15 Of The Top Things To Do In Quebec City Canada

Known for its rich history and culture, this French-speaking city in the Quebec province dates all the way back to 1608. There are a lot of things to do in Quebec City. Located on the Saint Lawerence River, it is one of the oldest cities in North America and is full of stunning architectural landmarks and fascinating museums.

Also Read: 7 Canadian Destinations You Have to Visit

Here are the top things to do in Quebec City:

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

This historic castle-like hotel dominates the landscape of Quebec City and is one of the most famous attractions. You don’t even have to splurge and spend the night here, you can just opt for a tour during the day to learn more about the hotel’s fascinating history.

Quartier Petit Champlain

The Petit Champlain district is one of the oldest commercial districts in North America. Located in Old Quebec, it is full of cobblestoned streets lined with lots of amazing art galleries and restaurants, and souvenir shops. Don’t miss the 17th-century Breakneck Stairs, Quebec City’s oldest stairway.

Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec

Quebec’s national gallery, the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, is one of the top museums in the city. It is home to over 25,000 works by local artists, as well as more than 2,500 pieces of Inuit art.

Battlefields Park

This park covers 103 hectares and features numerous monuments and structures connected to Canada’s early military history. Don’t miss the Plains of Abraham, a historic site where the British troops defeated the French in 1759. The park also has lots of lush green spaces and walking trails.

Musée de la Civilisation

The Museum of Civilisation is one of the most popular museums in Canada. It has a series of permanent and temporary exhibits, as well as interactive attractions regarding the history of the city. The museum is located near the Saint Lawerence River in Old Quebec.

La Citadelle de Quebec

The Citadelle de Quebec is a star-shaped 18th-century fort located on Quebec City’s Cap Diamant. It was constructed to protect the city from an American invasion that never occurred and still houses members of the Royal 22nd Regiment.

Marché du Vieux-Port

Located in the historic harbour district, the Vieux-Port Market is filled with a host of food stalls, selling everything from fresh fruit and veggies to deli products, maple syrup, ice wine, and more. 

Observatoire de la Capitale

The Observatoire de la Capitale has some of the most amazing views of Quebec City. Located on the 31st floor of the Marie-Guyart Building, the tallest building in the city, it also has a wall-to-wall exhibit detailing the history of Quebec City.

Quebec Fortifications

Quebec was once a fortified city, and you can still visit some of these fortifications that stretch about 4.6 kilometres around the city. They are the only remaining fortified city walls in North America. Don’t miss the Porte Saint-Louis Gate, which has stunning views of the city. 

Place Royale

Located in the lower old town, and down the Old Quebec funicular, is Place Royale, one of the most historic landmarks in Canada. Here you can see buildings and streets dating back to the 17th century (now containing restaurants, cafés, and shops), as well as the Notre-Dame-des-Victories Church, which is the oldest stone church in North America. It dates back to 1688 and is dedicated to St. Genevieve.

Aquarium du Québec

The Aquarium du Québec covers over 16 hectares and is home to more than 10,000 animals including fish, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, and sea mammals. It exhibits several geographic sectors and specialises in boreal and arctic wildlife.

Musée des Ursulines

The Musée des Ursulines is a popular art and history museum that looks at the women who came from Europe into what was then known as New France. This quaint and beautiful little museum has over 30,000 preserved artefacts regarding the early settlement of the colony.

Terrasse Dufferin

This wooden walkway is wrapped around the Château Frontenac and reaches towards La Citadelle. Overlooking the Saint Lawrence River, it was created in 1879 by Lord Dufferin, the then Governor-general of Canada, and features numerous gazebos and benches making the perfect spot to take a relaxed stroll. In the winter, it becomes the site for the annual Toboggan Run (from December to March).

Notre-Dame-de-Québec Basilica

This cathedral was first constructed in 1647, though it has been rebuilt numerous times over the years. Located in the heart of Old Québec it is one of the oldest cathedrals in North America and houses numerous religious paintings and other treasures that date back to the French-colonial period. Many prominent historical figures are also buried in the cathedral’s crypt.

Hôtel de Glace

The unique Hôtel de Glace (or Ice Hotel) is a popular winter attraction in Quebec. Located near the city centre, it consists of several rooms that are annually sculpted from multiple tons of ice and snow. You can either take a tour during the day or brave the freezing temperatures and spend the night.

Of course, there are lots of other things to do in Quebec City, so if we’ve missed any, be sure to share them in the comments below.