Founded in 1607, Québec City is one of the oldest cities in Canada with a unique mix of British and French culture and architecture. The most prominent section of the city, and the area visitors will want to explore, is Old Québec. The most intact fortified town north of Mexico, retaining its colonial architecture for over 400 years, Old Québec was designated as a historic district in 1963 and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.
From late January to early February, visitors can go to the Carnaval de Québec where the city is transformed into a snow festival for 10 days, with decorations, ice sculptures and lights. If you are visiting in March, to welcome the spring, we recommend visiting a sugar shack and trying some maple syrup treats!
A mix of historic and natural beauty, Québec City is the perfect addition to any Eastern Canada tour.
Québec City is home to the Huron-Wendat Nation.
Touring Around Québec City
A historical Canadian treasure
Within the Walls
Opened in 1893, the Fairmont Château Frontenac is the most photographed hotel in the world and offers magnificent views of the Saint Lawrence River.
In addition to over 600 rooms, the executive chef collects up to 650 liters of honey every year from four beehives in the Château’s private rooftop garden.
Terrasse Dufferin (Dufferin Terrace)
A 425-metre-long wooden boardwalk, the Terrasse Dufferin overlooks the St. Lawrence River, wrapping around the Fairmont Château Frontenac towards the Citadelle,. At the end of the Terrace is a multi-level staircase, the Governor’s Promenade, which leads to the Plains of Abraham and Parliament Hill.
For those looking for a little excitement, in the winter you can go down the Terrace slides beside the Fairmont Château Frontenac. Using toboggans, these long wooden slides were built in 1884 and can get up to 70 km (approximately 43 miles) an hour.
The home base for the Royal 22 Regiment since 1920, La Citadelle de Québec is the largest British fortress in North America, with construction starting in 1820. It contains Canada’s oldest military building, which dates back to 1693 and the French Regime, although the Citadelle has never been tested in wartime. It is part of the fortification walls, built between 1608 and 1871, which was the city’s defensive system. With its unique star shape, and a cannon fired each day at noon, the Citadelle is open year-round.
Built in 1647, the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral is the first Roman Catholic parish north of Mexico. The cathedral is open year-round for visitors and tours are available during the summer. Additionally, concerts, recitals, and exhibitions are presented throughout the year.
Outside the Walls
Petit-Champlain
The Quartier du Petit-Champlain is a small commercial zone in Québec City and home to one of the oldest commercial streets in North America, lined with boutiques and restaurants. Visitors can view the rue du Petit-Champlain on the Breakneck Stairs, Québec City’s oldest stairway built in 1653. If you are visiting in the winter months, this is a picturesque location around Christmas.
The Quartier is also home to the Place Royale. On this spot, Samuel de Champlain built the first permanent French settlement in 1608 with the erection of his ‘Abitation’, which served as a fort, storehouse, trading post and residence, and the Notre-Dame-des-Victoires church. The church, built in 1688, is the oldest stone church in North America. It was almost destroyed in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham and was completely restored in 1816.
Parliament Hill
Built between 1877 and 1886, the Parliament Building is in the heart of Québec’s Parliament Hill. While the building itself is beautiful, with guided tours available, the Parliament Building is also home to the Fontaine de Tourny. This fountain, which has 43 water jets and sculpted figures, is located directly in front of the building. Originally installed in Bordeaux in 1857, the fountain was removed in 1960 and then found in a flea market by a businessman from Québec City who bought it as a gift for the city’s 400th anniversary.
The Plains of Abraham are also located on Parliament Hill. This is the site of the 1759 battle of the Seven Years’ War, where the city fell under British rule. You can visit The Plains of Abraham Museum to learn more during your visit.
You can also visit Musée National des beaux-arts du Québec, which is located in the same area.
Old Port
Guests entering historic Québec City by train will find themselves in the Old Port at the Gare du Palais Train Station. Built in 1915, the station was constructed in the same style as the Fairmont Château Frontenac.
Spend time exploring the antique stores, art galleries, and restaurants along the St. Lawrence River, or head to the Musée de la civilisation to discover more about the human experience and the society surrounding it.
Visitors can also learn more about the local history at the Îlot des Palais, a historical and archaeological museum within the cellars of an 18th-century residence.
The Countryside
Located 15 minutes from Old Québec, Montmorency Falls Park is perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Guests can take a cable car to the top of the cliff and marvel at Montmorency Falls, which are 30 meters taller than Niagara Falls.
Guests who do not have an aversion to heights can cross the suspended bridge to the belvedere, which hangs directly above the falls, and for those who are truly adventurous, there is a zipline 300 meters in the air.
Thirty minutes outside the city, Jacques-Cartier National Park is home to some of the most beautiful glacial valleys. There is a small National Park fee, although it is well worth the cost with over 100 km of hiking trails and opportunities to rent canoes and kayaks.
The Island of Orleans is located in the St Lawrence, about 5 km east of downtown, and is home to six villages or municipalities. The best way to explore the island is counterclockwise, starting in Sainte-Pétronille, from mid-June to mid-October. Try some wine from either Vignoble Sainte-Pétronille or Saint-Pierre Le Vignoble and then stroll along Rue Horatio-Walker after sampling some treats at Chocolatèrie de l’Île d’Orléans. From there, visit the Saint-Laurent Maritime Park and bring home some jam from the Confiturerie Tigidou, made exclusively with berries grown on the island.
Make a stop at the village of Saint-Jean-de-l’Île-d’Orléans and visit Mauvide-Genest Manor, before continuing to see the five gardens and lavender grove of the Seigneurie de l’Île. Next, in Saint-François you can try goat’s milk ice cream from Fromagerie Fermet Audet and potato-based doughnuts from Les Saveurs of the Isle of Orleans.
In Sainte-Famille, taste the very first cheese made in America at the Fromages de l’Isle d’Orleans and explore the Drouin House, before enjoying a drink at the Île d’Orléans microbrewery, Pub Le Mitan. Finally, explore the Félix-Leclerc Space, an interpretation center dedicated to the artist Félix Leclerc that also offers shows by various artists of Québec.
If you would like any other suggestions on what to do on a free day in Québec City you can contact us at [email protected].
Tours Highlighting Québec City
Ask us about adding one of these options to your Canada Rail Vacation.
