Best Things To Do in Quebec City

Quebec is a multicultural city with locals happy to welcome visitors and show off their traditions. So make the most of a holiday in this unconventional destination, which fuses European charm with North American lifestyle traits. The perfect place to start a tour is the historic district, which is strategically divided in two and hides some of the most fascinating monuments.

But that's not all! Quebec is also characterised by the secrets of the best local museums, as well as ancient fortifications and castles from other eras. You can't miss a cable car ride or a relaxing boat trip here either. If you are looking for a more traditional activity, you might want to visit Fairmont Le Château Frontenac.

It's a complex city, but don't worry! To get a better understanding of its layout, start with Vieux Québec, also known as Old Québec. Two very important areas coexist in this district, as it is the gateway to both the Upper and Lower Towns. The history dates back to 1608, when the Canadian territories were still called New France.

The Lower Town is the first thing you'll see at the foot of the cliff, it's right next to the harbour and is a prime entertainment area. It is characterised by picturesque streets and historic sites. The Upper Town, on the other hand, is at the top of the hill and its neoclassical architecture makes it a must-see.

It can be confusing at first so I recommend joining the best Quebec City tours that can give you the most complete route. This way, a tour guide will show you the streets, making you a real local. Here are some of the things to see in each area.

Upper Town

• Château Frontenac: booking a guided tour of Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is a great option, as it is one of the most photographed buildings in the city with a compelling history.
• Notre Dame de Québec Cathedral: one of the most important and beautiful religious sanctuaries, which looks impressive from nearby vantage points.
• Quebec Citadel: currently the residence of the Governor and monarchs, it has more than 200 years of history that can be discovered through enchanted tunnels and the changing of the guard in summer.
• St. Louis Gate or Porte St. Louis: it is one of the walled entrances that preserves traces of ancient history.

Lower Town

• Petit Champlain District: a quaint shopping area with charming houses and a variety of shops, restaurants and activities.
• Place Royale de Québec: this is the quintessential arts area where you will find murals and craft galleries.
• Church of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires: it is a beautiful stone church, considered a true jewel of North America.

Of course, Quebec deserves to be admired from different perspectives, so you have to visit the Chute-Montmorency Park. It's a space surrounded by nature trails where you can enjoy a pleasant walk. The wildflowers in the gardens are beautiful, but most tourists come to see Montmorency Falls, which is higher than Niagara Falls.

I recommend buying tickets that include a return trip on the cable car, as it's the fastest and most comfortable way to get to the top and appreciate the wonderful waterfall. Otherwise, you will have to climb 487 steps and by the end of the ride you will be too tired. Note that, from other angles, the natural mist of the falls obscures the view, but this point allows you to appreciate them in their full splendour.

The entrance fee starts at 19 euros and additional activities such as zip-lining over the waterfall are also offered. There is also a suspension bridge where you can walk at your own pace.

An artistic gem not to be missed is the Albert Gilles Museum, an excellent stop during your trip in Quebec. This place is famous for the production of copper art and owes its legacy and name to its creator, who was a specialist in church ornamentation and was responsible for the details of the Basilica of Saint Anne de Beaupré.

A guided tour inside can be ideal to discoverthe secrets hidden within its walls since 1927. This way, you can explore a copper mine and appreciate the transformation process of the mineral. Note that you can join cultural workshops where you will become an artist and goldsmith. Additionally, the museum is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 16:00, while Saturdays and Sundays it operates from 13:30 to 16:00. If you plan to visit Quebec at Christmas, it's good to know that the museum is closed, as well as on New Year's Day.

Are you a collector of stories? Then stop by the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, a must-see gem during your visit to Quebec. This place will make you feel like you're in a period movie, as it's gone from being a simple lodging to a local icon. For decades it has hosted iconic celebrities and has become a hall of fame.

If you plan to spend 2 days in Quebec, this interactive experience is not to be missed, as guided tours of the premises are usually offered with a guide dressed as an authentic period character. Inside, legends of actors, dignitaries, monarchs and more await, so there's no room for boredom.

If you love animals you should consider a whale watching adventure. The best thing to do is to take advantage of Quebec boat tours that immerse you in a fantastic cruise with dreamy panoramic views.

You'll feel like a French-Canadian explorer and appreciate the variety of cetaceans that come here all year round, but predominantly in summer. The most famous are humpback whales and white beluga whales, but the whale watching is full of surprises.

Note that organised tours from Quebec offer endless possibilities to discover these friendly cetaceans, but if you want to do it on your own, I recommend you go from June to October. Specifically, the best locations for whale watching are:

• The Saguenay-Saint-Laurent National Marine Park.
• The Bay of Gaspé.
• The Gulf of St Lawrence.

If your trip doesn't coincide with whale season or you prefer a more relaxing experience, you have the option of diving into the sights around the St Lawrence River.

To discover the captivating stories of Quebec, you can travel back in time through the permanent and temporary exhibitions at the Museum of Civilization. This place was founded in 1984 and guarantees a pleasant experience for all ages. Upon entering you'll find rotating models of the human body and Aboriginal stories through displays of ancestral crafts, sacred objects, jewellery and costumes.

In fact, the exhibition is called C'est Notre Histoire and is divided into five sections, where you'll learn about decolonisation, its roots and major periods. In the building you will also find exhibits focusing on artificial intelligence with robots and simulations that will test your mind. In addition, interactive activities are prepared every month and different events are organised to exalt local culture.

I recommend buying tickets for the Museum of Civilisation in advance to guarantee the experience.

Useful information

• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.
• Price: from €14 per person.
• Bonus: they usually offer an audio guide and access to the museum's app, which offers an exciting learning journey.
• Tip: Take the opportunity to visit the food court and the souvenir shop.

If you like fairy tales and historical sites, I recommend you appreciate Quebec's raw treasures. Start with Dufferin Terrace, a vintage lookout overlooking the St. Lawrence River and Old Quebec. It's also an ideal location for souvenir shopping or booking a Canadian food tour, as it's lined with street stalls, street performers and live entertainment.

It also hosts seasonal events and is close to other attractions. Depending on the weather, you can grab an ice cream or sip a hot chocolate, but then be sure to stop by the Archaeological Museum which was founded in 1888 and houses the ruins of Château Saint Louis. This is an old Quebec building that was built in 1690 but, after several renovations and reconstructions, was officially demolished by fire in 1834.

A quick getaway never hurts, so if you're planning a 3-day stay in Quebec you should consider the activities available in Lévis City, an enclave fifty minutes away on the Société de transport de Lévis bus.

However, I recommend taking the Traversiers ferry which takes you there in ten minutes and offers stunning views in both summer and winter. When you arrive, you will discover that the houses are wonderful and a real spectacle, but it also has fun attractions such as:

• Le Bunker de la Science: a science museum with playful activities including chemistry challenges, escape rooms, outdoor rallies, family workshops and evening games.
• Quai Paquet: has water jets and a fountain for cooling off, is completely free and is next to the island's ferry. In the evenings there is a light show, but in general it's a lively place with parties, bike rides and fireworks shows.

Notre Dame Cathedral is a must-see religious shrine, as it is considered an iconic Quebec landmark. You can start at the Altar of the Holy Family and start your tour from there. Its antiquity is evident in every corner, as it is the oldest neo-Gothic building in Canada.

At least 2,500 people visit it every day and it is estimated that you can spend at least 20 minutes inside. This gives you enough time to see the deep blue vaulted ceiling, enjoy a light show, explore the stained glass windows and learn about the history of its construction. In addition, you have two identical towers that measure around 69 metres high and catch the eye from every angle.

They seem like an insignificant detail, but one houses a bell weighing 11,000 kilos and the other a collection of 10 small bells. In addition, the choir's events are usually organised next to them. Note that admission costs from 9 euros, but if you want to see the internal light show, the price rises to around 22 euros.

There are still plenty of things to do in Quebec, but I mainly suggest you don't miss the art districts that embellish the city with street art, murals and galleries. You can start at the uNo Art Gallery, which has permanent and temporary exhibitions with artists of different categories, being one of the most emblematic in the area.

However, it's not the only one you can see, as the county is home to the National Museum of Fine Arts with an extensive collection comprising some 38,000 works, some dating back to the 17th century.

• Documents: make sure you have your passport in your bag, or at least a photocopy, as you may be asked to carry it for some attractions and excursions.
• Luggage: take clothing appropriate to the season of your visit. For example, winters are often extreme and it's difficult to survive without heaters and warm jackets. Also, make sure you wear comfortable shoes on most journeys.
• Travel insurance: you may be asked for it at customs and it's a must to ensure peace of mind during your trip. Keep in mind that health care in Canada is extremely expensive, so it's a thousand times cheaper to have insurance on hand.
• Visa: Certain countries require a visa to enter the country.
• Planning: If you want to enjoy all of Quebec's activities, I recommend you set up an itinerary with attractions, breaks and trips to the surrounding area. Also, buy tickets in advance to avoid selling out.
• Guided tours: for your first time in Quebec, the smartest thing to do is to join the best tours in the city so you know where to go and optimise your time to the maximum.
• Language: Keep in mind that Quebec is a city with French roots, so many establishments only speak French. However, you can help yourself with the translator and it's a good idea to know some basic words. Another option is to communicate in English, as it is the second most used language.