Recently, I visited Quebec City. I had an amazing time while I was there. I wanted to share what I did and make recommendations for anyone planning a trip to the city. I’ve created a three day itinerary of all the places I visited and included some ones I missed but would have liked to have seen.
Day 1
Begin your trip in Quebec in the Old Town. The Old Town of Quebec is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Town’s narrow winding streets and 19th century architecture give this quarter a quaint feeling. Start in the Lower Town or Basse Ville in French. Walk the Old Port and St Lawrence River. From there, head to the Museum of Civilization. This museum has some interesting exhibits about the history of the region. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. Following your visit, wander through the cobblestone streets to the Place Royal. Here you can see the Notre Dame des Victoire. This 17th century church is one of the oldest chapels in Canada. Take a stroll to the Quartier Petit Champlain and check out the charming shops along the way. Be sure to try crepes at one of the many patisseries that line the streets.
Skip the funicular and instead take the breakneck steps which connect the Lower Town to the Uppertown or Haute Ville. Be sure to check out the Place d’Armes before heading down the infamous Rue du Tresor. This street is lined with paintings,sketches and prints for sale by local artists. Next, visit the Basilique Cathedrale Notre Dame de Québec. This 17th century cathedral has an impressive interior and is free to the public. Spend the remainder of your day getting lost while meandering through the Uppertown’s small streets.
Day 2
On your second day, get an early start and head to the Parliament Building. Quebec City is the capital of the province of Quebec. The Parliament Building houses Quebec’s National Assembly and the Lieutenant Governor. The Parliament Building is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 17:00 and 9:30 to 16:30 on Sundays. Admission is free and visitors have the option of either doing a self-guided tour or taking a complementary guided tour. Be aware that photo ID is required for entrance into the building and visitors must pass through security.
After the tour, head to the Citadelle of Quebec. The Citadelle is a fort and active military base. Since the site is a military base visitors are only able to see the Citadelle on a guided tour. Tickets cost $16 CAD for adults and tours are offered in English, French and Spanish. I recommend visiting the onsite museum which is included in the price of admission. Next, head to the Plains of Abraham. The Plains of Abraham was once the site of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham today it is a park. From there you can take the Promenade des Gouverneurs which is a walkway that runs behind the Citadelle. The pathway leads down to the Terrasse Dufferin. Here you can get some excellent views of the iconic Fairmont le Chateau Frontenac and the river. During the winter the Terrasse Dufferin has a track where visitors can try their hand at tobogganing.
When you’re ready for a snack head to the Rue Saint Louis. The street is lined with dozens of restaurants and small cafes. Your visit to Quebec isn’t complete until you’ve tried poutine. Quebec is the birthplace of poutine and the city is notorious for having some of the best poutine in all of Canada.
Day 3
On your last day, take a day trip to Montmorency Falls. The waterfall is about a 15 min drive from the old town of Quebec. This site is open daily from 10:00-16:30. Be aware that during the winter months some of the trails and facilities on site are closed. As of this writing, there is construction being carried out at the base of the waterfall and the walkway there has been temporarily closed. For the most up to date information about please check the park’s website.
I recommend beginning your visit at the top of the waterfall. From there, you can admire the 84 meter drop as you cross the suspension bridge over top. For a dramatic view of the falls, take the wooden walkway that runs along the side of the waterfall down to the base. Once you reach the base of the falls, take a leisurely walk around the river. Finish your trip by taking a cable car to the top of the waterfall. The gondola costs $16 CAD for adults and tickets can be bought at the site. End your day by returning to the old town.
