Sydney NS and Quebec City w/Tweens...

We are going on the HA Maasdam in June. I found tons to do in Bar Harbor and Halifax. Charlottetown- we are doing the ship's GPS tour. Now... what to do with the 10 and 13 yr olds in Sydney and Quebec City?? One boy, one girl, neither athletic... one loves museums, the other hates them (of course...) One would love a foodie tour, the other would tolerate it... you get the idea...

 

what do you all recommend?? Thanks!!

In Sydney we have gone to the Alexander Graham Bell museum. It's very interesting and location is stunning. Would highly recommend it. Quebec is quite a charming town to wander around in and try food here and there. They also have food tours there. We went to monmercy falls, and also included was a tour of the maple syrup manufacturing. Horse and carriage tour is also popular in Quebec. Have a wonderful cruise. Jean.

We are going on the HA Maasdam in June. I found tons to do in Bar Harbor and Halifax. Charlottetown- we are doing the ship's GPS tour. Now... what to do with the 10 and 13 yr olds in Sydney and Quebec City?? One boy, one girl, neither athletic... one loves museums, the other hates them (of course...) One would love a foodie tour, the other would tolerate it... you get the idea...

 

what do you all recommend?? Thanks!!

 

The town of Sydney is very dull so you do need to get out. If all else fails and you want a day off the port terminal has cracking wi-fi facilities for catching up on emails etc and a nice but small free museum. At QC, apart from walking around the city the kids might enjoy Montmorency Falls (take 800 bus) . All the best, Tony

 

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Rent a car in Sydney and drive out to the Fortress of Louisbourg. While you're there, the place will be filled with costumed re-enactors who will interact with you in the roles they are playing. I think the kids would like it. The place is gorgeous.

Edited January 8, 2017 by Cruise_More_Often

Rent a car in Sydney and drive out to the Fortress of Louisbourg. While you're there, the place will be filled with costumed re-enactors who will interact with you in the roles they are playing. I think the kids would like it. The place is gorgeous.

 

how hard is it to rent a car? is driving different than driving in the states? is there a car rental place close to the port? Sorry for the questions... it sounds cool though... we are in sydney from 11-6. that's plenty of time, correct?

how hard is it to rent a car? is driving different than driving in the states? is there a car rental place close to the port? Sorry for the questions... it sounds cool though... we are in sydney from 11-6. that's plenty of time, correct?

It's so easy! We rented online through AARP, but you can rent directly from a rental agency. I can't remember if we chose Budget or Enterprise. Anyway, the person from the rental agency met us right by the ship and took us to their facility to do the paperwork and pick up the van. The Fortress of Louisbourg is about 20 miles from Sydney, and it's highway all the way. The only difference between driving in Canada is that distance is in kilometers rather than miles (but you won't even need to worry about that). The agency will provide a map for you. And, yes, that is plenty of time to see the whole place at your leisure.

 

I just went to the Park's website and found that in June you will be going during the Park's "Shoulder Season." Here's a link explaining what you will see at that time: http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/ns/louisbourg/visit/heures-hours.aspx#Shoulder. It looks like the costumed re-enactors don't get fully involved until July 1. If I were you, I would go anyway. It's a beautiful place, and there will be plenty for you and the kids to see. We're going again this May.

Edited January 9, 2017 by Cruise_More_Often

If you plan on visiting Fortress of Louisbourg or any other Canada Park such as the Halifax Citadel it is worth it to get the Discovery Pass, free for 2017. Here is the link:

 

http://www.commandesparcs-parksorders.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/parksb2c

 

If you rent a car in Québec city, bringing a GPS might be a good idea since all road signs in Québec are in French.

 

Myself and other posters put useful info. in this "old" link:

 

"Boston to Quebec with Tween Daugthers":

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2042599

update! this is what I've got so far...

Bar Harbor-- Kayaking and then Acadia if there's time

Halifax- Halifax food tour

Sydney- rent car and go to Fort Louisbourg

Charlottetown- Ships GPS tour

 

Quebec City... whatcha got???

Thanks!!!

We are going on the HA Maasdam in June. I found tons to do in Bar Harbor and Halifax. Charlottetown- we are doing the ship's GPS tour. Now... what to do with the 10 and 13 yr olds in Sydney and Quebec City?? One boy, one girl, neither athletic... one loves museums, the other hates them (of course...) One would love a foodie tour, the other would tolerate it... you get the idea...

 

what do you all recommend?? Thanks!!

I recommend --- leave one of them at home!!;)

I'm glad you decided to go with the car for the Fortress of Louisbourg.

 

Quebec City is made for walking. I don't know how early you can get off the ship, but the changing of the guard at 10:00 a.m. at the Citadel could be interesting (and shouldn't take so long the kids would get bored). https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g155033-d155623-r8408442-La_Citadelle_de_Quebec-Quebec_City_Quebec.html. The kids will enjoy the Funicular that takes you from from the lower town to upper town and saves you from climbing oodles of steps. Last time we were in Quebec City, we took a ship's tour that was split between a carriage ride and a walking tour. The kids would probably get a kick out of the carriage ride. There is a small ferry that starts near where the ships are docked and travels across the St. Lawrence to a little town called Levis. There's not much there, but the ferry ride is nice and offers great views of the port and the Chateau Frontenac.

Suggestions for Quebec City:

 

Canyon Ste-Anne

http://www.canyonsa.qc.ca/en

 

Tulip Garden

http://www.quebecregion.com/en/what-to-do/events/tulips-garden/

 

Resto-Rue

http://www.quebecregion.com/en/what-to-do/events/resto-rue-2017/

 

Like Cats & Dogs

http://www.quebecregion.com/en/what-to-do/events/like-cats-and-dogs/

 

June 23rd/24th is "St-Jean Baptiste" our very popular Quebec Holiday. Tons of shows (pay & free) & fireworks.

http://www.quebecregion.com/en/what-to-do/events/fete-nationale-dans-la-capitale/

 

and Many other suggestions here:

http://www.quebecregion.com/en/what-to-do/activities-attractions/ideas/summer/

Edited March 18, 2017 by p_mori7