7 things to do for first-time visitors
You'll find 400 years of history and a thousand and one things to experience. Among them, Québec City's top picks are strongly recommended for your first trip to the capital. Here are a few suggestions to help you get to the heart of Québec City:
You'll find 400 years of history and a thousand and one things to experience. Among them, Québec City's top picks are strongly recommended for your first trip to the capital. Here are a few suggestions to help you get to the heart of Québec City:
Enjoy a guided tour of Old Québec
The Old City is like an open-air museum, and the best way to explore it is on a walking tour with a local guide. The Château Frontenac, the Dufferin Terrace, the fortifications, the Parliament building, the Petit-Champlain: a new living history lesson awaits around every corner. No matter which sightseeing tour you pick, you’re in for a real treat!
Do Some Shopping in Petit-Champlain
Rue du Petit-Champlain is one of the most charming streets in Canada. There’s nothing like it anywhere else! Every shop has something you’ll fall in love with. Meet the artisans and marvel at their work. Discover the unique flair and talent of local makers, sample regional delicacies, or let yourself be moved by a work of art.
Walk Along the Fortifications
Take a stroll to remember in the continent’s only remaining fortified city north of Mexico! Discover the charm of Old Québec from new vantage points, including the Citadelle and the Plains of Abraham, as you cover the 4.6 km of the city’s ramparts.
Head to the Top of Observatoire de la Capitale
Visit Québec City’s highest viewpoint to get your and take it all in! Take the Observatoire de la Capitale elevator 221 metres up for a bird’s eye view of the St. Lawrence River, Île d'Orléans, the Plains of Abraham, and the south shore.
Take the Québec City - Lévis Ferry
Sail the St. Lawrence river for peanuts! Board the ferry and observe the play of the current (and chunks of ice crashing against each other in winter) while you enjoy the fresh breeze. Admire the magnificent landscapes, including Cap Diamant —beautifully lit up at night—as well as the steep cliffs of Lévis on the far shore.
Feel the Spray at Parc de la Chute-Montmorency
Take a short drive outside Old Québec and marvel at the sheer power of the Montmorency Falls, which are 30 metres higher than Niagara Falls. Whether you explore on foot or by cable car, you’ll be blown away by this wonder of nature.
Savour Local Products and Regional Fare
Eating well is ingrained in Québec culture. Traditional Québec cuisine is inspired by the hearty country fare of our grandmothers and the recipes they passed down from generation to generation. Heard people rave about the famous poutine? It’s a contemporary take on a classic and a must for every visitor! The Québec City area also abounds in delicious local products.