This post on What to do in Québec City is in collaboration with Discover Cars and Le Capitole Hôtel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A few weeks ago my mom and I did one of our mother-daughter trips. We stayed in North America this time and decided to head to Quebéc. We both had never been there and had heard it was so much fun. We spent four days in Quebéc and it didn’t disappoint. We loved reading about the history, seeing the sights, and experiencing the ‘new France’ for ourselves. Today’s travel guide is a list of the top things to do in Quebéc as well as how to get around!
What to do in Québec City
What to do in Québec City- How to Get There
We took a plane to Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB). Québec City is a short car ride from the airport and you can either rent a car or take a taxi.
Once you get into the city everything is within walking distance so wear your walking shoes. You can also take public transportation. The RTC busses run to and from the YQB airport and it also has 80 runs between the airport and Saint-Roch, a lower town. Public transit is a great eco-friendly and cost-effective way to see a new place. Get all the info on the Québec City bus here.
We decided to rent a car through DiscoverCars.com. Discover Cars is an award-winning car rental comparison platform that offers travelers the best deals worldwide. You don’t have to have an International Drivers License to drive in Canada but I got one through AAA anyway. We got a Nissan Rogue to drive around and it was the perfect size for all our luggage and to get us around while we explored Québec City. Book through them if you need a car on any of your travels!
Where to Stay
We stayed at the luxurious, Le Capitole Hôtel, during our stay. I have a full post detailing our stay here but we loved every second of our stay and know you’d love it too.
What to See & Things to Do
Walk in Old Quebec Town – Old Québec Town is full of history and very walkable. You can book a walking tour or bus tour, or do your self-guided walking tour. I like to see things at my own pace so I followed this route and did it on my own time. I popped in and out of shops on my way and also stopped for a coffee or a bite to eat when I wanted.
Tour Château Frontenac and have Afternoon Tea – Le Château Frontenac is a five-star hotel in Québec and is Québec City’s most famous landmark. The hotel has been there on Cape Diamond since the late 19th century and was designed to convey prestige in keeping with its Old Québec surroundings. It’s pricy to stay at this hotel but you can still walk around and take in the ambiance and eat at one of the many restaurants on the property. I was dying to do afternoon tea there but it’s only Friday-Saturday at 2 p.m. and couldn’t get a reservation.
Walk Along Dufferin Terrace – Here you’ll see views of the St. Lawrence River and Château Frontenac. Dufferin Terrace is a long wooden sidewalk located next to the Château Frontenac, which affords a stunning view of the St. Lawrence River and the surrounding area. The view is remarkable and worth grabbing a coffee to sit and enjoy the view. We went when the leaves were at peak so it was gorgeous.
See the Basilica Cathedral Notre Dame de Québec– As I said above, Québec City is full of history. The Basilica Cathedral Notre Dame de Québec is home to the first Catholic parish north of the Spanish Colonies and the first and only Holy Door outside Europe. It’s also the oldest church in Canada. Here rest four governors of New France, the bishops of the diocese of Québec, and a funerary chapel dedicated to François de Laval. Visitors will see various works of art and pieces of archives with splendid interior decoration as a background.
Walk Petit Champlain – Voted the most beautiful street in Canada, this is one thing you have to do in Québec. This picturesque street is lined with boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries. It has several places to stop and take photos and was decorated beautifully for some fall fun a week before Halloween. It’s also supposed to be decorated and so magical during the holiday season with snow, twinkle lights, and lots of Christmas decorations.
Place Royale – Unique architecture that combined French and British influences. The site of the First French Settlement in North America has enchanting surroundings. Set in the cobblestones of the square, an outline can be seen on the ground near Notre-Dame-des-Victoires church, marking the spot of the second habitation of Samuel de Champlain.
Antique Shop in Old Port – The streets of Old Port are home to art galleries, and antique shops, and are lined with magnificent houses. We went one morning with our coffee and popped in and out of antique shops. You can find some unique and one-of-a-kind pieces and I wish I had a bigger suitcase, I would have brought so much home!
Go Wine Tasting – Did you know that some of the best wineries in Québec were a short half-hour drive from our hotel? We got in our rental and headed to the wine route. A lot of the wineries were on the same road in the Île d’Orléans so it made hopping from place to place easier. I wrote about some of my favorite Québec wineries here.
Montmorency Falls – Home to the tallest waterfalls in the province, Montmorency Falls has stunning natural formations and French Canadian legends that could have been written by Nicholas Sparks. You can visit the falls year-round free of charge but the stairs can be tough to navigate when it’s icy. You can also take a cable car to the top of the cliff if you don’t feel like hiking.
Visit the Ice Hotel – One thing I was sad we were too early for was seeing the Ice Hotel. This looks like such a bucket list thing to do whether you stay, visit, or enjoy a drink. It opens in late December and you can purchase evening or day passes to spend time there and explore.
What to do in Québec City – Where to Eat
- Bistro Va Bene – $$$ – Italian
- Louise Taverne & Bar – $$ – Gourmet Tavern
- Le Lapin Sauté – $$ – French
- 3 Brasseurs – $$ – Brewpub
- Belga Resto Bar – $$ – Belgian
- Bistro l’Atelier – $$$ – Tartares & Cocktails
- La Buche – $$ – Quebecois
- Le Croquembouche – $$ – Patisserie
- Ophila – $$$ – Steak & Seafood
- Q de Sac Resto Pub – $$ – Pizza and Canadian Classics
What language do they speak in Québec City?
They speak French, but almost everyone speaks English.
What is Québec’s signature dish?
Poutine.
What is the best time to visit Québec?
June to October. These months the weather is favorable and perfect for walking around and seeing what to do in Québec City.
What do you like to do in Québec City? Share with me in a comment below!
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