What to do in Quebec?
We arrived to Québec City on the Seabourn Cruise Ship from St. Lawrence Seaway, and were so excited to have two days to explore this city filled with European charm, and its surrounding area.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Québec City is 400 years old, the cradle of French civilization in North America, and one of the oldest cities on this continent.
Here’s our list of recommended places to visit and things to do while visiting this area.
What to Do:
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Vieux Quebec — Old Québec:
Within the old city walls, you can visit the Old Town where European charm fills every street. Start at Place Royale in the lower part of Old Town, a lovely restored market square with 17th stone architecture, and walk the alleyways towards the stairs or funicular.
Take the funicular up to see the famous Chateau Frontenac perched high above the lower town and St. Lawrence River.
Stop by Rue de Tresor, a small alley in the upper part of the Old Town where some artists set up their easels and sell their paintings.
Hire a horse drawn carriage to see the cobblestone streets, Town Hall, shops, cafes.
Visit the Hotel du Parliament, and shop the Champs-Elysees of Quebec, the Grande-Allee lined with shops, sidewalk cafes. Walk further uphill to see the panoramic views of the city and river, as well as La Citadelle, an intact fortress with ancient ramparts, and the Plains of Abraham (National Battlefields Park), where the French surrendered to the British in the historic 1759 battle. Today these plains are a beautiful park where locals cycle, walk, run, picnic, and annual music festivals take place. For art lovers, visit the National Museum of Fine Arts, and history buffs, the Museum of Civilization. Don’t Miss! The views from Cap Diamant overlooking the Lower Town, river and surrounding countryside. -
Île d’Orléans:
Our visit to this pastoral island was a delight! We visited apple and strawberry farms, sugar shacks where maple syrup is produced, and drove past bright red roofed homes, barns, and saw lovely 19th-century resort homes of the wealthy merchant class. From the island, you have spectacular views of Québec City.
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Côte-de-Beaupré:
Just a short drive along the river is a charming little town, Ste-Anne-de-Beaupre where popular belief says that Ste-Anne saved several shipwreck victims off Cap Tourmente, and today many worship this shrine at its famous church. Take the country road, and you’ll see historic cellars along the roadside where potatoes, turnips, beets, parsnips, onions, cabbages were stored.
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Montmorency Falls Park:
Visit the 272-foot cliff where falls cascade down, and are 1 ½ times as high as Niagara Falls! You can hike up to a lookout point, or zip line across the falls.
Travel Resources:
Quebec Region Tourism: For more ideas of what to see and do, visit their website. Spend the day exploring Québec City at your own pace. During your stay, you can use your Québec City and Area Passport to gain free admission to museums and attractions. To learn more about the Passport, click here.
Acknowledgements:
Global Adventuress would like to thank Quebec Region Tourism for hosting us on our visit to Quebec City and the surrounding area. Our guide, Mr. Dany George (#418-580-3126), is a long time local of Quebec, and was very knowledgeable and helpful introducing us to beautiful Quebec City and the surrounding area.
