Things to do in Quebec

More than a hotel, the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is a Québec City icon. For over a century, it has perched atop Cape Diamond overlooking Dufferin Terrace and the St. Lawrence River. You can come inside and admire the recently renovated lobby along with historical artifacts going back 400 years displayed in specially designed cases. The Château was the brainchild of William Van Horne, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway, who wanted to build a hotel to draw travellers as a way to promote luxury train travel. Many famous people have made the Château Frontenac their residence during their time in Québec City. From Queen Elizabeth II to Céline Dion, via Princess Grace of Monaco, Leonardo DiCaprio, Paul McCartney and Charlie Chaplin, celebrities have made the Château Frontenac their home away from home.

A UNESCO World Heritage treasure, Old Québec is the only fortified city north of Mexico. Bask in the European charm as you stroll through the old quarters and take in over 400 years of history in the birthplace of French North America.

Open year-round, beautiful Montmorency Falls Park is just a few minutes from downtown Québec City. The waterfalls are 83 m (272') tall, a full 30 m (99') higher than Niagara Falls. Take the cable car up the cliff to start the panoramic walking tour at the Manor, where are housed an interpretation centre, gift shop and restaurant. Follow the footpath along the top of the cliff to the suspended bridge, which affords a splendid view of the area. Keep walking along the path until you get to the 487-step staircase down the side of the cliff that will bring you to the foot of the falls. There are also three via ferrata routes near the falls, along with a 300-m (984.3’) double zip line.

Rue du Petit-Champlain, one of the oldest commercial streets in North America, is lined with one-of-a-kind boutiques and restaurants. The Petit-Champlain district isn’t just illuminated for the holidays—it stays decorated all winter long, much to everyone’s delight. It’s the ideal place to bundle up for a winter evening stroll in an enchanting atmosphere straight out of a Christmas fairy tale. The French influence is evident everywhere you look in Place Royale and along Rue du Petit-Champlain. The two—and three—storey plastered stone homes with their dormer windows, gabled roofs, large chimneys and firewalls rising above the rooftops make it hard to believe you’re not in France.

The most popular museum in Québec City. A visitor-oriented museum with a participatory and interactive approach for stimulating wonderment and encouraging discovery. Magnificent exhibits of international calibre about Québec culture and history. Take part in the family workshops on current, historical or sometimes unusual topics. Guided tours available for some exhibits.

Through a 30-minute sound and light show, travel back in time to the foundation of Québec to revisit the six military sieges that shaped its history! This exciting historical period is brought to life with an impressive model of the city circa 1750. Located in the heart of Old Québec, start your visit to Québec City with a bang at the Musée du Fort!

A stroll along rue Saint-Jean is a must for anyone visiting Québec City. Starting from centrally located Place D’Youville, a string of boutiques, restaurants, churches, and historic buildings create a unique and eclectic ambiance. And when the street is closed to traffic in summer, pedestrians take over and a festive atmosphere reigns. Religion, politics, and education converge at Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, home to City Hall and just steps from Notre-Dame de Québec Cathedral-Basilica and the historic Séminaire de Québec. In summer, you can watch the performances of the public entertainers while the charming wooden kiosks of the German Christmas Market settle there from late November to end of December. The ice rink at Place D'Youville is the perfect place to experience Québec City's winter. From mid-November, put on skates and enjoy its magical atmosphere!

A perfect balance between bourgeois and bohemian, the Montcalm neighbourhood attracts epicureans, sports fans, and art and culture lovers in a magnificent historical environment. Head to the Upper Town for a highly entertaining and tasty experience! Stroll down avenue Cartier in the heart of the Art District and you’ll pass a hundred or so places of business. Enjoy the lively atmosphere, gourmet food shops, and fashionable and specialty boutiques of this less-touristy area. Bookstores, theatre, museums, movies, art galleries: in Montcalm there's something for culture lovers of every stripe. Don't forget to visit the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ), a real architectural gem showcasing both Québec and international art. To keep up with the latest films, head to Cinéma Cartier, the only movie theatre downtown; it can get pretty busy on weekends.

A creative chocolate shop and a quaint small chocolate museum. Learn about the history of chocolate from Mayan times to this day. Ancient and modern accessories, chocolate-making techniques (video and view on the kitchen), and more. For chocolate lovers: little pieces of chocolate, a handmade selection of pure original chocolate bars cookies, brownies, cupcakes, cakes and hot chocolates. Summer: homemade ice cream dipped in chocolate, yogourt and sherbet.

The Huron-Wendat Museum presents one of the rarest collections emphasizing the wealth of the culture and the know-how of the Huron-Wendat. The Museum shares the same entrance as the Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations.

Located in Old Québec, the Monastère des Augustines occupies the historic wings of the Hôtel-Dieu de Québec monastery (1639), the site of the first hospital on the continent, north of Mexico. The onsite museum has 1000 items from its collection of 40 000 artefacts on display. The exhibition traces the history of the Augustinian Sisters, their social involvement and their work caring for the sick, as well the evolution of medicine through the ages.

Over $500 million was invested in Québec City's new downtown core, the revitalized Saint-Roch district. The spirit of innovation fostered by Saint-Roch makes it the hub of the Greater Québec Area. The many avant-garde businesses, shops and restaurants, local breweries, bars found here create a vibrant atmosphere that appeals to local residents and visitors alike. Saint-Roch owes its distinctive flair to its cultural, commercial and artistic vitality that rivals that of the greatest North American metropolises. Over 130 shops! In summer, young professionals from the web and video game industries blend in with the student crowd looking for a place to eat outside in Jardin Jean-Paul-L’Allier, a real oasis of greenery in the heart of the city. In winter, Saint-Roch is illuminated by a 15-metre Christmas tree; simply magical!

This interpretation centre is located at the historical and archeological site of the Château-Richer convents. Visit the permanent exhibitions on the history of one of the first French settlements in North America. Attractions also include the excavated foundations of the first two convents (built in 1694 and 1830), the reconstruction of a classroom from 1912 and temporary exhibitions on the cultural identity of the Côte-de-Beaupré. Do not forget to enjoy a delicious beverage in our coffee shop before leaving!

Only 20 minutes from Québec City, Valcartier Vacation Village becomes the largest winter playground in North America, with more than 35 inner tube runs for thrill-seekers of all ages, 17 mechanical lifts and skating paths. The four steep slopes of the Himalaya are Xtreme fun!

This charming house has been transformed into a centre for the arts and science, with a focus on stimulating debate and the exchange of ideas. It hosts exhibits dealing with a range of topics, including current events. The program comprises a number of cultural activities and exhibitions about famous contemporary artists.

One of the largest malls in the Québec City area, with 200 stores and services including such major banners as Walmart, Maxi, Urban Planet, Sears, The Bay, Sports Experts, Mode Choc and Jysk. A must for any shopping expedition, Fleur de Lys is strategically located less than 5 minutes from downtown. Close to all highways and several major development projects, and next to the Videotron Centre.