Quebec City Travelers Recommend

Two days in Quebec City will allow you to thoroughly explore the historic UNESCO World Heritage–listed Old Quebec area, get a feel for the city’s French-influenced food scene, and even squeeze in an out-of-town excursion or two. Here are the experiences you won’t want to miss on a 2-day trip to Quebec City.

Day 1: Flavors of Quebec

Morning: Begin in Old Quebec, where the centuries-old streets seem frozen in time. A guided walking tour will enlighten you about the area’s 400-year history, while a scooter or bus tour will allow you to sightsee effortlessly. Hop-on hop-off bus tours are a good option if you want to explore the sights more freely. 

Afternoon: Eat and drink your way around Quebec City’s best restaurants and bars. Taste French-Canadian specialties such as poutine (French fries and cheese curds covered in gravy) and sip local wines. There’s also a booming craft beer industry here, which brew lovers can explore during a guided beer tour of the St. Roch neighborhood.

Evening: Finish your first day on a high with a sunset hot-air balloon ride. Aerial views of the walled old town, together with the St. Lawrence River, Orleans Island (Île d'Orléans), and Laurentian Mountains, make for an unforgettable scene. Back at ground level, feast on French-style fare at an Old Quebec bistro. 

Day 2: City Escapes

Morning: Start today with a guided tour to scenic Montmorency Falls, the shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, or the picturesque and pastoral Orleans Island. All three destinations are within a 30-minute drive of Old Quebec, making them easy-to-reach options for half-day trips.

Afternoon: Back in Quebec City, take the ferry across the St. Lawrence River to the quieter and less-developed south shore area of Lévis. Few travelers head to this side of the river, meaning it’s usually pretty peaceful. Cycling is a good way to get around, especially along the lovely riverside trails.

Evening: If you’re visiting in winter, sip a chilled cocktail in the Ice Hotel (Hôtel de Glace), about a 20-minute drive from town. This seasonal attraction, made entirely of snow and ice, typically opens from early January until March. If you’re here in summer, enjoy a dinner cruise on the St. Lawrence River instead.

Quebec City has a wealth of diverse draws, from its historic walled core and rich culinary scene to nearby waterfalls, mountains, and national parks. Here are some of the top options for a 3-day tour of the city, including museums in Old Quebec, a whale-watching excursion, and outdoor activities for all four seasons. 

Day 1: Essential Quebec City

Kick things off with an overview of the city and its key sights. A sightseeing cruise along the St. Lawrence River will carry you past major landmarks including Château Frontenac, Orleans Island (Île d'Orléans), and Montmorency Falls, which at 272 feet (83 meters) is the highest waterfall in the province.

In the afternoon, delve deeper into the history of New France and Québécois culture with a thorough exploration of UNESCO World Heritage–listed Old Quebec. Museum-hop your way around the Museum of Civilization (Musée de la Civilisation) and the Museum of French America (Musée de l’Amérique Francophone), both of which can be easily reached by hop-on hop-off tour bus. Spend the evening drinking and dining in one of the city’s many brewpubs, which can be found scattered around the old town and St. Roch neighborhoods. 

Day 2: Whale Watching or Ice Wine Tasting

The St. Lawrence River is a feeding ground for all kinds of majestic creatures, including more than 10 different whale species. Sign up for a whale-watching tour and travel from Quebec City to the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, where you’ll board either a high-speed zodiac boat (ideal for close-up whale encounters) or a larger observation vessel (which offers protection from inclement weather). A certified naturalist will explain more about the unique marine ecosystem as you scan the water for belugas, minke whales, and humpbacks. 

Outside whale-watching season (May to November), or if you’d simply prefer to stay on land, take a food- and wine-focused excursion to Orleans Island, during which you can taste ice wine, ice cider, and locally made chocolate. Back in town, embark on a dinner cruise along the St. Lawrence River and admire the illuminated city skyline while tucking into a multicourse meal.

Day 3: Active Outdoor Adventure

Quebec City’s setting alongside the St. Lawrence River and the Laurentian Mountains make it well-suited to lots of outdoor activities year-round. In summer, cycle along the bike paths of the St. Lawrence or kayak with a guide through the Parc Maritime de Saint-Laurent. In winter, the plentiful options for outdoor fun include ski-shoeing (a cross between snowshoeing and cross-country skiing) in Station Touristique Duchesnay park, nordic skiing (a mix between cross-country and downhill skiing) in Massif du Sud Regional Park, ice canoeing on the St. Lawrence River, and snow tubing down the more than 30 slides at the Valcartier Vacation Village. 

Having worked up an appetite, return to Old Quebec for a guided gourmet food tour. Sample charcuterie and French-style plates, and witness liquor-drizzled dishes being flambéed tableside. 

One of North America’s oldest settlements, Quebec City retains its old-world flavor with historical buildings, stone ramparts, and cobbled streets. Because of its manageable size—the UNESCO World Heritage–listed area of Old Quebec is easily walkable—it is possible to see loads in just one day. Here’s how to maximize 24 hours in Quebec City. 

Morning: Discover the Old City

Start with a walking tour of Old Quebec to learn about the history of New France, seeing key sights such as Place Royale, the Fortifications of Quebec, and the Citadel of Quebec (La Citadelle de Québec). Old Quebec is hilly, so if you want to save your leg muscles, try a sightseeing bus tour, a hop-on hop-off bus tour, or an e-bike tour instead. 

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the Château Frontenac. With its copper turrets, spires, and towers, this hotel is an architectural triumph. You can explore the interior during a guided tour. 

Afternoon: Visit Montmorency Falls

Make the short journey outside of town to one of the natural highlights of the Quebec City region: the 272-foot-high (83-meter) Montmorency Falls. Ride the cable car to the top of the cascade, walk over the suspension bridge, or zipline over the rushing water. Guided bus tours will get you from Quebec City to Montmorency Falls in just 15 to 20 minutes, and may include commentary from a guide. For another perspective on the falls, soar over them—as well as Old Quebec, the St. Lawrence River, and Orleans Island (Île d’Orléans)—by helicopter.

Evening: A Night to Remember

Seeing as you have only one night in Quebec City, make it memorable. That might mean an evening cruise along the St. Lawrence River, soaking up views of Quebec City, Cape Diamond (Cap Diamant), and the Laurentian Mountains while enjoying a sit-down dinner. 

If you’d prefer to stay on dry land, opt for a gourmet food tour, which will introduce you to a handful or so of Quebec City’s best restaurants in one evening. And if you’ve still got energy to burn, join a guided pub crawl: hop from bar to bar enjoying free and discounted drinks deals with fellow crawlers. 

One of Canada’s snowiest cities, Quebec City is a true winter wonderland. Rather than dampening the fun, the snow actually enhances it—and in fact, you’ll find the city at its atmospheric best in winter. Here’s how to make the most of your winter trip to Quebec City.

• See snow sculptures, go ice skating, cheer on dog sledding teams, and watch nighttime parades at the Quebec Winter Carnival. The festival runs from the end of January to mid-February.

• Try outdoor activities such as ski-shoeing (a mix between cross-country skiing and snowshoeing) and cross-country skiing in Jacques-Cartier National Park, just a 30-minute drive from Quebec City.

• Taste French-Canadian cuisine during a small-group food tour around the cobblestone streets of Old Quebec and trendy St-Jean-Baptiste.

• Enjoy an exclusive guided visit of the impressive Ice Hotel (Hôtel de Glace), a 44-room building constructed entirely from snow and ice.

• Shelter from the cold during a guided tour of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Guides in period dress show guests around the grand interior of Quebec City’s most emblematic building.

• Slide down the slopes of Valcartier Vacation Village during a family-friendly snow tubing excursion.

Quebec City’s culinary scene bears a strong French influence, with ample boulangeries, brasseries, and bistros—but it’s no mere copycat. The city’s chefs also champion local produce and heritage recipes, and never shy away from innovation. Here’s what you need to know about how and what to eat in Quebec City.

Must-Try Dishes

As the capital of Canada’s French-speaking province, Quebec City is the place to try classic French-Canadian cuisine. Most traditional dishes are rich and hearty—early settlers needed to create affordable meals that could sustain workers in harsh winter temperatures. The most famous dish in the Quebecois culinary canon is poutine (fries with gravy and cheese curds), though there are many more regional recipes to discover.Cretons (a pork spread) is slathered on toast for breakfast, while tourtière (a traditional meat pie made with pork, beef, or game) is a common dinner dish.

After the main meal, save room for pudding chômeur (“poor man’s pudding”), a maple syrup-drenched cake, and a cheese course. Dairy farmers in the region around Quebec City make some of Canada’s finest cheeses, including Cendré de Lune, a soft and buttery cheese coated in ash, and Lady Laurier d’Arthabaska, a vanilla-flavored triple-cream brie.

Must-Do Experiences

• Discover delicious local food during a small-group Quebec City food tour covering Old Quebec and St-Jean-Baptiste.

• Meet producers at wineries and sugar shacks during a food tour of Ile d'Orleans.

• Learn about the local craft beer movement on a beer-oriented walking tour in trendy St. Roch.

• Sample ice cider, a sweet alcoholic drink made by pressing frozen apples.