Are you visiting Québec City for the first time? Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to see and do in Québec, Canada.
When I have a visitor from out of town, the first place they want to see is Place Royale, but I also take them to Ile d’Orléans – for a more local, authentic experience.
When I want to escape the crowds and tourists, my favorite place to visit is Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier.
If this is a romantic trip, I recommend Dufferin Terrace for kissing with a view.
The best place to walk the dog is Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area.
Museums are wonderful, but if you are traveling with kids, you’ll want to visit Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site.
Regional foods of Québec City
If you are looking for typical Québec cuisine, I recommend Toast! restaurant.
The best place to go for coffee & a breakfast treat is Café-boulangerie Paillard. They bake wonderful baguettes and have huge, flaky croissants.
Looking for the best inexpensive restaurants? Try Ashton or Buffet de l’Antiquaire. Also try Marché du Vieux Port on the Saint-André Quai, an indoor, year-round farmers’ market in Quebec City, Canada.
Ristorante Il Teatro is the spot for late night dining.
For an expensive, yet quality meal, go to Le Saint-Amour, Chez Boulay or Panache at Auberge Saint-Antoine.
Seeing a lot of bricks in Québec City? This Canadian city is best known for being a fortified or walled city.
When you come to Québec City, get your picture taken by Fontaine Tourney and the Parliament building. Within walking distance is the Plains of Abraham.
In Québec City, outdoor lovers will want to walk, hike, bike, ski or snowshoe…it depends on the season. One of the best vantage points is taken by walking to the top of Montmorency Waterfalls. Insider Tip – these falls are higher than Niagara Falls, but not as wide.
Looking for a little exercise? Walk along Dufferin Terrace, the walls of the city and if you’re fit, go up and down the many stairways that link Upper to Lower town.
After a day of adventure, Le Nordique Spa Stoneham is the best place to go for a spa treatment.
If you are a museum lover, Québec City’s best museum is Musée de la civilisation.
Looking for exciting night life? Go dancing at Chez Maurice or L’Emprise in the Clarendon Hotel for live music.
Québec Scope Magazine will keep you posted on what’s happening in Québec City.
Québec City by season
You can tell a lot about Québec City from watching the seasonal events. In the spring you should go to a Maple Sugar Shack.
In the summer you might like Québec City Summer Festival.
Did you know that Québec City is known for Fall foliage: plan a visit to the back country in the fall. My favorite regions are Lanaudiere and Mauricie – the Nordic baths are a must do and I loved my time horseback riding through fall colors in St. Paulin.
Come to Québec City for Carnaval de Québec!
Insider Tip: Check out the often over-looked Ferry across the St. Lawrence river.
I’ll bet you didn’t know that just outside of Québec City you can visit Island of Orléans and have lunch at one of the many vineyards or cider-making orchards.
Have you traveled to Québec? What are your favorite things to do in Québec City, Canada?
For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter @Nancydbrown and follow @tourismQuebec on Twitter.
If You Go:
Québec City
Article written by, video and photos courtesy of Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California. I was a guest of Quebec Tourism. All opinions are my own.
Look’s like an amazing place to chill out, and the images are cool..it seems like you guys had a wonderful time in Quebec.