If there may be one place in North America that actually seems like somewhat slice of Europe, it’s Quebec City. French explorer Samuel De Champlain established the primary European settlement in Old Québec in the seventeenth Century and it has held onto its sturdy French traditions and heritage making it among the best locations to go to in Canada.
Things to do in Québec City, Canada
Be it winter or summer season there are numerous issues to do in Quebec City to enchant and delight any journey lover. This metropolis is wealthy with historical past and tradition, journey, and enjoyable. We have taken many a visit to Quebec courting all the way in which again to our highschool French class journeys to later in life the place we might actually admire exploring the winding cobblestone streets of Old Québec to eating at stylish French cafes with advantageous wine.
From our previous experiences and assist from our workforce, we’ve put collectively concepts for the very best issues to do in Quebec City to allow you to plan your journey.
Get acquainted with Quebec City on this Quebec City Tour. This 2-hour tour takes you to the ramparts, the Château Frontenac, Place Royale, and way more as you study of the historical past, and tradition of Quebec City. Easy cancellation inside 24 hours in advance of the tour.
1. Stroll Through Old Québec
Once the capital of New France, Old Québec has 400 years of historical past sitting inside its metropolis partitions and is a must-see when visiting Quebec City. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Quebec is the one walled metropolis north of Mexico.
From medieval-style partitions that encircle the historic buildings to its charming European vibe, a go to to the primary everlasting French settlement in Canada is sort of a step again in time. Many of the historic points of interest in Quebec City sit inside these two areas and inform a narrative of not simply the town’s historical past but in addition Canadian historical past.
2. le château frontenac
Some say Château Frontenac is probably the most photographed lodge in the world and for good cause. The big Fairmont Hotel Chateau Frontenac was constructed by the Canadian National Railway in 1893 to encourage luxurious journey on its trains and its design took inspiration from previous French castles. Le Château Frontenac sits contained in the partitions of the previous metropolis and overlooks the Saint Lawrence River.
Although The Château Frontenac has trendy conveniences, old-world glamour may be discovered at each flip with interval items towards a mahogany backdrop. If you aren’t staying on the Chateau Frontenac, take a tour to stroll the halls of Canada’s most historic lodge. Learn of the well-known people who have graced its halls and study its historical past. More particulars right here.
3. Notre Dame de Québec Basilica – Cathedral
First constructed in 1647, the Notre Dame de Québec Basilica Cathedral is certainly one of Quebec City’s hottest landmarks. It’s historical past is lengthy and storied with it being destroyed and rebuilt twice in the 1700s and once more in 1922. In 1923 a crypt was added for its bishops, archbishops and cardinals.
This Basilica homes certainly one of seven holy doorways in all the world and it’s the solely holy door exterior of Europe. The door was inaugurated on the time of its 350th anniversary. A Holy Door is saved sealed and solely opened throughout holy years. The subsequent opening is ready for December 8, 2023.
4. Old City Walls and Fortifications
To get an up-close-and-personal take a look at the historic buildings, go to the Fortifications de Québec National Historic Site. The web site is made up of Dufferin Terrace, Dauphine Redoubt, Montmorency Park, and the Governor’s Garden. Vieux-Québec is likely one of the most historic locations in North America with a lot of its buildings courting again to the seventeenth century. The fortifications are 4.6 kilometers (2.8 miles) in size and you’ll stroll on the ramparts themselves.
From right here you get a view of the picturesque decrease city and the busy harbor under. The gates of the fortification are situated at St. Louis Gate, Kent Gate, and Saint John Gate. You can e-book a guided tour by Parks Canada that can allow you to enter locations that most people can’t see.
5. Dauphin Redoubt
If you need extra navy historical past, head to the Dauphin Redoubt. The guided Parks Canada tour stops right here at this heritage constructing for an insider’s take a look at navy residing. It is likely one of the oldest navy buildings in North America courting again to 1712. Inside you’ll get an opportunity to see how the troopers lived by touring by the constructing and seeing their quarters, chambers, kitchen, and mess corridor.
6. Notre Dame des Victoires
While strolling round Old Town, ensure that to go to Notre-Dame-des-Victoires. This small Roman Catholic stone church was constructed in 1687 on the location of Champlain’s house. It was accomplished in 1723 and is likely one of the oldest stone church buildings in North America. It’s very picturesque and price popping into.
Book this Old City Walking Tour – This two-hour grand strolling tour of Old Town takes you to the highest points of interest together with Notre Dame de Victoires Church, Place Royale, City Hall, Notre Dame Basilica, and way more.
7. Plains of Abraham
When you go to Québec City, it’s essential to additionally go to the Plains of Abraham Museum. It is the gateway to the historic vacation spot providing displays from the Seige of Quebec from 1759-1760. After visiting the museum, go to Battlefields Park to see the Plains of Abraham. Located on the Saint Lawrence River, this space was the place the British Army and Royal Navy fought towards the French Army. The park itself spans 242 acres with strolling trails, monuments, a Martello Tower, and an on web site museum. This is a good place to stroll and study Quebec and Canada’s historical past.
8. Musée nationwide des beaux-arts du Québec
Located in the Plains of Abraham, the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec is a fancy that shows the historical past of Quebec artwork from the seventeenth century to the modern-day. There are 4 pavilions to go to housing totally different collections from modern artwork, Inuit Art, design, and ornamental arts.
9. Musée de la Civilisation
The Musée de la Civilisation sits in the previous city close to the St. Lawrence River. It was established in the Nineteen Sixties and hosts quite a few exhibitions devoted to the human situation. You can go to exhibitions devoted to the Maya Civilization in addition to Canada’s historic fishing heritage. A particular exhibition can be devoted to Canada’s indigenous cultures, which offers a real glimpse of Canada’s pre-colonial occasions. These exhibitions take you on a tour of historic customs and artwork that make up the material of what it means to be Canadian.
10. Observatoire de la Capitale
Are you on the lookout for the very best view in Québec City? Observatoire de la Capitale is situated on the thirty first ground of Marie-Guyart constructing. It presents panoramic views of all the metropolis, The St. Lawrence Seaway, Ile d’Orleans, and the Plains of Abraham. It might solely be 31 tales excessive, however Quebec City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so there are peak limits for buildings, making this the very best viewpoint in the town.
11. Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec
You can take the funicular system from close to the attractive little plaza at Place Royale in the Lower Town all the way in which up the highest of Cap Diamant. Alternatively, you possibly can take the steps between the higher and decrease components. Today, Place Royale is a medieval-looking sq. that homes quite a few eating places and cafes. The funicular takes you up and down the cliff at a 45-degree angle the place you possibly can experience to the higher stage to Dufferin Terrace to go to the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
12. Saint Lawrence River
The Saint Lawrence River is a part of the material of Quebec City and is the gateway for importing and exporting items into North America. The Saint Lawrence connects Lake Ontario to the Atlantic Ocean so that you’ll see all types of boat site visitors on it in the course of the hotter months the place you possibly can take a sundown night cruise or hop on the ferry from Old Québec over to Levi. (We’ve even been scuba diving in the St. Lawrence River.)
13. Watersports at Beauport Bay
If you need to go swimming or participate in some water sports activities, you possibly can head to Beauport Bay. The bay is simply minutes by automotive from the previous city. There is a seashore, with a restaurant and bar and you’ll loosen up for the day by the water free from river site visitors. You can paddleboard, windsurf or simply laze round on the water if you need. There are play areas for youths in addition to a biking path close by.
14. Take a Food Tour
You can’t go to Quebec City with out getting a style of scrumptious French Canadian meals. There is often no higher method to get to know a metropolis’s tradition than by understanding its meals. If Quebec is understood for one factor, it’s bought to be for poutine. This quintessential Quebec deal with is made from crispy french fries topped with gravy and cheese curds and you’ll find it everywhere in the metropolis. This Old Quebec City Food Tour helps you to pattern native cuisines at 5 totally different venues
Another well-known French Canadian dish is sugar pie. Tarte Au Sucre (Sugar pie) is a pie crust stuffed with a mixture of maple syrup, butter, and cream. Aux Anciens Canadiens in previous Québec City has a yummy model, however most self-respecting Quebec City variations could have a great one too. Head to Quartier Petit Champlain if you need to style a few of Quebec’s finer fare.
15. Downtown Quebec City
Downtown Québec City is stuffed with eating places, museums, markets, and outlets. Although there aren’t any absolute defining boundaries, you’ll uncover that the downtown of Quebec City sits partly in Old Town inside the partitions and partly exterior of it in the neighborhood of Saint Jean Baptiste.
First off, you’re going to completely fall in love with the aesthetics because it’s a hilly space stuffed with cute little homes in all colours of the rainbow. And proper smack dab in the center of all of it is Québec City’s primary purchasing road. Rue Saint-Jean.
16. Rue Saint-Jean
From beautiful candies to bakeries and contemporary grocers, the road is stuffed with consumers all day. When the solar goes down, that is the place to be for dinner and drinks. The space has high-end eating places the place you will get oysters on ice, or for those who’re on the lookout for one thing extra relaxed, you possibly can head to a neighborhood microbrewery. And for those who’re on the lookout for Parisian vibes, you’ll discover many a restaurant for that in this space as nicely.
17. Quartier Petit Champlain
In Quartier Petit Champlain sits Rue Petit Champlain, which is the oldest industrial road in North America. On that road are a few of the area’s best eating places and cafes. There you can be served French specialties like rabbit, duck, and lamb cooked in the standard French method.
A good way to get an actual taste of French Canadian meals is by taking a strolling tour devoted to meals. These meals excursions will take you to distinct meals areas of Quebec City. Spending a day tasting craft brews, ice wine, fancy cheeses, locally-cured meats is unquestionably among the best issues methods to go to Quebec metropolis. Read extra: Best Canadian Food to Try in Canada
18. Montmorency Falls
It’s 30 meters taller than Niagara Falls however will get lower than half the guests, Montmorency Falls is a little bit of a neighborhood secret. It sits just some minute’s drive exterior of Quebec City close to Beauport. They are a part of the Montmorency Falls Park system and you’ll entry them through steps from quite a lot of entrances.
There can be a suspension bridge that will get you very shut to the falls and allows you to transfer from one facet of the park to the opposite. Although individuals suppose it’s one falls, Montmorency Falls is definitely made up of three separate falls.
19. Île D’Orléans
A go to to Île D’Orleans takes you to a few of the most picturesque villages in Quebec. This massive island makes for an excellent day journey from Québec City the place you possibly can benefit from the rural panorama. Artisans have arrange store right here with loads of issues to see scattered all through the island. Visit a winery or microbrewery and luxuriate in advantageous French cheese or a cease at a chocolate manufacturing unit. Make positive to cease to take in the view of the lavender fields of the Grand Jardins.
20. Basílica Sainte Anne de Beaupré
Located 20 minutes exterior the town centre is the historic pilgrimage web site of Basílica Sainte Anne de Beaupré. Millions of tourists arrive yearly to go to the shrine of Sainte Anne de Beaupré. Even for those who aren’t visiting to see the shrine of the Grandmother of Jesus, it’s price visiting to see its stained glass home windows, mosaics, and artworks.
This extremely rated tour takes you to Montmorency Falls, the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, and a tour of the Island of Orleans the place you’ll uncover rural Quebec with an skilled information that additionally consists of stops at an artwork studio, chocolate store
Winter Trip to Quebec City
Some of the very best issues to do in Quebec occur in the winter months. From tobogganing to Carnivale a go to to Quebec City is a visit you’ll always remember. So let’s look into a few of the finest winter actions in Quebec.
21. Tobogganing
Tobogganing in Quebec is likely one of the prime issues to do in the town in Winter. Now, this isn’t your common tobogganing journey. This is tobogganing down Cap Diamant at up to 70 kilometers an hour.
The wood toboggan slide was constructed in 1894 on Dufferin Terrace. There are side-by-side tracks that make for some enjoyable competitors when you’re on the market. And you additionally get stunning views of the river.
22. Bonhomme Carnival Winter Carnival
One of the berst issues you possibly can solely take pleasure in in the winter in Quebec City is the Bonhomme Winter Carnival. It is the most important winter carnival in the world and brings in 1000’s of tourists from all over the world yearly. That’s as a result of Quebec City is aware of how to actually rejoice the existence of ice and snow. There are a ton of issues to see and do on the carnival however among the best methods to begin off is to go to Bonhomme at his ice palace.
Bonhomme is the well-known seven-foot snowman that’s the mascot of the winter carnival and yearly an ice palace is constructed for him. Here you possibly can meet Bonhomme, tour the palace, and marvel on the element of the totally furnished ice construction.
Other issues to do embrace watching the canoe races on the frozen St. Lawrence and testing the huge snow sculptures that sit across the metropolis. Every evening there’s a parade full with music, lights, floats, and enjoyable characters. The competition takes place in all places in February.
23. Sample Maple Taffy
You would possibly need to observe your winter enjoyable up by making your individual maple taffy. All you’ll want is snow and maple syrup to do it.
You can go to any one of many maple sugar shacks that pop up across the metropolis in the winter months to do this exercise. Other actions embrace snow rafting and snowboarding at one of many native ski resort areas just like the well-known Mont-Sainte-Anne.
24. Ice Skating
Ice Skating is a ceremony of passage in Canada and everybody loves to strap on a pair of skates and get on the ice. There are loads of skating rinks in Quebec City however there are some that make skating in Quebec extra enchanting than in different locations in Canada.
Place D’Youville skating rink is situated in Old Quebec making you’re feeling as in case you are skating in a Norman Rockwell portray with the ramparts of the town wall as its backdrop. We have skated right here however sadly we didn’t take {a photograph} of our time in this beautiful setting, so as an alternative, I shared a photograph of us on an ice path which there are many round Quebec City as nicely.
The Plains of Abraham Skating rink helps you to skate with views of St. Lawrence on this National Historic Site. There are loads of forested skating trails and indoor skating rinks too.
25. Hotel De Glace – Ice Hotel
Most individuals anticipate a whole lot of ice and snow once they go to Canada however they aren’t often anticipating ice accommodations. If you go to Quebec City between January and March, it’s best to anticipate to see (and possibly even keep) on the metropolis’s solely ice lodge. The lodge is made from pure ice and snow and in flip, that signifies that your room will probably be too.
Besides the suites of ice, there may be additionally a chapel of ice and slides made from ice you will get infantile with. For somewhat social hour whereas freezing in low temperatures you possibly can go to the Hotel de Glace ice bar and get some tremendous distinctive Canadian cocktails to thaw you out.
You don’t have to keep on the ice lodge to expertise it, you should buy a day move to go to. There are ice skating trails, an ice slide, and even a snow tubing package deal you possibly can add to your day journey.
26. Mont Saint Anne
If you like snowboarding or snowboarding, Mont Saint Anne is lower than an hour from Quebec City. We have snowboarded at Mont Saint Anne and it’s incredible. But be warned, it’s freezing. You’ll need goggles, face masks and good thermal layers to snowboard or ski right here. Located in the guts of the Laurentians, Mont Saint Anne is Quebec City’s outside playground. Not solely is it common in the winter, however it’s wonderful for downhill mountain biking and climbing in the summer season. You may like 15 Top Ski Resorts in Canada For Winter Fun
27. Nordique spa Stoneham
You can go to Quebec’s spas any time of 12 months, however to get the true Scandinavian spa expertise, you want to go to in winter. Nordique spa Stoneham is the place to go for an outside spa expertise close to the town. Inside you’ll be handled to eucalyptus-infused steam rooms, and sweltering sizzling saunas and you then’re anticipated to head exterior and leap into frigid chilly swimming pools. It undoubtedly sounds loopy, however you’ll discover spas like this in all places in nations like Finland and Norway. It is believed they enhance circulation and assist your physique do away with toxins. Read: Nordik Spa Nature – A Guide to Ottawa’s Luxury Spa Escape
You can e-book your entry ticket in advance to this picturesque spa overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Easy cancellation for full refund if booked inside 24 hours advance of expertise. Also, simple improve to the luxurious premium thermal expertise.
Tips for visiting Quebec in Winter
A winter go to to Quebec City requires some planning. Make positive to gown in layers and heat boots. Don’t fear about style right here, everybody wears snow pants in the winter. And whenever you pack your boots, ensure that to have thick soles to hold your ft from freezing. We all the time use sizzling photographs to hold our toes and fingers heat as nicely.
A parka is a good concept to put on with a heat thermal layer beneath an insulating mid layer.
Mittens work higher than gloves at conserving your fingers heat and all the time put on a hat. A balaclava will hold your face protected against the icy chilly. Read our full submit on 5 Winter Layering Tips to Dress for Extreme Cold Weather
Where to Stay in Old Quebec
Fairmont Chateau Frontenac – An iconic Canadian lodge that could be a should go to when in Old Quebec. It is probably the most recognizable metropolis in Quebec and certainly one of Canada’s grandest historic accommodations. Hotel du Vieux – This historic boutique lodge is situated in the guts of Old Quebec and is a favorite amongst guests to Quebec City. Check for Prices and AvailabilityWe have additionally stayed on the Hotel le Concorde overlooking Quebec City, the Plains, and the river. It was an excellent central location.
About Quebec City
The official language of Quebec City is French, however you do not want to converse French to go to Quebec City. You will probably be in a position to get by with out it nevertheless, the Quebecois do admire you making an attempt, so at the very least strive to study some fundamentals. Old Quebec is split into The Upper Town and Lower Town (Haute Ville and Basse-Ville)
How to Get to Quebec City
The airport for Quebec City is the Jean Lesage International Airport situated 16 km from downtown Quebec. Airport Code YQB. There are direct flights from main Canadian and US Cities cities to Quebec.
You can take a taxi or bus to downtown. The Bus is operated by RTC Quebec.
We have taken the prepare to Québec City and an effective way to journey between Canadian cities. VIA Rail Canada has day by day service between Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, and Québec City.
And these are the very best issues to do in Quebec City. Have you been to North America’s most European City? What did we miss and what ought to we do the subsequent time we go to?
Read extra about Quebec and Canada Travel