal, Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans
- See the listing
The Côte-de-Beaupré
4. Mont-Sainte-Anne
A big resort 40 minutes from Quebec City, with runs for every level and night skiing.
- 2000 Boulevard Beau Pré, Beaupré
- See the listing
To keep going
Charlevoix begins right after the Côte-de-Beaupré: see Family vacation in Charlevoix and Tadoussac and the Charlevoix Train, which runs along the river from June to late October.
A typical day
- Morning: Montmorency Falls, by cable car then on foot over the suspension bridge.
- Noon: sugar shack meal at Relais des Pins on Île d'Orléans.
- Afternoon: a drive around the island, or skiing at Mont-Sainte-Anne in winter.
Our tips
- At the falls, the 487-step staircase is demanding: save it for older kids.
- Book the sugar shack meal, even off-season.
- The Île d'Orléans bridge is right next to the falls: everything fits easily into one day.
Frequently asked questions
Is Montmorency Falls good for toddlers?
Yes: the cable car avoids the stairs, and the suspension bridge is done on foot.
Can we have maple taffy in summer on Île d'Orléans?
Yes, at Le Relais des Pins, which serves it year-round (except over the holidays).
Where can we ski near Montmorency Falls?
At Mont-Sainte-Anne, about 40 minutes from Quebec City.
Information checked on October 13, 2026. Prices, hours and seasons may change: confirm with each place before you go.
