Are you looking to find an epic holiday getaway with your pup for Christmas? Christmas in Quebec is the perfect dog-friendly destination if you love the cold, snow, and all the Christmas vibes. It’s about a nine-hour drive from NYC to Quebec, Canada, and one of the best road trips we have ever taken!
Despite the long drive, this holiday getaway was so worth it! You see, Quebec is transformed into a Christmas village during the holiday season, just like Charles Dickens’s novel; A Christmas Carol. Here’s where to stay, things do to, and where to eat with your pup.
Best Dog-Friendly Hotel in Quebec City
We stayed at the dog-friendly Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. This hotel sits high overlooking the St. Lawrence River and looks like a castle in the sky. A five-star luxury hotel, it’s the most photographed hotel in the world! The hotel welcomes up to two pets of any size for a fee of $50 CDA per night.
The inside of the hotel was completely decked out for the holidays, and its halls were lined up with Christmas trees with gorgeous decorations. It didn’t take too long for us to check-in, and we were so surprised that Gatsby just waited patiently online with us even after a long drive. The hotel staff made sure Gatsby was well-taken care of. He doesn’t eat kibble, so we asked the hotel to make him grilled salmon and meats. The staff even asked Gatsby if his salmon was cooked to the right temperature!
Pet-Sitting Services At The Hotel
The best thing about Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is that they offer dog sitting services! We reserved a sitter to come by when Danny and I went to dinners and when we went dog sledding. They charged $26/hour (CAD) with a 3-hour minimum for a sitter to come to our room to watch Gatsby. You can instruct the sitter to only stay in the room, or have the sitter take your dog out for walks and play in the snowy park just right outside of the hotel.
Things To Do With Your Dog
Dufferin Terrace
We walked with Gatsby along the Dufferin Terrace, a terrace that wraps around Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. This elevated area offers panoramic views of Old Quebec and the St. Lawrence River. There is a huge slide here where people line up at the top of the slide (270 feet high) to zoom downhill in a toboggan speeding up to 60 mph to the bottom! Gatsby stayed around and enjoyed watching people zooming down the slide!
German Christmas Market
The German Christmas Market is open from November 22 until December 23 and we were able to catch the last day of the holiday market. We strolled the market and found unique, beautiful handcrafted items made in Quebec and foods like Nuremberg gingerbread, German Christmas cakes, and other German foods like bratwurst, pretzels, wine, and more.
Quartier Petit Champlain District
The next spot we checked out was Quartier Petit Champlain District. This location is the holiday spot to be and so Instagram-worthy! The narrow cobblestone streets here are filled with holiday lights and decorations. I loved visiting the boutique shops, and some of them even let Gatsby join me.
Place Royale
Place Royale is only a few steps away from Petit Champlain District and where we visited Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, the oldest Roman Catholic church in North America.
Place des Canotiers
Head to Place des Canotiers, a landscaped plaza alongside the St. Lawrence River. Gatsby played with snow here, and we strolled right next to the river while we admired the large ice caps.
Where to Eat
Unfortunately, we couldn’t dine in any of the restaurants in this area since there wasn’t any outdoor seating available. Restaurants set up outside seating during the warmer months here, and many people dine out with their dogs. The only place that offered outdoor seating was Pub des Borgia in the Winter. Even though it was freezing, we still sat outside because Gatsby was not allowed in the pub. I had a glass of wine, and Danny enjoyed a hot bowl of French Onion soup.
Bistro Le Sam and Bar Atrium
In the hotel, Danny made a romantic dinner reservation at Bistro Le Sam & Bar Atrium. This restaurant offered amazing views as it overlooks the St. Lawrence River. We ordered the maple syrup duck wings and Atlantic salmon tartar as appetizers. I had the buttermilk-fried cornouailles chicken for the main course, and Danny had the braised lamb shanks. Of course, we had lots of wine and finished with both sharing a dark chocolate lava cake.
Dog Sledding
We made arrangements for the pet sitter to come by to watch Gatsby while Danny and I headed to dog sledding at Expedition Mi Loup! From the hotel, we had to drive to Saint-Jean-de-l’Île-d’Orléans, which is about 20 minutes away. If you didn’t drive here, the hotel could make transportation arrangements for you. I’ve wanted to try dog-sledding for such a long time! When we arrived, you could feel the energy of these dogs as they were full of excitement and enthusiasm!
The session started with a safety brief and driving techniques, and then we were off to the woods! I sat down on the sled while Danny stood behind me to steer the sled. The adventure took about 1 hour, and there was a 15-minute session hanging out with the puppies. This experience was everything I wished for, and I felt so grateful to have met these amazing dogs. If you plan to try this out, I highly recommend you come prepared with ski jackets and pants. I was wearing thermal leggings, which were definitely not enough to keep my legs warm.
The Perfect Dog-Friendly Holiday Getaway
Experiencing Christmas in Quebec was the perfect holiday getaway. We enjoyed our stay at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac and absolutely loved the city’s wintry feel and holiday cheer. I have no doubt Gatsby felt the same. Frigid temps, snow, ice, grilled salmon, and meats from room service cooked at the perfect temperature, a sitter that entertained him, and a warm comfy king-sized bed. What more can a husky ask for? I’m sure this will be Gatsby’s favorite dog-friendly holiday getaway for a long time!
Will you experience Christmas in Quebec with your dog? What is your dream holiday getaway with your pup?
Book Your Stay in Quebec at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
Ready to experience Christmas in Quebec with your up? Book your stay at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac.
Christmas Guided Tours in Quebec
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