USA & Canada · Best Jun–Sep
Montreal and Quebec City packing list for families
Montreal and Quebec City feel like a European trip a short flight from home, with cobblestones, cafés, and plenty of stairs. The seasons swing from humid summers to deep winter cold, so what you pack depends a lot on when you go.
Photo by DroneflyerNick on Unsplash
Kristina's notes on Montreal & Quebec City
- Old Quebec is hilly, with steep streets and long staircases between the Upper and Lower Town. A carrier for little ones and good walking shoes for everyone make it so much easier, and the funicular saves tired legs.
- If you go in winter, plan for real cold, especially at Quebec City's Winter Carnival. I pack insulated boots with grip and thermal layers under regular clothes, because you will be outside more than you expect.
- French is the main language, but most people in hotels, shops, and restaurants switch easily to English. A cheerful 'bonjour' first goes a long way, and kids love practicing a few words before the trip.
Best timeJun–Sep
PlugsUS plugs, no adapter needed
MoneyCanadian dollar (US cards widely accepted)
PassportYes
Your packing edit
Montreal & Quebec City
This time of year
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Every item links to what Kristina would buy. Tap Add to bag on what you're missing, then check out on Amazon in one tap.
Carry-on8
Carry-on suitcase per personKristina's pick
Packing cubes, one color per personKristina's pickEveryone knows exactly which cube is theirs.
Kids' headphones, volume-limited
Tablet with downloaded shows
Snack box with dividers
Reusable water bottles
Change of clothes for each kid
Car seat travel bag
Clothing6
Daytime outfits8 per person
Pajamas2 per person
One nicer outfit for dinners and photos
Underwear and socks9 per person
Thermal base layersWinter Carnival and outdoor skating mean long hours in the cold.
Compact umbrellaSummer and fall bring passing showers.
Shoes3
Broken-in walking sneakersKristina's pickNever bring brand-new shoes on a walking trip.
Insulated waterproof boots with good gripKristina's pickWinter sidewalks are icy and snowy for months.
Slip-on ice traction cleatsOld Quebec's steep streets get slick in winter.
Beach & pool1
Mineral sunscreen
Little ones5
Diapers and wipesenough for 3 days, buy the rest there
Portable sound machineKristina's pickMakes every hotel room feel like home.
Travel blackout shades
Favorite lovey, plus a backup
Soft baby carrier instead of a strollerKristina's pickStairs, cobblestones, or trails make strollers hard here.
Little things13
AirTag in each checked bagKristina's pickYou'll know your bag made the connection before you do.
Stain remover penGelato happens. Photos still look great.
Laundry detergent sheetsOne sink wash halfway through means packing half the clothes.
Gallon zip bags, a handfulWet swimsuits, sandy shoes, and the occasional car-sick emergency.
Pen in your carry-onFor arrival forms, so you're not borrowing one in the immigration line.
Hair ties and a small detangling brush
Hand sanitizer wipes and pocket tissues
Lollipops or gum for takeoff and landingSwallowing helps little ears pop.
A few wrapped surprise toys for the flightUnwrapping buys you twenty minutes. Unwrapping slowly buys thirty.
Tap night lightHotel rooms are pitch dark, and the bathroom is never where they expect.
Kids' nail clippers and tweezersSplinters from boardwalks and docks are a vacation classic.
Electrolyte packetsHot days and long walks catch up with kids before they say they're thirsty.
Earplugs and an eye mask for the grown-ups
Health & toiletries3
Travel first-aid kit
Kids' fever reducer and allergy medicine
Hanging toiletry bag
Documents & tech4
Phone lanyard or crossbody case
Portable phone chargerKristina's pick
Kids' ID bracelet with your phone number
Passports for everyone, valid 6+ months past your trip
The outfit edit
City neutrals
Navy, cream, camel, olive
For photos
- Neutrals plus one red scarf or hat
- Overcast days flatter everyone
Tap any piece to shop the look.
Month by month
Montreal & Quebec City weather and what's happening
Typical daytime highs and what each month feels like with kids.
| Month | Typical high | What it's like | Don't miss |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°F -6°C | Very cold and snowy, often well below freezing, with short days and icy streets. | Quebec Winter Carnival, with snow sculptures, night parades, and ice slides, from late January into February. |
| February | 25°F -4°C | Very cold and snowy, often well below freezing, with short days and icy streets. | Quebec Winter Carnival, with snow sculptures, night parades, and ice slides, from late January into February. |
| March | 35°F 2°C | Very cold and snowy, often well below freezing, with short days and icy streets. | Sugar shack season, when families gather for maple taffy on snow and big maple breakfasts. |
| April | 51°F 11°C | Snow melts into a cool, sometimes rainy spring, warming quickly by late May. | Sugar shack season, when families gather for maple taffy on snow and big maple breakfasts. |
| May | 65°F 18°C | Snow melts into a cool, sometimes rainy spring, warming quickly by late May. | |
| June | 74°F 23°C | Warm, sunny summer with long evenings and occasional thunderstorms. | Montreal's jazz festival fills downtown with free outdoor concerts in late June and early July. |
| July | 78°F 26°C | Warm, sunny summer with long evenings and occasional thunderstorms. | Montreal's jazz festival fills downtown with free outdoor concerts in late June and early July. Quebec City's summer music festival brings big outdoor shows to the Plains of Abraham. |
| August | 76°F 24°C | Warm, sunny summer with long evenings and occasional thunderstorms. | |
| September | 67°F 19°C | Crisp, comfortable fall days with cooler nights and changing leaves. | Fall color in the countryside around both cities, usually peaking late September to mid-October. |
| October | 54°F 12°C | Crisp, comfortable fall days with cooler nights and changing leaves. | Fall color in the countryside around both cities, usually peaking late September to mid-October. |
| November | 41°F 5°C | Cold, gray, and damp, with the first snow often arriving. | Christmas markets and lights in Old Quebec, which looks like a snow globe in December. |
| December | 28°F -2°C | Very cold and snowy, often well below freezing, with short days and icy streets. | Christmas markets and lights in Old Quebec, which looks like a snow globe in December. |
Questions families ask
Montreal & Quebec City with kids, answered
When is the best time to visit Montreal & Quebec City with kids?
The best time is Jun–Sep. Warm, sunny summer with long evenings and occasional thunderstorms.
What's the weather like in Montreal & Quebec City?
Typical daytime highs range from about 22°F (-6°C) in January to about 78°F (26°C) in July. See the month-by-month table on this page.
Do I need a passport for Montreal & Quebec City?
Yes. Bring a passport for everyone, including babies, and make sure each one is valid for at least six months past your trip. Check visa and entry rules before you go.
What kind of plug adapter do I need for Montreal & Quebec City?
None. Montreal & Quebec City uses the same plugs as the US.
What's your top tip for Montreal & Quebec City with kids?
Old Quebec is hilly, with steep streets and long staircases between the Upper and Lower Town. A carrier for little ones and good walking shoes for everyone make it so much easier, and the funicular saves tired legs.
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I'm Kristina, and planning family trips is what I do.
As a luxury travel advisor with KM Luxe Travel, I plan the hotels, the flow of the days, and the little details, often with perks like breakfast and upgrades when available.