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Quebec City Baby Travel Guide: Eating
We enjoyed our fair share of poutine; we shopped at the market for staples for our room; but we ate in a lot of restaurants. Way more than we’ve done on previous trips…
In Quebec City, even the poshest bistro welcomes children, but we didn’t go there. We did manage to avoid fast food, and stuck with places that were nice and affordable. Keep in mind that most restaurants are retro-fitted into tiny, centuries-old buildings, so even though they welcome you with baby, doesn’t mean they welcome your stroller. Highchairs were plentiful, and most families folded their ride and left it at the door.
We didn’t have any terrible meals, but we did have a couple that didn’t knock our socks off. I’ve decided not to mention those.
So first – when it’s been a long day and you need somewhere fast and reliable – you go for chicken…
Muskoka In February…
In terms of cottage country in Ontario, Muskoka seems to be the land of the rich & famous… Only 90min from Toronto and reaching from Algonquin Park in the east to the shores of the Georgian Bay Islands in the west, the District of Muskoka also includes the towns of Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Huntsville and the townships of Georgian Bay, Lake of Bays and Muskoka Lakes. One of my best friends got married at a charming inn on Lake of Bays, and it was such a memorable and beautiful wedding.
Now some of the other lakes you may be familiar with, even if you’ve never been… The top of Lake Joseph is called ‘Billionaire’s Row’. Pretty much every single Toronto Maple Leaf has a place on Lake Muskoka. Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell, Steven Spielberg, Martin Short, and Tom Hanks all have properties on Lake Rosseau – and now you can stay there too!
Whether guests are looking for a romantic getaway under the stars or an outdoor adventure, The Rosseau, the newly opened JW Marriott Resort & Spa in the heart of Muskoka, offers a number of great activities the whole family will love, not only on Valentine’s Day weekend, but throughout the month of February.
Set high on a bluff overlooking picturesque Lake Rosseau, The Rosseau offers guests a spectacular winter escape with activities, restaurants, spa services, amenities, stunning scenery and exceptional service that are sure to beat the winter blues.
“In addition to the breathtaking views to soothe the mind and soul, we have a number of winter activities that will bring out the nature lover in anyone,” says Leah Leslie, Director of Sales and Marketing, The Rosseau. “But if indoors is more your thing, The Rosseau offers an unpretentious surrounding that engages guests with our simple, organic foods, spa services and workshops with local artisans, authors and craftspeople. We want our guests to experience nature on their terms.”
In surroundings of comfortable luxury, The Rosseau appeals to those seeking a unique atmosphere in a grand hotel setting.
Just two and a half hours away from Toronto, the JW Marriott is located in the heart of Muskoka”s Red Leaves resort community. Guests of The Rosseau will appreciate the unspoiled beauty of pristine Northern Ontario.
Some activities planned throughout February include:
February 14 and 15
Family Ice Fishing Excursions - February 14 & 15
No fishing license required – Departing every hour from Wallace Marina, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Make Your Own Fishing Rod - February 14 & 15 – Wallace Marina, 10:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.В
Miniature Boat Building - February 14 – At Butson Boats, 2:00 p.m.
Classical Guitar with Dr. Alvin Tung – February 14 – Muskoka Room, The Rosseau, 8:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Fishing Lure Lecture - February 15 – Wallace Marina with Dr. Alvin Tung, 10:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m.
Chocolate Making - February 15 – The Rosseau, 3:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
February 20 & 22
“Beat the February Blues” weekend
Snowmobile Safari to the Village of Rosseau for the Annual Dog Sled Run
February 21, 10:30 a.m. & 12:00 p.m.
Live Blues Music at the Marina
February 27 & 28
Below Zero – Pole to Pole
Journey to the Arctic with Pat Fairhead
Friday, February 27, 8:30 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 28, 9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Watercolour Workshop - The Colours of Ice and Snow with Pat Fairhead – Saturday, February 28, 9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Journey to Antarctica with Naturalist Robin Tapley – Saturday, February 28, Cottages Restaurant, 7:00 p.m.
Winter Weekend Menu, Scandinavian Style
For more information on The Rosseau or to inquire about bookings for this resort, please visit www.jwrosseau.com.
I have to admit, it sounds pretty fabulous (well, maybe not the fishing lure lecture – Sorry Dr. Alvin!) and the idea of a winter weekend away at a luxurious resort is a good one right now! Just so long as Scatman Crothers isn’t the handyman!
Family Day/Valentine’s Day Events At Great Wolf Lodge…
Great Wolf Lodge is a great idea for a quick getaway in the middle of winter when time nor budget will allow you to take a week down South. This year the Family Day stat. holiday (for Ontarians & Albertans) falls on the same weekend as the big heart day – and they’re offering special activities from Feb. 13-16…
Here’s the press release:
Great Wolf Lodge’s Family Day weekend events (Feb. 13-16) are chock-a-block with activities for families beginning at 9 a.m. all the way until bedtime. Valentine’s Day themed activities include:
· Beary Special Valentine Friends
· face painting,
· balloon making,
· cookie decorating,
· a Family Day race and
· a CHOCOLATE PUDDING EATING CONTEST
Amidst all these activities, the kids definitely won’t let their parents forget about the waterpark which includes 13 waterslides, three pools, two whirlpools, a large outdoor heated spa experience, a giant wavepool, a 500,000 litre lazy river, a 4,000 litre tipping bucket and more. There’s also a 100 game arcade and Elements and Scooops Spa for those who like to stay dry.
And what’s Family Day without a chance to embarrass your kids with your totally hip dance moves!? On Valentine’s Day, The Sweethearts Family Dance will turn the Great Wolf Lodge into a dazzling night club with 1000 balloons dropping on the party-goers.
And if the kids still aren’t completely tired out, they can attend the NO PARENTS ALLOWED PJ PARTY! Too bad for mom and dad, they’ll just have to spend some quiet time alone enjoying the Re-Connect spa package – a one-hour massage treatment for two. Or maybe, the Just the Two of Us: a side-by-side spa treatment of choice, paired with chocolate dipped strawberries and sparkling wine.
Great Wolf Lodge ain’t cheap, but kids love it. Before you book, check out our experience there this past summer, as well as some tips for GWL that I hope will maximize your enjoyment as well!
