Nature is at your fingertips in Quebec City, which is full of beautiful urban parks and trails that are great for walking, even with a stroller or young children. Here are ten places where you can get some fresh air without leaving the city.
In the gardens
Hidden between Grande Allée and Chemin Saint-Louis, Bois-de-Coulonge Park is a great place to stroll while watching birds. Nearby, a small heritage cottage catches our eye. This is Villa Bagatelle and its magnificent English garden that can be admired for hours (or just long enough to take a break in the shade with the kids!).
You have to go to Université Laval to admire one of the most beautiful gardens in the city, the Jardin Roger-Van den Hende . Toddlers will exclaim at the 4,000 native, ornamental and cultivar species grouped by botanical family. And since it is an educational garden, people also go there to learn.
For a picnic
Where to walk and picnic? Head to Parc de la Plage-Jacques-Cartier , one of the only natural wooded areas open to the general public that literally overlooks the St. Lawrence. At low tide, children will have fun bouncing pebbles on the water and playing on the shore.
Photo credit: City of Quebec
We also like to go to Domaine Maizerets , where you can walk, splash in the water games and visit its arboretum and its ornithology site. Bring your barbecue and your picnic blanket! Domaine Maizerets is part of many friendly parks in the city!
We meet up with grandma and the family for a short walk in the Parc des Moulins , which is set up on part of the former Zoological Garden. Crossed by the Berger River, it was home to at least seven mills between the mid- 18th and mid- 20th centuries. Archaeological remains are still visible. The Parc des Moulins and its wooded area are a veritable green oasis, perfect for relaxing and having family picnics.
Photo credit: @CCNQ, Suzanne Trudel
To move
Want to swim or paddle with the kids? The Base de plein air Ste-Foy allows you to get familiar with a host of activities, in complete safety. Equipment is rented on site. For walking, some of the trails are accessible with a stroller, and others are not.
To avoid crowds
One of the best-kept secrets in Quebec City is the Parc de la Rivière-Beauport . People go there to admire its 10-metre-high waterfall located near Parc Armand-Grenier, but also to explore the river and discover fossils imprinted in the sedimentary rock and traces of the site's industrial past. Did you know? Some of the remains date back to the 18th century, including the masonry of the dam and the foundations of the millstones.
Photo credit: City of Quebec
Explore from north to south
From Lake Saint-Charles to the Old Port (or vice versa), the Saint-Charles River Linear Park invites you to discover its 32 km of hiking trails along its banks. Along the way, you will come across historic sites, lookouts, meanders and wooded areas that change with your steps. Our favorite part: starting from the Château d'eau (water intake) and crossing Wendake to the Kabir Kouba waterfall.
Just 20 minutes from downtown, Les Marais du Nord , adjacent to Lake Saint-Charles, offers 8 km of easily accessible, bucolic hiking trails. The fauna and flora of these protected wetlands are abundant. Don't forget your camera to capture loons, mallards, great blue herons, blue jays and more than 170 listed species.
5 essentials for visiting the park with baby
A suitable stroller
Do you have the right stroller for riding on gravel and over natural obstacles? Charlotte and Charlie have plenty of choice!
Among the selection of active strollers, we find the Indie from Bumbleride, an ultra-practical three-wheel stroller that easily transitions from pavement to trails.
A sunscreen
Even if he's sitting in his stroller, baby needs to be protected from UV rays. The same goes for children running on the trails and climbing on play structures. We love the Baby Bum mineral sunscreen range, which is suitable even for the delicate skin of little ones. In a spray bottle, it's easy to apply... for little ones in a hurry who want to play!
A large blanket
We unroll an outdoor blanket to have a picnic on the lawn, lie down and allow baby to stretch his legs comfortably.
A water bottle
We love Liewood insulated bottles , which keep liquids cool (or warm, depending on your preference). The small size is perfect for children's hands and the spout is just as practical!
A rattan basket
Whether it's for a picnic, storing your little one's favorite crayons, or storing seashells collected on the beach, Olli Ella 's Piki baskets will be a favorite with any child, big or small!
Have a nice walk!
Cover photo: @audreyannefrey
