quebec city tourism blog

3 Days in Quebec City: The Ultimate Quebec City Itinerary

Posted on Published: February 27, 2024  - Last updated: March 9, 2024

Categories Blog , Canada , City Guides , Quebec , Quebec City , Travel Guides

Visiting Quebec City? Allow us to show you how to spend the perfect 3 days in Quebec City. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or a foodie, Quebec City has a little something for everyone. I’m going to showcase our Quebec City 3 day itinerary so you can use it to help plan your trip.

Justin and I have visited Quebec City on multiple occasions during many different seasons. We’ve experienced Quebec City in the summer, fall and winter. While these travel plans can be used most of the year, please feel free to reference our post about the best things to do in Quebec City in the winter if you’re traveling between December and March.

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Without further ado, here’s how to spend an incredible 3 days in Quebec City. You’ll have an overview on what to see and do each day. Also, I’ve made note of our favorite restaurants and possibilities for overnight accommodations, too.

Quick Guide to Quebec City

Here are some of the best tours, activities, attractions and lodging in Quebec City. If you’re planning your trip at the last minute and you’re looking for must do activities, look no further!

Best Tours and Activities in Quebec City

• Quebec City Walking Tour
• Guided Bike Tour of Quebec City
• Half Day Trip to Montmorency Falls
• Wine Tasting on Ile d’Orleans
• Quebec City’s Nordic Spa

Best Hotels and Accommodation in Quebec City

Le Saint Pierre Auberge Distinctive

Quebec city marriott downtown, hilton quebec.

Table of Contents

3 Days in Quebec City Map

Want to see everything visually represented on a map? Here are all the attractions, restaurants, and hotels listed in this Quebec City itinerary. Feel free to reference this map as you plan your trip or as you’re venturing on your Quebec City trip.

Save this map to your Google maps for future reference. Click the little star next to the title so you can see this map as you’re traveling around Quebec City.

3 Days in Quebec City: Getting There

As we’re from the Toronto area, we’ve both driven and flown to Quebec City. It’s about an eight hour drive for us. Flying to Quebec City is always an excellent option as the city itself is very walkable and you won’t need a car. Here’s where you can search for the best rates on flights to Quebec City .

Like I mentioned, once you’re in Old Quebec, you won’t really need a car to get around. It’s possible to walk everywhere and there’s even a funicular that connects the upper and lower areas of Old Quebec.

If you do intend on seeing any attractions outside of Old Quebec City, this is where you’ll either need a car or you’ll need to book a tour with transportation. I’ve mentioned most of these activities on the third day of this 3 days in Quebec City itinerary.

I will mention tours as we go, but it is easiest to get around if you have your own car. It’s possible to rent a car, even if only for the day. At Discover Cars, you can compare car rental prices among many companies to find the best deals. We regularly use Discover Cars when we travel and love them. Find the best car rentals in Quebec City here.

3 Days in Quebec City: Day 1

For the first day of our three days in Quebec City, we explored the city and got oriented with our new surroundings. We spent most of our time in Old Quebec. Quebec City’s old town is divided into two sections: Upper Town (Haute-Ville) and Lower Town (Basse-Ville).

Upper Town is above the escarpment on Cape Diamond (Cap Diamant) and Lower Town is below the escarpment. There is both a funicular and a staircase called the “Breakneck Stairs” that connect Upper Town to Lower Town in Old Quebec. Learn more about the interesting staircases of Quebec City .

For this Quebec City 3 day itinerary, we’re going to start in Lower Town of Old Quebec. This is where Justin and I started our adventure. It’s a fabulous first impression of Quebec City as this is the oldest, most historic, and arguably, the most beautiful area.

If you love guided tours, I recommend familiarizing yourself with Quebec City by taking a walking tour. This is a great introduction to the city and allows you to learn about the city from a knowledgeable guide. Check out this Quebec City walking tour .

Place Royale

Place Royale is a historic plaza that’s home to the famous Notre-Dame-des-Victoires church. Most notably, Place Royale is where French Civilization started in North America. The square itself is very photogenic with lots of brightly painted doors and windows.

In the summer months, there are window baskets bursting with colorful flowers. During the winter, there’s a light dusting of snow everywhere, holiday decorations, and a Christmas tree in the middle of the plaza.

Be sure to take a peek inside the Notre-Dame-des-Victoires church. It’s a small Roman Catholic church, built from 1687 and 1723 and restored in 1816. This church is ornately decorated inside, and there’ s a small souvenir shop as well. I also recommend enjoying a coffee on the patio or doing some shopping in this area.

If you’re visiting in the summer, it’s also possible to admire exhibits from the Passages Insolites outdoor art exhibition around Lower Town. These art installations will be around Place Royale, Quartier Petit Champlain and beyond.

Quartier Petit Champlain

Just a little beyond Place Royale, Quartier Petit Champlain is a very picturesque and popular neighborhood in Lower Town. It’s one of the most popular shopping streets with lots of local souvenir shops and treats.

It’s one of the most expensive places to shop because it’s so pretty and popular, so expect to pay a premium for some items. However, there are a few shops with unique items crafted by local artisans that you can’t find anywhere else.

Aside from the shops, there are a few small parks and some intriguing murals in Quartier Petit Champlain. When we spent 3 days in Quebec City, we walked through both Quartier Petit Champlain and Place Royale quite a few times.

I recommend visiting these popular tourist attractions earlier in the morning or in the evening because they will be most crowded in the afternoon. Now, it’s time to venture to the upper section of Old Quebec. Care to ride the funicular or walk up the Breakneck Stairs?

Ride the Funicular

I suggest riding the funicular up and taking the stairs on the way down. Be prepared to pay cash only for the funicular ride. It costs $5 for one ride and they only accept cash. There are no advance tickets, simply pay when you arrive.

The funicular is free of charge for wheelchair users and children under 46″ tall. It also accommodates strollers and pets. Please check the funicular official website for the latest details regarding opening times and prices.

Dufferin Terrace and the Chateau Frontenac

Once you reach the top, you’ll come across the iconic Chateau Frontenac , a famous hotel in the city. It is thought to be the most photographed hotel in the world, so why not join in on the fun?

It’s possible to hear musicians and singers performing on the boardwalk, Dufferin Terrace. If you’re interested, you can walk inside the Chateau Frontenac or even have a drink at the bar if you’re not staying there.

Notre Dame de Quebec Cathedral-Basilica

Though we aren’t religious, we stopped to admire the architecture and decor of the Notre Dame de Quebec . It’s the oldest parish in North America, north of Mexico. There are lavish gold decorations and beautiful stained glass windows inside the cathedral. There is also a courtyard and a garden on the grounds of the church, too.

We also had the rare opportunity to pass through the Holy Door. The Holy Door of Quebec City is the only holy door found outside of Europe, and one of only seven holy doors worldwide. Quebec City’s Holy Door was established in 2013 during the 350th anniversary of the founding of the Notre-Dame de Québec parish. It will be sealed after December 8th, 2024.

Fortifications of Quebec

As we walked up Rue Saint-Jean, we immediately noticed the gates and fortifications of Quebec City . On this Quebec City 3 day itinerary, you must see the fortifications of Quebec City and walk the walls if you can. This is one of the most unique historical attractions that makes this Canadian city so special.

Quebec City often feels more like a European city, and this contributes to the European vibes for sure. Quebec City is the only remaining walled city in North America, north of Mexico. It’s one reason why Old Quebec is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Starting at Porte Saint-Jean, we climbed up the stairs and walked along the old wall, passing over the city streets below. We walked above a couple of other old city gates until we eventually reached the Citadel. There are ceremonial guards and a museum to explore.

There’s also a changing of the guards ceremony that takes place daily during the summer months at 10:00am. We missed this daily ceremony, although you may want to fit it into your travel plans during your 3 days in Quebec City.

Observatoire de la Capitale

If you want to see a view of Quebec from one of the highest points in the city, take a trip up the elevator to the Observatoire de la Capitale . We spent about an hour here to fully soak up those 360 degree panoramic views. We also watched short videos about the history of Quebec.

There’s also some historical details and mementos about the Quebec Winter Carnival, including the world famous mascot, Bonhomme. This is a great attraction to visit in all seasons. For details about opening hours and prices, please take a look at their official website .

Parliament Building

The Quebec Parliament Building is very close to the Observatoire de la Capitale. We explored the exterior of the Parliament Building and its beautiful gardens. It’s a very captivating building with a variety of statues on the building itself, honoring important historical figures.

If you’re interested to see the inside of the parliament building, it’s possible to book a guided tour in French or English of the National Assembly of Quebec (you can also reserve a Spanish tour in advance). The tours are 75 minutes in length and they are free. Be sure to book your tour in advance and arrive 30 minutes before your tour begins.

Governors’ Promenade

From the Citadel, we walked along the edge of the Plains of Abraham until we reached a lengthy boardwalk between the fortification wall and the escarpment overlooking the St. Lawrence River. This boardwalk is called the Governors’ Promenade and it consists of many stairs and fantastic views.

You can spend a little more time at the Plains of Abraham before tackling the Governors’ Promenade if you choose. It’s a large park that I’d liken to Central Park in New York City or High Park in Toronto. While historic battles took place at the Plains of Abraham, it’s now a huge green space in the city where you can go for a walk or enjoy a picnic.

Back to the Governors’ Promenade, it’s a lengthy boardwalk that connects the Citadel/Plains of Abraham to the Dufferin Terrace. I suggest starting at the Citadel, so it’s mostly a downhill trek down many flights of stairs (otherwise, you’ll be walking up all of those stairs!).

Regardless, you’ll be treated to beautiful views of the St. Lawrence River from an elevated perspective up on Cap Diamant. Eventually, you’ll be back where you started in Upper Town at the Chateau Frontenac/Dufferin Terrace. We made our way back down to Lower Town.

Coffee Break at Les Cafes du Soleil

Need a little caffeine boost after all that walking? We decided it was time for a mid-afternoon coffee break. While there are tons of chain coffee shops (yes, please enjoy the Tim Hortons if you don’t have one in your hometown), we always try to seek out independent coffee shops on our trips.

We ventured over to Les Cafes du Soleil in Lower Town of Old Quebec. It’s a quaint little coffee shop with only a small seating area for guests. Their coffee is absolutely delicious and definitely geared towards coffee lovers. There are coffee beans sourced from various coffee regions all over the world. I enjoyed relaxing and unwinding there after a busy day in the city.

Ferry to Levis

Taking the ferry round-trip to Levis and back is another great way to unwind at the end of the day. You’ll be able to witness the beauty of Quebec City from a new vantage point.

The ferry offers stunning views of Old Quebec, Cap Diamant, and the Chateau Frontenac. It takes approximately an hour to drift across to Levis and back. The ferry ride is one of the most inexpensive activities in Quebec City at $3.95 one way.

Besides the gorgeous views, it’s great to feel the fresh breeze off the river after walking around on a hot, summer day. Please consult the official Quebec City-Levis ferry website for the latest schedule and fare details.

3 Days in Quebec City: Day 2

It’s always good to factor in rainy day activities while traveling. It’s bound to happen, right? Thankfully, there are plenty of things to do indoors in Quebec and these were on our list anyway. I suggest saving these activities for the day when it’s most likely to rain.

There are so many great outdoor activities in Quebec, and you want to save the sunny days for those ones. Even if it doesn’t rain, you’ll want to check out these wonderful indoor attractions in Quebec City.

Musee de la Civilisation

This was an easy choice for us: the Musee de la Civilisation was right across the street from our hotel in Lower Quebec. I suggest either visiting this museum or the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Quebec (fine art museum) during your 3 days in Quebec.

At the Civilization Museum, there was a powerful exhibit on display called Haiti in Extremes that showcased the works of Haitian artists. These expressions of creativity highlighted themes such as death and life, and living with the struggles during natural catastrophes, harsh living conditions, poverty, and political unrest.

There are also permanent installations about the history of Quebec at the museum. When you plan your visit, take a look at the museum’s website to see if there are any temporary exhibitions that catch your attention. Regardless, this is a great museum to check out if you’re a fan of history, old civilizations, or learning more about Quebec City’s past.

Street Art and Murals in Quebec City

Are you a fan of graffiti and street art? First, don’t miss the historic fresco painted on the wall of Maison Soumande on rue Notre-Dame. It’s next to Place Royale, so you can easily add this one onto your first day in Quebec City.

There are other places to view street art in Quebec City , too. We stumbled upon some graffiti and street art beneath a highway overpass. Walk along Rue Saint-Vallier E as you approach the Saint-Roch neighborhood to admire this graffiti for yourself.

You’ll likely come across even more murals in Quebec City as you explore both Old Quebec and the areas just outside of Old Quebec.

Coffee Break at Nektar Cafeologue

Nektar Cafeologue is one of those coffee shops where you feel like you could really make yourself at home. There are many places to sit, and many people hunched over their laptops working on personal projects.

It’s a great place to gather with your travel buddies. We rested our tired legs after walking all over the city with some delicious coffee. This is also one of the first places in Quebec City to offer plant-based milk for lattes and espresso beverages, so it has a special place in my heart.

Erico Chocolaterie

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, be sure to stop by Erico Chocolaterie for a scoop of ice cream (or in my case, vegan soy chocolate ice cream) and some chocolates. It’s a “creative chocolate shop and chocolate museum”, although the main feature is the chocolate shop.

J.A. Moisan

This is the oldest grocery store in North America, so we had to take a peak inside. There were a variety of interesting things for sale, although nothing that I haven’t seen elsewhere at home. I personally love visiting grocery stores when I travel, how about you?

Perhaps if you are visiting Canada or Quebec from overseas, this store may be more interesting or appealing to you. You might be able to find things like maple syrup and other typically Canadian items for less money elsewhere, though they did have a great collection of tasty treats.

Morrin Centre

The Morrin Centre is a must see attraction in Quebec City. Definitely include this one on your Quebec City 3 day itinerary, even if you aren’t a huge fan of tourist attractions. This one is unlike any that we’ve visited elsewhere.

The Morrin Centre is Quebec City’s first prison, English college, English cultural center and English library. The building has such a fascinating history and the guided tour lasts about an hour. We learned a lot about the history of Quebec City from our guide interwoven with details about the Morrin Centre.

Place Royale and La Pizz for the Patio

After our time at the Morrin Centre, we walked back down to Old Quebec’s Lower Town to Place Royale. We chose a little restaurant with a lovely patio (La Pizz) and ordered a pitcher of sangria to savor.

It’s a fabulous place to relax, chat and people watch. Thankfully, it had stopped raining by that point, too! I highly recommend stopping for a meal, a drink, or a snack as you can’t beat stopping on a patio in Place Royale in the middle of all the action.

An Evening Stroll in Old Quebec

As day became night, we went for a short walk around Place Royale, Quartier Petit Champlain, and around the Notre Dame de Quebec in Upper Town. Quebec City has an entirely different vibe at night once most of the tourists have left for the day. It is very quiet and peaceful.

Quebec City is extremely safe, so you don’t have to worry about wandering around when it gets dark outside. Also be forewarned: many restaurants are closed after 9:00pm, which seems very early to me (particularly in Lower Town). Be sure to eat before 9:00pm or check the restaurant hours.

3 Days in Quebec City: Day 3

It’s time for the third day of this Quebec City 3 day itinerary. Since we drove to Quebec City from Toronto for this trip (about an eight hour drive), we had the freedom to drive outside of the city.

If you’re interested in visiting any of the below attractions but you don’t have a car, I make some suggestions within the individual blog posts about each attraction about how to get there. Renting a car is a good idea, too.

These destinations are home to some of the gorgeous natural locations outside of Quebec City. Montmorency Falls and Ile d’Orleans are not far from Quebec City at all. In fact, Montmorency Falls is still within Quebec City itself. If you love nature, waterfalls, or quaint countryside, be sure to check out these beautiful gems.

Ile d’Orleans

Ile d’Orleans is an island just outside of Quebec City across the St. Lawrence River. It is thought of as the Cornucopia of Quebec as the people rely on farming traditions to sell fresh produce, preserves, wine, and more.

We spent a few hours here circling the island to view beautiful scenery and taste the fresh fruits and veggies. Many people ride their bikes around the perimeter of Ile d’Orleans.

Driving a car around Ile d’Orleans allows you to spend half a day on the island while seeing most of its sights. We stopped for lunch here and sampled wine and fresh produce on our ventures around the island.

Don’t have access to a car? This guided tour includes transportation to Ile d’Orleans from Quebec City, as well as multiple stops at wineries around the island.

Canyon Sainte-Anne

If you love waterfalls, you will love Canyon Sainte-Anne . About a half hour away from Quebec City in the town of Beaupre, Canyon Sainte-Anne offers scenic hiking trails and incredible views of a spectacular canyon from multiple positions, including a bridge that’s suspended across the gorge.

Spend a couple of hours at Canyon Saint-Anne hiking around all of the trails and walking across the suspension bridges. It’s a little bit of a drive outside of the city, but it’s one of the best day trips from Quebec City.

Montmorency Falls

While we elected to visit Montmorency Falls on following morning before we drove home from Quebec City, you can fit it into your day after visiting Canyon Sainte-Anne. If you want to visit all three places in one day, make sure that you get an early start to the day. I don’t want you to feel too rushed!

It’s also possible to reach Montmorency Falls by bicycle or public transportation. It is a breathtaking waterfall that’s even higher than Niagara Falls. If there’s one day trip from Quebec City that you should take, it’s a trip to Montmorency Falls.

We spent at least a couple of hours there, witnessing this beautiful waterfall from up above and down below. There’s a cable car that will transport you from the top to the base of the falls. Walk across the suspension bridge at the top, and view the waterfall from multiple vantage points from down below.

Don’t have a car? Take this tour to Montmorency Falls that includes a bonus stop at Ste-Anne-de-Beaupre. Not only will you see this beautiful waterfall, but you’ll also visit the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré and Quebec City’s countryside / Beaupre Coast.

Cycling along the River in Quebec City

If you’re looking for more things to do in Quebec City, I suggest cycling along the river for an hour or two. While we borrowed bicycles from our hotel (Hotel 71), there are several places where you can rent bikes in Quebec City. Pre-book your bike rental so you don’t need to figure it out when you arrive.

There are many bike paths throughout the city so you can do a self-guided tour. If you prefer bike tours, it’s possible to book a guided bike tour in historic Old Quebec that includes bike rentals.

3 Days in Quebec City: Restaurants and Dining

Throughout your 3 days in Quebec City, you’ll be looking for the best restaurants and dining options. As we follow a vegan diet, we found all of the best places to accommodate a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle in Quebec City.

For a full listing, take a look at our Quebec City vegan guide . Here are a few of our top picks, even if you don’t follow a vegan or vegetarian diet.

Le Monastère des Augustines

The restaurant at this  Quebec City monastery  is a hidden gem. Le Monastere des Augustines is a hotel, wellness center, museum, shop and restaurant. You don’t need to stay at the hotel or frequent the wellness centre to dine at the restaurant, though I recommend checking out the museum while you’re here.

The restaurant at Le Monastere des Augustines focuses on healthy, fresh, and organic meals. There’s always a vegan and vegetarian option for a main course. Your meal includes unlimited trips to the salad bar, which is completely vegan.

Chez Victor

Chez Victor  is a gourmet burger restaurant in Quebec City that’s been an institution since 1991. When we visited Quebec City, there were four locations. Now, there are several locations in Quebec City and two in Levis across the river. There’s even a Chez Victor food truck!

There are three vegan burgers: Le Veganator (seitan patty), Le Verguez (vegetable patty), and Le Champoulet Frit (fried mushrooms). They’ve also introduced a vegan poutine to the menu since we last visited, as well as a vegan chocolate cake.

Don Végane

Don Vegane  is Quebec City’s first vegan restaurant. This beautiful restaurant is the perfect place to meet your friends or go for a date night. There are a variety of starters and main courses that will tempt every palate.

To start, choose from tostadas, Caesar salad, dumplings, panko cauliflower or a Thai soup. For the entree, try the bibimbap, spaghetti Bolognese, beet tartar, mushroom risotto, curry masala or others. There are also plant-based desserts and a wide array of cocktails and mocktails.

3 Days in Quebec City: Where to Stay

We’ve had the opportunity to stay at four different hotels in Quebec City: two in Upper Town and two in Lower Town. Justin and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at all four hotels, although the two in Lower Town had the most character out of them all. We’ll provide a brief overview of all four so you can decide accordingly.

Le Saint Pierre Auberge Distinctive is an enchanting boutique hotel that will make your stay extra special. It’s likely our number one hotel choice for this Quebec City 3 day itinerary.

This property feels like its straight out of Europe as it’s inside a beautiful, historic building. I really loved the exposed brick walls, and there are so many fascinating details about the room that are original to the structure.

BOOK YOUR STAY  |  READ MORE REVIEWS

Hotel 71 is almost next door to Le Saint Pierre Auberge in Old Quebec’s Lower Town. The building itself is an old architectural gem, once home to the National Bank of Canada. However, the design and decor of Hotel 71 has a modern flair.

We adored the contemporary elegance and the views of the St. Lawrence River from our room. It’s also wonderful to always have access to delicious coffee, both in the room and downstairs in the public seating area.

Quebec City Marriott Downtown is located in Old Quebec’s Upper Town, and it’s a fabulous place to stay when spending an extended weekend in Quebec City. It’s right outside Place D’Youville at the Saint Jean gate of the fortifications.

This is an ultra modern hotel in the middle of it all. You can easily walk to all major attractions from here. There’s also a restaurant on site, as well as a fitness center.

BOOK YOUR STAY | READ MORE REVIEWS

Hilton Quebec , also in Upper Town of Old Quebec, is in the perfect vacation for this Quebec City 3 day itinerary. It’s a very modern hotel with many amenities, including a gym and a heated outdoor pool.

One of my favorite parts of the Hilton Quebec was the impressive lounge on the 23rd floor. Relax with a coffee here during the day or enjoy a meal or a cocktail at night. Regardless, the views of the city are some of the best you’ll see!

3 Days in Quebec City in Winter

Justin and I have been fortunate to visit Quebec City in late November and February, enjoying the holiday season in Quebec City as well as winter celebrations. Justin and I attended the thrilling ATSX ice cross competition (formerly known as Red Bull Crashed Ice ), which doesn’t come to Quebec City every year (but definitely check it out when it does!).

There are so many reasons to visit Quebec City in the winter, including events and festivities. Quebec City looks so beautiful with a dusting of snow; it’s pure magic. It’s truly one of my favorite times of year to visit. Here’s how to plan your perfect Quebec City winter itinerary .

Quebec City Christmas Market

If you’re visiting at the end of November through December, you absolutely must check out the Quebec City Christmas Market . It’s the best holiday market that I’ve visited in Canada, hands down.

The Quebec City Christmas Market is an authentic German market with delicious food, mulled wine, and vendors selling traditional handicrafts. It’s a fun event for the whole family.

Stay at the Ice Hotel

Another amazing reason to visit Quebec City in the winter months is an opportunity to spend the night at the ice hotel. Hotel de Glace is the only ice hotel in North America, and it’s a bucket list adventure that you should do at least once in your lifetime.

There’s nothing quite like sleeping on an ice bed, drinking at the ice bar, and then there’s the question…where do you go to the bathroom? Read all of the insider details of our stay at Quebec’s Ice Hotel .

Go Tubing at Village Vacances Valcartier

The ice hotel is part of a larger complex called Village Vacances Valcartier , which is the ultimate winter playground. There are tons of tubing hills where we had so much fun.

You can also partake in other winter festivities, like rolling maple syrup taffy in snow. Check out how we had a blast and felt like kids again at Village Vacances Valcartier.

Attend Carnaval de Quebec

And the ultimate reason to visit Quebec City in the winter? The Quebec Winter Carnival , of course! Rub shoulders with the world famous mascot, Bonhomme, and participate in a variety of winter festivities.

There’s an ice castle, ice sculptures, a toboggan hill outside the Chateau Frontenac, a parade, and all sorts of other celebrations of winter. If you are looking to embrace winter, you’ll have to schedule your Quebec City 3 day itinerary during the Quebec Winter Carnival.

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Lauren is the full-time travel blogger and content creator behind Justin Plus Lauren. She started Justin Plus Lauren in 2013 and has travelled to 50+ countries around the world. Lauren is an expert on vegan travel as one of the very first vegan travel bloggers. She also focuses on outdoor adventure travel, eco and sustainable travel, and creating amazing travel itineraries for cities and small towns.

Saturday 18th of November 2023

What a terrific review. I am thinking in spending three days in Quebec during the Xmas holiday. Your guide provides me with a good tour at hand. Thank you!

Lauren Yakiwchuk

Monday 20th of November 2023

Thanks so much, Beatriz! You might be interested in our guide to visiting Quebec City over Christmas, too! Here it is: https://justinpluslauren.com/quebec-city-christmas/

Wednesday 8th of June 2022

hi there, thanks so much for your gear review of Quebec City. it will help me out a lot next year.

Wendy Frankel

Thursday 7th of April 2022

Thank you so much for your detailed list of things to see. It really helped us outline our trip. Can you add additional locations for great ice cream!!

Happy you found it helpful! We really enjoyed the ice cream at Erico Chocolatier when we visited.

Wednesday 10th of April 2019

Hopefully I can make a trip there this summer to check out all these spots!

Wednesday 30th of November 2016

What a detailed itinerary! My girlfriend and I will be visiting the city in December and this guide is super helpful in giving us some ideas on what to check out.

I especially loved your article about the stairs and the funicular as well. Can't wait to explore the city!

Thanks guys!!

A Quebec City Itinerary Guide for 1-3 Days

Trying to plan the perfect Quebec City itinerary? Just check the post below for recommendations for 1-3 days as well as tips for visiting!

My Canadian friend, Alyshia, and I made our way to Québec City as part of our two week road trip through Québec and Ontario. Since we’d started in Montréal, it made perfect sense to pop up to the province’s capital for a few days. Below is a full recommendation on what to depend on how many days you have!

Quick QuÉbec City Travel Tips

• Getting in: If you’re driving, know it’s an easy 3 hours from Montréal. For those flying, the closest airport is Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport. It’s about 25-30 minutes from Old Québec. From there you can take Bus 76 ( see stops here ) or Bus 80 ( see stops here ) to the city center. Otherwise use Uber or Eva, and, of course, you can always book a private transfer .
• Where to Stay: You pretty much have two options – staying in Old Québec or a little outside of the main area. I’ll go into specifics below.
• Money Matters: Québec City and Canada in general are very card-friendly. I don’t think I ever needed to take out cash.
• Stay in Touch: U.S. phone plans should work just fine in Canada. I don’t recall seeing any difference in speed/connection.
• Getting Around: You can walk everywhere in Old Québec, and you’ll just want a car for Île d’Orléans. If you use Uber at all, just allow 10-15 minutes for arrival.

Where to Stay in Québec City

If you want to be as central as possible and don’t have a car, I’d recommend staying in Old Québec.

Outside of Historic Part

Since we drove it made way more sense for us to stay a little ways outside of Old Québec. The best option I found with free parking was Hotel Le Boc . It’s a former monastery and I think also is partially residential.

Can You Do Quebec City as a Day Trip?

I’m assuming you’re asking as a day trip from Montréal since that would be the closest city. (If you’re talking Ottawa or Toronto – definitely not!) My answer is: kind of . It really depends on what you want to do in Québec City and how quickly you want to travel.

Technically, you can visit in a day as long as you don’t mind having 6 hours of transport over all as Montréal and Québec City are about 3 hours apart. I found this day tour option which is great if you’re not driving and want to squeeze it in. It includes Place Royale, the Plains of Abraham, Quartier Petit Champlain, Montmorency Falls, and some free time in Old Québec, and it overall should be 12 hours start to finish.

I think this is a nice enough option and gives you a good overview of the city, but if you can, I’d say you’ll enjoy the city more with 2 or 3 days. It’s a very cute city, so I don’t recommend rushing through it!

Our Quebec Itinerary: 3D/3N

The way our overall itinerary worked had us in Québec City for 3 nights in total – arriving from Montréal during the afternoon on Day 1 and leaving earlier in the morning on Day 4 for Ottawa (a 5+ hour drive). Depending on your trip or how you’re getting around, this Québec itinerary could easily be altered to be for 2 full days and 1 night, arriving early in the morning on Day 1 and leaving at the end of the day on Day 2. Up to you! But here’s exactly how our trip went so you can copy or adapt as you need to.

Day 1: Arrive in Québec City

We arrived to Québec earlier in the afternoon. Once we got checked into our hotel, freshened up, and attempted to make dinner reservations (no luck), we were ready to stretch our legs a bit around golden hour.

Get dropped off in front of Fairmont Chateau

A good starting point for some wandering is the Fairmont Chateau Le Frontenac . Alyshia plugged this into Uber and we walked around from there. (Obviously if you’re staying here, you’ve already saved yourself 15 minutes). The hotel is kind of the focal point of Old Québec and really adds to the feeling of being in some cute European city! Despite its castle-like architecture, it’s always been used as a hotel since its construction in 1893. In fact, it’s got a history all its own separate from any sort of royalty as it’s part of Canada’s grand railway hotels.

Inspiration for Chateau Le Frontenac comes from the Loire Valley in France, and its name comes from Louise de Buade, Count of Fontenac, the Governor General of New France during the late 1600s. In its time, it’s hosted the likes of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill as well as was seen in the Hitchcock film, I Confess , and, for my fellow K-drama fans , Guardian: The Lonely and Great God .

If you’re curious about the interiors and aren’t staying here, then you can always eat at one of its restaurants or book a 1-hr small group tour .

Wander around Old Québec near Place d’Armes

Pretty much as soon as we exited into Old Québec, I fell in love! I’m sure Alyshia heard me squeal “cute” more times than she’ll ever need to again.

But it’s true! From the Fairmont, you’re looking at a small square that wraps around Place d’Armes and looks straight out of a storybook! We started walking a bit towards the Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec entrance as it’s a bit of a boardwalk and gives you views over the river to the town of Levis. We then basically walked around a bit hoping to find somewhere that had an opening and looked good.

Dinner at Restaurant Pub D’Orsay

We lucked out when we passed by Restaurant Pub D’Orsay at the corner between Rue des Jardins and Rue de Buade. They were one of the places we tried to book a reservation at only for it to be full. Not only did they have an opening for two, they had them right outside with a view of the Notre Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral. And on top of that we came about 5 minutes before a big family group came, whoo hoo!

Anyway, the food at D’Orsay is always delicious. Being in the most French city in Canada, we, of course, ordered French onion soup to start! Then I split off to Spain ordering seafood paella while Alyshia got clams. Deliciousness all around.

By the time we finished, it was getting dark and most shops were close. We walked around a little more and even stopped into a cute little Christmas shop before heading back to our hotel. (And subsequently binge-watching half of season 2 of “Outer Banks” lol).

Day 2: Île d’Orléans

We spent most of day 2 driving around (although there still wound up being a decent amount of walking)! It actually came at a perfect time since we’d just walked a billion steps all over Montréal, so the thought of mostly sitting down sounded perfect to me. If you go past Old Québec, you can find Montmorency Falls and the very scenic Île d’Orléans.

Breakfast at Bugel de Fabrique

First things first – a little breakfast. I walked over to Bügel de Fabrique , which was all of 2 minutes on foot from our hotel and picked us up some bagels and coffee. The shop has been around since 1987 and I imagine pretty popular with locals. It was busy when I went in, and they’ve got a ton of bagel and bagel sandwich options! I do recommend looking up the menu online because it’s only in French in the shop and, lol, my French is not good enough to know bagel types and breakfast terms.

Drive to Montmorency Falls (2ish hours)

Anyhow, once we ate and were ready to go, we drove over to Montmorency Falls ! At first we kinda thought we’d just drive by, stop to take a pic, and continue on to Île d’Orléans but that’s definitely not the case. Its actually more of a park around the falls, so you can only access if you buy a ticket in. There are 3 different parking lots, two above the falls and one down below, so in all you get 3 different viewpoints. I’d give myself an hour to two hours depending on how much you want to do. If you want to do the full walk, I’d park down below so you start out climbing up the stairs and end going down.

We didn’t know any of this, so we parked at the main entrance, walked across the bridge and the first few levels of the stairs. Then we went back and drove to the bottom parking lot to see from there before moving on.

Drive around Île d’Orléans

Now time for a scenic drive! Île d’Orléans reminds me a bit of my little day trip to Mayne Island from Vancouver. Canada really has the cutest islands, especially in the summer! It’s very small and is basically just one loop around with one bridge across.

The island was one of the first areas colonized by the French and many French Canadians can trace their family history back here. As a result it has a number of wineries, fromageries, and homes from the 17th century. I’m not sure how it is in the winter, but when we drove around in the summer we were treated to pretty views and lots of cute shops and farmer’s stands.

Lunch at Bistro du Hangar

We were hungry after the unexpected time spent at Montmorency Falls, so we went looking for lunch. Our first place, Restaurant de Plage, was closed, so we drove a bit to Bistro du Hangar . It’s a very casual eatery with good poutine and wings!

Walk around a bit

You’ll notice driving in and around that Île d’Orléans is full of the cutest storefronts and houses. Bistro du Hangar is in a particularly cute area that’s perfect for walking around after you’ve finished lunch. We strolled down to the Quai de Saint-Jean, which has some nice views of the water. If you want to relax, you can actually bring along a chair to sit out and enjoy the peace!

Pick up some strawberries (or whatever produce is in season when you visit)

We continued our drive around the island, stopping off randomly when we saw somewhere cute! I did want to make sure I picked up some strawberries before we left, and the spot we wound up stopping at was Ferme Laval Gagnon . They even had a huge strawberry painted on the side, which we thought was cute! There was a bunch of produce and other goods for sale when we stopped in. I picked up some cute illustrated cards with my strawberries.

If you want to get more into the food of the island, there’s this tasting tour which goes way more into it than we did.

Grab ice cream and a drink at Cassis Monna & Filles

We still had some time to kill before our dinner reservation back in Old Québec, so we popped into Cassis Monna & Filles . They’re a family-owned business that specializes in black currant alcohol. They have a really lovely outdoor seating area with an ice cream shop on top and a wine and alcohol shop on the bottom. Alyshia got some sangria, and I got some black currant ice cream.

There are actually a lot of wineries around the island, so if you want you could turn this day trip into a bit of a winery tour!

Dinner at Don Vegan

Day 2 finished off with the adventure of driving to Don Vegan and eating some delicious food. No joke, do not recommend trying to drive in Old Québec if you can help it. Alyshia had to take over to find parking because I was getting too stressed lol.

Anyhow, Don Vegan is Québec City’s very first 100% vegan restaurant, and they offer quite a range of dishes and cocktails. We split the panko cauliflower as our appetizers while I got the carbonada spaghetti and Alyshia got the burrito bowl for our main course.

We were pretty exhausted by the time we finished dinner, so we headed back to our hotel! I ate my strawberries for dessert, and we finished the rest of Outer Banks season 2.

Day 3: All Around Québec City

Our last full day in Québec City! This day was all about properly visiting Old Québec and a whole lotta walking. Besides getting breakfast, sugar pie, and going back into the historic center, we didn’t have any specific plans and just sort of went where we felt like going. It led to some very cute discoveries as this entire city is full of charm!

Breakfast at a Cafe Le Cousins

Wanting to find somewhere to sit inside for breakfast, we plugged in cafes into Google Maps and started walking. We did stop in this bookstore along the way but alas it was all French. Cafe Le Cousins seemed like it had proper food, so we went in there. I wouldn’t say it’s a total cafe vibe; it’s more cafe/bakery, so people are coming in and out and not really sitting down to eat. Good food though! Alyshia got the quiche, and I got this apple/brie croissant sandwich and, of course, coffee while we mapped out our route for the morning.

Walk to Plains d’Abraham / Garden of Joan of Arc

From there we head over to the Plaines d’Abraham. It’s a pretty large area and is made famous because of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759. Part of the American French and Indian War and the European Seven Years’ War, it’s notable for being the place where the British defeated the French.

We didn’t go too much into the park as there’s not a whole lot to see beyond the landscapes and views, but we did stop in to the very pretty Joan of Arc garden and walked along the northern perimeter.

Stop into St-Huberts for sugar pie

If you’re walking along Wilfrid-Laurier Ave, you’ll want to turn right onto Pl. George-V Ouest and then left onto Grand Allée Estate to find Rotisserie St-Hubert right at the corner. It might not be on the menu, but ask for the sugar pie and enjoy pure sweet goodness.

Sugar pie is one of the must-eats anywhere Québec province, and St-Huberts has at least one location everywhere. It comes from Northern France and Belgium and is, as you might expect, made with a lot of sugar. YUM!

Walk over to Parliament Gardens

From there, head over to Québec City’s parliament building and gardens . It’s been used for the National Assembly of Quebec and has been around since 1886. I think you can do a tour of the interior, but we just walked the gardens. On the one side they have all the “founders” of Canada, so I put Alyshia’s history classes to use and asked her who they all were.

Walk along Rue Saint-Louis

From here you can just walk along Rue Saint-Louis. It’ll bring you past the old city citadel and along a lot of pretty house and storefronts. Don’t forget to turn down the smaller roads and alleys like Rue Donnaconna for charming views.

Walk down to Dufferin Terrace

We saw all these cool view of the Chateau that we hadn’t seen in person yet, so we found ourselves walking down to a boardwalk like area past where we’d gone on our first night. If you plug in Dufferin Terrace into Google Maps, that’ll take you to the right place. If it seem

s a little crowded at first, just keep walking and it empties out very quickly! Sit under one of the fun green and white vintage-styled gazebos, photograph the best view of the castle, and enjoy the people watching.

Walk over to Rue de Baude and Rue Port Dauphin/Fort St

Another cool view and on your way to the next stop of the day is between Rue de Buade and Rue Port Dauphin/Fort St by the Louis S. St Laurent Building.

Walk down Cote de la Montagne to Escalier Casse-Cou

From here walk down Cote de laa Montagne, through the Prescott Gate and to the top of the Escalier Casse-Cou , the oldest staircase in the city. This will bring you to probably one of the cutest streets in all of Québec City, which is saying a lot!

Stroll around Rue du petit Champlain

If you take the funicular down, this is where it’ll drop you off as well. It literally looks like it belongs in some old European fairytale, and I’m sure in the winter it looks straight out of a Christmas card. It’s a mix of stores and restaurants and just one straight path through to the road and St. Lawrence River.

Dinner at Le Lapin Sauté

We stopped off to eat at Le Lapin Sauté , which, yes, translate to The Sautéed Rabbit. As you might guess, most of their dishes are rabbit-based and absolutely delicious. Opt for a seat outside! We split their Québec cheeses and white wine fondue as an appetizer while I ordered the duck sauce and rabbit leg cassoulet and Alyshia ordered the hot-duck Européen-style with homemade sauerkrout. Nearby is also the mural, Fresque du Petit-Champlain, which is supposed to show the history of Cap-Blanc, the working-class neighborhood of the city.

Walk down to Umbrella Alley

After we finished, we walked the rest of the street before turning and going up the Umbrella Alley. This whole area has different art pieces including some random cars flipped upside down and figures swinging from the roofs. Looks like they changed out the colors of the umbrella sometimes, though I’m not sure how often. When we went, the umbrellas were blue.

As a bonus, you get another cool view of the Chateau from below. To me, this is when it looked the most like Hogwarts!

Walk to Place Royale and Notre-Dame-des-Victoires

Also in this same area is Place Royale and Notre-Dame-des-Victoires. This is the oldest stone church in the whole continent, and Place Royale was built all the way back in 1688. This is the exact where Samuel de Champlain established Québec City, building the first permanent settlement for the French.

Finish with the Quebec City Mural

Our last stop of the day was this stunning mural called the Fresque des Québécois. It’s suppose to illustrate the European story of the city with different historical figures woven into the different seasons. There’s a plaque nearby that tells you who each person is suppose to do. The mural itself was painted by 12 different artists over 9 weeks in 1999.

And there you have it – tips for your own Quebec Itinerary for 1 – 3 days! Let me know if we missed anything (don’t need much temptation to head back)!

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The Ultimate First-Time Visitor’s Guide to Québec City

Last Modified: August 23, 2023 //  by  Anda

If this is your first time in Quebec City, this guide will help you navigate the city’s unusual culture and give you all the information you need for visiting it.

Québec City is about as European as it can get in North America. When wandering through its cobblestone streets surrounded by French-style bistros and French speaking people, you’d think you are in Paris. Yet, despite its European charm, the city has a very distinct North-American atmosphere.

Table of Contents

A Brief History of Québec City

First impressions, 1. stroll through the old town québec, 2. admire the city view from château frontenac, 3. visit morrin center, 4. visit the citadelle de québec, 5. head to the top of the observatoire de la capitale, 6. take a food tour, 7. go a day trip to montmorency falls, 8. visit île d’orléans, 9. discover the aboriginal community of québec city.

• Where to Stay in Québec City as a First Time Visitor 

A Final Note

Founded by Samuel de Champlain in 1608, Old Québec is considered the cradle of French civilization in North America, which is one of the many interesting things about Canada . The city was an important point of interest not only for the French. The fur trade in region also attracted the British who attacked the French colony on numerous occasions.

Quebec City sits on a bluff at a narrow point on the St. Lawrence River. In fact, the city’s name itself derives from the Indian word kébec, meaning “where the river narrows.” 

Its strategic position made it hard to conquer, but eventually, in 1759, the British managed to take control of the colony and the northern part of the continent. And so began the linguistic and cultural rivalry between the francophones and anglophones – two groups that left their mark on Quebec City.

A First Time Visitor’s Guide to Québec City

When strolling the streets of Quebec you often have to remind yourself that you are in Canada and not in Europe. The road signs are in French, the streets have French names and everything posted is in French. If you are not prepared for this, you may have a culture shock when coming to Québec.

Luckily, the  Québecois are much nicer than their European counterparts. Once they realize that your French vocabulary requires the help of sign language, they will switch to English. Do not assume however that everybody in Québec is an English-speaker.

What to Do in Québec City

Old Town Québec is fairly small and can be easily explored in two-three days. The town is divided in two parts – the Lower Town, located between the St. Lawrence River and the high cliffs, and the Upper Town, which is the fortified old historic quarter.

Lower Town is the site of the original French settlement, defined by narrow streets and stone buildings. Many of Quebec City’s attractions are in this area. You can start your visit in the pretty Place Royale and see the spot where Samuel de Champlain erected his first farm. 

One of the most beautiful buildings in Place Royale is  Notre-Dame des Victoires (1688), a little church that stands testament to the French victories over the British. Next to Place Royale you can see “Fresque des Québécois,” a beautiful mural that recounts the history of the city. 

Also in Lower Town is the colorful Quartier Petit-Champlain.  This labyrinth of narrow streets lined with chic boutiques, artisan shops and bistros, is one of the most scenic areas in Old Quebec. In 2014, Rue du Petit-Champlain was voted Canada’s most charming street.

The Upper Town sits on the cliff of Cape Diamond, the highest point of the city. To reach it you can either climb one of the steep staircases that start in the lower town, or take the Funiculaire for a 2 minute trip to the top. The Funiculaire will drop you on the Terrasse Dufferin, a beautiful, wide promenade that overlooks the St. Lawrence River below.

The centerpiece of the historic quarter is the stunning Château Frontenac . With its grandiose size and suggestive name, you may think you are in front of a French chateau , but the iconic Frontenac is actually a hotel. 

Château Frontenac is said to be the most photographed hotel in the world and one of Quebec City’s attractions. It’s worth visiting this imposing structure even if you aren’t staying there. You can wander through the hotel lobby and marvel at its dark-wood opulence.  

To get a bird’s eye view of Québec City , take the elevator up to the 31st floor of Marie Guyart building, at the Observatories de la Capitale, one of Quebec City’s attractions . 

From up here you can see the St. Lawrence River, Île d’Orléans (famous for its great markets), the Plains of Abraham, and the star-shaped Citadel of Old Québec.

One of the most interesting buildings in the historic quarter is the  Morrin Center , a 200-year old building that first functioned as a prison. Later on, the building became home to the Morrin College – Quebec City’s first English-language institute of higher education.

A visit to the Morrin Center lets you see the jail cells and learn more about the life of the prisoners and the harsh conditions they endured. Morrin Center has a very beautiful library, really worth visiting.

Also located in the Upper Town is the old Citadelle de Québec, built by the British in the 19th century. The massive fortress is still an active military installation, so visiting it inside requires a guided tour. However, you can walk around it without a guide.

Part of the Citadel has been converted into a military museum. During the summer months people gather in the Citadel to watch the Changing of the Guards ceremony.

A great way to learn more about the history of Quebec is le Bus Rouge (the Red Bus). The narrated tour starts in front of Musée du Fort, right across from Chateau Frontenac, and goes to areas outside the old city wall.

The double decker bus stops at different points where you can get off and explore the city at your own pace, then hop on the bus again and continue your tour.

To visit Québec City’s highest viewpoint ,  take the elevator up to the 31st floor of the Marie Guyart building. This is where you’ll find the Observatoire de la Capitale an interesting observation deck from where you’ll have a bird’s eye view of the entire Quebec City.

From up here you can see the St. Lawrence River, Île d’Orléans, the  Plains of Abraham , and the fortifications surrounding Old Québec.

Quebec City is a food paradise! It would be a pity to visit the city and not taste its delicacies. I had the opportunity to go on a food tour with a local guide from the Quebec City tourist board.

Michelle took me on a off-the-beaten-path culinary tour and introduced me to the local favorites that otherwise I would not have unnoticed. The tour was 3 hours long and includes 6 stops with 12 different tastings of food & drink which is enough to equal a very satisfying lunch.

One food that you should try in Quebec City is poutine . This is a nationally beloved dish made with steak, French fries, cheese curds, ranch dressing and fried onion. Fattening, but delicious! The Québecois argue that poutine was actually invented here, in Quebec City.

Just a short drive away from the city you’ll see one of Canada’s most beautiful waterfalls: the Montmorency Falls.  Although not as famous and wide as Niagara Falls, Montmorency is still one of the most beautiful falls in North America.

The water plunges 272 feet (83 meters) into a bowl-shaped basin on the St. Lawerence River. There is a cable car that will take you to the top of the waterfall from where you can walk across the foaming white water on a suspended footbridge. 

During the freezing Canadian winter, the water stops flowing and the waterfall turns into a mountain of ice that is often climbed by local daredevils.

Not very far from the city center of Québec lies one of the most picturesque islands in the area: Île d’Orléans. The island is home to many historic homes and beautiful churches, as well as vineyards and berry plantations.

This is where you can taste some of Quebec’s best ice-wine and ice-cider, eat some delicious ice cream and home baked cookies, and enjoy a hearty meal at one of the many restaurants around.

Also within a short drive from Quebec City, you can have an Aboriginal experience at Huron-Wendat Nation at Wendake. There is a hotel, restaurant and an interesting museum on the site.

Here you can find out a lot about the history, traditions and the way of life of the First Nation. There is also the authentic reconstruction of a Huron village where you can see archeological artifacts and craft demonstrations.

Where to Stay in Québec City as a First Time Visitor  

In this guide I’m also going to give you a couple of lodging options for Québec City.

For Budget Minded Travelers

One of the less known hotels in Quebec City is the unique  Le Monastère des Augustines .  The Monastery turned hotel is located in the historic building of the Hotel-Dieu de Quebec   – the first hospital on the American continent built in 1639 by the Augustine nuns.

Even if you don’t lodge here overnight, the on-site museum of the monastery displays an extensive collection of medical instruments and artifacts that the nuns used when carrying for their patients.

READ NEXT : 7 Amazing Things to do in Banff National Park in Summer

For Those Interested in a High-end Experience

Another interesting place to visit in Old Quebec is the wonderful  Auberge Saint Antoine . The hotel was built on one of the city’s richest archaeological sites and displays a beautiful collection of artifacts  found during its excavation.

Even if you are not staying there, you can wander through the hotel lobby and admire the wealth of artifacts. 

The in-house bistro-restaurant is on of the city’s best. Housed in a former warehouse, the restaurant serves delicious French-inspired food using fresh, local ingredients. 

Trivia: Quebec is the birth place of Celine Dion. It’s also the scene where the first street performance of Cirque de Soleil happened. And last but not least, Quebec is place where author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry lived for a while.

Throughout its long and turbulent history, Quebec City managed to preserve its status as the largest French-speaking city in North America. But to understand the Francophone community’s ambition to be recognized as one of Canada’s founding peoples, one must appreciate their struggle for survival since the British acquisition of New France, in 1763.

If you enjoyed this Quebec City guide, please pin it to help other travelers:

Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

Reader Interactions

December 14, 2017 at 10:27 pm

Hi Anda, I’ve always wanted to experience a white Christmas, I’m from Perth Western Australia. I have done some research & Quebec is on the list of destinations that guaranty snow at Christmas. Do you recommend this City for a white Christmas? Or have you got any other suggestions? Thanks

Anda Galffy

December 14, 2017 at 11:13 pm

Quebec City gets more snow than you may like, Rebecca. Winters are quite harsh there. However, the city is really charming and very easy to visit. I haven’t been there at Christmas time, but I’m sure it’s quite beautiful. Some European cities may also be an option for a “white Christmas” but you should check if snow is in the forecast before booking your tickets.

July 13, 2017 at 6:04 pm

What a lovely, helpful post. I haven’t gotten to Quebec City yet, although it has been on my list for years. You’re guide will be useful when I finally get there!

July 13, 2017 at 8:43 pm

Thank you, Cindy. I’m glad you find this helpful.

June 20, 2017 at 9:13 pm

Wow, you’re right, the city does look a lot like Europe! It’s very interesting to read how over many centuries, Quebec still retains its French heritage and indeed, they hold on to it very tightly! Your photos are, as always, spectacular 🙂

Agness of eTramping

June 20, 2017 at 3:40 am

This is a great post about Quebec- my bucket list destination! Very informative post, Anda!

Michele {Malaysian Meanders}

June 19, 2017 at 12:01 am

I somehow never realized that Quebec had that much British influence… well, I guess it is part of modern day Canada, so I should have known that. I would love to visit this city, especially that charming little street, and stay at the Chateau Frontenac.

June 19, 2017 at 9:22 am

Quebec City maintained its French heritage quite well, considering that the English eventually conquered it.

June 18, 2017 at 3:57 pm

What a charming place. It really looks very European. When I was in Niagara Falls last week, several people were telling me I should go to Quebec City and know I know why.

June 18, 2017 at 10:17 pm

Quebec City is not too far from you, Anisa. Hope you’ll get to visit it soon.

Ruth | Tanama Tales

June 16, 2017 at 7:35 pm

I would like to visit Quebec too. People who visit cannot stop raving about its beauty and European feeling. When you say you were able to squeeze a short visit, how many days are we talking about? I want to see if I can plan something short from Los Angeles. #TheWeeklyPostcard

June 17, 2017 at 2:33 pm

I spent 3 days in Quebec City, Ruth, but I would have liked to have more. While you can visit the Old Quebec in two days, probably need about 4 if you want to see Ile d’Orleans and Montmorency Falls and maybe visit some of the museums.

Lydia C. Lee

June 16, 2017 at 3:14 pm

That’s so beautiful – I hadn’t realised the buildings were so old (or old fashioned ie stone)

Rhonda Albom

June 14, 2017 at 10:52 pm

I visited Quebec City about 15 years ago with my two toddlers (now all grown up). I liked it as it had a more “European” feel than the rest of North America. The people in the city were wonderful.

June 15, 2017 at 12:42 am

I agree, Rhonda. The people in Quebec City were very, very nice.

Doreen Pendgracs

June 14, 2017 at 7:50 pm

I really love Quebec City. It’s the closet thing to Europe you’ll find this side of the Atlantic. Montreal is almost as good and better in its own way. Looking forward to my trip there next month.

June 15, 2017 at 12:43 am

Quebec City is not far from you, Doreen, is it?

June 14, 2017 at 12:06 pm

Another place on my wishlist! Your articles are the best incentive to motivate me go see places!

Sarah Ebner

June 14, 2017 at 8:35 am

We are really looking forward to visiting this beautiful-sounding city this summer. Thanks for all the tips!

June 14, 2017 at 1:38 pm

So you are planning to go to Quebec City this summer? It’s going to be beautiful. Summer and fall are the best times of the year to be there.

June 14, 2017 at 4:25 am

Great read! I’m dying to visit Quebec, but don’t know how I’ll ever squeeze Canada in when flying home to the US. Family would be mad if I went there instead of spending time with them! But I will go one day!! Don’t know if I said this prior to leaving on my honeymoon, but your new site looks fantastic!! 🙂

June 14, 2017 at 1:39 pm

It will probably have to be a special trip, Lolo. It will be difficult to combine Quebec City with California.

June 14, 2017 at 1:13 am

Love your pictures. I’d love to discorver Quebec. Actually make that Canada! But having seen your pictures of the old town, i am sure that it would be a place i’d love as well 🙂 thx for sharing!

June 14, 2017 at 1:24 am

Thanks, Julz. Hope you’ll get to visit Quebec City soon.

Debbra Dunning Brouillette

June 13, 2017 at 8:47 pm

Anda, I so enjoyed your article and your lovely photos! Stephen and I visited Quebec City three years ago prior to beginning a Holland America cruise that started there. We had a guided tour of the city and made it across the bridge to visit the Île d’Orléans and the next day did an excursion to Montmorency Falls. It was such a beautiful area that I would love to go again. Wouldn’t it be fun to stay in the Château Frontenac?

June 13, 2017 at 8:50 pm

I’m sure it would, Debbie, but their rooms start at $475/night.

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Quebec City Itinerary: 3 Days of History, Beauty and Beyond

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What do you do when you’re looking for a taste of Europe but don’t want to commit the money or time to crossing an ocean? The obvious answer is that you plan a trip to Quebec City! But as you plan you start to realize that the city and its surrounding region are so much more than “Europe light”. Even though our recent visit to Quebec City wasn’t our first time (it was actually my third), it taught me to love and appreciate this unique gem in a whole new way.

In this 3 day Quebec City itinerary, I hope to show you what makes it so magical. At times you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale! I hope it will help you prioritize what to see in Quebec City in 3 days. You’ll learn about Quebec City’s contentious history, soak up its charm and even explore the area’s natural beauty with a day trip from Quebec (or two).

If you have more time available, I’ve also provided an optional extension for a 4 day Quebec City itinerary; alternatively, you can use it as a substitute for one of the day trips if you aren’t interested in leaving the city. Along the way I’ll also highlight some of the best photo spots in Quebec City and great Quebec City restaurants you’ll want to try. At the end you’ll also find some helpful Quebec City travel tips.

Quebec City 3 day itinerary summary

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If you’re short on time but don’t want to miss the big picture, here’s a quick summary of what to do in Quebec City in 3 days, plus an option extension for 4 days in Quebec City. Be sure to book your Quebec City accommodations and Quebec City tours in advance if you’re visiting in summer!

Where to stay

• Save: Hôtel Manoir Vieux-Québec
• Splurge: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
• Breakfast/brunch at Place Dufferin
• Optional: 10am Chateau Frontenac tour
• Stroll Rue du Trésor, snack or light lunch
• 2pm Quebec history walking tour
• Explore Lower Town
• Dinner at Bistro Sous Le Fort
• Breakfast at Au 1884
• 10:30am Citadelle de Québec tour
• Lunch near Citadelle
• Montmorency Falls
• Île d’Orleans
• Dinner at Cassis Monna & Filles or Le Billig
• Breakfast at Les Bonyeuses , pick up lunch for later
• ~ 12pm whale watching tour (time varies by season) – with optional bus transportation
• Baie-des-Rochers
• Jardins du Cap-à-l’Aigle
• Dinner in La Malbaie or Baie-Saint-Paul

Day 4 (optional extention or substitute for day 3):

• Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site
• Lunch in Lower Town
• Musée de la Civilisation
• Ferry to Lévis
• Dinner at L’Intimiste
• Views from Terrasse du Chevalier-de-Lévis

Where to stay in Quebec City is always a big question, and in part it depends on what kind of experience you want. For historic charm, you’ll want to look at places to stay in Old Quebec (properly called Vieux Quebec); on the other hand, if you prefer more contemporary amenities you’ll likely need to look at hotels in the more modern part of the city. If it’s your first time in Quebec City, I recommend staying in Old Quebec – especially if you won’t have a car.

It’s important to understand that Old Quebec City has two areas, Upper Town and Lower Town. The whole area is quite hilly, and near the waterfront (which is one of the areas most dense in Quebec City tourist attractions) Upper and Lower Towns are connected by either a steep staircase or a funicular.

For a first time visitor look for the best place to stay in Quebec City, I recommend Upper Town. All of the places to stay in Haute-Ville Quebec City are convenient for Quebec City activities and restaurants. That said, next time we visit we’ll stay in Basse-Ville Quebec City; after two stays in Upper Town, we’ll be happy to enjoy the relative quiet of Lower Town along with its fancy galleries and more sophisticated food offerings.

The most classic place to stay in Quebec City’s Upper Town is obviously Fairmont Le Château Frontenac . It beautifully dominates the Quebec City skyline and is a true treat inside. Every room in the hotel is unique! Guests can enjoy a pool and fitness center in addition to being charmed by the more traditional spaces and filling their bellies at the on-site restaurants. If you’re looking to splurge on a Quebec City hotel, this is the one to pick.

If Le Frontenac isn’t a fit for your budget or space needs, fear not! We had an excellent stay just steps away at Hôtel Manoir Vieux-Québec . This half-modern/half-traditional building is just across the park – we could see Le Frontenac from our window.

Through strategic use of Murphy beds (they look like big white closets in the photo above), they’re able to offer rooms accommodating up to 6 people which is what we chose. Our apartment even had a full kitchen, dining area and living room when the Murphy beds were put away. It was the perfect place to stay in Quebec City with kids! On-site amenities include a gym and hot tub, and in “normal times” breakfast is offered (the fancy cappuccino machine in the lobby at least gave me a little boost).

There’s an external set of stairs to access the main entrance (as is the case with most boutique Quebec City hotels) but once inside there’s an elevator to whisk you to your room.

What feels like a lifetime ago, we stayed at the nearby Hôtel Maison du Fort for our honeymoon. It’s a wonderful, cozy choice for a couples trip to Quebec City. It’s a sweet little bed & breakfast in Quebec City that’s tucked on a side street between the Frontenac and the Citadelle, so it’s extremely walkable. One thing to keep in mind is that the main floor only has “standard” rooms with a double bed and all other rooms (including family suites) require at least one internal flight of stairs. In fact, the family suite is a 4th floor walkup, so if you need that much space (and have a commensurate amount of luggage) I’d point you to Hôtel Manoir Vieux-Québec instead.

If none of these meets your needs, check out this helpful map to find high-quality, centrally location hotels in Quebec City:

I’ll offer a quick note on Quebec City transportation here. In general, exploring the Old City just requires a good pair of walking shoes. That said, keep in mind that it was built on a steep hill for defensive purposes. You will walk, you will walk a lot , and you will sometimes be walking on cobblestone hills. The steepest place in the city you’ll need to conquer is the 200 foot climb from Petit-Champlain to the Dufferin Terrace, and thankfully with appropriate Canadian cash the funicular can take you up.

Our recent visit was actually a multi-generational trip to Quebec City and included my youthful but 70-something mom. A few times she accused us of trying to gain early access to her estate by walking her too much, and one time she even needed to take a (brief) taxi ride within the Old City. That’s ok, and thankfully taxis are relatively inexpensive and easy to come by within the city.

We did have a car with us since we were on a lengthy road trip in Canada and New York , and the car was very helpful for exploring beautiful, unique places in the province of Quebec. If you’re interested in seeing what’s beyond the city walls, check rental car prices here for your dates.

Prefer to stay local and just explore the city? That’s ok! You can easily grab a taxi or Uber from the airport and then either stick to Quebec City or use some of the transportation-included tours I’ve recommended in the itinerary below.

You’ll kick off your 3 days in Quebec City with a few hours in its most famous building: Le Château Frontenac. It was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1892 and modeled after the chateaus of France’s Loire Valley. It’s been expanded and renovated numerous times over the last century but still retains its iconic appearance and charm.

Fortunately, the lower two floors are open to the public. You truly don’t need to feel sheepish about just walking in to enjoy the shops, restaurants and elegant interior design! In fact, Le Frontenac is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Quebec City.

Fill your belly with the exquisite brunch at Place Dufferin. They serve a full hot buffet until 11am on weekdays and 11:30 on weekends. They have everything from custom omelets to a spread of local cheeses and pastries and much more. But can I share a little secret? This is probably the best value you’ll find at a Quebec City restaurant, especially if you’re looking for places to eat in Quebec City with kids. As of our 2022 visit, the price was just $38 CAD for adults and $19 CAD for kids 6-12 – with the exchange rate that put our cost at $30 per adult and $15 per kid for an unbelievable quantity, quality and variety of food.

If you’re looking for a relaxed start to your day, I’d recommend going for brunch around 10:30 on weekends. That’ll give you plenty of time to eat and explore, but you’ll also probably be full enough to get away with a light snack at mid-day rather than sitting for a huge meal. When you’re done gorging eating, head back up to the main level of Le Frontenac. Explore the hotel lobby, shops and rotating history exhibit – don’t feel sheepish! Be sure to check out the elevators near the check in desk.

Are you more of the “see and do it all type”? Instead start your breakfast around 9am so that you can make it outside at 10am for a guided tour of Le Chateau Frontenac with a costumed historical character. The tour lasts about an hour and includes both the inside and outside of the famed hotel, giving you a much deeper understanding of the history of the building as well as its significance to the world. We did a different tour with a same company and it was a highlight of our long weekend in Quebec City, so next time we visit we’ll definitely add this tour to our Quebec City itinerary!

Once you’ve finished your time at the Frontenac, head outside to stroll the nearby Rue du Trésor. For decades, this has been a charming place to buy locally-made arts and home decorations; I should know, because my childhood home was adorned with sconces my parents purchased here in the 1980s! Even if you don’t have the budget to buy, on a nice day this is a wonderful place to stroll around and soak in the city’s ambiance.

If you aren’t still full to the brim from your morning meal at Le Frontenac, this is the perfect time to grab a coffee and croissant to refill your belly. If you’re feeling even more peckish, there are tons of small bistros and restaurants in Old Quebec City that won’t require walking more than a few minutes.

At 2pm, be sure you’re back in the Place d’Armes – the picturesque square at the heart of Old Quebec. On the side opposite Le Frontenac, you’ll see a hotel with signs for tourist information – they’re legitimate signs, and the front of the hotel is the meeting place for your 2pm Quebec City history walking tour with Cicerone .

This tour was a real highlight and one of the best things to do in Quebec City. We learned so much about the city’s history and important context for understanding Quebec City over time. Our excellent guide, Sandrine, was also extremely entertaining and did a wonderful job of staying in her “role” as a young French girl who was pushed to emigrate to this distant outpost beaver trading outpost to put down roots.

The walking tour lasts two hours, so bring your comfortable shoes. It’ll take you all around both Upper Town and Lower Town as you learn several hundred years of history and encounter one beautiful view after another.

The tour leaves you in Lower Town around 4pm. When it wraps up, you may want to double back for more strolling through the charming Lower Town. Stop in at Bistro Sous le Fort to put your name down for a table later – more on this Lower Town Quebec City restaurant below.

There are plenty of unique galleries and interesting restaurants along Rue St-Pierre and Rue du Sault-Au-Matelot, or you can spend some additional time admiring the lovely square in front of the 250 year old Notre-Dame-des-Victoires church.

Be sure to spend part of your afternoon wandering Rue Petit Champlain, the adorable street at the heart of the historic Petit-Champlain neighborhood. You’ll find tons of Quebec-made items from housewares to sweet treats. Many of the buildings in the neighborhood date back nearly 400 years and they’re nearly all designed as they would have been in France, making this one of the most European places in North America – and definitely one of the most Instagrammable spots in Quebec City.

You’ll also want to make a quick stop by the Quebec City waterfront and its Royal Battery and ancient city walls that protected the city from British advances. It’s located at the bottom of Rue Sous-le-Fort.

We had an excellent dinner at Bistro Sous le Fort including everything from duck to fish to steak. Our own dietary preferences avoiding pork and shellfish made it tricky to find good restaurants in Quebec City, but this one really was excellent. There are even a handful of vegetarian options on the menu.

After your dining and wandering have wrapped up, take the Quebec City funicular back to Upper Town. You don’t have to buy your ticket in advance, but you do need to pay with Canadian dollars – $4 per adult, kids up to 46″ are free. They’ll also generally let you pay with US dollars, but without an exchange rate even if the USD is stronger than the CAD. There is an ATM nearby if you need it. Your other option is to walk up “breakneck stairs” nearby, which the gentlemen in our family did and reported that the stairs weren’t too bad.

Enjoy an evening stroll on the Dufferin Terrace, where the beautifully illuminated Chateau Frontenac dominates the view.

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Start your morning with a quick breakfast stop at Au 1884, the cafe on Dufferin Terrace just outside of Le Chateau Frontenac. They carry fresh croissants and offer a selection of muffins, in addition to serving up a cup of hot coffee to start the day off right. If you have a little time to spare, feel free to walk around – be sure to look down into the windows embedded in the Terrace to glimpse the remains of the Château Saint-Louis. It was the seat of government for the fledgling outpost of Quebec beginning in 1620!

Your morning activity is a tour of the imposing Citadelle, built beginning in 1820 to defend against a subsequent American attack that never came. That one sentence may sound reductive, but in reality the site (Cap Diamant) as well as the fort itself have a fascinating place in history from the earliest fortifications built in 1690 to hosting planning meetings for D-Day during World War II. Our guide did an excellent job engaging visitors of all ages and explaining Quebec’s complicated history through its military lens. In addition to the fascinating history you’ll learn, the Citadelle has some of the best views in Quebec City since it’s strategically perched far above everything else.

English tours are generally available every thirty minutes and we were able to book same-day, but it’s better to plan in advance! There are three “events” each day that you may want to keep in mind as you choose your time slot. First, the changing of the guard occurs at the top of every odd hour – 9, 11, 1, etc. Second, Batisse the regimental goat ( yes that is a thing ) makes an appearance daily between 10 and 11. Third, the cannon is fired daily at noon. We were on the 11:30 tour and arrived at the last minute since it was a last-minute plan, so we only caught the cannon blast. If you’re planning more diligently, I’d consider the 10:30 tour to catch Batisse and the cannon (you can explore the museum 11:30-11:55) or do the 11:30 but arrive early to witness the changing of the guard.

Be prepared that it’s a pretty steep walk to get up to the Citadelle entrance, and during the tour you’ll be walking around inside the large fort.

After your tour and optional museum visit are complete, head back down to St. Louis Gate (another great Instagram spot in Quebec City). While you’re there you can swing through the pretty Parliament Gardens and visit the Fontaine de Tourney. Find an appealing lunch spot along Rue Saint-Lous, like Restaurant La Buche (if you like pork) or Polina Pizza (where we had a nice meal on our first night in town).

This afternoon you’ll get your first taste of what lays beyond Quebec’s ancient city walls as we head north out of the urban area. The province of Quebec is full of beautiful, serene spaces and you don’t have to go far to find them! The flow of the afternoon will depend in part on whether or not you are driving in Quebec City. The first plan assumes you have a car, but after that I’ll provide some car-free alternatives.

Day trip from Quebec City with a car

First up is La Chute Montmorency, in English known as Montmorency Falls. This impressive waterfall is actually about 1/3 taller than Niagara Falls! You can easily enjoy an hour here walking along the boardwalk at the bottom and riding the cable car up to the top where you can walk right over the falls. Check it out:

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Be sure to buy your tickets online ahead of time – we had no issue purchasing a few hours in advance, but if you’re able to plan in advance that’s a good idea. It’s a 15-20 minute drive from Quebec City or about 1 hour by public bus.

The second stop on your Quebec area itinerary for the afternoon is Île d’Orléans, the huge island that splits the St. Lawrence. The bridge is right across from Parc de la Chute-Montmorency and in 15 minutes you’ll feel like you’re half a world away among the rolling hills and vineyards of France. In fact, this was one of the first settlements of New France and Jacques Cartier spotted tons of wild grapes growing when he arrived almost 500 years ago.

Today Île d’Orléans is the perfect place to go taste every indulgent local product: wine, cider, beer, maple candy, nougat, chocolate soft serve, pie and more. Be sure to arrive hungry and thirsty! Unless there’s something specific you’re longing for, you may just want to drive along road that goes up the island’s west coast (turn left at the end of the bridge) and see what you come across.

A few notably excellent stops on our visit included:

• Isle de Bacchus – Winery named after Cartier’s nickname for the island, and I highly recommend ordering the well-constructed wine and cheese pairing. The outdoor tasting area here is also extremely picturesque!
• Cidrerie Verger Bilodeau – Award-winning cidery that also sells delicious apple butter, pies, candies and more, and in nice weather you can visit the farm animals or pick your own apples (fall).
• La Nougaterie Québec – The nougat is amazing, and they’ll let you sample basically anything in the shop! It’s a “must”, especially if you’re visiting Quebec City with kids.
• Cassis Monna & Filles – Wine tasting and bottle shop downstairs, but upstairs you can get their signature cassis soft serve and an absolutely fantastic dinner!

Car-free day trip from Quebec City

There are a few ways to explore outside of Quebec City this afternoon without a car.

If you’d like to visit Montmorency Falls without a car and then plan to spend the rest of the afternoon in the city, this shuttle is a very convenient option. You can take the 1:30pm bus from Place d’Armes and return on the 3:30pm bus. That will allow you a little over an hour at the falls to explore as you please. You can then spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the shops and galleries of Quebec.

Prefer wine tasting on Île d’Orleans? This 2pm tour will take you to three wineries including Isle de Bacchus. Your guide will share some island history and information about its wine industry, plus you’ll get a lovely view of Montmorency Falls as you ride back (and if the sun has gone down already, look for the falls to be lit up). You’ll return to Quebec City around 6pm.

If you’re looking for an afternoon Quebec City tour that will give you a little taste of everything, this tour includes stops at Montmorency Falls, Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, a copper art studio and a chocolate shop on Île d’Orleans. The tour departs at 1pm and returns you to Quebec City around 6pm.

If you drove yourself to Île d’Orleans, I recommend staying there to enjoy dinner at Cassis Monna & Filles . This was one of our favorite places to eat in the Quebec area and has such a fun, relaxed environment compared to many of the staid restaurants in town. The food was excellent, and the duck confit poutine gave me a new appreciation for this uniquely Quebecois dish. While we were able to walk right in during a torrential rain storm, in general I’d recommend calling a few days in advance for a reservation.

Back in the city, some great dinner options await those who are visiting Quebec car-free. For a special splurge, consider dinner at the classic Quebec Old City restaurant Aux Anciens Canadiens . Every visitor walks by it at least a few times, as this beautiful white 350 year old home is right in the heart of Upper Town. You will definitely need to call for a reservation for this special experience!

For something fun and laid back, walk beyond the ancient city walls along Rue Saint-Jean to Le Billig , a fantastic crêperie in the “new town” of Quebec. It’s a cozy spot with awesome food and friendly service plus reasonable prices to boot (hard to find in Quebec City). When you’re done you can stroll around with young and lively Quebecois.

Alternatively, you can go a little further to the trendy Saint-Roche neighborhood – it’s the home of all things trendy and foodie in Quebec City!

Today’s plan for your Quebec 3 day itinerary takes you even further from Quebec City to the magical region of Charlevoix (and all the way to its border). I promise it’s worth the trek, but if you’d prefer to stay closer you can scroll down to the Quebec City 4 day itinerary option below.

Now for my adventurers: today you’ll see wild whales, sneak through a secret garden and enjoy beautiful secluded scenery. It’s all in a day’s work in Quebec!

The centerpiece of your experience today is a whale watching cruise in Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park. This part of the St. Lawrence River provides optimal conditions for whales (and smaller cousin species) to feed, so you can potentially see a dozen different species here!

Note that if you don’t have your own car, you can book the same whale watching tour with bus transportation ! The downside is that the bus doesn’t make any sightseeing stops along the way. It picks up at 9am and drops you back at Place d’Armes around 8pm. Look for the bus with the big whale on it.

You’ll depart from Baie-Sainte-Catherine, which is 2.5 hours from Quebec City. Hit the road early; I suggest 4 hours before your whale watching tour is scheduled to allow for a food stop and stress-free arrival. Scheduled departures vary throughout the year but I recommend shooting for one as close to mid-day as possible unless you are a true early bird (and if you are, my admiration goes out to you). Alternatively, during the peak of summer you can book a late afternoon whale watching tour that incorporates sunset in Saguenay Fjord and that may be a great option for some travelers!

Stop at Les Bonyeuses in Baie-Saint-Paul for a delicious hearty breakfast surrounded by locals. They even had live music on the terrace outside at 10am on Sunday morning when we stopped. To economize your time during the day, consider picking up sandwiches to go for lunch.

Plan to arrive in Baie-Sainte-Catherine 30 minutes before boarding; as I mentioned above, the schedule varies throughout the year. We boarded at 12:15 and disembarked at 3:15 – you can read all about our experience whale watching in Quebec . It we were doing it again in the summer, when there are many times available, I would have opted for a later whale watching tour.

The whale watching tour is simultaneously relaxing and exhilarating! While enjoying the beautiful scenery of the St. Lawrence River, you never know what wildlife you’ll see. During our voyage we spotted, minke, beluga and even humpback whales.

There are several lovely stops to make on the way back as you road trip through Charlevoix. You can also visit them on the way up if you opt for a sunset tour. Just 20 minutes south of Baie-Sainte-Catherine, pull off at Parc Municipal de Baie-des-Rochers. You can do a small hike if you park in one of the parking spots along the access road, or if you’re interested in scenery without the effort drive until the road dead ends at a larger parking lot along the waterfront. It’s the perfect place for a picnic snack or late lunch as you enjoy the small waterfall and lovely views. This might be the most magical part of your three days in Quebec City!

Another great place to visit on the drive from Quebec City to Baie-Sainte-Catherine is La Malbaie. Don’t miss the extremely unique Jardins du Cap-à-l’Aigle, tucked away in a tiny village. It offers babbling brooks, waterfalls, a lovely observation deck, fun sculptures and flowers everywhere. It’s an easy walk but has a few steep spots with loose gravel so I recommend closed-toed shoes (not sandals like I wore!).

Your evening plans will depend in part on how long you spend exploring in Charlevoix. Consider stopping at one of the lovely restaurants in the village La Malbaie or the larger town of Baie-Saint-Paul. If you want to do some post-dinner strolling, Baie-Saint-Paul has more going on and it’s also 40 minutes closer to Quebec City.

If you gunned it straight back from Baie-Sainte-Catherine to Quebec City, try out one of the other dinner options I recommended above for Day 2 of this Quebec City itinerary.

Wait, is this a 3 day Quebec City itinerary or a 4 day Quebec City itinerary?

This day’s activities are a great option if you’re planning to spend 4 days in Quebec City or you want to swap out all/part of one of the other days for an option that doesn’t need a car. By mixing and matching, you can have a few different options for Quebec City itineraries, or you can even fill up a Quebec City 5 day itinerary. We didn’t have an opportunity to do all of these activities yet but they’re on our radar for our next Quebec City trip!

As you strolled along the Dufferin Terrace a few days ago you probably looked down and noticed the historic castle ruins below. This morning you’ll have the opportunity to visit Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site , which includes extensive archeological finds and was the site of critical aspects of Quebec history (particularly relations between the First Nations and leadership of New France). In “normal times” you will be able to take a 45 minute tour with a Parks Canada guide.

A very interactive alternative if you’re visiting Quebec City with kids ages 6-12 is this unique tour of the city fortifications (aka the Quebec City walls). You can sign up at the same kiosk at Dufferin Terrace and it runs about 45 minutes. Unfortunately it was not offered in 2022 but hopefully it will return in the future!

Head down the “breakneck steps” or the funicular to grab lunch in Lower Town. You’ll find several restaurant options in the quaint Place Royale (which looks like it could be out of “Beauty and the Beast”), or you can find something that looks appealing along Rue Saint-Pierre or one of the nearby streets.

Spend the afternoon exploring Quebec’s unique Musée de la Civilisation . It showcases both world civilizations and the history of people in Quebec including a permanent exhibit that was curated in partnership with the 11 First Nations of the province.

Adults will also enjoy the diverse temporary exhibits – summer 2022 included one on poop and another on Pompeii, while there are several spaces specifically geared toward kids with interactive experiences.

Ronnie visited the museum on his own Quebec itinerary while the rest of us were en route from New York state and felt that he got a great taste of the offerings in about three hours. The museum is open until 5pm daily (closed on Mondays outside of summer).

When you leave the museum, exit to the right from the main doors and walk to the right for about 5 minutes (past the cannons of the Royal Battery) until you reach Gare Fluviale de Québec – the Quebec ferry terminal.

We haven’t done this, but I’ve already planned out one evening in Quebec City for our next visit!

Take the quick, inexpensive ferry to Lévis, just across the St. Lawrence River from Quebec City. You’ll enjoy some of the best views of Old Quebec from the boat and have the opportunity to see a quieter part of greater Quebec City. The ferry schedule varies by time of day – during peak commuting hours it’s every 20 minutes, while late at night it’s only once per hour. Roundtrip fare is around $8 CAD per adult and $5 per child 6-15 (free for younger ones).

Enjoy a sophisticated dinner at L’Intimiste . To get there you’ll have to walk up steep hill or take an inexpensive taxi, but by all accounts it’s worthwhile. Wrap up your culinary experience with a chocolate-dipped soft serve for dessert at Chocolat Favoris next door.

Stroll to nearby Terrasse du Chevalier-de-Lévis for wonderful views of Old Quebec. If you’re there at 10pm on a Thursday in summer, you can catch the fireworks with the Chateau Frontenac in the background!

Whether you’ve used this option day as part of your 3 day itinerary for Quebec City or chosen to extend your visit to a Quebec City 4 day itinerary, it’s the perfect way to wrap up your time in this magical city!

A working knowledge of French is helpful

Let’s address l’elephant dans le chambre . French is the primary language of the province of Québec, and les Québecois are fiercely proud of their distinctive language, culture and history. No one expects fluency and those working in tourism are generally accepting of English, but understand that English takes a back seat here. Your efforts to speak French, even if meager, will be appreciated.

Quebec City can get expensive

Thankfully the exchange rate worked in our favor during our visit to Quebec, but in general the city can get quite expensive. We found the prices of restaurant meals to be the most surprising, though we also went at a time when food inflation across North America was at an all-time high. Keep that in mind as you budget for your Quebec trip itinerary!

Bring comfortable shoes

You’ll do a ton of walking during a 3 day trip to Quebec City, so choose function of form when it comes to your footwear. You don’t want to sabotage your trip! I wore these sandals basically everywhere and they were extremely comfortable.

• Day 1: Exploring Old Quebec
• Day 2: Citadelle and activities near Quebec City
• Day 3: Day trip from Quebec to Charlevoix
• Day 4 (optional): Exploring Quebec history (car-free)

It’s easy to extend your trip to Quebec City with these great options nearby!

• Whale Watching in Quebec: The Perfect Day Trip
• 10 Unmissable Things to do in Montreal With Kids
• Where to stay in Montreal with kids
• How To Make The Most Of One Day In Toronto
• Niagara Falls: 4 Mistakes to Avoid & What to do Instead
• 8 Awesome Things to do in the Finger Lakes with Kids this Summer
• Watkins Glen State Park Hiking Tips
• An Incredible New York & Canada Road Trip

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Great post! You covered everything so well!!!

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Your Ideal Québec City Itinerary: 16 of the Best Things to Do

06/28/2022 by Emily Becker Leave a Comment

Québec City is one of the most enchanting places in Canada. Some would even describe it as straight out of a fairytale, what with its dreamy architecture, riverside views, and surrounding mountains. Here you’ll find a thriving gastronomic scene, an impressive collection of art museums and galleries, relaxing Nordic spas, fantastic nature-filled getaways, and more!

Table of Contents

1. Take a walking tour through Old Québec

Upon arriving in Québec City, run, don’t walk to catch a tour of Old Québec, the historic center of the city. It is full of centuries-old buildings that will give you the feeling that you’ve been transported to 19th-century France. The neighborhood is a World Heritage Site featuring hundreds of years of history, so touring with a guide is the perfect way to soak in all the sights while learning about the city’s beginnings.

Sure, you can browse the area on your own, but starting off with a tour is a great way to get your bearings and make note of the places you want to spend more time at. This two-hour walking tour will take you to some of Old Québec’s most famous landmarks, including the pristine Notre Dame Basilica and even the Antique Dealers District at St. Paul Street.

2. Check out the Dufferin Terrace

You’ll likely find yourself at Dufferin Terrace while exploring Old Québec, and it’s worth spending some time here to check out the incredible views. The terrace was once the site of Fort Saint Louis, but nowadays it has one of the best views in town. From here you can see the St. Lawrence River and the Chateaux National Historic Site, among many other prominent landmarks.

3. Take a cable car ride in Parc de la Chute Montmorency…

Parc de la Chute Montmorency is a must-visit, as it’s the site of a 272-foot waterfall and is surrounded by nature. The park is only about 15 minutes from the city, but it remains secluded, and feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of Québec.

If you’re visiting during winter, don’t pass up a ride on the cable cars , on which you’ll float over the falls and be able to take in the rolling white hills of snow all around. The views are spectacular and definitely worth the extra cost. Another option for panoramic views is climbing the 487-step staircase, but only if you don’t mind the freezing winter temps.

4. …or zipline over the falls in the warmer months

Visiting Québec City in the summer? This is easily the best time to get your adrenaline pumping with a daring zipline ride over Montmorency Falls. It’s 1,000 feet long, promising a fulfilling ride with unforgettable views. Book your zipline adventure here .

5. Eat your way through the Île d’Orléans

It’s no secret that Québec has a booming culinary scene. From poutine to maple-flavored delicacies and mouthwatering French favorites like crepes and steak frites, Québec has enough options to make any traveling foodie happy.

Île d’Orléans is a small island on the St. Lawrence River known for having maintained its rural quality throughout the years. This is an especially ideal place to dive into Québec’s food scene, as you’ll find handmade products, locally made wine, and shops selling artisan blackcurrant sweets. Consider this Island of Orléans Taste Trail tour , which will bring you to some of the best spots.

6. Explore the city via bike trail

Québec City has over 200 kilometers of bike trails, making it a cyclist’s dream destination. Even if you aren’t super into cycling, renting a bike is a fun way to explore the city. Plus, most of the trails are flat and easy to navigate.

Consider taking a bike tour with a guide if you want to learn about the city as you cycle. If you’re not into the tour idea, you can easily rent a bike for the whole day and hit the trails on your own.

7. Pamper yourself with a Nordic spa experience

Nordic spas are quite popular in Québec. If you haven’t been to one yet, this is the perfect opportunity to spend a day pampering yourself! Offering whirlpool hot tubs, steamy saunas, and thermal and Nordic baths, Strøm Nordic Spa is one of the best in the city. It overlooks the St. Lawrence River, and specializes in thermotherapy, which is a wellness ritual that uses water therapeutically. Book your spa experience here .

8. Explore the art scene at Musée National des Beaux-arts du Québec

Art museums hold a special place in my heart, as I believe they allow us to get such an interesting glimpse into the soul of a new city. The Musée National des Beaux-arts du Québec is a must-stop for anyone who feels the same way, as it offers an impressive collection of art that dates back to the 17th century and stretches through time until present day. Exhibits range from Inuit sculptures to a historic exploration into Québec’s sanatoriums, to an exhibit on ephemeral artwork, blending art, history, and science beautifully.

9. Check out the Cuivres d’Art Albert Gilles Museum

As you walk around town, you’ll notice that many historic buildings have copper accents. Especially in churches, copper art is a prominent form of decoration here, and one of Québec City’s defining features. The Cuivres d’Art Albert Gilles Museum features copper artwork from the Gilles family, who are masters at the craft. Here you can see works from various members of the family throughout the ages, as well as modern copper artwork by the five women who are carrying on the tradition.

This tour of the Cuivres d’Art Albert Gilles museum allows you to dive into the unique history of copper artwork. It also includes a chance to make your own copper piece in the museum’s workshop.

10. Have afternoon tea at Fairmont le Château Frontenac

The Fairmont le Château Frontenac is arguably the most notable building in Québec City’s skyline, in case you haven’t noticed. While it sure is beautiful to take in from the outside at any angle, you can also admire its beauty from the inside as well.

You can visit the hotel and wander through the lobby, but the best way to experience it if you aren’t a guest is to take part in afternoon tea at the Place Dufferin restaurant. Afternoon tea happens every Saturday at 2pm; you should make a reservation in advance .

11. Take a sightseeing cruise

The St. Lawrence River is one of the city’s most prominent features, so it’s no surprise that taking a sightseeing cruise is one of the best things to do in Québec City. From the river, you can get spectacular views of Montmorency Falls, the Côte-de-Beaupré, the Laurentian Mountains, and the city’s stunning skyline. This tour has an entertaining guide, plus a sunset option, which is the ideal time to do the cruise.

12. Get a bird’s-eye view from a helicopter

There’s no comparison to seeing Québec City from a helicopter. Because the city doesn’t have very many tall buildings, this is an epic way to see all your favorite sites from a completely new angle, get panoramic views, and take some jaw-dropping photos. This tour from Get Your Guide has 15-, 30-, and 45-minute options, with the ability to select Montmorency Falls and Île d’Orléans to fly over.

13. Go shopping in the Petit-Champlain district

For a peek into Québec City’s genuine charm, head to the Petit-Champlain district for a stroll. Here you’ll find the most adorable cafés and restaurants, along with back-to-back boutiques selling everything from antiques to handmade clothing to artisan jam. You’ll also find some awesome art galleries and even a few small museums.

The narrow cobblestone streets, along with the abundance of historical buildings, are what give the neighborhood its whimsy. See for yourself, and pick up a souvenir along the way.

14. See Québec City’s origins at Place Royale

Speaking of charming places, Place Royale is another one that is sure to enchant you. Featuring quintessential French architecture, this small square is the first in the entire city, dating back to 1608, when Québec was founded by Samuel de Champlain. Areas like this often feel like a time machine, in the best way. You can even see the contrast between the 400-plus-year-old bricks on the original buildings and the newer construction behind them.

Here you’ll also find the oldest church in North America, the Notre Dame des Victoires Church, which gets quite crowded inside. Visit right when it opens at 8am for less foot traffic.

15. Go on a whale-watching day trip

Québec City is just a few hours away from a popular whale-watching spot, Baie-Ste-Catherine. Here you can take a boat out to see whales, seals, and other marine life year round. You can easily make this a day trip from the city; this tour offers round-trip transportation to take the pressure off getting there.

16. Head out into nature at Jacques-Cartier National Park

Another excellent day trip from Québec City, Jacques-Cartier National Park is just a 30-minute drive away. Here you’ll find one of the most scenic glacial valleys in the whole province, the Vallée de la Jacques-Cartier; the Jacques Cartier River is another highlight of the park. Spend a day or two hiking the many trails, canoeing along the river, or mountain-biking in the summer. There are also ample wintertime activities, such as fatbike riding, skiing, and ski-shoeing ( which you can book here ).

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If you’ve chosen this destination for your next adventure to Canada, you’re in for a treat. With centuries of history showcased beautifully in its oldest neighborhoods and nature at its doorstep, Québec City has a special charm.

Which of these things to do in Québec City are you most excited about?

*Some links in this post are affiliate links for products and services we personally use and love. Any purchase you make through them supports us at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much!

About Emily Becker

Emily Becker is a digital nomad based in Costa Rica. She's been traveling on and off since 2014 and has visited 15 countries—planning to tick many more off her bucket list. In addition to writing for BMTM, she works as a copywriter and project manager.

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Quebec City 4-Day Itinerary Full of Ideas

Planning a Quebec City 4-day itinerary can be a lot of fun. Often referred to as a big village, Quebec City is perfect for a short getaway. The city is walkable, and if you’re arriving by train or plane there is plenty to see and do. If you’re driving to Quebec City, then you can enjoy a taste of the city, as well as places beyond like île d’Orléans and Jacques-Cartier park. Here is a suggested itinerary for 4 days in Quebec City.

Day One of 96 hours in Old Quebec

Once you’ve checked into your hotel, it’s time to ditch your bags and start wandering around Old Quebec. Depending on the time of year, the old city can be quite busy, but don’t let that keep you from experiencing the only remaining fortified city north of Mexico.

Stroll on Dufferin Terrace and watch street performers in summer or slide on a toboggan in winter. Head up to Pierre Dugua-De Mons Terrace for a postcard worthy view of Old Quebec and the Saint-Lawrence River. Enjoy cold beers or coffee and croissants on a patio. There are art installations to admire, and walking tours that reveal the history and charm of the city.

Shop for Quebec-made souvenirs on rue Saint-Jean and rue du Petit-Champlain. Take photos in an umbrella alley, savour chocolate-dipped ice cream cones, and try poutine at Le Chic Shack of Chez Ashton .

Ride the Québec-Lévis ferry for a beautiful shot of the Quebec City skyline, and grab a drink and some eats at Le Corsaire while you’re there. You’ll see Quebec City from an amazing angle.

Day Two of 4 days in Quebec City: Local Flavours and Terroir

Spending fours days in Quebec City is not complete without spending time in some of its local neighbourhoods. Some of the best neighbourhoods in Quebec, and my favourite, are within walking distance of the fortification walls.

Walking on rue Saint-Jean, past the walls, will take you into the neighbourhood of Saint-Jean-Baptiste. It’s a great neighbourhood for nightlife, and there are several boutiques, restaurants, and a handful of cafes to explore too.

Walking past the walls on rue Saint-Louis takes you past the Parliament buildings (you can take a tour for free!) and onto Grande-Allée. The stretch from Hôtel Château Laurier to Le Concorde is lined with restaurants and bars. It’s also close to the Plains of Abraham (which has a fun little museum), lively avenue Cartier, and Musée national des Beaux-Arts .

The neighbourhood of Saint-Roch is past the train station, on the other side of the overpass. It’s a hip neighbourhood with great cafés, boutiques, and microbreweries. It’s also home to a speakeasy, a tequila bar/clothing store/Mexican restaurant combo. Oh, and award-winning restaurants like Battuto and L’Affaire est Ketchup .

The neighbourhoods of Limoilou and Saint-Sauveur are a short walk from Saint-Roch. In Limoilou most of the action is on 3rd Avenue, while Saint-Vallier Est is the main vein of Saint-Sauveur. Both neighbourhoods are home to amazing restaurants. Limoilou has some cool boutiques and cafes as well. Saint-Sauveur has some great cafes and a microbrasserie.

Whichever neighbourhoods you choose to explore, take your time. Admire the architecture, don’t be afraid to practice your French with the locals, and enjoy the outdoor urban spaces until you go onto drinks in the evening. You’ll see hours will fly by on day 2 of your 4-day weekend in Quebec City.

Day Three: Day Trip Outside Quebec City

After enjoying some of the top things to do in Quebec City in 4 days, spend a 24 hours enjoying places nearby. To learn about local Indigenous history and culture, head to Wendake , tour the Huron-Wendat Museum, listen to myths and legends, and try Indigenous cuisine at La Traite or Sagamité. The Site traditionnel Huron Onhoüa Chetek8e is worth seeing as well.

Île d’Orléans, Montmorency Falls and Côte-de-Beaupré make for a full day of fun. They’re around 17 km from Old Quebec, and perfect for cycling , wine tours , picking strawberries, and gourmet dining.

Want more information on Île d’Orléans and what to do while there? My friend Pam’s e-guide is perfect to help you plan !

In spring, the island is a go-to for sugar shack experiences. Drive Avenue Royale, one of the oldest roads in Quebec, and take in the architecture, old cellars and outdoor bread ovens. Bread lovers should stop at Chez Marie in summer for fresh bread. It’s so delicious.

Outdoor adventurists will love a day trip to Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier . Go on epic hikes , fish, and canoe. The rivers and lakes are perfect for SUP boarding, kayaking, and inner tubing .

In winter, the park is perfect for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing , and alpine hiking. Don’t have a car? No worries, there is a shuttle to the park from Quebec City.

4 th day in Quebec City: 96 Hours of Pleasure in the Capital

After a day outside the city, you’ll want to unwind and relax, especially that this is the last day of your 4 day itinerary in Quebec City. Head to one of these Nordic spas for a thermal experience you’re bound to remember.

Visit the Aquarium de Québec or take a 2-hour walking tour with Cicérone in the afternoon. Take the time to return to your favourite parts of the city. If you’re into beer, treat yourself to a craft brewery tour with a specialized guide. You’ll see Quebec has some great brews.

In the evening, if you’ve got room in your belly left, indulge in a gourmet dinner, have drinks in a local pub, and wander around the city after dark and soak up the atmosphere before your long weekend in Quebec City come to an end.

There are so many ways to build a Quebec City 4-day itinerary, hopefully this post has given you some good ideas. There are Quebec attractions for everyone to enjoy, no matter the time of year.

Planning to travel in winter? Check out A 3-Day Quebec City Winter Itinerary for inspiration.

For other Quebec City itineraries:

• Quebec City 3-day Itinerary for Summer
• One Day in Quebec City: the Perfect Daytrip
• 2 Days in Quebec City Itinerary: a Perfect Weekend Getaway

Click here for other Quebec City content that will help your craft your 4 days in the city!

What to Do in Quebec City region and How to Organize Your Trip

Curious about how to spend your day in the Quebec City region? Here’s a list of the top activities to consider adding to your plans:

• Admire Quebec City’s largest waterfall and take a cable car to the top of the Montmorency Falls .
• Experience a unique walking adventure in the heart of Old Quebec and learn about its history.
• Discover the food, beverages, and vineyards of Île d’Orléans.
• Explore the wilderness near Quebec City with a hike in the Jacques-Cartier National Park .
• Introduce yourself to speed skating in Quebec City with top athletes on an inside ice ring.
• Ziplining above the Sainte-Anne canyon near Quebec City.
• Sleep comfortably at the Fairmont Château Frontenac and enjoy an incredible view of the St. Lawrence River.
• Enjoy a peaceful room at the Hilton Quebec and take a dip in the only year-round heated outdoor pool in Quebec City.

Preparing For Your Trip

When I look for  things to do  in my destination, I always have a look at  Viator ,  GetYourGuide ,  Manawa ,  Civitatis and sometimes even  Expedia .

It’s first off a great way to find out what there is to do, but always a quick and easy method to book cheaply and efficiently with these renowned platforms.

Need a place to sleep?  I find most of my accommodations on  Booking.com  but I also use  Hotels.com  for their rewards program (11th free night) as well as  Expedia . When booking smaller places in Quebec, you might not find them here and need to contact them directly.

Looking for a  cheap flight  to the Outaouais through Montreal? Have a look on  Cheapoair   or  Skyscanner   I use regularly.

Once you’re there,  rent a car  to roam free with  AutoEurope  or  RentalCars  or  hop on a bus  around Gatineau, Montreal, Quebec, and surrounding cities with  Busbud .

Wanna save this article for later? Pin it to your Pinterest board!

Passionate about travel and food, Jennifer Doré Dallas is a freelance travel writer, author and creator since 2010. On top of this amazing Chasing Poutine blog, she also founded Moi, mes souliers in 2010 and she is the author/co-author of around two dozen Lonely Planet, Ulysse and Parfum d'encre travel guidebooks, in addition to having contributed to other books and hundreds of tourism and Web platforms, magazines, DMOs and Websites over the years. As a lecturer in Web writing and SEO for a Quebec college and consultant for various companies and DMOs, she loves combining technological advances with the classic beauty of words, and is a member of TMAC, SATW, NATJA and IFTWTA!

Further Reading...

5 Best Quebec City Escape Rooms and Games

Top 5 Things to Do Alone in Montreal

Guide to Quebec Winter Carnival 2024

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40 Things To Do In Quebec City: Top Attractions To Hidden Gems

Posted on Published: December 2, 2022  - Last updated: April 3, 2024

Categories North America , Québec , Travel

Don’t know what to do in Quebec City? Well you’ve come to the right place.

I used to think there wasn’t much to do in Quebec City, but after living there for a month my perspective completely changed. I mean there’s just so so much rich history to discover here. I’m still discovering new things to do in Quebec City today – it’s unreal how much there actually is to do in this city!

So are you ready for the biggest list of things to do in Quebec City you’ve ever seen!? Here’s all the things to do in Quebec City from the main attractions all the way to hidden gems.

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

How Long To Stay In Quebec City Canada

As I said, Quebec City is small. Typically, it’s recommended to visit for only a day or two – and that’s how I’ve visited Quebec City Canada in the past.

And one or two days is realistically more than enough time to visit all the main Quebec City activities. Like seeing Old Quebec, the citadel, walking along the Plains of Abraham and even going to a museum.

But, if you really want to explore Quebec City, and delve deeper into it’s history by going on an easy day trip, then there’s more than enough to do for up to 3 or even 4 days !

Decide how many Quebec City activities you’re interested in doing to see how many days you’ll need.

The Top 12 Things To Do In Quebec City

If you’re visiting Quebec City Canada for the first time, or have a limited time to explore, here are the top things to do in Quebec City!

1. Go On A Walking Tour Of Old Quebec

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – walking tours are the best thing to do in any new city, and Quebec City is no exception!

It’s a great way to find out the history of Quebec City, and visit all the main locations on this list. It’s kind of like a cheat code to Old Quebec highlights.

Unfortunately, there aren’t free walking tours but we loved our tour from the Quebec Tourism Office. We bought the tickets online through Viator .

Quebec City Organized Walking Tours

Book a Quebec City group walking tour with Viator →

Book a private Quebec city walking tour with Viator →

See more Quebec City tours with Viator .

2.Walk Along The Quebec City Walls & See The Old Gates

Old Quebec is the only fortified city in North America north of Mexico where the walls still exist. So that’s a pretty cool reason to visit Quebec on it’s own!

The walls are still in tact because for centuries they were scared that the Americans were going to attack.

You can’t miss the old city walls – it’s 4.6 km long that protects the upper town of Old Quebec.

Although driving or walking by the city walls is cool, you also want to make sure to walk on the city walls themselves – just please be careful! You get some pretty neat views from here (both of Old Quebec, downtown, and the surrounding area).

3. Get Lost In The Streets Of Old Quebec

I hate when a blog just tells me to walk around in the area as a must do. Like, I’m going to be doing that anyway on my way towards places…. But, as much as I hate to say it, in Old Quebec it really is a must do!

There are so many streets in Old Quebec but I find you always end up walking on the same one or two streets.

You never really need to walk anywhere else, mainly because all but four streets actually lead you to a dead end. But just because they lead you to a dead end doesn’t mean you shouldn’t discover them.

Québec City Things To Do: Book A Tour With Viator

Quebec City Walking Tour →

Guided tour of the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec →

Biking tour from Quebec City to Montmorency Falls →

See more Québec City organized tours with Viator .

I mean, the streets in Old Quebec are just beautiful, the buildings are frozen in time. You never know where you’re going to end up and you end up finding some hidden parks or famous homes where some Quebec famous person was born.

If you’re travelling during high season, it’s another way to escape the crowds for a bit to enjoy the city in peace.

4. Walk Along Rue Saint-Jean For Shopping & Coffee

One of the main streets you’ll end up walking on Rue Saint-Jean. It’s hard to miss, it has a lot of shops and restaurants. It will also bring you straight into Old Quebec towards the Frontenac if you follow it.

Quebec City Pro Tip!

Follow Rue Saint-Jean beyond the city gates too! You’ll end up in Place D’Youville which holds festivals like the Christmas market and skating rink in the winter.

Further down the street there’s of course a few more churches and some local restaurants, cafes, and shops to try! It will also be quite a bit less touristy.

See my favourite restaurants in Quebec City .

5. Walk Along Dufferin Terrace

Dufferin Terrace is the English influence in Quebec City. Notice the Gazebos all named after British Royalty? These are actual band stands as they’re known in England… but we’re not fancy enough here to call them that!

Dufferin Terrace is all about views: the view across the St. Lawrence River towards Levis and Ile D’Orleans, the view of the citadel, and of course the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac.

Visiting In The Winter?

If you’re lucky you might be able to go on the oldest attraction in Quebec City: the Ice Slide ! This tradition is actual from 1884 when they needed to still convince people to visit during the winter time.

Although it’s shorter than it used to be (it used to go to the end of the boardwalk!) it’s still fun to ride!

The ice slide typically opens in December, but it’s weather dependant.

P.S. Thinking of visiting Quebec City in winer? Read my post on what it’s really like .

6. Admire The Fairmont Chateau Frontenac (& Go On A Tour)

The Chateau Frontenac is skyline view of Quebec City. It’s the focal point of everything in Quebec City, could you ever imagine the skyline without it? Needless to say, it’s one of the main Quebec City activities.

The original building is from 1893 and it was always a hotel – although it was not nearly this grand. In fact, the final building that we see today was only complete in 1993.

Of course you have to make a point to visit it up close! Feel free to even walk inside to see the lobby, go to the restaurant, or even do some shopping.

But, the best way to see and learn more about this famous hotel is to go on a guided tour .

Discover The History Of The Chateau Frontenac

Book Guided tour of the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec with Viator →

7. Walk Down The Breakneck Steps (L’Escalier Casse Cou) Into Petit Champlain

Petit Champlain is the place you’ve been looking for in Old Quebec. You know the small cobblestone streets with the string lights that light up at night? Well, this is it!

You can either get here by paying for the funicular, but the more iconic way is to go down the Break Neck Steps.

They were given their name for the obvious reason – that it will break your neck going down!

Joking! they’re a perfectly normal staircase.

But they’re broken up with platforms to give you a gorgeous view of Petit Champlain. So make sure to not forget your camera when you visit!

It’s more than just a pretty street too, they have a few Quebec restaurants and this is the spot to pick up your locally made souvenir .

8. Discover Lower Town: Place Royale, Spot The Giant Frescos

The other part of lower town that you’re interested in is Place Royale. This is the old town square, where Quebec became well, Quebec!

And what town square isn’t complete without their token church! Notre-Dame-des-Victoires was named after all of Quebec’s battle victories and it’s one of the oldest in North America. You might be able to inside the church, if it’s open.

Around the corner from the town square you’ll find some even older town ruins and a giant fresco. See if you can spot and name the founders of Quebec!

Plan the ultimate vacation

My  digital travel planner template  has everything you need to plan your vacation: research templates, travel planner itinerary, travel budget templates…etc. . You can print it out or use it digitally on your phone, tablet, or computer.

P.S. Get an additional discount on my Etsy shop with my code ATRLOVE !

9. Walk Along The Citadel (& Go On A Tour?)

The Citadel is actually kind of easy to miss in Quebec City Canada… mostly because it was designed to not be seen.

The citadel was built as a city within a city – you could house close to one thousand people inside and it had all the important city amenities. You know, like a hospital, and jail of course!

Today it’s actually still an active army base but they’ve opened it up for guided tours . With your ticket you also get access to the 22 Regiment Museum.

What To Do In Quebec City If You’re Pressed For Time – Tip!

If you’re pressed for time, I recommend skipping the citadel tour and museum . Instead, head to the pedestrian entrance of the Citadel – it will look like a creepy tunnel.

Here, there will be information plaques set up with pretty much all the information you learn on the tour.

To be honest, the inside of the citadel wasn’t as interesting as I thought it would be. You do get a good view of the Fairmont and Dufferin Terrace though.

10. Walk Along The Plains Of Abraham

The Plains of Abraham today is essential a giant park. But with LOADS of history, views, and monuments throughout. This is where the battle took place in 1759 that changed the faith of Quebec when the British beat the French.

Today, you can walk along trails finding the different artillery and viewpoints. Some highlights are the Martello Towers, Joan of Arc Gardens, and Grey Terrace .

If you want more information, you can also head to the Plains of Abraham Museum where they go into more details about life in the 1700s and the wars that happened in Quebec. It’s a very interactive museum, good for kids as well!

What To Do In Quebec City: Plains of Abraham Pro Tip…

The Plains of Abraham are great to simply walk through, but I recommend actually driving through to all the different spots because it’s quite a big park!

There’s an app you can download that shows the points of interest and gives you some more information. Download the My Mobile Plains App .

Or if you’re traveling to Quebec City Canada during high season (summer), you can also sign up for a guided van tour of the Plains through the museum.

11. Try Local Delicacies: A Poutine Or Tortière

I don’t know if I would call Poutine a delicacy but it’s definitely a must try in Quebec City Canada. Fries, cheese curds and gravy to warm it all up – what else can you ask for!?

You can pretty much find this at any Quebec restaurant. If you’re looking for different options though (like vegetarian gravy), head to Poutineville in Place D’Youville just outside the city walls.

Québec City Food Tours

Tour Old Quebec With Food & Drinks →

Tour Old Quebec with 5 Course Gourmet Dinner →

12. Visit Montmorency Falls

Montmorency Falls are kind of a must see if you’re visiting Quebec City Canada. These magnificent falls are only 15 minutes away by car from Old Quebec!

Did you know they’re the tallest falls in Quebec and the 8th tallest falls in Canada!? They’re even taller than Niagara Falls in Ontario by 100 ft!

It’s open all year round, but in the summer there are a few more activities that are offered. You can hike to the top of the falls, zip line, or even take the gondola across the falls!

Quebec City To Montmorency Falls Organized Tours With Viator

If you don’t have a car in Quebec City, don’t worry, Montmorency Falls is the most popular place to visit out of the city. Book one of the top tours below!

Half-Day Trip to Montmorency Falls and Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré from Quebec City →

Small Group Excursion of Quebec City and Montmorency Falls →

Some Other Popular Things To Do In Quebec City

If you find yourself with some more time, or it’s your second or third time visiting the city, here’s even more things to do in Quebec City ! These are still quite popular Quebec City attractions, keep reading to discover some hidden gems!

13. Explore The Musee du Fort

Musee du Fort is the museum to go to in Quebec City. Unfortunately it was temporarily closed when we were visiting.

At the museum, it’s all about their light show performance they put on about the battle of the plains of Abraham.

14. Explore An Underground Castle (Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site) (Summer Only!)

Instead of walking along Dufferin Terrace go beneath it! Although the Chateau Frontenac was never actually castle, it was sort of built on one. So there are underground ruins to explore!

The actual Frontenac made his home here and this is where Louis IX built his castle and the original city walls. The ruins are owned by Parks Canada. Unfortunately it’s only open during the summer months.

15. Continue Your Walk Along Les Promenades Des Gouverneur

You might come to the end of Dufferin Terrace and see some stairs and think that it isn’t worth it to walk up all those steps! You’re wrong! This is one of the nicest (and coolest) walks you can do in Quebec City!

The stairs turns into another boardwalk that takes you along the citadel walls. Don’t forget to look behind you for the view at all times. It’s epic to say the least.

You’ll eventually make it to the top which will have the St. Lawerence lookout Gazebo and you’ll actually b in the Plains of Abraham! Go you!

Instead of turning back to return to Old Quebec, you can walk along the Plains of Abraham which will lead you to the Citadel and Old Quebec.

16. Explore The Old Port

The Old Port in Quebec City Canada isn’t exactly pretty, but there are a few attractions that are worth checking out in the area.

Fun facts though, Quebec City’s Old Port was the largest in Canada with 21 shipyards in their hey day!

A popular spot is Café du Monde , a restaurant along the St. Lawerence river with floor to ceiling windows – it’s beautiful to say the least! You can opt to come here just for a coffee with a view, or for a full meal!

If you’re visiting in the summer, you can also head outside to La Cour arrière du Festibière to try local microbrews and dip your feet in the pool. You can even opt to swim in the Old Port at the first harbour bath in North American at Bassin Louise.

Or keep it simple and can pick up food and head to the Place des Canotieres for a picnic in the park (still with gorgeous views!).

17. Go Antique Shopping Along Rue Saint Paul

Rue Saint Paul is probably the final street of Old Quebec part of the Old Port. This area is all about art galleries and antique shops.

Needless to say, if you’re looking for that one of a kind souvenir , this is the place to come. It’s antique shop after antique shop here!

You might also be interested in reading… 10 Special Québec City Souvenirs

18. Go To An Exhibition At The Museum Of Civilization

The museum of Civilization is one of the main museums in Quebec City.

They have permanent exhibits about Quebec, Canada, and First Nations . It’s a good alternative to a walking tour, or if you need something to do inside on a rainy or cold winter day.

You might get lucky with their temporary exhibits – when we were visiting it was all about Poop! You might say gross, but it was actually really interesting and fun to learn about!

Unfortunately though, their second temporary exhibit at the time (all about Pharaohs) was only in French. So double check before buying tickets that it’s bilingual. You might also be able to pay for an English guided tour instead.

19. Learn About Quebec Politics At The National Assembly (A.K.A. Parliament!)

This is probably the only tour I haven’t done in Quebec City Canada, but that’s just because I’m like really not interested in politics. But the National Assembly offers daily tours in English and in French.

If you’re like me though, you can also opt to simply walk around the Parliament finding and admiring all the statues of our prime ministers. If you’re visiting in the summer, they also keep up a beautiful garden!

P.S. can you find the only women in the sea of men! ?

20. Go To The National Museum Of Fine Art Of Quebec

Every city has their token fine arts museum, the Musée National des Beaux Arts du Qu é bec is Quebec City’s.

They have permanent and temporary exhibits with a focus on Canadian and Quebec artists, including a permanent exhibit on Inuit art.

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21. Head To The Observatory For A Full 360° View

Looking for the best view of Quebec City and its surroundings? One of the best places to do that is from the tallest building in the city: the Observatoire de la Capital .

They tried to set up an exhibit with some information about Quebec and some videos… those aren’t worth it and it’s simply just nauseating. If you’re going to come here, just know that it’s a $15 view . There are some seats, so maybe pack some snacks to enjoy the view for a bit!

Although they give you an incredible view, if you want better value for your money , I recommend going to the next place on my list…

22. Revolve Around The City For Drinks: Ciel! Bistro-Bar

Ciel! Bistro-bar is a revolving restaurant a part of the Loews hotel. It’s not as high as the Observatoire de la Capitale but it’s a lot better value for your money – plus it’s open at night!

The food at the restaurant itself is pretty expensive, but the drinks are very reasonably priced… see where I’m going with this!?

Head to Ciel! Bistro-bar for a 360 degree view of the city, an experience at a revolving restaurant, and some good drinks!

If you want to enjoy the view during the day, you can also come here for brunch!

Related Best Restaurants In Quebec City & Quebecois Food To Try

23. Find Hidden Nouvelle France In Lower Town

What I love about this spot is that if you don’t know it exists, you’ll never see it! There are two ways to get to Nouvelle France, one is simply by turning off of Rue Notre Dame. Or you can head through the Passage de la Batterie from Rue Sous-le-Fort.

Passage de la Batterie will bring you through a small tunnel (make sure to watch your head) to an example of Nouvelle France.

Nouvelle France is what Quebec was known as. This is an example of what the street and buildings used to look like. Today, each house can only be owned by a local and cannot be rented out for short term stays. Each apartment has a family name associated with it as well, representing the family that used to live there.

24. Family Fun At The Aquarium!

There’s an aquarium to visit right outside the city centre – although I’m always hesitant to recommend these activities. But I’ll admit it’s good fun and learning experiences for families.

The Aquarium of Quebec does have a focus on conservation and the well being of their animals. They don’t have any large whales, but among their fish and sharks, they also have different seals and walruses.

They also have arctic wildlife like arctic foxes, birds of prey, and yes even two polar bears . They did in fact recently enlarged their enclosure for their two polar bears.

A heads up if you’re planning on visiting on a rainy day – half of the enclosures outside…

25. Visit Ile D’Orleans [Better In The Summer!)

Ile D’Orleans is the Island you’re looking at from Quebec City Canada. It’s across the creepy bridge in between the St. Lawerence River!

It’s all about the food on Ile D’Orleans. In the summer buy fresh berries (or even go berry picking!) and go apple picking in the fall.

There’s also a few wineries that you can visit on the island. I like Cassis Monna & Filles which is wine made with Cassis (red currants). You can also sign up for the Ile D’Orlean food tour that leaves from Quebec City if you don’t have a car.

If food isn’t your thing, you can also drive around the Island checking out the 6 different towns and the views of the St. Lawerence River.

Quebec City To Île d’Orleans Organized Tours With Viator

Ile Orleans Food & Drink Tour From Quebec City →

Ile Orleans Wine Tasting Tour From Quebec City →

Hidden Gems In Quebec City That No One Tells You!

Now if you really don’t know what to do in Quebec City because you’ve visited so many times, or are just looking for some different things to do , these next Quebec City activities are for you!

26. Do A Night Time Crimes Or Ghost Tour

If you already know the history of Quebec City Canada, why waste your time learning about it again on a walking tour. Instead! go on a crime walking tour at night ( like this one from Viator ).

You’ll delve deeper into the dark past of Old Quebec, and let me tell you, there’s a lot to unearth!

There’s also a ghost tour you can sign up for – their ticket office is located in Petit Champlain.

27. Pay Homage To The Draveur – The Hidden Statue In Old Quebec!

Next to the second most prominent buildings of the Quebec City skyline (the Price building), is quite possibly one of the best – and most significant – statues in the city.

This is not just another statue of a founder or political leader ( boring! ), this commemorates young men who had one of the hardest jobs of the 20th century.

These are the Draveurs, the Coureurs du Bois, or Log Drivers in English. Starting in the 1930s, young men would ride on log rafts with a giant pole – guiding the wood down the river. They brought wood to the cities and to paper mills and saw mills when there were no roads that led from the forest.

This profession went into the 90s when it was finally banned due to the impact it had on the ecosystem. But it was actually a very taxing job and many log drivers didn’t survive – which is why there’s so little knowledge about it today. The average was 12 years working as a Draveur.

Today, it’s a rather forgotten job of Quebec but one that was nonetheless very important.

28. Find Where The Cannonball Tree Once Stood!

There was a time when people flocked to Quebec City Canada to see the famous bomb in a tree.

There was a theory that the bomb was from 1759 when the British hit Quebec with bombs. It’s believe that it was buried and eventually the growth of the American Elm made it resurface in its roots.

But, it was most likely a defused and anchored bomb that used to be place in the road to protect the stone houses from horse drawn carriages… a little less exciting as a history!

Regardless, it was still pretty cool to see a bomb grown into a tree.

Unfortunately, the tree had to be cut down in 2021 because it was deemed unsafe. The tree was over 100 years old and was dying. To avoid any injuries, the city decided to remove it and put up an art piece to pay homage to the tree.

The tribute was supposed to be added in 2022… but it wasn’t there when I visited in November.

29. The Morrin Centre – English History Of Old Quebec

The Morrin Centre is hands down my favourite thing to do in Quebec City, I don’t know why this isn’t on more lists.

The Morrin Centre is quite possible the most interesting building in all of Quebec (in my mind anyway!). Starting out as a mixed prison for men, women, and children in the centre of town. Then once they realized that was a bad idea, it became a Protestant Anglophone University.

After the University close it was abandoned for about 100 years until it became the museum you can visit today. They offer daily tours and access to the largest English library in Quebec City (p.s. the English population of Quebec City is only 2% now…).

They still have an original jail cell and university rooms. It’s an interesting combination to say the least!

P.S. If you’ve read the books Bury Your Dead by Louis Penny, apparently this is the place she was referencing in her novel. If you want to read it before your visit – see it on Amazon .

30. Tour The Pole Culturel De Monastre D’ Ursuline (Ursuline Museum)

The Saint Ursuline Monastery might just be one of the oldest buildings and oldest institutions in Quebec City as well. It’s grown quite a bit over the years from 1644 – when it started as a single house. It’s now made up of several buildings and courtyards.

The Ursuline are an important part of Quebec history – especially for girls. They are the oldest school for girls in North America (as always – North of Mexico!).

And they didn’t just teach prayer and home economics – these girls were taught everything from reading and writing, to physics, chemistry, and even mechanics!

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Plus, the Ursuline Nuns also learned First Nations languages to be able to teach girls from First Nations communities.

You can tour one of the buildings which they’ve turned into a museum with artifacts dating back to the 1600s and learn a bit about life in this all girls boarding school.

Today it’s still a primary school although no longer boards students and they’ve opened it up to boys as well.

31. Spend A Relaxing Day At The Augustine Monastery

Did you know there’s a spa in the middle of Old Town Quebec, and it’s run by nuns!?

There is so much to unpack at the Augustine Monastery. For starters, these sisters started the first hospital in Quebec: The Hotel Dieu. The sisters were the nurses who took care of the patients.

For centuries, they’ve had a focus on health and well being. Whether it was eating properly or taking care of their patients in the hospitals. Over the years, although they cannot be official nurses without a degree, they can still care for the family of patients, and focus on wellness… which is how the spa comes in.

So, you can actually stay here ( oh ya, it’s also a hotel – see it on booking.com ! ), or get a day pass for their spa. Which includes a free meal in their restaurant.

Or, if you’re pressed for time, simply head to the museum to learn more about the sisters. I recommend the tour, it’s included in your ticket.

32. Enjoy The View From Montmorency Park

Montmorency Park can easily go unnoticed but it’s actually quite important to Old Quebec history. If you take the stairs down to Lower town, go across the bridge instead of continuing down the stairs towards Petit Champlain.

This is the location of the original defence system of Quebec. All those canons were here even before the citadel of Quebec was ever built.

Perhaps even more important, you get some great view from the park . If you look any way in the part you get an exceptional view: either of the Chateau Frontenac towering above you, or of the St. Lawerence River below.

Plus, if you walk a bit further along the city walls, you’ll get a view of the Old Port from above!

33. Follow The St. Charles River To Cartier Brébeuf

The St. Charles River flows for 30 kms from the St. Lawerence starting in Quebec’s Old Port until Lac St. Charles. And, you can walk the entire way on the 30 km trail !

Okay, so you don’t have to walk the whole way, but it is nice to stroll along the river for a bit. Plus, if you’re up for it, you can make it to Cartier Brébeuf .

Cartier Brébeuf is a historical place just outside Old Quebec. Today it’s a beautiful park with water flowing through and picturesque views of the skyline.

But before this was ever a park, it was actually a meeting point for the French and First Nations. During the summer, you can find out more at the Learning Centre.

34. Swap Rue Saint-Jean For Rue Saint-Joseph

Don’t get me wrong, Rue Saint-Jean is adorable, but it’s also a major tourist attraction. If you want more local vibes, head to the Saint Roch neighbourhood to walk along Rue Saint-Joseph.

You’ll find local shops and restaurants here (and some of the best coffee in all Quebec City).

My favourite spots are Fanamanga for delicious bubble tea and Nektar Cafeologue for coffee. If you’re looking for some next level ramen, head to Tora-Ya or Honō Ramen . If you’re into board games, then you have to check out La Revanche for a board game night!

Plus, it’s beautiful just to admire the architecture, there’s one building that makes me feel like you’re in the Harry Potter scene with the dragon (you know which one I’m talking about!).

Rue Saint-Joseph is about a 20 minute walk from Old Quebec.

35. Or Check Out The Giant Lampshades Of Avenue Cartier

Avenue Cartier is another option instead of Rue Saint Joseph, although it’s a bit further – closer to a 30 minute walk instead. You might want to consider driving instead of walking here.

The main attraction of Avenue Cartier are the giant lampshades that take over the street and are beautiful to admire. There are also some local cafes and restaurants here.

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36. If It’s Too Cold Or Raining: Head To The Mega Park Or Valcartier

If you’re looking things to do in Quebec City on a rainy day or cold winter day head to Mega Park or Valcartier.

Mega Park is closer than Valcartier and still gives you more than enough things to do for the day inside (15 minute drive vs. 35 minute drive). They have everything, they’re essentially indoor amusement parks!

Mega Park is purely indoors with different rides, arcade games, and it’s also the only place to experience Quebec skating during the summer time with an indoor skating rink!

Valcartier is more like an entire vacation village. It’s a bit further, but you can even stay here ( see hotels on booking.com) . They have an entire indoor water park here… if that’s not cool I don’t know what is! Plus this is where they set up the famous ice hotel in the winter.

37. Don’t Just Stay On The Ferry, Actually Visit Levis Quebec

One of the popular things to do in Quebec City is to take the Levis-Quebec Ferry for outstanding views of the Quebec City skyline. And I don’t disagree.

But what no one else tells you is that you can get off the ferry to explore the city of Levis Quebec .

In fact, before Quebec City was ever on the map, it was all about Levis. That’s because this is where the train station was (it was decommissioned officially in 1930s).

So although it isn’t much today, there are still a few spots worth visiting (and you might even get a better view off the ferry!). Read my full post on what to do in Levis Quebec here .

Related Easy Quebec City Day Trip: The Levis Quebec Ferry & More

38. Spend A Day At The Beach : Beaupré

It’s no secret that I’m not a beach person (I mean, I’m the person who came up with things to do in Miami that aren’t going to the beach…).

Needless to say, I have not gone to this beach but I’ve heard it’s a good hang out spot in the summer. Plus, it’s one of the only beaches in the area.

P.S. if you’re looking for summer beaches, you can also head to Ile D’Orleans.

39.Visit Montmorency Falls AT NIGHT!

Montmorency falls are probably one of the most popular things to do in Quebec City. If you missed it, it’s actually in the top 12 on my list of Quebec City activities ( jump back to them here )!

I mean, to have such an impressive water fall so close to the city is insane. If you’ve already visited the falls, or looking for something to do at night, there’s nothing stopping you from checking out Montmorency Falls at night.

The falls are completely open at night – obviously it’s at your own risk… And I’m not going to lie, it’s kind of terrifying at night. But it’s also really cool! There’s no one there (we went in the fall, it might be busier in the summer).

The falls are lit up with changing colours making them even more epic! It’s free to go inside, but of course, there aren’t any activities or amenties at night! We just walked along the boardwalk, and there are some benches to sit and enjoy the view!

40. Learn About The Huron-Wendat In Wendake Village

If you know the story of Canada, you know that the First Nations were on this land first. And Quebec was no exception.

The Wendat lived here for centuries and still do today – known as the Huron-Wendat. Only 20 minutes from Old Quebec, you’re able to visit their community and learn about their history, traditions, and their lives today.

You might also be interested in reading… Wendake Village: An Important Day Trip From Quebec City

Somehow I’m still discovering more things to do in Quebec City each day that passes! So I’m very excited to visit again one day and add even more Quebec City activities to the list!

P.S. Need A Place To Stay In Old Quebec?

I’ve visited Quebec City and stayed in a few places over the years, here are my recommendations.

If you’re on a budget but want to stay in the city centre, there’s no better place than Au Petit Hotel ( see it on Booking.com ). It’s a small but mighty hotel and for a night or two it gets the job done! Plus, you’ll feel like you’re staying in old time Quebec when you stay here!

I’ve also stayed just outside Old Quebec at the Hilton Québec. If you’re going to stay here, you have to upgrade your room to one with a view. This way, you’ll have floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Chateau Frontenac, plus you’ll have all the luxuries of staying in a hotel. It’s not far from Old Town either, only about a 5 minute walk. See it on Booking.com .

I’ve also heard only good things about the Clarendon Hotel in Old Town Québec. It’s be a bit pricier than Au Petit Hotel, but it’s also a more regular size hotel room. Plus, this is THE location to be in Quebec City. See availability and room rates on Booking.com .

For more accommodation options in Quebec City on Booking.com , or for more recommendations read my blog post .

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Read More Related Posts

• Wendake Village: An Important Day Trip From Quebec City
• Easy Quebec City Day Trip: The Levis Quebec Ferry & More
• Best Restaurants In Quebec City & Quebecois Food To Try

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60 Things to Do in Quebec City Canada, Bucket List Experiences

Top things to do in quebec city canada.

If you are planning a trip to Quebec City Canada and looking for the best things to do, see and eat while visiting, you are in the right place. Quebec City is the perfect place to throw out the map and wander the winding cobblestone streets and hidden alleyways lined with brick buildings, hanging flowers & lace curtains at your leisure. Be sure to spend as much time as possible relaxing on an outdoor terrace eating croissants, crepes, poutine, and maple fudge! Browse the list of must-see attractions, off-the-beaten-path experiences, outdoor activities, and museums to create your personal Quebec City Canada bucket list. Then, plan the itinerary for your Quebec City Canada trip with these top things to do, see, and eat. Quebec City is the perfect day trip from Montreal.   Enjoy your time out of the office!

READ C omplete Canada Travel Guide, What You Need to Know

Things to Do in and Around Quebec City Canada

Take a bike ride along the St Lawrence River

Watch the light show on the Old Port Grain Silos in the Marina

Hop the ferry across the St Lawrence River for city views

Photograph the beautiful Gare du Palais Station

Relax at Café Félin Ma Langue Aux Chats (cat café)

Sample maple fudge at the Marché du Vieux-Port de Québec

Relax on the Promenade au Vieux-Port

Enjoy a maple body scrub at Le Spa du Manoir

Explore the boutiques and cafes on Rue Saint-Jeans

Eat chocolate croissants at Paillard

Visit the Morrin Centre Library

Walk the old city walls from Port St-Jean to Port St-Louis

Photograph Maison de la littérature

Play in the dancing water at City Hall

Learn about the military sieges of Quebec City at Musee du Fort

Browse the Rue du Tresor open-air art gallery

Tour Le Château Frontenac

Watch street performers along Terrasse Dufferin

Eat traditional Quebec cuisine at La Buche

Take a walking tour of Old Quebec

Check out the Fresco of Quebecers mural in Petit Champlain

Enter the Holy Doors of the Notre Dame des Victoires

Walk up the famous Escalier Casse-Cou (Breakneck Stairs)

Watch the chocolatiers at Chocolaterie Erico Patisserie

Ride the Old Quebec Funicular

Stop by the historic Pub Saint-Alexandre for a beer

Take a ghost tour through old Quebec

Shop for souvenirs along Rue du Petit Champlain

Climb to the top of Terrasse Pierre-Dugua-Mons for the perfect photo of Chateau Frontenac

Watch the Changing of the Guard at La Citadelle de Quebec

Tour the National Assembly on Parliament Hill

Photograph the Fourney Fountain in Parliament Square at night

Take in the view from Observatoire de la Capitale

Have dinner at Ciel and enjoy the panoramic view

Stroll Jardin Jeanne d’Arc

Explore the Musee des Beaux-arts

Have a picnic at the Plains of Abraham and enjoy the St Lawrence River views

Take a walk along Montcalm’s Braves Avenue and gaze at the mansions

Check out Lumiere sur l’art along avenue Cartier

Shop the Avenue Maguire’s boutiques

Bar hop along Grande Allee

Sample maple products at Delices Erable & Cie

Walk under the stairs of Sous-le-Cap

Eat crepes and poutine

Take a cruise on the St Lawerence River

Shop for antiques on Rue Saint Paul

Browse the galleries on Rue Sault-au-Matelot

Go bar hopping on Rue Saint-Jean

Buy maple syrup at Épicerie J.A. Moisan

Take a food tour

Take a microbrewery tour

Check out Les fresques des piliers under the highway overpass

Check out Mega Park indoor amusement park

Walk across the suspension bridge at Montmorency Falls

Visit the vineyards on Ile d’Orleans Island and drink Quebec wine

Take the Ile d’Orleans Food Tour

Learn about the Aboriginal culture at Wendake Huron Village

See the Crooked Waterfalls at Mont-Tremblant National Park

Hike Canyon Saint-Anne

Be sure to check the Quebec City Tourism website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.

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Have a great vacation!

Planning to visit in the fall of 2019! Thanks for the suggestions – your list will certainly help us to make our plan.

I bet it will be pretty in the Fall!

Wow, Quebec sure has tons to do. Those waterfalls are amazing as is the idea of a horse drawn carriage. I like the sound of a ghost tour. Guess, it requires at least 3 days

3 days would be ideal to see everything at a leisurely pace

Ahh! This must be a sign. This the 3rd article on Quebec I am reading today and tit is not noon yet. 🙂 From what I see, it is a photographers haven. To me it looks so Europeanesque! Must visit someday .

It is very European, the ‘new France’ in fact

That’s a long list of fun things to do while in Quebec. The city is so pretty that even one does nothing, it will be a delight to roam around the streets taking pictures How will it be in October?

I have not been in October. I would check to see when the leaves begin to change, that would be beautiful!

Ive never been to Quebec before! Is there a spot that’s not Instagram worthy? This place is so beautiful! It reminds me of Christmas pop up cards I used to receive when I was a kid! Love it! Your photos are awesome!

Lol, agree and think it would be very snow globe like in the winter

That is a good list of things to do in Quebec. I agree the map should be ignored completely 🙂 Tastinf the local cuisine there will be the first in my list.

I took two food tours and they both were amazing!

Yes! A post on Quebec. I love this site and the list of to do’s. It’s so straightforward and lists all the important things you should do. The photos are amazing, especially the last one. What a lively street!

Thank you so much!

I’ve a maple sugar scrub and body butter treatment in Quebec (though in a different city – not the place you mentioned) and I have to say that it was incredible. Maple might be delicious to eat but it’s just sublime in spa treatments – it’s so relaxing and soothing.

Love, love, love Quebec City – was there this spring for a week and already I can’t wait to go back.

Man, that would have been such a fun thing to do!

I can’t believe I haven’t been to Quebec City – and your pictures definitely inspire the wanderlust. Your list is awesome -lots of variety. Who knew there were falls near QC? Always wanted to do a Lawrence River Cruise, and definitely without a doubt to sample maple products.

OMG, those falls are spectacular! I was shocked by the amount of water rushing under me while on the bridge

I’ve always wanted to check out Quebec. I’ve been told it’s like a closer Europe (for me in the USA). I’ll definitely need to bookmark this for when I finally make it there.

It is very similar to European architecture. It is also much closer and a better conversion rate!

We were planning a trip to Canada this Fall but we’ve had to postpone due to work committments! 🙁 It’s good to know that Quebec City is easily reachable from Montreal, I’ll note it down!

Such an easy train ride!

How can I reserve a horse drawn carriage ride?

No need, the carriages are throughout the city and there are plenty. I never saw a wait once

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20 best things to do in quebec city [2024 guide].

Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in Canada, and is well worth a visit! 

This scenic UNESCO World Heritage Site offers so much for travellers, with incredible architecture, an old-world charm, and of course, plenty of attractions.  

Not only that but Quebec City is surrounded by breathtaking scenery! 

If you’re planning to travel through Canada then this awesome city has to be on your bucket list.

Before I get into the best things to do in Quebec City, let’s dive into some of the things you should know about this awesome destination.

Travellerspoint

How to get to Quebec City

There are several different ways you can get to Quebec City, and it all depends on where you’re travelling from.

So let’s break it down for you! 

The closest airport is Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport which is 10 miles from downtown Quebec. 

You’ll find direct flights to Quebec from many major cities in Canada and the United States. This includes the likes of Toronto , Vancouver , and New York.

If you’re looking for great deals then check out Skyscanner ! 

You can travel from Montreal , Ottawa, and Toronto by train using VIA Rail Canada . If you’re travelling from the United States you’ll use Amtrak and changeover at Montreal.

Sometimes you can find discounted fares online too so always check before booking through the official website or at the station.

This is one of our top travel tips if you're travelling on a budget! 

Greyhound offers tonnes of bus journeys from American cities to Montreal. You’ll then transfer over to the Orléans Express bus to reach Québec City.

If you're not flying into Quebec City then you can always hire a rental car from other provinces in Canada such as Alberta or Ontario . You can find some great deals on Rentalcars.com but you'll need to book in advance!

However, if you're travelling long distances then I highly recommend that you rent a campervan instead! 

There are plenty of awesome RV rentals in Canada and this gives you much more flexibility in planning your trip! 

By travelling in a campervan, we were able to do a Quebec road trip and save plenty of money on accommodation along the way.

Getting around Quebec City

In my opinion, the best way to get around Quebec City is simply to walk! 

Most of the major attractions are all situated within the Old Town, and you won’t have to walk far between them . 

You’ll get to wander through the city’s narrow alleyways, find hidden gems, and take your time.

This city has lots of incredible attractions, and delicacies to try - so isn’t a place you want to rush.

There are also plenty of cosy cafes located throughout Old Quebec City, so you’ll have lots of resting points!

However, when visiting the sites just outside of the city, there are plenty of other ways to get around.

Other methods of getting around Quebec City

Here are some other methods of getting around the city:

Ascenseur du Faubourg - An elevator that connects the Saint-Roch and Saint-Jean-Baptiste neighbourhoods.

Bicycle -  There are plenty of bicycle and e-bike rentals in the city, making this a great way to get around! 

Bus - The local bus network RTC is an easy way to travel around Quebec City. Fares are cheap, and you won’t be waiting long as they run regularly. 

Car - Hiring a car isn’t the best way to explore the city as parking can be a nightmare! However, there are plenty of car rental firms in Quebec if you do want to do this. 

Ferry - The ferry linking Quebec City to Lévis runs every day of the year! 

Old Quebec Funicular - Links the Upper and Lower town, and is a great way to see the city. 

Taxi - There are a variety of different taxi companies within the city, but UBER is probably the most popular. 

Taxi boat - This is a great way to travel along the St. Lawrence River and get from A to B. However, reservations are needed. 

Tour - There are plenty of great tours available when it comes to exploring Quebec City. These include a city sightseeing cruise , a walking tour of Old Quebec City , and an evening cruise - where you’ll get to see the city lit up. They’re perfect if you only have a short amount of time in Quebec. 

Where to stay in Quebec City

When it comes to staying in Quebec City, you’ll want to stay in the Old Town itself. 

This way you’ll be close to all the popular attractions, and will have a variety of awesome restaurants to choose from. 

Luxury: Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac

This heritage hotel has a variety of on-site dining options, a spa, an indoor pool, and a hot tub! 

It’s in the perfect location to explore the city as the Notre Dame Cathedral is just a 3-minute walk away, and the Citadel is just 500 yards from the hotel. Montmorency is also only a 2-minute drive away! 

Mid-range: Hotel Port-Royal  

Hotel Port-Royal is situated in a beautiful part of Old Quebec and is only one block from the St. Lawrence River. 

Each room comes with a private kitchenette which is perfect for travellers looking to save a bit of cash. There are also plenty of attractions situated nearby, and the hotel has on-site dining options.

Budget: Hôtel Sainte-Anne

Hôtel Sainte-Anne is situated inside the old fortified walls of Old Quebec. It’s within walking distance of several tourist attractions including the Parliament Building and the Morrin Center. 

With stylish rooms, modern amenities, and a great central location - this hotel is perfect for a budget stay. 

20 best things to do in Quebec City, Canada

1. explore the gorgeous petit-champlain.

Simply walking the old town of Quebec city is a treat, and one of the nicest spots to discover is the beautiful Petit-Champlain .

It’s one of the most charming areas in Quebec city and is known for its art galleries, bistros, boutique stores, and even sweet shops.

The last one is a must, as you’ll be able to taste some of the city’s delicious handcrafted fudge.

If you’re a keen photographer you’ll also want to head to Rue du Cul de Sac, which is a colourful umbrella-covered lane.

As you wander through the narrow streets, you’ll truly feel like you’ve stepped back in time - trust me!

If you want to see the best of old Quebec City, then this 2-hour walking tour will show you all the best attractions.

You’ll also have an expert guide who will leave you with a great understanding of the city’s history. 

2. Admire the City View From Château Frontenac

Château Frontenac has to be one of the most popular attractions in Quebec City and it’s easy to see why! 

Originally built as one of Canada’s grand railway hotels in the 1890s, it’s now one of the most prominent landmarks within the city. 

The hotel has also featured in several films, welcomed endless celebrities, and was the site of a crucial political decision - to invade occupied Europe in WWII. 

With its incredible architecture and looming towers, it’s no wonder that Château Frontenac is thought to be one of the most photographed hotels in the world. 

If you’re looking to learn more about the historical events and people that shaped this esteemed hotel, you can go on a guided tour of Château Frontenac .

However, it’s not just the interior and the architecture that will blow you away.

From the hotel’s location on top of Cap Diamant (or Cape Diamond), you’ll get spectacular views of the Saint Lawrence River, Dufferin Terrace, and the city itself! 

3. Take a romantic stroll along the Dufferin Terrace

Taking a stroll along Dufferin Terrace is one of the best things to do in Quebec city for FREE! 

This long wooden sidewalk is situated next to Château Frontenac and offers spectacular views of the St. Lawrence River. 

As you wander along Dufferin Terrace you’ll be entertained by various street performers and musicians. It’s also the perfect spot to grab an ice cream or a hot chocolate - depending on what time of year you visit! 

A highlight of this area is the “Les Glissades de la Terrasse” which is a toboggan that you can ride at certain times of the year. 

Built in 1884, it’s one of the oldest attractions in Quebec City and will take you racing down the slope at an impressive speed of up to 70 km/ph (43.5 mph). 

You’ll also get to see the ruins of Forts-et-Château-Saint-Louis which are located under the terrace. 

4. Walk the walls of the Citadelle de Québec

Citadelle de Québec is situated on top of Cap Diamant and is a huge fortress that was built in the 1800s. It’s surrounded by ditches, thick walls, and ramparts so makes for a pretty impressive sight! 

Known as ‘the Gibraltar of the America’s’ due to its location, Citadelle de Québec is also shaped in a unique star shape. 

Today it’s an active military base and the summer residence of the Governor-General of Canada. 

However, you can still visit and the entrance fee gives you access to the museum exhibits located inside. 

Citadelle de Québec is also home to the famous 22nd Canadian Regiment which was formed at the beginning of WWI and has an impressive military record. 

If you visit Quebec City in the summer you’ll get to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony every morning too ! 

This guided tour of Quebec City will teach you about its history, so is a great way to visit.

5. Try the local Onion Soup (a traditional delicacy of Quebec!)

Now this one is an absolute must, especially on a cold winter's day! 

Onion soup may not sound very appealing, but trust me it’s something you just need to try. 

The dish essentially consists of a savoury broth, onions, and croutons covered with a crispy layer of cheese. 

You’ll find that onion soup differs throughout the city, and is made with different ingredients. 

Some will make it with chicken broth, while others will use beef or veal stock. Often you’ll find that bread is used to replace the croutons, and red wine is added to it in some restaurants.

If you’re looking to taste this authentic dish, then you’ll want to head to some of the most popular spots in the city. These include Q-de-Sac Resto-Pub , Le Sam , and Le Continental . 

Tasting this delicious traditional delicacy is one of the top things to do in Quebec City, so don’t miss out! 

6. Better yet, eat at Restaurant Aux Anciens Canadiens

Aux Anciens Canadiens is the perfect place to grab dinner after a long day’s exploring.

Built between 1675 and 1676, it’s one of the oldest remaining buildings in Quebec City. 

The restaurant is full of character and charm and has a great value lunch/dinner menu. 

It’s also recognised internationally for the quality of its food, and of course, the warm welcome that you receive upon arrival! 

There are five dining rooms and each one features unique antiques and collectors items so there's a lot to look at whilst you dine.

This is another spot in Quebec City that does a tasty French onion soup.

7. See the Plains of Abraham

The Plains of Abraham has to be one of the most popular Quebec city attractions.

It’s a green expanse that’s situated outside of the city walls and is the perfect spot to relax and take a picnic.

However, it wasn’t always this way!

The Plains of Abraham is the site of ‘ the Battle of Quebéc ’ which took place in 1759. 

This battle determined the fate of ‘New France’ when the British troops defeated the French under the command of General Wolfe. 

If you want to learn more about the battle there are interactive exhibits located at the museum which are found on-site.

There is also a ‘family treasure hunt’ which is perfect for keeping the little ones entertained.

If you head to the Plains of Abraham during winter it will be covered in a glistening blanket of snow.

Not only is it beautiful at this time of year, but it’s also a favourite spot for skiing and tobogganing! 

Here's some more information about the best things to do on the Plains of Abraham ...

8. Take a trip out to Montmorency Falls

A visit to Quebec City isn’t complete without taking a trip out to Montmorency Falls . 

Montmorency Falls is an impressive 83m (272 feet) high and is situated only 15 minutes from Old Quebec. 

Now you have a couple of options when it comes to exploring these falls. 

You can either take the cable car to the top of the cliff, or you can cross the suspended bridge to get an awesome view of the falls. 

However, if you’re looking for the daredevil version I’ve got you covered! 

You can take a zipline right across Montmorency Falls , and get a truly unique view of the roaring waters. 

The zipline is 1,000 feet long, and you can even partner up with someone so you don’t have to experience it alone! 

Either way, you’ll get to see the rushing water crash over the cliff edge into the St. Lawrence River. Trust me, it’s quite a breathtaking sight! 

If you're a fan of these falls then why not road trip through Ontario next and head to the iconic Niagara falls ...

9. Visit the Royal Battery

The Royal Battery is a fortification that was constructed in 1691 as a defence against British attacks.

It was also used by the French troops during the ‘Battle of Quebéc’ in 1759 and was later restored in the 1970s.

The entrance to the Royal Battery is situated on rue Sous-le-Fort, within the charming Petit-Champlain district.

This site is an important part of Quebec City’s history, but that’s not all it offers. 

You’ll also get breathtaking views of Château Frontenac, the St. Lawrence River, and the city itself. 

During your time here, make sure you take a picture of yourself perched on the cannons - it’s almost like a right of passage!

The best way to learn more about the Royal Battery’s history is to go on a guided tour of Old Quebec City . 

Your knowledgeable guide will take you on a walking tour of the Royal Battery among plenty of other sights, and teach you about the history of each area.

10. Admire the architecture of Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-Quebec and the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré

If there’s one thing that Quebec city isn’t short of - it’s incredible architecture! 

However, two fabulous buildings steal the limelight.

These are the Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-Quebec , and the Basilica of Saint-Anne-de-Beaupré .

The Cathedrale Notre-Dame is situated in the heart of Old Quebec and has been designated a world heritage site by UNESCO.

You can visit throughout the day, and you’ll be left breathless by the stunning interior, stained-glass windows, and the beautiful altar.

During your time in the city, you’ll also want to visit the Basilica of Saint-Anne-de-Beaupré. 

Saint Anne is the patron saint of Quebec and is believed to have healed the sick, often making miracles happen.

The basilica is dedicated to her and attracts around half a million pilgrims every year.

With its beautiful paintings, mosaics, and sculptures - this spot is a must-visit. 

Visiting these two architectural masterpieces is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Quebec City. 

11. Visit the Chaudièr Falls Park

If you’re wondering what to do in Quebec City, then heading out to Chaudièr Falls Park is a must. 

This waterfront park is located just across the St. Lawrence River and is about a 20-minute drive from the city centre.

It’s a great place to have a wander and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. 

However, the highlight has to be the spectacular views of the Ottawa River and Chaudièr Falls.  

Chaudièr Falls (or Chutes de la Chaudièr as it's sometimes known) are a set of cascading waterfalls that fall side by side. They are around 60m wide and drop 15m, so as you can imagine they’re a pretty impressive sight. 

The park has plenty of viewing platforms and a suspension bridge that crosses the river giving you the best views possible.

If you want to get a closer look you can even head down to the riverbed, but be careful not to get too close to the river. The current is pretty fast! 

12. Visit the Parliament Building (Hotel du Parlement) & Parliament Hill

Visiting the Parliament Building is one of the top things to do in Quebec City. 

Parliament Hill is situated in the upper town and is home to this incredible building.

Its architecture is based on the Louvre Palace in Paris and is simply beautiful . Luckily you can get inside, and trust me - this isn’t an experience you want to miss. 

Both Salle du Conseil Législatif (the Legislative Council) and the Salle de l'Assemblée Nationale (National Assembly) are open to the public, and a must-visit when exploring the city. 

Free guided tours are available to take you around, but it’s important to book your tickets in advance as this spot gets pretty busy! 

The tours last about 60 minutes and will give you an in-depth look into the history of Quebec’s parliament, and the province in general. 

13. Wander through Place Royale

Palace Royale has to be one of the most popular attractions in Quebec City. 

It’s where the city was originally founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain - so it holds a special place in Quebec’s history. 

Palace Royale is not only beautiful, but it’s also home to the largest collection of 17th and 18th-century buildings in all of North America.

There are plenty of things to do in this area like visiting Notre-Dame-des-Victoires , which is considered to be the oldest stone church in Canada.

You've also got the Musée de la Civilisation which is the city’s museum of civilisation and is another great place to visit.

During your time here, you'll get to see the outline of Samuel de Champlain’s home too - well one of them! 

This 2-hour guided tour of Quebec City will take you to Palace Royale, and plenty of other awesome sights.

Not only will you get to learn all about the history of each site, but your guide will also point out hidden gems, places to eat, and additional activities! 

14. Get lost and wander around the Old Town

Quebec city feels like the oldest place in Canada, so why not embrace that theme and take a trip to the historic Escalier Casse-Cou (Breakneck Steps)? This is the oldest staircase in Old Quebec and is one of the best ways to travel between the Upper and Lower Town.

Or simply wander the cobblestone streets and discover cutely decorated store fronts, amazing architecture, and great artwork!

We loved simply walking around and came across lots plenty of photogenic spots, so make sure you allow lots of time here.

If you're looking to explore this area then here's some more information on the top things to do in Old Quebec City .

15. Take a day trip to Île d’Orléans

Île d’Orléans (otherwise known as the Island of Orleans) is a 15-minute drive from downtown Quebec City. 

Not only is the island incredibly charming, but there are plenty of things to do here. 

Some of the most popular activities include picking berries at a farm, visiting the Manoir Mauvide-Genest, and heading up the observation tower. 

Make sure you also pay a visit to La Seigneurie de l'Île d'Orléans and Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans - both are incredibly beautiful. 

If you’re a foodie like us, then I’ve got the perfect tour for you!

The Island of Orléans Taste Trail will help you discover the flavours of the island by tasting local dishes and meeting the producers of the region. You’ll get to explore vineyards, taste nougat, and visit a local jam maker. 

However, the highlight has to be visiting the Chocolaterie Ste Petronille which produces chocolates, truffles, and ice cream soaked in chocolate! 

Taking a day trip out to Île d’Orléans is one of the best things to do in Quebec City.

16. Head to the Top of the Observatoire de la Capitale

If you’re looking to get the best view of the city, then you need to head to the top of the Observatoire de la Capitale . 

Situated on the 31st floor of the city’s highest skyscraper, you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of Quebec City, the St. Lawrence River, and the Island of Orleans.

If it’s a clear day, you’ll be able to see right over to the Appalachian foothills, and the Laurentians Mountains - two of Canada’s awesome mountain ranges! 

Once you’ve admired the views, head over to ‘Horizon’ which is a special exhibit that teaches you all about Quebec City.

You’ll get to explore culture, history, and politics, whilst learning about the events that shaped the city and its residents.

This place is one of the most popular attractions in Quebec City and it’s not hard to see why! 

17. Visit Morrin Centre

The Morrin Centre is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. It’s truly a hidden gem and is a lot less crowded than other tourist attractions in Quebec City. 

The Center was built over 200 years ago, and was actually the city’s first prison! It was used to house public offenders up until it closed in 1868.

Today, it’s one of Quebec’s most charming libraries - however, you can still wander through old prison cells and learn about its history at the prison exhibition.

The Morrin centre is also the city’s only English-language library, and you’ll find some interesting reads that relate to Quebec's history.

The aim of the centre today is to educate people about the history and culture of English speakers in the city. 

This is one of the best places to visit in Quebec City, as it’s a national historic site! 

18. Take the ferry to Lévis

Taking the ferry over to Lévis is one of the top things to do in Quebec City. 

This is another city that’s situated across the St. Lawrence River.

There are plenty of things to do in Levis like crossing the Quebec Bridge, exploring the forts, and visiting Chantier maritime A.C. Davie which is a historic shipyard.

However, the most popular thing to do is simply marvel at the awesome views across the river of Quebec City.

I’d recommend hopping back aboard the ferry in the evening, so you can enjoy a beautiful sunset on your way back to Quebec. 

You’ll also get to see popular sights illuminated like the Château Frontenac.

To catch the ferry, you’ll need to head down to the waterfront station which is situated within the Lower Town. It’s only a short walk from other popular attractions in the area including Place Royale. 

19. Experience Christmas All Year Round

Quebec city is the sort of place that looks amazing at Christmas, and it will give you all the French Christmassy vibes your heart desires.

But what if you're not visiting in the Christmas season? Well, fear not! 

There is a year-round Christmas shop " La Boutique de Noël de Québec " giving you Christmas vibes all year through.

If you're looking for non-touristy things to do in Quebec City then I can recommend heading to this place! 

This places sells everything you could think of from customised tree decorations to quirky Christmas stockings.

If you visit this shop, make sure you pick up a Christmas bauble as a souvenir so you can put it on your tree when the time comes!

20. Explore Under The Sea at the Aquarium du Quebec

Now, this is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Quebec City for families. 

Aquarium du Quebec is home to over 10,000 animals, and houses both an outdoor and indoor aquarium.

First of all, you can take a look at the outdoor park and get to see popular species including the polar bear, walruses, seals, and arctic foxes. 

You can even view some of the species from both the land and underwater, through the glass viewing areas!

Then head on inside to the ‘Awesome Ocean’ exhibit where you can walk through an underwater tunnel. 

This is a pretty awesome experience as you’ll be walking underneath a 92,000-gallon saltwater tank, and will get to see a variety of different species.

If you're looking for fun things to do in Quebec City then make sure you spend some time here!

Quebec City travel tips & FAQ

When is a good time to visit quebec city.

Generally, the best time to visit Quebec City is either the summer months of June-September or between December-February. 

If you’re looking for warm temperatures head there in the summer, but if you’re looking to ride the toboggan or visit the Ice hotel you’ll want to head to Quebec during winter. 

How long should you spend in Quebec City?

It’s possible to take a day trip to Quebec City from Montreal, but I wouldn’t recommend visiting this way. There is far too much to see and experience to simply spend a day here!

I’d recommend spending at least three days here so you can see the best sites, and not have to rush around. 

What is a good budget for Quebec City?

Although Quebec City is one of the most expensive cities in Canada, there are plenty of free attractions within the city, and public transport is pretty cheap too.

When it comes to budget, I’d recommend around CA$130 ($102) per day. This gives you enough for food, attractions, and accommodation (depending on where you're staying).

Can you just book a tour for Quebec City?

It’s entirely possible to just book a tour of Quebec City!

Some of the best options include a walking tour of Old Quebec City , a city sightseeing cruise tour , and a guided city tour with transport.

There is also a Ghosts and Crimes tour of Quebec which is pretty interesting, and you can head out on a full-day whale-watching cruise ! 

However, to see the best of the city you’ll also want to go on a self-guided tour of the narrow alleyways and cobbled streets. This way you can explore the hidden gems by yourself! 

Where to go after Quebec City

Quebec is the largest province in Canada and offers so many incredible places to see. 

This city is the province's capital, and if you're looking to see the best of it then check out this awesome walking tour of Old Quebec City!

After visiting Quebec City, make sure you save some time for exploring other parts of the province. 

This incredible city has so much to offer, but only just scratches the surface when it comes to this beautiful region. 

After exploring more of Quebec why not head to other areas of the country if you're doing a Canadian road trip ?

Here are some other guides that you may find helpful:

• A Canadian Maple Syrup Experience in New Brunswick
• The Best Things to do in Winnipeg
• The Best Things to do in Jasper

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Quebec city blog — the fullest quebec city travel guide for first-timers.

Quebec dubbed the “Old Town of Europe on American soil”. This is a political center, a miniature France of Canada that you will feel the antiquity when you set foot in. Do you love the charming city of Quebec, like its bustling, vibrant and beautiful landscapes, attractive tourist places? And do you want to set foot in this land in one day? So, before you come, let’s pocket the Quebec travel experiences that have been compiled from the travelers who once visit here to have the most enjoyable and perfect trip. So, what to do and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Quebec city, Canada for the first-time? Let’s check out our Quebec city blog (Quebec city travel blog, Quebec travel blog) with the fullest Quebec city travel guide (Quebec city guide, Quebec city tourist guide, Quebec city visitor guide, Quebec travel guide) from how to get there, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit and top things to do to find out the answer!

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Note: Do not confuse the province of Quebec with Quebec City. The province of Quebec, located in the northeast of Canada, occupies nearly one-sixth of Canada’s total land area, making it the largest of Canada’s 10 provinces by area and second only to Ontario in terms of population. The capital of the province of Quebec, Quebec City is the oldest city in Canada. The majority of Quebec’s population lives in the southern regions of the province where temperatures are warmer and the St. Lawrence river is the source of water and rich soil for its inhabitants.

Quebec city blog: Overview of Quebec city

The canada’s oldest city.

Before visiting, we also learned a little about Quebec. In 1935, the French maritime explorer Jacques Cartier came to this land and called it New France (Nouvelle France). At that time, this place was called Stadacona with about 1,000 natives of the Iroquois and Algonquin Indian tribes. Because of local resistance and severe winter weather, Jacques Cartier eventually had to return to France.

More than half a century later, it was the French explorer Samuel de Champlain who actually had started to build Quebec City in 1608. Champlain was honored as the “Father of the New France”, becoming governor-general who ruled the territory until his death in 1635.

Later, through many wars, the British defeated the French and took possession of the Canadian territory. France lost its right to rule the Quebec region, but more than half a million French here still maintain French cultural traditions and activities.

The “Special Status” of Quebec City

Currently, in a unified Canada, the province of Quebec is granted a “special status” with its own culture, language, and customs. On November 27, 2006, the Parliament of Canada passed a motion to recognize “the people of Quebec (Quebecois ) form a nation within a united Canada”. The province of Quebec has a population of around 8.4 million, while Quebec City has a population of nearly 833,000 (2022).

In Quebec, the most commonly used language is French, but in the tourist center, you can use English to communicate regularly. If you want to learn a few French words to satisfy your curiosity, you can learn some common French phrases or sentences when traveling to Montreal, Quebec.

Quebec city blog: When should you visit Quebec?

Someone once asked me which season of the year is the most beautiful to travel to Quebec, and I replied that every season in Quebec is beautiful, each season has its own beauty with different landscapes but all are extremely beautiful. In spring, the trees are lush and the flowers are blooming everywhere, in the summer the sun shines brightly to adorn the bright space, in the autumn is filled with red maple leaves, and in the winter is pure white snow. So, you can visit Quebec City at any time of the year. But if you are a lover of summer weather with lively outdoor parties or art shows, then go in July. However, the best time to visit Quebec that is in the winter when you can take part in winter activities such as skiing, snowmobiles, ice fishing, participate in winter festivals…

Festivals in Quebec

Festivals and parties are an important part of experiencing Quebec’s fun life. Winters in Quebec get chilly, so people often celebrate the Carnaval du Quebec (Quebec Winter Carnival), a week of snowy fun in Quebec City every February, to stay warm and happy. The festival’s mascot, the snowman Bonhomme, is a beloved Quebecois figure leading the daily Carnaval Parades through the city.

Quebec is also home to famous international events, such as the largest international comedy festival Just for Laughs, as well as the largest jazz festival in the world, Jazz Fest, Cirque du Soleil. The gymnastics and world-touring circus theater, is another Quebec creation. Many music, food, and arts festivals take place in cities across Quebec throughout the year, so there’s always celebration.

Quebec city travel guide: Getting to Quebec

From toronto to quebec.

All flights to Quebec will land at Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB).

I went from Toronto straight to Quebec City by Air Canada, it only took me nearly 2 hours to get there. One thing to note is that if you buy tickets on Air Canada and book with the hotel, you will get a lot of good deals. But after arriving at the Quebec airport, you should take a taxi or Uber to the city center instead of bus ($34.25/trip), because bus 78 only runs from Monday to Friday with the last trip at 4:30PM, quite inconvenient.

When I arrived at Quebec airport (YQB), it was a bit early, so I decided to walk to pick up bus 79, then pick up 80 and 800 to go back to the hotel, riding while enjoying the view. It took about 2 hours. Although I came to this city for the first time, fortunately I did not get lost. Thanks Google Maps 🙂

In addition, if you have abundant time, you can go from Toronto to Montreal. Then from Montreal buy a ticket to Quebec. Although it takes a lot of time, more than 9 hours, but it is much more saving than going by plane. If you are strong, it should take this way. You will have a comfortable travel time in two famous cities in Quebec.

Quebec Canada travel guide: Getting around Quebec

Exploring Quebec, walking is the most relaxing and economical way of travel. Renting a car in the morning and sometimes find a parking space in the center, it’s already dark, unless you want to travel to suburban areas.

Bus is also a fairly common means of transport, but the waiting is tiring. The price for each trip is $3.5CAD or buying a day ticket costs about $8.5CAD. If you want to know where to buy tickets, you can check on the RTCQuebec website.

In addition, taxis and Uber are also quite good means of commuting. Before I came, rumor has it that this service has left Quebec, but when I opened the app and see it running as usual.

Quebec city blog: Where to go, what to do?

Old quebec (quebec city old town).

Quebec is divided into two distinct parts: The modern district and the Old Town. We stayed at a hotel in a modern neighborhood, where there are many high-rise buildings, bank headquarters, corporate offices, government offices, like other cities in North America. The focus of our visit is the old town, which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1985. One thing in particular that makes the landscape of the old town of Quebec is unique, that is it was divided into two areas: The Upper Town (Haute-Ville) and the Lower Town (Basse-Ville). The entire Old Town has an area of ​​11km2, this is a special feature of Québec, creating a unique, strange and attractive beauty that few cities in the world have.

Upper Town, or Haute-Ville in French, is located on Cape Diamond, with craggy cliffs. Standing here, looking down, visitors can look directly down the Saint Lawrence river that surrounds part of the city and the vast unspoiled fields stretching far into the distance.

Upper Town is extremely crowded and bustling, on both sides of the road are houses with bold European architecture mixed with bakeries, eateries, cafes, lovely souvenir shops crowded with people in and out.

Upper Town has typical European-style castle architectural style of the 17th and 18th centuries, with outstanding works such as Dufferin Terrace, Château Frontenac castle, City Hall, Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, Laval University… and especially in the center of Upper Town still stand two black bronze statues up to 15 meters high with sculptures of Jacques Cartier and Samuel de Champlain – two French explorers who had great merits in giving birth to this land.

It would be wonderful to strolling around Quebec old town on a snowy winter day, holding a warm cup of coffee to enjoy while wriggling through the small alleys. The old red brick walls, or the moss-colored stone works of the time, or the small houses with lovely flower trellises by the windows… are the most beautiful scenes of Upper Town.

Below the Upper Town is the Lower Town (Basse-Ville). The fastest and most convenient way to get down to Lower Town is to sit in the Funicular cabin and slide down the steep slopes, sitting inside the cabin you can enjoy the wonderful scenery of Québec. Alternatively, visitors can walk along the terraced path to go down, quite laborious, but in return it is a new experience and is fully absorbed in the view of the city’s landscape without limit of vision.

If Upper Town with magnificent castles, wide streets, then Lower Town is a place of idyllic beauty, full of vibrant life. The narrow, winding roads will lead visitors to extremely interesting and unexpected places. If you are a lover of exploration activities, you will find wriggling through these alleys extremely interesting.

The atmosphere in Old Town is truly like a carnival. From a young age, I attended a French school, absorbing the humanistic culture of France, so anything related to France I feel very close to. So, for me personally, Quebec is very close. And compared to the Canadian cities I’ve visited (Vancouver, Victoria, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto), I think Quebec is the most beautiful one.

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

The castle Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, known locally as simply Frontenac Castle, was built for the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1894 and and is the heart of the Quebec city and the symbol of the nation of Canada. The castle is located in a favorable location, on the highest peak of the Cape Diamond, built in the 1990s. The castle has architectural style similar to European castles of previous centuries with copper pointed roofs.

Today the castle is a luxury hotel with 650 rooms, the resting place of many heads of state when visiting Canada. The castle is also known as the most photographed place in the world, the unique features of the castle are the walls, interior decorated with mosaics, fireplaces and stairs made of marble which originating from the Petit Trianon castle (Small castle on the grounds of Palace of Versailles for the mistress of King Louis XV, Madame de Pompadour lived).

Frontenac is a popular and beloved gathering place for Quebec citizens. They often visit the castle every afternoon tea (Thursday and Saturday) or come to enjoy fruit drinks, famous Italian martinis in intimate evenings in the chain of hotels: Winston Churchill, FD Roosevelt and Maurice Duplessis of the castle. And especially, in front of the hotel is Terrasse Dufferin (Dufferin Terrace), with an elevated view of the St. Lawrence River. If you continue to go, it will lead to a trail extending to La Citadelle de Quebec and the Plains of Abraham.

Address: 1 Rue des Carrières, Québec, QC G1R 4P5, Canada

Museum of Civilization (Musée de la civilisation)

This is where I find it most interesting. The museum displays and teaches a lot about the history of human development and the founding of French America.

Address: 85 Rue Dalhousie, Québec, QC G1K 8R2, Canada Hours: 10AM–5PM/Monday: Closed

Quebec National Museum of Fine Arts

The Quebec National Museum of Fine Arts is said to be one of the most concentrated places of the visual arts industry. Here you will enjoy the contemporary exhibitions of famous artists or walk around the Battlefield Park and visit the Pavillon at the entrance that shaped like a star.

Address: 179 Grande Allée O, Québec, QC G1R 2H1, Canada Hours: 10AM–5PM/Monday: Closed

Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral

This is a famous architecture in Quebec, designed by architect Charles Baillairgé and completed in 1844. The interior of the church is quite monumental with vivid paintings on the glass door frame and especially the golden statues (yellow, but I don’t know if it’s real gold or not :D) right in the middle of the hall.

Address: 16 Rue De Buade, Québec, QC G1R 4A1, Canada

Citadelle of Quebec

Located opposite the river St. Lawrence, this is a fortress built in 1832 and is still used today as a military base and also as a museum to welcome visitors.

Address: 1 Côte de la Citadelle, Québec, QC G1R 3R2, Canada Hours: 10AM–5PM

Battlefields Park

Located to the west of La Citadelle, once where Great Britain, led by General James Wolfe, fought France and won in 1759. Currently used as a park for walks and exhibitions.

The park owns a very vast green space. Previously, this was the site of many battles between the French and British armies. Today, this is a great weekend relaxation place for locals and tourists alike. There are often many interesting outdoor activities taking place here: camping, music stage, children’s entertainment program… Especially in autumn, this is also an ideal place for you to admire the beauty of the forest of maple leaves changing their leaves.

Address: 835 Wilfrid-Laurier Ave, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 2L3, Canada Hours: Open 24 hours

Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral

Started construction in 1800, Holy Trinity is considered the first British cathedral built outside the empire, although it is an English cathedral, Holy Trinity carries the breath of France and traditional religious practices all follow the French.

Address: 31 Rue des Jardins, Québec, QC G1R 5L3, Canada

Dufferin Square

Just a few steps outside the Frontenac hotel door is a large wooden pedestrian walkway called Dufferin Square that is considered the most important property of the city. Opposite Frontenac Castle, on the other side of Dufferin Square is a 15-meter-high statue of Samuel de Champlain – who officially started construction of Quebec City. The stone used to build the base of this statue resembles the Arc de Triomphe of Paris.

Strolling around Dufferin Square, visitors can admire some important architectural works such as the town hall built in 1896, Notre-Dame Cathedral built over 350 years ago in Baroque style, Laval University was built in 1949 (the first Francophone university in North America).

If you are an adventurous person, go to Dufferin Terrace. Here you can rent a sled that goes downhill at a speed as high as a car. Besides, you should also enjoy a special cocktail of mixologist Nader Chaabane at Le Sam Bistro to feel the vibrant life here.

Address: Rue des Carrières, Québec, QC G1R 5J5, Canada

Governor’s Garden

Governor’s Garden is a tranquil space, in a fresh green color, adjacent to Frontenac castle. During the 1640s, this garden, which was privately owned by governor Charles Jacques Huault de Montmagny, was always closed, but today it is a public garden that can be visited by anyone.

Address: 7 Rue des Carrières, Québec, QC G1R 5J5, Canada

La Maison Jacquet

Jacquet House was built in 1675, the main color of the house is red and white and it is considered the oldest house in Québec city. Located at 34 Saint-Louis Street, Jacquet is now an old Canadian restaurant.

Augustinian Monastery

After opening in 1639, the monastery is one of Québec’s oldest institutions. At present, the monastery continues to maintain the same educational institution as in the early days of its founding, which is a convent school for nuns. Visiting the monastery’s museum, visitors will see firsthand the smooth and skillful embroidered products of gold and silver threads of the nuns here.

Address: 77 Rue des Remparts, Québec, QC G1R 0C3, Canada

Quartier Petit-Champlain

This is a small street below Dufferin Terrace, lined with souvenir shops, clothing, and many Quebec-flavored restaurants.

Parliament Hill

This is a majestic architecture that is also a famous tourist attraction in Quebec. Parliament Hill is inspired by the Louvre palace of Paris with the main facade of the Tourny fountain. Here you can visit, admire this unique work and take photos. The building is a magnificent structure consisting of four massive wings that is one of the clearest examples of North America’s Second Empire architectural style (an architectural style that prevailed in Europe and North America between 1865 and 1880).

This parliament building is also considered the heart of Québec, the most important historical monument representing the city. The impressive exterior of the parliament building is easy to see, the facade is decorated with 26 bronze statues honoring the people who helped shape Québec society and the Fountain of Tourny marks the entrance (here is a gift to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the city’s founding). Visiting the parliament building, you should observe the signs placed in the entrance directions, in 4 languages: English, French, Spanish and Italian.

Édifice Marie-Guyart Observatory

The National Observatory is located at an altitude of 132 m. Standing on this observatory on the 31st floor of the Marie – Guyart building, through the glass walls you can admire the breathtaking view of the whole city. Admire the labyrinth of streets and rivers that surround the majestic mountains.

There are also a few other interesting things to explore such as the Quebec-Levis ferry that runs on the St. Lawrence, farmers market near Old Port (View Port), Quebec Bridge (Pont de Québec).

Quebec city blog: What and where to eat?

Quebec’s cuisine is full of Canadian cuisine, to have a memorable trip and fill your stomach, remember to enjoy these dishes:

• Fresh seafood: Mussels, salmon, lobster, shrimp, crab, scallops,..
• Poutine: French fries covered in cheese curds and sauces.
• Maple syrup: A syrup commonly used to drizzle over pancakes or French toast.
• Nanaimo bar: Extremely sweet chocolate chip cookies layered with vanilla or buttermilk custard and chocolate toppings.
• Montreal bacon: Bacon is often piled up in a sandwich that comes with mustard.
• BC rolls: British Columbian specialties include sushi rolls with rice, seaweed, grilled salmon and cucumbers.

My first impression when coming to the center of Quebec City is that the food is full of Pizza, pasta, steak, hamburger… The price for the main dish is about $25CAD or more. If you can afford it, it’s fine, but for me, the luxury restaurants in the tourist center are not as interesting as the small restaurants that the locals often frequent come.

In addition, my Asian taste likes dishes like Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Indian… And such dishes in Quebec are a bit rare or remote. In general, it is different from Montreal by “heaven and earth” distance. Understandably, after a few days in Quebec, I found that the number of Asians was extremely small compared to other cities I’ve been to. Sometimes when I go to a restaurant, I’m the only one who’s Asian.

If you want to eat cheap food, right in the center there are MacDonald, Tim Hortons, Starbucks, Chez Ashton… for you to choose.

A special thing when it comes to Quebec is Poutine and Smoked meat. If we don’t mention these two delicacy, it’s a mistake. My favorite are the two restaurants: Phil Smoked Meat (Address: 461 Rue Saint-Joseph E, Québec, QC G1K 3B6, Canada/Hours: 11AM–9PM; Monday; Sunday: Closed). And Fabrique Du Smoked Meat (Address: 727 Raoul-Jobin St, Quebec City, Quebec G1N 1S1, Canada/Hours: 11AM–8PM; Monday; Sunday: Closed). Both bars have their own character, only Fabrique Du Smoked Meat is a bit remote, but its atmosphere is most local.

Chez Muffy (Formerly Le Panache): A seaside restaurant dating back to the 19th century. If you are a foodie, you absolutely must not miss this stop. Including more than 700 brands and cellars, more than 12,000 bottles are imported. Desserts here are also very good, but mainly sweets, suitable for diners with a sweet tooth.

If you want a true Canadian meal, then head to La Traite (Address: 5 Pl. de la Rencontre, Wendake, QC G0A 4V0, Canada), a restaurant that features a menu featuring local ingredients, notably sugar syrup.

Quebec city blog: Where to stay?

When you come to Quebec City, you can rent a small hotel in the heart of the city, travel will be much more convenient. Prices range from $50 and up. Otherwise, you can also use the Airbnb service to experience the feeling of staying at a local’s house. If you can stay at Airbnb, you can save money by going to the market to cook for yourself.

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Hotel du Vieux-Quebec ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Auberge Saint Antoine ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Hotel Manoir Victoria ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Best Western Premier Hotel Aristocrate ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )

Check out more top hotels in Quebec City on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

Quebec city travel guide: Things you should note before traveling to Quebec

• You don’t need to know French when traveling in Quebec.
• Quebec people are usually very nice when you try to ask for directions in French. After I asked, they all answered in English :))
• Quebec City is a bit small, you just need spend about 2-3 days is enough.
• Eating far away is usually delicious and cheaper than right in the center.
• When I visited Quebec at the end of April, the weather was often drizzly, but the view was still beautiful. If I have another chance, I will come in autumn or winter. At that time, I will stay at the hotel made of ice (Hotel de Glace), experience dog sledding…

Happy traveling! Read more Canada travel guide here .

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The Ultimate Weekend In Quebec City | Travel Guide & Itinerary

Do you believe in love at first sight? Because that’s precisely what you can expect when you first set foot in Quebec City, and a weekend in Quebec City is a full-on love affair. This city has old colonial charms like cobblestone streets, narrow buildings, and a vibrant modern lifestyle.

It may be a predominantly French-Canadian-speaking part of the country, but we were able to find our way around this mystical city with ease. With plenty to see and do, it’s easily one of the best weekend getaways in Ontario , so disappointment isn’t in Quebec’s vocabulary.

Get ready to discover everything you need for the ultimate weekend in Quebec City, from how to get there to what to see.

History Of Quebec City

• In 1535, French explorer Jacques Cartier arrived in present-day Quebec City and set the stage for Samuel de Champlain to found the city in 1608.
• Champlain’s New France was the cradle of French Civilization in the Americas, evidenced by the old city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
• Strategically placed atop the cliff, French forts helped protect the city from various threats until British General James Wolfe arrived in the summer of 1759. Despite their efforts, New France eventually succumbed to the British Navy.
• Famous for its beautiful scenery, Quebec City is also considered one of the most romantic destinations on earth.

How to Travel to Quebec City, Canada

Whether you’re heading on a family trip or a romantic Ontario getaway , you must know how to get there. While you can travel from pretty much anywhere, Montréal is the closest major Canadian city, and Boston is the nearest US option. Let’s dive in, shall we?

Taking the bus is an excellent option if you want to save money. If you’re travelling from Boston (12 hours), it’s a long and arduous journey via Greyhound to Montreal and another bus with Orléans Express to Quebec City. 

While travelling to Quebec City from Montréal (158 miles) takes around three hours, and a Boston trip (396 miles) is roughly six hours. If you’re starting in Boston, travel along Interstate 93 until you join Interstate 91. From there, it’s a simple drive to the border, where you’ll drive on Autoroute 55 to Montréal.

It’s a three-hour drive on either Autoroute 40 (the more scenic of the two) or Autoroute 20 to Quebec City.

Planes are the quickest, most comfortable, and best way to get from Montréal to Quebec City. Air Canada is the most straightforward service to use from the US, but other airlines like Alaska and Westjet are also great.

Flight times vary depending on your departure destination. But a flight from Montréal is around 45 minutes and flies straight to Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB).

Top Tip: We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on flights to Quebec City.

This is probably the most scenic and stress-free option. Take the Amtrak train from any US destination to Montréal, then hop on board a VIA Rail train to Quebec City.

Montréal to Quebec City trains takes just over three hours and a ticket costs in the region of 68 CAD.

How to Get Around During Your 3 Days in Quebec City

No Quebec travel guide would be complete without knowing how to get around the city. While driving is easy outside peak traffic, most Quebec City tourist attractions are within walking distance of one another.

Renting a bike is also a great option if you’re looking for a cheap way to get around without relying on public transportation. Cyclo Services offer affordable rentals while joining a cycling tour is another great alternative.

A bus is an excellent option to avoid the cold — especially during an Ontario winter getaway . The Quebec City Transit System is good, but RTC provides a more extensive bus route. RTC also offers an unlimited weekend package for 21.95 CAD.

3-Day Quebec City Vacation

We hope you’re as ready for this epic Quebec City itinerary as we are. From perfectly preserved buildings to quirky bars around town, you’re in for a jam-packed weekend getaway.

No matter when you visit Quebec, these activities are an absolute must. So pack those bags and get ready to explore.

Day One: A Lower Old Quebec City Travel Extravaganza

Before we get stuck into the activities for day one, you’ll most likely arrive in Quebec the night before. Kickstart your time in this effervescent city with a delicious dinner at Chez Rioux & Pettigrew . It’s one scrumptious menu, everything from the slow roasted Réconfort to local beers like Belle Guelle. 

Once you’ve had a good night’s rest, day one presents an adventure of a lifetime through the stunning Lower Old Quebec City district.

Morning Things to Do in Old Quebec City’s Lower District

Everything on this list is within walking distance of one another. There’s no particular order to see things, so as much as this is a detailed itinerary, you can make it your own.

Quartier Petit-Champlain

Dive into true Quebec at what was once the capital of New France. Like all the squares in Quebec, it’s a hub for socialites, with bars, cafes, and historic buildings everywhere.

Nestled in the lower part of old Quebec, Quartier Petit-Champlain traces its roots back to 1608 when it was the capital of New France. Its narrow, pedestrian-only cobblestone streets frame the area’s historical buildings, making way for souvenir shops, aboriginal stores, bistros, and artisan boutiques serving up the best of Quebec cuisine.

Place Royale

You won’t find a square in Quebec with more 17th and 18th-century buildings than at Place Royale. Often seen as the birthplace of Quebec, this cobblestone courtyard with cafes and quaint shops dates back to 1608. In 1608, Samuel de Champlain founded a fur trading post and the first permanent settlement in what is now known as New France.

Place Royale is the focal point for the four centuries of North American history it represents and was named in honour of Louis XIV of France. This location boasts the largest collection of 17th and 18th-century buildings in the area.

La Maison Smith Cafe

Look no further than this quaint cafe in Place Royale for specialty coffee and delectable chocolates. While their pastries are a perfect pick-me-up, their pizzas also make a fantastic meal. Their selection of chocolates is mouth-watering and artfully created – from creamy truffles to sophisticated marble bars. While the pizza selection is varied as well; from classic Margherita to quattro formaggi to vegan options, there’s something for everyone.

The cafe is also a great place to relax and take in the local atmosphere.

Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church

It’s simple but simply beautiful. Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church is one of the oldest churches in North America, built on the ruins of Champlain’s first settlement in 1723. It was rebuilt in 1859 after being heavily bombarded in 1759 and, to this day, continues the tradition of blessings and handing out buns on the feast day of St. Genevieve.

Rue du Petit-Champlain

Rue du Petit-Champlain, one of the oldest streets in the Quartier Petit-Champlain district, has preserved the original architecture from its French colonial beginnings.

Walking down one of the oldest cobblestone roads in Quebec is an absolute must as it is filled to the brim with artisanal bistros, art galleries, and numerous specialty stores selling handmade leather goods, jewellery, decorative art, apparel, woodwork and more.

Breakneck Staircase

Of the stairways in Quebec (there are lots), Breakneck is the prettiest with its turquoise palisade. It’s the oldest (made in 1635) and has beautiful frescoes on the adjacent building depicting historical events in the old Cap-Blanc district.

Quebec City Mural

If you love art, then Quebec has you covered with several fresco murals throughout. But possibly the best of the bunch is the mural at Parc de la Citiere, which depicts the 400-year history of this breathtaking city.

Place De Paris

To dip into history, visit this fortification that has protected the city since 1691. Sitting across from the Quai Chouinard, it also offers majestic views of the St. Lawrence River. The former site of Place De Paris was the Finlay market, and visitors are likely to note the unique historical architecture, including the ladders on the roofs – a reminder of times when chimney sweeping was commonplace.

The Royal Battery was built in 1691 and named after Louis XIV of France, the reigning monarch at the time. It served as part of the city’s fortifications during the French Regime and withstood the siege of 1759. It is located at the Quai Chouinard, the port of departure for cruise ships navigating the St. Lawrence River.

Afternoon Saint Lawrence River Tour

After a lovely time exploring Lower Old Quebec City, joining a Saint Lawrence River tour is a genius idea.

The guide keeps things light and fun, while the views you’ll pass are second to none. Admire things like Château Frontenac, the Laurentian Mountains, Montmorency Falls, and Côte-de-Beaupré, to name a few.

You can even see the sights from the comfort of the heated cabin or feel the fresh air hit your face. There’s no better way to cap off an epic first day in Quebec City.

Day Two: Visiting Quebec City’s Old Upper District

While you can merge this into day one, spending more time exploring each district is far better. You’ll start the day off by taking the funicular up to the walled city of Upper Old Quebec City.

That’s right. Canada has its very own European-style city that offers majestic views of the surrounding landscape. 

Morning Things to Do in Old Quebec’s Upper District

Once you’ve made your way up to this part of town, it’s time to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site in all its glory.

Place d’Armes | Monument Samuel-De Champlain

This area, formerly known as the Grande Place during French rule, was a popular gathering spot for military parades and public speaking events, featuring a gothic-style fountain at its center. The monument of Samuel-De Champlain, created to honour the founder of Quebec City, was a work of art by Paul Chèvre that was unveiled in 1898.

The Fort Museum

Take a trip back to the roots of Quebec and witness the six military sieges that greatly impacted its history with a 30-minute sound and light show!

Dufferin Terrace

Fort Saint-Louis, established by Samuel de Champlain in 1620, is the historical cornerstone of The Dufferin Terrace’s construction. It is here that de Champlain sadly passed away in 1635. Visitors of the Terrace are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the river, Place-Royale and Lower Town. The Dufferin Terrace is honourably named after Lord Dufferin.

Notre-Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral

Built in 1647, it’s fair to say this majestic cathedral earns its namesake Notre Dame. Much like the Cathedral in Paris, this basilica has had its fair share of historic events, from expansions to fires. Today, it’s a beautiful reminder of France’s rule throughout Canada.

La Boutique de Noël de Québec

Enjoy a shopping spree that rivals all the Christmas markets in Ontario at this little boutique shop. It’s a Christmas shop all year round, so you can beat the December shopping craze and get all your decorations anytime.

You’ll recognize the turquoise roofing wherever you are in Quebec, so why not visit this epic building? Established in 1833, this is the formal council of Quebec and has a super exciting blend of Medieval, Classic, and Châteauesque architecture.

Le Monastère des Augustines

Initially set up as a hospital in 1639 by three sisters of the Augustinian Order, this historic monastery continues its caring practices. It’s just the perfect place to relax during a fast-paced day of exploring.

Morrin Centre

The Morrin Centre has a long and diverse history. Built more than 300 years ago as a military barrack, it was then converted into a prison, with balconies from which prisoners were hanged. In later years, it was repurposed to become Quebec’s first English-language college, complete with a stunning library.

Today, the Morrin Cultural Centre provides a unique insight into the history of English-speaking culture in the region.

Rue Saint-Jean and Porte Saint-Jean

Much like the archaic square of Quebec, Rue Saint-Jean is one of the best-kept fortifications in the city. It’s the perfect place to meander from store to store and see the turquoise roofs of Porte Saint-Jean up close.

La Capitole

For an iconic theatre, restaurant, and hotel all wrapped up into one Beaux Art-style building, visit La Capitole.

The Capitole de Québec, designed by American architect Walter S. Painter, is a grand Beaux Arts-style theatre constructed in 1903. Recognized by the Quebec Cultural Heritage Directory and the National Historic Sites of Canada.

Palais Montcalm – Maison de la Musique

Located in the heart of Old Québec, the Palais Montcalm – Maison de la Musique is a world-class venue renowned for its high-quality acoustics and exceptional comfort. Here, lovers of classical music, jazz, and world music can enjoy a variety of programs and performances in the stunning Raoul-Jobin concert hall.

Pub St. Patrick

It’s not an absolute must, but you won’t find a friendly atmosphere anywhere besides Pub St. Patrick. This joint has everything from tasty beer to classic hip-swinging Irish music.

Parliament Building

The Québec provincial government has its home southwest of the historical Upper Town. The Parliament, erected in 1877, is the venue of The Salle de l’Assemblée Nationale (National Assembly) and Salle du Conseil Législatif (Legislative Council) are open to the public.

Épicerie J.A. Moisan

JA Moisan Epicerie has been around since 1871, making it the longest-running grocery store in North America. Stepping inside is like going back in time; it’s as if you could be in a museum, yet it’s still open for business. It’s a one-stop shop; you can find all your everyday items and things you didn’t even know you needed – like 50 varieties of mustard!

Afternoon Nordic Therma Spa Experience

There’s no better way to spend an afternoon in Old Quebec City than by booking a cleansing thermal spa experience . Rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul at the Strøm Nordic Spa along the St. Lawrence River.

The views are to die for, and the thermal pools are just the perfect way to wind down after a long day of walking. Trust us. There’s a lot of walking to be done in Quebec.

And to end the day, consider grabbing dinner at the unique Chez Boulay-Bistro Boréal. They use authentic ingredients from the Boreal region, like Elk, elderberry flowers, and trout, to prepare a lip-smacking dinner.

You’ll be left wanting more. It’s that good.

La Citadelle de Québec & Musee Royal 22e Regiment (Museum)

Perched atop Cap Diamant at a towering 100 meters is Québec’s star-shaped Citadel. Built in 1832, the formidable fortress is encased by thick walls, ramparts, and ditches. It remains an active military post to this day, hosting generals, officers, servicemen, and the summer residence of the Governor-General of Canada.

The Musee Royal 22e Regiment Museum boasts one of Canada’s most significant military collections.

Plains of Abraham

Just west of Québec City’s Citadel stands the Plains of Abraham (Champs de Bataille), the site of the British victory over the French-led Montcalm army in 1759. The park is home to numerous archeological artifacts, educational displays, and multimedia presentations that chronicle the epic battle and siege of the city.

Day Three: Join a Quebec City Tour

The first two days have all been about independent travel and experiencing the city at your own pace. But at least one day in Quebec City should be dedicated to a fully immersive guided tour.

What to Expect on Your Epic Quebec Tour

We recommend visiting the Quebec City tourism board, which offers the best range of tours. We went for the full-day tour with Elyse Busque, and let’s just say we’ll never forget this experience. 

Cote-de-Beaupre

This agricultural region is surrounded by natural beauty thanks to the Laurentian Mountains, the St. Lawrence River, and picturesque waterfalls. If you have the time, enjoy some epic outdoor activities in Canyon Sainte-Anne.

Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré

Possibly the most iconic landmark in Cote-de-Beaupre, this basilica holds the crazy status of a miracle worker. Over half a million pilgrims visit yearly, with many stating they’ve been healed after visiting. There are even two pillars packed with canes and crutches of those healed. 

Montmorency Falls

This underrated waterfall will have you in awe thanks to its 272-foot drop. That makes it 98 feet taller than Niagara Falls. Pretty crazy, right?

Musée de la Civilisation

Learning is a part of every vacation, and this museum is the perfect place to learn about French America’s history. A must-visit exhibit at the museum is the Illusions collection. It’ll leave you questioning reality, not really, but kind of.

Known for the bustling Marché du Vieux-Port public market, Vieux Port is the perfect place to admire St. Lawrence and Saint-Charles River’s converging. You can even grab some tasty treats and handmade goods at the market with expert suggestions from your local tour guide.

Alternatively, book this half-day tour of Quebec City , and spend the rest of the day exploring sights on the city’s outskirts. These include Observatoire de la Capitale, Morrin Centre, St. Andrew Church, and the Monument Samuel-De Champlain.

Best Hotels in Quebec City For Your Weekend Getaway + Map

Don’t worry. We’ve also got all your accommodation options sorted. One of these is bound to be the best hotel in Quebec City for you.

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (Luxury)

It would be silly not to include the one building you can see from the point of the city. It may be a bit pricey, but its subtle combination of textures, colours, and hospitality make this a fantastic place to stay. And to make things better, it’s right in the middle of Upper Old Quebec.

Check Rates for Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac

Hotel Le Germain Quebec (Mid-Range)

With an old-school building and modern interior, Hotel Le Germain Quebec is a fantastic lodging option we adore. Don’t even get us started on breakfast. They’re simply out of this world. It’s also in the heart of Old Quebec City, so the top attractions are never far away.

Check Rates for Hotel Le Germain

Hotel du Vieux Québec (Mid-Range)

Let this hotel’s stunning exposed brick walls and uber-lux finishings have your imagination in overdrive. Resting in the 18th-century walls of Quebec City’s Latin Quarter, this hotel has everything, from the location to a fireplace in each room to keep you all snug.

Check Rates for Vieux Québec

Best Places to Eat in Quebec City and Dishes to Try

Before we leave you to embark on your epic trip to Quebec City, here are a few must-try restaurants and dishes from each place.

Aux Anciens Canadiens

Constructed in 1675-76, the iconic Maison Jacquet (Jacquet House) is the oldest house in Quebec. Its thick walls and wainscoting are classic to houses of this era. It once belonged to Philippe-Aubert de Gaspé, author of the book “Les Anciens Canadiens,” which is the exact name of the restaurant occupying the house today.

Chez Boulay-bistro boréal

Chefs Jean Luc Boulay and Arnaud Marchand established Chez Boulay – Bistro Boreal to demonstrate the abundance of local specialties from Quebec’s boreal region, including elk, trout, elderflower and Labrador tea.

While Le Chic Shack may be known for its epic burgers, it has another dish worth a try. You can’t go wrong with their Poutine, a delicious combination of cheese curds and french friends topped with mouth-watering gravy.

Restaurant La Buche

La Buche offers a comforting combination of rustic interiors and classic Quebecian homestyle cuisine. While there’s plenty to pick from, you must try the Pâté chinois, a French-Canadian-style shepherd’s pie.

Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean

For a double-crusted taste sensation of meat and carbs, head to the region of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. It’s not so much about the restaurant here, but rather the Tourtière in this region, with a delectable range of meats from veal to pork and even Moose.

With a full range of pastries, smoked meats, and everything in between, Paillard is the best place to get your taste buds dancing in the morning. It’s so good; you may even go back for seconds, trust us, we would know.

Chez Rioux & Pettigrew

Chef Dominic Jacques – a winner of “Les chefs” in 2012 – has taken Chez Rioux & Pettigrew from a wholesale grocer to a bistro-style restaurant with his inventive cuisine.

The Best Weekend Visit to Quebec City Recapped

You no longer need to travel halfway across the world to experience the European lifestyle, as Quebec has you covered. Whether you decide to visit in winter or you want to admire the spring blossoms that bring the streets to life is up to you.

One thing is sure, your weekend in Quebec City will be an unforgettable, action-packed travelling experience that’ll live long in your memory.

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Quebec City Travel Guide

For travelers keen on a European getaway without a flight across the Atlantic, Quebec City offers the charms of a French or Swiss destination. What's more, you'll hear enough French in Quebec City to get a taste of that European language barrier. A much smaller city than Montreal—which has four million residents—Quebec City's intimate, old town-chic atmosphere is extremely appealing to travelers. It's a metropolis that's more akin to Geneva, Switzerland or Nice, France than to London or New York City. Known for its history and architecture, Quebec City is beyond picturesque and feels authentically Qu é becois . Here, everything you need to know about the capital of Canada's French-speaking province, from the culinary scene and points of interest to the best events in this idyllic city.

Eastern Standard Time

Best Time to Go

From a weather perspective, you're going to be chilly in Quebec City in the winter (with temperatures firmly in the 20s or below). Nonetheless, it's a picturesque time to visit. The summer and fall months are much more temperate. Spring is still cold with a fair amount of precipitation.

Quebec City's annual Carnaval de Quebec is held in February. The festival dates back to the late 1800s and is one of Quebec City's biggest attractions.

In January, the Hôtel de Glace opens, which is not only a spectacle but the perfect time to spend a night at the Ice Hotel.

In April, Quebec City hosts a charming book fair, which is locally referred to as Salon International du Livre de Québec .

Quebec is known for hosting both food and comedy festivals—with both Montreal and Quebec City offering events for gourmands and comedy enthusiasts. Quebec's gourmet festivals are in May (Festival Québec Exquis!) and November (Québec Gourmet Table) and their ComediHa! Fest-Québec is in August.

Things to Know

When we say Quebec City is known for their architecture, we mean it. It's the only walled city (on this continent) north of Mexico.

Just like many classic European destinations, Quebec City has an important river that runs through the metropolis: the St. Lawrence River.

They speak both French and English in Quebec, though keep in mind that French dominates some parts of the city. The French spoken in Quebec City and Montreal—often referred to as Québecois French—is slightly different from French spoken in France.

Old Quebec is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Quebec City is known for its charming, European-esque cobblestone streets and the renowned Château Frontenac , which is now a Fairmont hotel.

Currency: Canadian Dollar

(Check the current exchange rate )

Calling Code: +1

How to Get Around

Buses : The local bus transportation network in Quebec City is called the Réseau de Transport de la Capitale (RTC). This is the main form of public transportation in Quebec City and is well-run. One ride costs $3.50 (cash) or $3.20 (with ticket) and a one-day pass is $8.85.

Taxis : You can find taxis at the airport and major hotels in Quebec City. You can also call a local taxi company like Taxi Laurier .

Car service : Uber is available in Quebec City.

Best Hotels

Fairmont château frontenac.

Address: 1 rue des Carrières CITQ No. 040703, Québec City, Quebec G1R 4P5 Phone: 418-692-3861 Website

The Fairmont Château Frontenac is a Quebec icon. The hotel offers stunning views of the St. Lawrence River and the Old Fortified City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each of the 610 guest rooms is flush with luxury accommodations to ensure a relaxing stay. Visitors can stop into the Château Frontenac's Moment Spa for a blissful massage or facial. This historic hotel also offers tours of its grandeur to those unable to stay on the property.

Hôtel de Glace

Address: 2280 Bd Valcartier, Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, QC G0A 4S0, Canada Phone: 418-844-2200 Website

The Hôtel de Glace opens annually through the winters and is the only ice hotel in North America. Made entirely of ice, right down to the cocktail glasses in the bar, staying at the Hôtel de Glace is a truly memorable experience. Guests can warm up in a selection of hot tubs or saunas with a view of the starry night sky.

Auberge Saint-Antoine

Address: 8 Rue Saint-Antoine, Québec, QC G1K 4C9, Canada Phone: 418-692-2211 Website

In the heart of Quebec City, you'll find the historic Auberge Saint-Antoine, which offers guests easy access to city activities and beautiful views of the St. Lawrence River. The Auberge Saint-Antoine extends through three buildings from the 17th and 18th century and was built on an archaeological site. Guests can find a selection of artifacts throughout the rooms and must stop into Bar Artefact for an imaginative cocktail.

Hotel Le Germain

Address: 126 St-Pierre Street, Quebec, Quebec, G1K 4A8 Phone: 418-692-2224 Website

Located in the Old Port, the Hotel Le Germain is in an excellent location for exploring all that Quebec City has to offer. Offering amenities like 24-hour gym access, in-room Nespresso machines, and a continental breakfast, this hotel has something for everyone—plus, it's pet-friendly

L'Hôtel du Capitole

Address: 972, rue Saint-Jean, Québec (Québec) G1R 1R5 Phone: 418-694-4040 Website

Centrally located in downtown Quebec City, L'Hôtel du Capitole's 108 guest rooms allow guests to enjoy the city in ultimate comfort. From the reception desk on the seventh floor guests can take in panoramic views of Old Quebec. Amenities include a pool on the ninth floor, a state-of-the-art fitness center, complimentary breakfast, and on-site laundry.

Best Restaurants

Le lapin saute.

Address: 52 rue du Petit-Champlain, Québec (Québec) Website

In the Quartier Petit Champlain, Le Lapin Saute is a charming spot featuring some of the best rabbit in the city. During the winter months, Le Lapin Saute seats 32 diners with a cozy, fireside ambiance. In the summer there's additional seating on the breezy terrace. Stop in for rabbit poutine or one of the delightful cassoulets. Reservations are recommended but not required.

Restaurant Le Continental

Address: 26 rue St-Louis, Vieux-Québec, Québec, G1R 3Y9 Phone: 418-694-9995 Website

Dining at Restaurant Le Continental is a feast for your eyes and your palette, as experienced staff offer table-side caesar salad, chateaubriand, and carved duck. Traditional French cuisine shines at Le Continental—consider finishing your meal with their divine take on a crepe suzette. An extensive wine list with French, Italian, and American wines pairs effortlessly with the menu.

Address: 519, 3e Avenue Québec, Qc G1l 2w4 Phone: 581-742-4202 Website

Diners at Arvi can expect a theatrical dinner that does not disappoint. Arvi uses seasonal produce to create two five-course tasting menus (one vegetarian-friendly). The open-air concept virtually eliminates the barrier between the dining room and the kitchen, so guests can experience the thrill of watching the food on its journey from kitchen to table. Oh, and the same chefs that cooked the food, also deliver it to the eagerly waiting diners. With 30 seats, reservations are recommended.

La Korrigane

Address: 380, Dorchester Street Québec (Qc) G1K 6A7 Phone: 418-614-0932 Website

La Korrigane brews small-batch artisanal beer in-house. Stop in for a pint of their Black Kraken or Saison, brewed with seasonal fruit. When it comes to food, La Korrigane is serving up delicious, light, seasonal dishes prepared with local, seasonal ingredients. Reservations are available for parties up to four. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.

Le Pied Bleu

Address: 179 Rue Saint-Vallier O, Quebec, QC G1K 1J9 Phone: 418 914-3554 Website

The atmosphere at Le Pied Blue is welcoming, warm, and positively homey. Their specialty is charcuterie and meats, with award-winning blood sausage. Stop by for brunch, lunch, or dinner, or select a few items for take out. They're also serving up cocktails and a diverse wine list.

Things to Do

La citadelle de quebec.

Address: 2, rue D'Auteuil, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 5C2 Phone: (418) 648-7016 Website

Quebec City is one of the last remaining fortified cities in North America and Touring La Citadelle de Quebec allows guests to uncover nearly 300 years of Canadian history. This historic site is an active military base. Visitors can explore the site's intrigue via guided tours and through the on-site Musée Royal 22e Régiment.

Musée de la Civilisation

Address: 85, Rue Dalhousie, Quebec City (Québec) G1K 8R2 Phone: 418-643-2158 Website

Situated in Old Quebec, the Musée de la Civilisation was originally developed to create and promote French history. The museum features a blend of permanent and temporary exhibits on both contemporary and historical topics. Visitors can explore a variety of interactive exhibits to illustrate a connection between the past and present.

Roger-Van den Hende Botanical Garden

Address: 2480 Boulevard Hochelaga, Quebec City, Quebec G1V 0A6 Phone: (418) 656-3742 Website

The Roger-Van den Hende Botanical Garden, located at Laval University, is an affordable delight in the city. Free, with a suggested donation of just $2, visitors can enjoy a variety of botanicals and plant life. The garden is a living laboratory for students and researchers at the university, and it's home to a variety of environments including a water garden, composting site, and rose garden. Guided tours are offered for groups of 10 or more ($5 per person).

Île d'Orleans

Phone: 866-941-9411 Website

Île d'Orleans, an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, is a delightful retreat for tourists and Quebec locals alike. The island is a designated historic area and has an abundance of fresh, island-grown produce that supply markets and stalls lining the city streets. Enjoy scenic walking paths, farm-to-table restaurants, and quaint shops and galleries featuring the work of local artists.

Best Shopping

Quartier petit champlain.

Take a walk through Quartier Petit Champlain and admire the work of local artists and artisans. Rue de Petit Champlain is one of the oldest pedestrian shopping streets in North America and is home to unique boutiques and adorable restaurants perfect for a leisurely lunch if you're in need of a shopping respite.

Place Ste-Foy

Address: 2450, boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC, G1V 2L1 Phone: 418-653-4184 Website

Head over to Place Ste-Foy to shop luxury brands in Quebec City. Interested in some personalized fashion advice? Set up an appointment with a stylist for a guided shopping experience.

Address: 35 1/2, rue du Petit-Champlain, Québec, Québec, G1K 4H5 Phone: 418-914-9933 Website

Pop into Martino, located in the Petit Champlain district of the city, for some well-crafted moccasins, boots, and more. The shoes are handmade and available for children, men, and women.

Le Grand Marché Quebec

Address: 250, boulevard Wilfrid-Hamel, Québec City, Québec G1L 5A7 Parking Lot P4 Phone: 418-692- 2517 Website

Food purveyors, artisans, and farmers gather at Le Grand Marché Quebec filling the stalls with seasonal delicacies. Stroll through the market to find meats, cheese, artisanal pastries and baked goods, wine, spirits, and so much more. Le Grand Marché is just minutes from Quebec's city center and is easily accessible by car, bike, or public transport.

Galeries de la Capitale

Address: 5401, Boul. des Galeries, Québec, QC G2K 1N4 Phone: 418-627-5800 Website

Head over to Galeries de la Capitale for world-class shopping. The shopping center is also home to Eastern Canada's largest indoor amusement park, le Mega-Parc.

Lauren Breedlove/Travel + Leisure

Neighborhoods to Know

Old Quebec: Called Vieux-Québec in French, this historic neighborhood of Quebec is encircled by nearly three miles of fortifications. Visitors love the stone walls, rolling hills on which locals laze in the summer, and of course, the crowning jewel of Vieux-Québec, Château Frontenac.

Saint-Jean-Baptiste: A Boho-chic neighborhood with hipster vibes, Saint-Jean has art galleries and cafes lining its cobblestone streets. The neighborhood is also home to the legendary Breakneck Stairs — the city's oldest staircase, built in 1635 and comprising 59 steep stairs.

Montcalm: This neighborhood is home to attractions like Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec, but it's also fairly residential. You'll find charming art galleries and nice restaurants in Montcalm, as well as the must-visit Avenue Cartier.

Saint-Roch: One of the haute downtown districts in Quebec City, Saint-Roch has been revitalized over the last decade. Tourists now flock to Saint-Roch for their excellent boutique shopping, charming cafes, and must-try restaurants like Le Clocher Penché.

Winter: Spoilers—winter in Quebec City is cold. You'll see lows under 10 F in January and February, and winter highs of 33 F. You should expect December, January, February, and March temperatures to hover in the 20s (Fahrenheit) with a fair bit of snowfall each month.

Spring: Spring thaws Quebec City, but temperatures aren't necessarily warm. You'll still get temperatures in the 30s in April and 40s in May. However, the highs can reach up to 60 in May. You'll see a significant amount of precipitation in the spring.

Summer: With temperatures climbing to the high 70s, summer is lovely in Quebec City. The city still sees rain in the summer, but the warmth lasts through the end of August and is a welcome treat for locals and tourists alike.

Fall: September and October are a delight in Quebec City, with temperatures in the 50s and 60s and turning leaves lining the cobblestone streets. By November, temperatures dip as low as 29 F.

Apps to Download

Uber : Rideshare servicing Quebec City iOS | Android

Quebec City RTC : Bus schedules, routes, live updates iOS | Android

Quebec City Maps and Walks : Self-guided walking tours of the metropolis iOS | Android

Related Articles

How to Visit Québec City on a Budget

I’ve visited Canada many times but have always missed is Québec City. I’ve only heard great things from everyone who has ever been there. Luckily, my friend Pamela is an expert on the city. She runs Urban Quebec Guide , a blog that showcases the best Quebec has to offer.

In this guest post, she shares tips and advice to help you make the most out of your time in Quebec City without breaking the bank!

I fell in love with Québec City the moment I stepped off the overnight train from Halifax . The cobblestone streets, outdoor patios, European architecture, and delicious poutine (and French men!) tugged at my heartstrings.

A French colony founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, Québec City was then known as New France. Over the course of its over four hundred years, the city went from being French to British and then French again, creating a delightful mix of architectural styles.

While most are initially drawn to Québec City by its history and European charm, the people, food, and culture are why they inevitably fall in love with the city. The locals are a community very passionate about all things Québec and want visitors to experience that same passion, regardless of one’s travel budget . I can’t preach the gospel of this city enough. It’s like a big little village and one of my favorite places in the entire country.

Though Québec City can be expensive, there are plenty of ways to visit this city on a budget and still enjoy everything this place has to offer!  

Things to See and Do

Explore Vieux-Québec (Old Québec) While doing it on your own can be fun, make time to take a walking tour. If you’re on a tight budget, there is a free walking tour with Samuel Dubois , a funny local guide who lives off the tips he receives from travelers. His tour takes you through the Old City and is filled with humorous facts and stories. Samuel is also a craft beer connoisseur, so if you’re looking for recommendations, he is your man!

If you have a little money to spend and want a historical walking tour with a costumed guide, Cicerone’s walking tours are highly recommended!

Visit La Citadelle & city fortifications Québec City is one of the oldest fortified cities in North America (it’s only one of two cities in existence that are still fortified). Spend some time at the Citadelle, which is still operational and home to the Royal 22e Régiment. Built between 1820-1850, the Citadelle fortifications were built to help protect the city from American attack. Admission is $18 CAD and includes entrance to the Citadelle, a museum tour, the changing of the guard (in summer), and the Beating of the Retreat.

1 Côte de la Citadelle, +1 418-694-2815, lacitadelle.qc.ca/en. Open daily from 10am-5:30pm (9am from May-September).

Dufferin Terrace The terrace is the oldest boardwalk in the city and runs along the front of Fairmont Château Frontenac. In summer, you can relax on the boardwalk, watch street performers, and buy chocolate-dipped ice cream cones from Au 1884. In winter, toboggan down the slope of the Dufferin Slide, one of the first tourist attractions in the city.

Climb to the top of Terrasse Pierre-Dugua-de-Mons Capture a postcard-perfect shot of Château Frontenac and the Saint Lawrence River. There is a wooden staircase after the gazebo on Dufferin Terrace.

Ride the funiculaire From Dufferin Terrace, take the funicular (inclined railway) down the cap (promontory) to Petit-Champlain (one of the oldest shopping streets) and Place Royale (site of the first colony). Rides are $4 CAD one-way.

Tip: If you hate hills as I do, walk down the steep hill (Côte de la Montague) and take the funicular back up to the top of the cap.

Musée de la Civilization Québec has many museums, but this is probably the best one for learning about the history of Québec. Regular admission is $24 CAD but if you are 18-30 years of age, it is only $19 (not including special exhibits).

85 Rue Dalhousie, +1 418-643-2158, mcq.org/en. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-5pm.

Cathedral of the Holy Trinity This cathedral was the first Anglican church built outside Britain. Consecrated in 1804, it was built in the Neoclassical style and houses a silver communion set given by King George III (who reigned from 1760-1820). Be sure to take the guided tour for $6 CAD; it’s offered by one of the best English historians in Québec City. Self-guided tours are also available in July and August for $3 CAD per person.

31 Rue des Jardins, +1 418-692-2193, cathedral.ca. Open daily from 9am-5pm from May-September. See website for update hours and worship times.

The Morrin Centre & Maison de la Littérature Located across the street from each other, both of these buildings turned libraries are some of the funkiest attractions in town. The Morrin Centre started as an army barracks, then changed to a jail (where many public hangings occurred), then a college, and now a beautiful Victorian (English) library. La Maison de la Littérature is a French library housed in a converted church (which was once English). Both libraries are FREE.

44 Chaussée des Écossais, +1 418-694-9147, morrin.org/en. Openw weekdays from 9am-5pm.

Take a bus to Montmorency Falls Skip the tours and take public transportation to Chute Montmorency (Montmorency Falls). While they are not as wide as Niagara Falls, they are 30 meters (98 feet) taller and are stunning, especially in fall when the surrounding leaves change color. From Place d’Youville, take bus #800 to the falls (it takes around 50 minutes). If you have a car, it’s just a 15-minute drive. Tickets are $3.75 CAD cash or you can buy using the RTC Paiement app for $3.25 CAD.

Walk the stairs of Sous-le-Cap Walk along rue Saint-Paul in Vieux-Port. When you get to the Savonnerie you’ll see a very small path between the buildings; follow it to rue Sous-le-Cap, one of the oldest streets in the city. The street is tiny, with layers of wooden stairs that stretch across the alley. This was once a busy shopping street back when the houses had a front-row view of the Saint-Lawrence River, which would lap against the buildings at times.

Amusement Park at Méga Parc This is Québec’s version of Mall of America. Méga Parc has 19 attractions/rides, including a skating rink, an arcade with 60 or so games, mini-golf, and a rock-climbing wall. Unlimited access is $25 CAD per person. To get here, take buses #801 and #803.

The Plains of Abraham Head into the neighborhood of Montcalm and walk around the Plains of Abraham, the site of the famous battle of 1759 during the Seven Years’ War between England and France. The entire battle on the plains lasted about 15 minutes and saw both English and French generals killed. The British victory resulted in them gaining control of the city — and eventually the country.

Today, the Plains of Abraham is a large park with running and walking tracks, Martello Towers (small defensive forts built during the 19th century), busts of historic figures, gardens, and pretty views of the Saint Lawrence River.

Relax at Place des Canotiers A new public space beside the Saint Lawrence River, this urban square has places to sit and relax, as well as fountains and mist you can walk through. A go-to spot on hot summer days, this is also where the cruise ships and tall ships dock. In August, come here on Wednesday nights to watch the fireworks, listen to a live DJ, and devour food truck eats.

Leave the tourists behind In the middle of summer, when the Old City is bursting at the seams with tourists, you’ll find me in along rue Saint-Joseph Est in Saint-Roch, rue Saint-Jean in Saint-Jean-Baptiste, and 3e (Troisième) Avenue in Limoilou, where I can enjoy the quiet, local side of life. Prices are generally a little cheaper in these areas, and there are plenty of fabulous restaurants, microbreweries, cafés, and boutiques to keep me happy.  

Where to Eat

• Chez Ashton (Vieux-Québec, Saint-Roch, or Montcalm): Delicious gluttony made of fries, squeaky cheese curds and piping hot gravy. Almost every restaurant sells poutine, but the best traditional poutine in the city starts with Chez Ashton. A Québec institution, it serves up poutine in large, round foil containers. In winter the price of poutine fluctuates depending on the weather. For example, if it is -25°C (-13°F) outside, then your poutine at Chez Ashton is 25% off!
• Buffet de l’Antiquaire Located in Old Port, Buffet de l’Antiquaire is a Quebec City institution. This local diner has been serving Québécois comfort foods for over 40 years. Try the heart-stopping breakfast poutine, tourtière, or pâté chinois (shepherd’s pie). They have American-style breakfasts, too.
• Le Bureau de Poste: This little gem has a yummy menu, cheap cocktails, and budget-friendly pints! Go forth and have fun, and be sure to enjoy the patio in the summer. This is one of the only places serving hot food until 3am.
• La Fabrique du Smoked Meat Tucked away in the neighborhood of Saint-Sauveur, finding this restaurant may feel like a scavenger hunt. It’s worth the journey though. Smoked meat sandwiches start at $9 CAD, and poutines start at $9 CAD..
• Marché d’Emma: Located across the street from the hostel, this small épicerie has a nice selection of Québec craft beers, wine, frozen pizzas, gourmet foods, and non-perishables. They also have fresh baguettes most days.
• L’Inter Marché: Located on rue Saint-Jean in Saint-Jean-Baptiste, this small grocery store has a small selection of produce, meats, dairy, non-perishables, frozen foods, and bread. Prices are often better than at the épiceries.

The food scene in Québec City is ever-growing, and we now have a few options for vegans and vegetarians as well. As in other major cities, almost every neighborhood now also has shawarma or kebab. There are plenty of sushi places, too.

Where to Party

Bar St-Angèle: A night of cheap beer, live music, and quirky locals. It is a must before venturing into the pubs and bars in the city.

Le Drague Cabaret Club: A gay bar/nightclub with drag shows and karaoke.

Pub Nelligan’s: A lively Irish pub popular with locals. Rustic ambiance, live Irish shows from time to time, and a mix of Québec and Irish beers (and liquor).

Le Projet: An eclectic gastropub, Le Projet has roughly 24 microbrews on tap. Buy food on-site or pick up a poke bowl from Bols et Poké on your way and eat it there.

La Barberie: By far the most popular microbrewery in the city. Beer is brewed on-site, there is plenty of seating, and while they don’t have a license to serve food, you can have a pizza, Chinese food, or whatever else you’re craving delivered to the bar.  

Where to Sleep

Beds cost around $46 CAD per night.

Couchsurfing is also quite popular in Québec City, which has a very large Couchsurfing community . Always look for hosts with good ratings and reviews, and bring a small thank you gift for your host (it could be a bottle of wine or craft beer) as you are being invited into their home, for free!

If you want to experience the local vibe of the city, I suggest mixing things up a little: stay a few nights at a hostel to explore the historic areas, then Couchsurf or rent a room on Airbnb in another neighborhood to get a true feel for what everyday life is like in Québec City.  

9 Ways to Save Money in Québec City

• Take a FREE walking tour of the Old City.
• Eat poutine (under $10 CAD) at Chez Ashton, one of the cheapest places in the city.
• Buy food at a neighborhood grocery store.
• Eat croissants for breakfast — they’re cheap and delicious! Paillard on rue Saint-Jean (to the right at the bottom of rue Sainte-Ursule) is the best.
• Buy a bus pass. A 1-day bus pass costs $9 CAD and will save you money if you plan to bus around the city.
• Walk along the city fortifications and atop the city gates. Its FREE!
• Visit the churches and libraries as they are FREE and quite beautiful.
• Visit Bar Sainte-Angèle for cheap beer!
• Couchsurf for most of your visit and save money on accommodation (plus meet amazing and friendly locals).

Getting Around Québec City

Québec City is a walking city. It is very easy to explore the main neighbourhoods (Vieux-Québec, Petit-Champlain, Place-Royale, Vieux-Port, Grande Allée, Montcalm, and Saint-Jean-Baptiste) by foot. The outer neighborhoods of Saint-Roch, Saint-Sauveur, and Limoilou can be reached by bus or on foot (they’re just 20-30 minutes away if you walk).

A single bus fare is $3.75 CAD, unless you go to an authorized seller and buy a ticket ; then the cost is $3.25 CAD. You can also buy passes that cut the cost, especially if you want to venture out to places like Chute Montmorency (Montmorency Falls):

• A day pass is $9 CAD
• An unlimited weekend pass is $16.25 CAD
• A 5-consecutive-days pass is $31.50 CAD

Download the RTC (Réseau de Transport de la Capitale) Nomade mobile app to check routes while you’re out exploring. The app gives you information on schedules, as well as the closest stop to your location and when the next bus will arrive.

Come explore this lovely city, sit on a patio, eat poutine, drink with the locals , and marvel at the beauty of Château Frontenac as it looms over the lower city. Sit at the top of Terrasse Pierre-Dugua-de-Mons to watch the sunset and snap a picture-perfect shot of the château, Old City, and Saint Lawrence River.

I came to Québec City because I love the architecture, culture, and history. I stayed because of the food, the people, and the big-village vibe. Québec City has a charm and magic about it that is infectious. It is a Northern paradise of food, culture, and architecture — and I hope you come and visit soon!

Pamela is a Canadian travel writer and blogger who left her job in 2010 to travel the world. While Southeast Asia and Scotland rank among her favorite destinations, she fell head-over-heels for Québec City and now calls it home. She now runs Urban Quebec Guide , a blog that showcases the best Quebec has to offer.

Book Your Trip to Canada: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner or Momondo to find a cheap flight. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Start with Skyscanner first though because they have the biggest reach!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Canada? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Canada for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Is Quebec City Worth Visiting?

by Melissa Giroux

Listed by Unesco as a World Heritage site, Quebec City has been showcasing a fusion of cultures since the 17th century when the French laid roots in this corner of Canada. 

But, you may be wondering is Quebec City worth visiting ?

The oldest French-speaking community in Northern America, Quebec City is home to countless fascinating architectural sites, friendly locals, and a melting pot of delicious cuisines.

There are over 400 years of fascinating history to be found along its cobbled city streets, from chateaus to its renowned citadel.

But, you may be looking for insider tips on the best (and worst things) about Québec City before embarking on your adventure.

Here are some of the top reasons why Quebec City should (or shouldn’t) make it onto your Canadian bucket list, starting with the pros.

Reasons To Visit Quebec City: The Pros

If you’re weighing up Canadian destinations and are considering if Quebec City is worth visiting, check out these great reasons to check it out.

Old Quebec is a World Heritage site that perfectly encapsulates over 400 years of French-American history. 

The streets are lined with striking buildings that look like they were hand-selected out of a French fairytale and the boutique shopping here is sublime. 

One of the most celebrated historical highlights of the city is its fortification, which spans the entire city and makes Quebec the only walled city north of Mexico on the American continent. 

These walls stretch for over 4.5 kilometers and were built to protect the city from several sieges by both American and British troops.

Just a stone’s throw from the bustling streets is Quebec’s citadel, where you can learn more about this military history and gain panoramic views across the lofty spires and towers of the city, and out to the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

Alternatively, peep into the opulent Château Frontenac hotel or pop next door to discover the archaeological ruins of the Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site.

Quebec City is home to an amalgamation of American, Canadian, and French flavors, which combine to form a unique cuisine only found in the French corner of Canada. 

One of the city’s most famous dishes is poutine, which is created using French fries, gravy, and cheese curds, and has become known as the national dish of Canada. 

Cruising through Quebec, you can also find tourtières — a type of meat and potato pie — as well as pea soup and fèves au lard, which is a combination of baked beans, slow-cooked with bacon, and maple syrup.

Sweet lovers can try St. Catherine’s taffy or purchase a bottle of the pure Canadian maple syrup found in shops across town.

Learn more about the best dishes in Quebec .

The Ice Hotel

If you’re seeking novelty, look no further than Quebec City’s own ice hotel — Hôtel de Glace. This chilly attraction has been open since 2001 and is formed of 44 rooms, which guests can choose to stay in overnight.

The hotel used 300,000 tons of snow and 500 tons of ice in its construction, and temperatures inside range from 3 to -5 degrees Celsius. 

Alongside staying overnight, tourists can simply go and visit this ice sculpture or even get married in its own ice chapel.

Within close proximity of the city, you have access to a diverse natural world, full of towering mountains, glistening lakes, dense forests, and endless seas. 

This provides the perfect balance for people who enjoy city life and the peace of nature equally, as well as those who just need an escape from the beeping horns and buzzing chatter of central Quebec. 

One of the most exciting of these sites is Omega Park, where visitors can discover over 40 types of native wildlife in their natural habitat, including caribou, Arctic wolves, and beavers. 

You can also find plenty of open green spaces within the city itself, including the Plains of Abraham and Chauveau Park.

The weather in Quebec City is either a pro or con, depending on which type of traveler you are.

However, there’s no denying that the city looks enchanting covered in a thick blanket of snow during the winter months.

Quebec receives over 3 meters of snow annually and winter temperatures average between -3 and -15 degrees. 

However, sunseekers don’t need to despair as the city experiences warm summers with long, sunny days that reach up to 25 degrees Celsius during July and August.

There is always something happening in Quebec City, from festivals and concerts to sports events.

Quebec City Carnival has been part of the city’s culture since 1894 and visitors can participate in, and watch, a range of activities, such as ice skating, nighttime parades, and ice canoe races. 

If you prefer watching live music, you might wonder…is Quebec City worth visiting? And the answer is yes! 

The Festival d’été de Quebec happens every July and showcases over 1,000 artists, including international superstars, such as the Foo Fighters and Green Day.

Reasons To Visit Quebec City: The Cons

Although there are plenty of pros to visiting Quebec City, there are also a couple of things to mention that you may view as cons.

However, these can be easily worked around to make sure you enjoy your Canadian vacation.

Accessibility

Quebec City is fairly easy to get around, whether that’s by making use of its train, bus, or tourist shuttle services. 

If you prefer to get some fresh air, you can access the majority of the city on foot or via bicycle in just a few days.

However, if you wish to travel further afield to the surrounding natural landmarks in order to hike, ski, or simply explore, you may struggle if you don’t have access to a car. 

There are plenty of taxis that you can hail down, however, the cost of these adds up fast, especially if you plan to book a driver for a full day. 

The best thing to do in this instance is to rent a car for a few of the days of your trip once you’ve explored the inner city. 

Then, you can access the best of both worlds without paying for a car rental for your entire vacation.

Quebec City is actually a very safe place to visit, regardless of whether you’re part of a group or a solo traveler.

You can feel at ease walking around the streets even in the dead of night without worrying that you’re going to be hassled. 

However, as it is a major city, there are issues with pickpocketing and petty crimes.

If you come from a small town or usually travel to more nature-based destinations, you may not be used to paying particular attention to your personal belongings. 

But, it’s worth ensuring that your bag is closed and where you can see it at all times, and that your most expensive belongings are securely stored, rather than in a pocket.

The Final Verdict: Is Quebec City Worth Visiting?

So, is Quebec City worth visiting? It’s a resounding yes. 

The city is perfect for all types of travelers. Whether you’re a nature lover or a history enthusiast, you’ll find plenty of activities and attractions to keep you occupied. 

Likewise, those who enjoy exploring a destination through their taste buds will have no cause for complaint, and culture seekers will be fascinated by this “Little Europe” in the heart of North America.

If you haven’t made it as far as Europe yet, this is the closest you’ll get to French culture without…you know…being in France. 

You’ll also be able to connect with the locals, who are extremely hospitable and friendly.

And, another bonus is that you don’t even need to speak French! While French is one of the main languages spoken in the city, most residents are bilingual and speak fluent English.

However, those without a car should plan their transportation in advance to ensure they have the best experience in Quebec City and those who are used to small-town vibes may need a day or two to adapt to the unspoken safety rules of a big city.

Most visitors like to spend 2 to 4 days in the city, before moving on to other Canadian destinations, such as Montreal.

You won't be 'overcrowded by thousands of tourists': What to know about Montreal cruises

• Montreal is the largest city in Canada’s Quebec province.
• The city offers a relatively quaint cruise experience.
• The port welcomed just over 51,000 cruise guests in 2023.

On a recent afternoon, I strolled beside patches of purple flowers on a wooden walkway at the Port of Montreal. The Promenade d'Iberville green roof, with western red cedar decking and more than 24,000 aromatic and flowering plants, was built on top of the city’s main cruise terminal.

The effect was less industrial infrastructure – like many ports – and more charming urban parks.

Montreal may be the largest city in Canada’s Quebec province, but it offers a relatively quaint cruise experience. Bridges between Montreal and Quebec City block vessels with air draft – the distance from the waterline to the highest point on a ship – over 49 meters (or about 161 feet) from berthing at its facilities in Old Montreal.

The ships that visit are generally smaller (though the city can accommodate those with a maximum 50-meter (164 feet) air draft east of the Jacques Cartier Bridge).

“We are positioning Montreal as a niche port for luxury ships,” Yves Gilson, associate director of cruises at the Port of Montreal, told USA TODAY during a visit in May. Here’s what to know about sailing into and out of the city.

The cruise inventory tends to be upscale

Montreal typically welcomes ships carrying 2,000 passengers or less from several upscale cruise lines, which tend to operate ships with lower capacity. Those include Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, Viking, Ponant and more. Though not a luxury brand, one of the city’s main clients is Holland America Line, which will send its 1,432-guest Volendam ship there this season.

The port welcomed just over 51,000 cruise guests in 2023. By contrast, its neighbor to the northeast, Quebec City, saw 154,000 passengers . Despite its smaller population, large ships from operators like Norwegian Cruise Line and Cunard Line will visit Quebec City this season (along with smaller vessels).

Jared Feldman, owner of travel agency Jafeldma Travel, added that it’s not just ocean cruise ships that stop in Montreal. “There are river cruises that can get in and out of there as well,” he said.

Gilson noted that the city “could absorb” traffic from bigger ships if not for the bridges. “But on the other hand, the experience for the guest is marvelous because you know they will not be overcrowded by thousands of tourists,” he said.

You can hit the ground walking

The main cruise terminal is close to many of the city’s popular attractions. Old Montreal’s Gothic Revival Notre-Dame Basilica and the Place d’Armes are less than a 10-minute walk away, and numerous restaurants, shops, and museums are also nearby. 

I grabbed a prosciutto sandwich at Italian grocery store Dispensa; ate on a bench outside; picked up a coffee at Cafecito and was able to be at the main terminal within 15 minutes or so on foot while taking in views of the water and architectural landmarks like Habitat 67.

There are also multiple close bicycle rental and Metro stations, and waiting taxis (the port works with software platform, Véco Taxi, which gives priority to electric vehicles).

Gilson said more lines are offering overnight stays in Montreal, giving guests more time to explore.

When is the best time for a Montreal cruise?

Montreal’s cruise season begins in May and ends in October, hitting its peak during the last two months of that period. Feldman said fall foliage is a particular draw for passengers. 

Montreal often features on Canada and New England itineraries alongside ports such as Boston, Massachusetts and Halifax, Nova Scotia. The port’s cruise calendar can be found by clicking here .

The sailings tend to last around 10 to 14 days. “The distances between the ports in this region can be significant and navigation through areas like the St. Lawrence River and around the Gulf of Maine take time,” he said. Passengers on those sailings are looking for a “more immersive experience.”

Would you spend $14,000 on a cruise?: Here's why these travelers splurged

“Longer itineraries allow for more time in each port and often include scenic cruising days,” he added.

Cruise ships have historically avoided the area when cold sets in, but that could soon change: Ponant’s icebreaking Le Commandant Charcot will offer sailings in St. Lawrence in the winter of 2025. While the ship will not visit Montreal due to its size – though it will stop in Quebec City – Gilson hopes it will mark a shift.

“And eventually, we believe that all the cruise lines will get into the St. Lawrence during the winter,” he said. “So, it's gonna be an all-year-round cruise destination.”

The reporter on this story received access to this event from Tourisme Montréal. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

Flooding Continues to Impact Southeast South Dakota Causing Additional Road Closures (Friday, June 21, 2024 - Update #2)

For Immediate Release:   Friday, June 21, 2024 Contact:   Travis Dressen, Mitchell Region Engineer, 605-995-3300

INTERSTATE 29 ALTERNATE ROUTE UPDATE (Saturday, June 22, 2024 – Update #1, 7 a.m.)

The Interstate 29 alternate route from Sioux Falls to Sioux City, IA is no longer viable as several sections of the Iowa portion of the detour are now impassable due to high water. I-29 remains blocked at exit 50 (Centerville) and exit 62 (Canton).

No travel continues to be advised on all state highway sections in southeast South Dakota that are experiencing flooding due to heavy rain in the area that continued overnight. A majority of routes in the southeast portion of the state are currently blocked due to standing or flowing water across the roadways.

It’s recommended that motorists use 511 traveler information systems for South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa to plan routes around these impassable roadways. The 511 resources for each state can be found at:

• South Dakota - https://sd511.org
• Minnesota - https://511mn.org/
• Iowa - https://www.511ia.org/

Motorists are reminded to respect all road closures and not drive around barricades. Motorists should not use secondary highways to avoid road closures or highway obstructions. Driving into floodwater areas can lead to potentially dangerous or life-threatening situations. Due to the expected length of this weather event, all motorists are asked to plan their travel accordingly and not travel in southeast South Dakota if possible.

In South Dakota, motorists can also download the SD511 mobile app to view all current road closures, no travel advisories, and highway obstructions. Conditions continue to change rapidly so it’s best to actively monitor SD511 traveler information systems. South Dakota Department of Transportation crews will continue to keep SD511 as up-to-date as possible during this weather event.

ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE:

MITCHELL, S.D. – No travel advisories continue to be placed on all state highway sections in southeast South Dakota that are experiencing flooding due to heavy rain in the area. As conditions continue to deteriorate a majority of routes in the southeastern portion of the state have become impassable and travel impossible due to standing or flowing water across the roadways.

Interstate 29 remains blocked at exit 50 (Centerville) and exit 62 (Canton). An alternate route has been created in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Minnesota Department of Transportation to allow motorists to safely travel from Sioux Falls to Sioux City, IA and Sioux Falls to the S.D. Highway 48 junction north of Junction City. The alternate route diverts motorists in Sioux Falls to eastbound Interstate 90 to Worthington, MN, turning south on U.S. Highway 59, turning southwest on State Route 60 through Sheldon, IA, and continuing south on U.S. Highway 75 from Le Mars, IA to access Sioux City, IA. Motorists can also use Iowa State Highway 3 heading west out of Le Mars to access S.D. Highway 48 and I-29.

It’s highly recommended that motorists use the alternate route as other secondary highways in the area are impassable due to high water. In addition, many of the major streams/river elevations will continue to rise and are not anticipated to peak until this weekend or later.

A map of the alternate route as well as additional flooding traveler information can be found on the SDDOT website at https://dot.sd.gov/travelers/travelers/flooding-information . Travelers can also find road condition information for the State of Iowa at https://www.511ia.org/ and the State of Minnesota at https://511mn.org/ .

Interstate 90 is currently open but is anticipated to close overnight as the weather system becomes stronger and rainfall increases. Areas on I-90 near Salem and Mt. Vernon are significantly impacted by flooding conditions.

Travel impacts are expected to increase overnight with a high likelihood of rain continuing through Saturday, June 22, 2024. Motorists can expect additional road closures to be put in place if conditions continue to worsen.

Please visit https://sd511.org or download the SD511 mobile app to view all current road closures, no travel advisories, and highway obstructions. Conditions continue to change rapidly so it’s best to actively monitor SD511 traveler information systems. South Dakota Department of Transportation crews will continue to keep SD511 as up-to-date as possible during this weather event. About SDDOT: The mission of the South Dakota Department of Transportation is to efficiently provide a safe and effective public transportation system. For the latest on road and weather conditions, road closures, construction work zones, commercial vehicle restrictions, and traffic incidents, please visit https://sd511.org or dial 511. Read more about the innovative work of the SDDOT at  https://dot.sd.gov .

© 2024 State of South Dakota. All Rights Reserved.

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• Time Travel to New France: Experience This Unique Event in Québec City

Content partner: Fêtes de la Nouvelle France TD

Québec City’s living history becomes even more vibrant during the Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France TD (New France Festival), from August 1 to 4, 2024. This event transports us back to the era of New France, offering a glimpse into the lives of Indigenous peoples and French colonists during the 17 th and 18 th centuries. 

Explore Old Québec’s Heritage

From the moment we arrive in the historical district of Old Québec , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we feel as if we have travelled through time. Québec City is a treasure trove of historical gems and captivating attractions.  

Stroll along cobblestone streets lined with historical buildings whispering tales of the city's rich past. Soak up iconic landmarks like the Château Frontenac and discover the city's heritage in historic sites . 

Journey Through Time

The Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France TD takes place within Old Québec, in parc de l’Esplanade, located against the fortifications. There, we can wander through a recreated village where costumed interpreters bring history to life. It’s where we engage in interactive workshops, from playing ancient games to learning fascinating stories that shaped the continent at this pivotal period of North American history. There are other sites to discover around Old Québec City as well. 

Embrace the Festive Atmosphere

Tap your toes to the rhythm of traditional music and dance performances. Savour local eats and drinks and try period cuisine. The festival's welcoming atmosphere is an opportunity to connect with the past, celebrate the present and create memories that will last a lifetime. It’s the most immersive way to delve into ancestral French Canadian culture.

Highlights of the 2024 Program 

The festival promises to be exciting this year with these not to be missed moments:  

• Corsaire Inn: The go-to place for being festive. Sing and dance every day! 
• Knowledge Alley: A place for learning and discovering where lively discussions, demonstrations and theatrical sketches echo around the fortifications. 
• Public Square: A place the whole family will enjoy with a market, artisans and old-fashioned games. 
• Elders’ Forest: Dance, songs, legends and know-how of the First Nations. 
• Boisdon’s Cabaret presented by Appalaches Distillerie: This place comes alive in the evening with dismal humor shows. Dare to venture in? 
• TD Treasure Hunt: Wander through Old Québec’s streets with your map and Decoder-Medallion, starting July 1st.  
• King’s Dinner: Be one of His Majesty’s subjects as you enjoy a meal in New France (reservations required). 
• Escape Backpack: Get your backpack to the Îlot des Palais and set off in search of clues and historical facts that will lead you to points of interest and artifacts from the New France era. July 5 to October 31. 

Tips to Make the Most of Your Experience

Plan your visit: Check the festival's official website   for the latest schedule and plan your itinerary according to the agenda. 

There is no dress code: Dressing up in 17 th and 18 th -century costumes is not a requirement, but it is definitely one of the best ways to dive into the heart and soul of the festival.  

Learn a few French words: A few key phrases in French will go a long way in enhancing your interactions with locals. 

Buy your ticket ahead: The Decoder-Medallion is the pass to join the sites and activities. Entrance is free for 12 years old and under and it’s only $18 for 13 years old and over.  

Explore beyond the festival: Take advantage of your time in Old Québec to visit the many historic sites. The Decoder-Medallion includes the Historical Pass, that gives discounts on admission to 10 historic sites in Québec City. Québec City’s countryside also boasts extraordinary historical heritage sites and gorgeous landscapes. 

What exactly is a content partner? A content partner acts as a sponsor by paying for a post. Destination Québec cité retains editorial control over the content of such posts. Content partners can have a say in the approach or the subject of a post but are not involved in its creation.

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South Texas Severe Weather

Affected Airports - City , State Association:

• Austin, TX (AUS)
• Brownsville, TX (BRO)
• Corpus Christi, TX (CRP)
• Harligen, TX (HRL)
• Houston George Bush, TX (IAH)
• Houston Hobby, TX (HOU)
• Laredo, TX (LRD)
• McAllen, TX (MFE)
• Monterrey, Mexico (MTY)
• San Antonio, TX (SAT)
• San Luis Potosi, Mexico (SLP)

For complete details View

American Airlines has implemented a special exception policy to our travel partners that is now available for our mutual customers due to operational disruptions, including delays and cancellations due to inclement weather in the area. Our Travel Notice exception policies on American are also available when ticketed to/from/through on our Joint Business partners: This applies to both prime and codeshare flights as shown below: 

Inventory Requirements

Lowest Inventory, Same Cabin

If original inventory is not available rebook lowest inventory available in the same ticketed cabin. As a reminder, customers that do not hold a Basic Economy fare should never be booked into B inventory.

Basic Economy -

• Must be booked in B inventory only. If B inventory is not available, then an alternate flight must be selected. Advance Purchase and Ticket Change restrictions are waived.

Instant Upsell -

Refer to Travel Notice Policy - Travel Agency Guidelines for rebooking guidelines and Endorsement Box requirement when the customer purchased Instant Upsell (IU) directly with American on aa.com . IU PNRs contain the following SSRs:

• OTHS AGENCY RETAINS CONTROL OF TKT FOR REISSUES
• OTHS INSTANT UPSELL ANCILLARY EMD ISSUED 001xxxxxxxxxx

Refer to Exceptions to Fare Rules .

Note: If customers are unable to rebook or reissue their ticket within the given timeline, they can cancel their reservation and use the value of the ticket toward the purchase of a new ticket; all rules and restrictions apply. Travel must commence no later than one year from the date of original issuance.

Endorsement Box Requirements

• Refer to individual Travel Notice for Event Name
• Ticket Reissue required. This is the only required verbiage and supersedes all other information.

Instant Upsell (IU) tickets must use waiver code: TNADV/IU when rebooking in the Instant Upsell Inventory IU PNRs contain the following SSRs:

Refer to Travel Notice Policy - Travel Agency Guidelines for Endorsement Box requirement when the customer purchased Instant Upsell (IU) directly with American on aa.com .

Changes to Origin/Destination - Not Allowed

• Waive Change Fee
• Ticket reissue for original ticketed fare
• 300 Mile Radius is always allowed, unless otherwise stated in the notice
• Changes to origin/destination are not permitted for the travel notice
• Any changes made to origin/destination all fare rules apply

300-Mile Radius Only - Allowed

• Within same country
• For booking inventory, view Inventory Requirements

Basic Economy Short-haul fares

book in B inventory only.If B inventory is not available, then an alternate flight must be selected.

Changes to Connection City

Changes to Co-Terminal

Changes to Co-terminal and MAC airports on AA Prime and AA*/Codeshare flights are allowed

• Co-terminal & MAC Airports are considered the same routing.  

Reissue Policy Information

American Airlines will waive change fees and travel agents may rebook and reissue tickets provided the below guidelines are met and applied:

• Ticket issued on the following ticket stock: AA 001, AY 105, BA 125, El053, IB 075, JL 131, QF 081
• Applies to AA*/ one world flights
• Travel has not commenced on the affected flight segment and the ticket has not been reissued by American Airlines
• The first departure flight is more than 2 hours away
• Affected coupons are in OK status
• Travel reissuance only in accordance to dates identified in the applicable Travel Notice Exception Advisory
• More than one change allowed without an additional collection, including penalty or change fee within the Travel Notice dates
• Original issuing agency responsible for ticket reissue
• Ticket Revalidation not permitted
• The return travel must be booked in the original class of service (inventory)
• Refer to Extend Travel Rebooking after the Travel Event
• Basic Economy must be rebooked in the appropriate Basic Economy inventory
• Please ensure the above procedures are accurately followed to prevent debit memo issuance

Rebooking - Exception to Fare Rules

Exception to Fare Rules: All fare rules apply with the exception of the following:

• Advance Purchase requirement waived
• Minimum/Maximum Stay requirement waived
• Change Fee waived
• When changes to the outbound travel occur, the unaffected return date may be changed to protect the original length of the trip. The return travel must be booked in the original class of service (inventory).

SalesLink Request

• Rebook flights in compliance with Travel Notice Exception Policy
• Log-in to SalesLink at www.saleslink.aa.com
• Request Type: select 'Service'
• Input AA PNR
• Waiver Type: select 'Travel Notice'
• Travel Notice: select applicable Travel Notice event name
• Select 'Next' - and complete request
• Verify: SalesLink approval remarks in PNR
• New Ticket Endorsement Box: Enter event name only
• Ticket Reissue required

Endorsement Box requirement: 18JUN24A or the exchange will be subject to a debit memo

Extend Travel Rebooking Guidelines

If customers are unable to rebook within the New Travel Dates, may reschedule their reservation to/from the same city or alternate cities and reissue their ticket with the below guidelines:

• Cancel their itinerary and apply the value of the original ticket towards the purchase of a new ticket for travel commencing within 1 year from the date of original issuance
• Change fee only is waived as long as the original ticket is reissued within ticket validity and the impact dates are in accordance with those identified in the Travel Notice
• Basic Economy fares may only be used towards the purchase of other Basic Economy fares.
• Residual MCO's are not allowed when using the TNADVE waiver code for reissue.
• Extend Travel Rebooking does not apply to tickets in conjunction with Instant Upsell (IU)

Refund Policy Information

When the flight is cancelled or the length of delay is 91+ minutes , travel agents may refund ticket(s) through normal GDS/ARC/BSP processing. Refer to our Schedule Irregularity policy for delays 90 minutes or less.

• Refund To Original Form Of Payment - All penalties/fees waived
• Non-Refundable Fare
• Refundable Fare with cancellation Fee
• Basic Economy Fare
• Bulk/Opaque Fare

Note: If the ticket has been exchanged by American as an INVOL submit the refund request directly with American. Refer to American Airlines Refunds .

When the flight is not cancelled or the length of delay is 90 minutes or less , a refund does not apply:

• If customer elects to cancel their reservation and use the value of the ticket toward the purchase of a new ticket outside the Travel Notice dates; may use Extend Travel Rebooking or may hold ticket for future travel; all rules and restrictions apply.
• Travel must commence no later than one year from the date of original issuance.

En route/Diversion

• Connecting customers' en route to one of the above-listed destinations or whose flights are diverted will have the option to return to their original departure city and rebook travel to alternate future dates.
• Customers should work directly with the airport to obtain a boarding pass for return travel to their original departure city. If the customer wishes to rebook travel to alternate future dates, please contact American Airlines Reservations for assistance. Alternatively, they may receive a refund if re-accommodation options are unacceptable.
• If a ticket has already been reissued by American Airlines or the ticket is partially used, travel agents must submit the refund request online at https://prefunds.aa.com/refunds/

American Airlines will continue to monitor this Travel Notice Exception Advisory and adjust this policy if needed. Changes will be posted on AA.com and www.saleslink.aa.com reference. Please check these sources frequently for the most up to date information.

• www.saleslink.aa.com Reference: Select Travel Notice Policy - Travel Agency Guidelines
• Visit www.saleslink.aa.com and navigate to AA News and Offers to view current travel notices.
• Contact your Sales Support Center 800-621-8489 or American Airlines Reservations 800-433-7300 (U.S. and Canada) or for Reservations outside the U.S. and Canada, please see our Worldwide Reservations Numbers American Airlines encourages all customers to check flight and gate status prior to leaving for the airport. For complete travel information, visit AA.com .
• Group reservations must be changed by AA Group & Meeting Travel
• Information contained on this web site is subject to change at any time without notice. American Airlines shall not be liable for any consequences resulting from your reliance on the information.