10 Things to do in Downtown Quebec City That You Shouldn't Miss

April 7, 2022 Emerita Lamoureux

Quebec City may be the only fortified city north of Mexico, but it welcomes visitors with open arms. Explore the Citadel, where you might catch Canadian troops staging a military ceremony. As for food, you could splurge on afternoon tea at the Chateau Frontenac, or do as the locals do and snack on poutine—french fries with gravy and cheese curds.
Restaurants in Quebec City

1. Old Quebec

Rue de Tresor, Quebec City, Quebec GIR 5B8 Canada 4182625515 http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/300
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 13,360 reviews

Old Quebec

Reviewed By nowpacking - Dallas, United States

Walk through one of the city gates and you will be transported back in time - wander the cobblestone streets, ride in horse drawn carriages, dine at sidewalk cafes, shop in the artist's alley way, and photograph countless historic buildings. The huge boardwalk overlooking the historic lower town stretches across the front of the beautiful Chateau Frontenac providing the perfect place to sit and enjoy - especially if you can get up early and beat the crowds! Lots of restaurants, shops, beautiful churches (don't miss Notre Dame and the church in Place Royal) and so much charming architecture. Take the stairs down to the lower city or ride the funicular ... stroll the streets, take lots of photographs and have lunch. In the lower city visit Place Royal and Notre-Dame-des-Victories church to see the huge model ship hanging from the ceiling - then eat pizza at La Pizz or a snack at Maison Smith. If you need a ride back up catch the funicular! Don't miss the gorgeous fountain outside the gate and across from the beautiful Parliment building.

2. Terrasse Dufferin

2, rue d'Auteuil / D'Auteuil street, 2 chateau Frontenac, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 5C2 Canada +1 418-648-7016 http://baladodecouverte.com/circuits/129/poi/1567/tresor-sous-la-terrasse-dufferin
Excellent
67%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,593 reviews

Terrasse Dufferin

This elevated area offers panoramic views of Old Quebec and the St. Lawrence River. Winter adrenalin junkies line up by the thousands at Les Glissades de la Terrasse to experience the rush of zooming downhill from 270 feet high (82 meters) in a toboggan speeding up to 60 mph (90 kilometers per hour) to the bottom 500 feet (152 meters) away. Located on the Dufferin Terrace overlooking the St. Lawrence River behind Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, the ride is open from mid-December through late March.

Reviewed By mrl325 - Mumbai, India

Terrasse Dufferin connects the upper town wirh the lower town by staircase or furnicular. You can sit on benches and see the street performances, marvel at the massive chateau fontenac, see the beautiful park and statues,look down on beautiful river and see the lower town, climb on the outer walls of the citadel

3. Parliament Building (Hotel du Parlement)

1045, Rue des Parlementaires, Quebec City, Quebec G1A 1A3 Canada +1 418-643-7239 [email protected] http://www.assnat.qc.ca
Excellent
55%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,141 reviews

Parliament Building (Hotel du Parlement)

Designed by Eugène-Étienne Taché, the Parliament Building is a monument to the glory of the women and men who marked the history of Québec and French America. Built between 1877 and 1886 in the architectural style of the Second Empire and inspired by the expansion of the Louvre in Paris, this unique structure was recognized as a Québec national historic monument in 1985. Its architecture and rich ornamentation illustrate the words engraved above the main entrance, “Je me souviens” (I remember), which later became Québec’s motto. Many species of trees, shrubs and plants representative of the wide variety of flora native to Québec can be observed when walking around the gardens surrounding the Parliament Building.

Reviewed By TrevorTh - Toronto, Canada

We pre-booked our free tour online with ease and arrived early, as per the instructions to account for the security screening. The tour was fantastic. Our guide was knowledgeable and eager to share stories about the building. We left the tour with a much better understanding and appreciation of Quebec history and culture and politics. The new visitor centre is beautiful and complements the historic beauty of the older parts of the building. We especially loved the visit to the library. One of our highlights to Quebec City.

4. Battlefields Park (Parc des Champs-de-Bataille)

Discovery Pavilion of the Plains of Abraham, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 5H3 Canada +1 418-648-4071 http://www.ccbn-nbc.gc.ca/
Excellent
48%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 446 reviews

Battlefields Park (Parc des Champs-de-Bataille)

This bucolic park includes the Plains of Abraham, where the decisive battle that led to British control of Quebec took place.

Reviewed By 716sachink - Plainview, United States

A visit to the Battlefields Park takes one back into history when the French and British fought a battle. Certainly worth visiting.

5. Musee national des beaux-arts du Quebec (MNBAQ)

179 Grande Allee Ouest 1 ave. Wolfe-Montcalm, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 5H3 Canada +1 418-643-2150 [email protected] http://www.mnbaq.org/
Excellent
57%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 900 reviews

Musee national des beaux-arts du Quebec (MNBAQ)

The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec is located on the Plains of Abraham. It's four pavilions house a collection of over 40,000 works dating from the 17th century to present day. On top of world-class exhibitions and cultural activities, visitors can also enjoy the restaurant, café and gift shop.

Reviewed By williamg548 - Schenectady, United States

In our recent trip to Quebec City, we had the pleasure of spending an afternoon at this great museum. We could have spent more time (for art lovers, you can easily spend 4 hours with a nice lunch in between). We were lucky that Manif D’Art 9 (La Biennale de Québec) was going on, taking over a big part of the Pavillon Pierr Lassonde, and we thoroughly explored that amazing collective show. The contemporary art and First Nation art sections of the permanent collection are very interesting and engaging. The pavilions with modern art and ancient art collections are also wonderful, and we hope to spend more time in those during our next trip. Top-notch museum. It was the best of the attractions during our visit.

6. Basilique Cathedrale - Notre-Dame-de-Quebec

16 rue Buade, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 4A1 Canada +1 418-692-2533 http://www.patrimoine-religieux.com/en/our-churches/notre-dame-de-quebec-basilica-cathedral-/
Excellent
60%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,576 reviews

Basilique Cathedrale - Notre-Dame-de-Quebec

This famous 17th-century cathedral has been restored several times but still provides visitors with an ambiance of centuries past.

Reviewed By ldjs - Fort Lee, United States

Beautiful cathedral with very unusual image of Christ holding the cross, lots of gold leaf and the holy door to open again in 2025. Canadian dignitaries are buried here. The cathedral is quite important for Quebec and Canada and a heritage site. Definitely worth a visit.

7. Eglise Notre Dame des Victoires

Place Royale 32, Rue Sous-Le-Fort, Quebec City, Quebec G1K 4G7 Canada +1 418-692-1650 http://www.notre-dame-de-quebec.org/notre-dame-des-victoires-church
Excellent
48%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 398 reviews

Eglise Notre Dame des Victoires

This late 17th-century church, situated on the Place Royale, is one of the city's chief historical landmarks.

Reviewed By yhztravels - Halifax, Canada

For all movie buffs, this beautiful church was featured in the film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Catch Me If You Can, with Tom Hanks! It's a stunning church with a beautiful little courtyard in front.

8. Musee de la civilisation

85, Dalhousie street, Quebec City, Quebec G1K 8R2 Canada +1 418-643-2158 [email protected] http://www.mcq.org
Excellent
55%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,249 reviews

Musee de la civilisation

This museum is characterized by its innovative and daring outlook. It defines itself as a seat of knowledge and ideas, a museum endowed with valuable collections, an education centre and a living memory. It is located in the region's capital, Quebec City, in the heart of an historic district and close to Place Royale.

Reviewed By CelineLondon85 - London, United Kingdom

Very interesting museum where I learnt so much about the history of the First Nations and Quebec. I highly recommend joining the free guided tours, as you will learn so much. I joined two different tours (« This is our Story » and « History of Quebec ») and both were amazing.

9. La Promenade des Gouverneurs

Dufferin Terrace, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 4P5 Canada http://www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/citoyens/patrimoine/quartiers/vieux_quebec/interet/promenade_gouverneurs.aspx
Excellent
59%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 815 reviews

La Promenade des Gouverneurs

This elevated walkway provides wonderful views of the city and the St. Lawrence River.

Reviewed By Gonen2014 - Haifa, Israel

La Promenade des Gouverneurs is a beautiful hiking trail that connects to Terrasse Dufferin, and allows you to encircle part of Quebec Citadel (La Citadelle) and reach the Plains of Abraham. The view of the St. lawrence River is beautiful, and at the westernmost view point you will find toilets and even ice cream!

10. La Citadelle de Quebec

1 Cote de la Citadelle, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 3R2 Canada +1 418-694-2815 [email protected] http://www.lacitadelle.qc.ca/
Excellent
53%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,792 reviews

La Citadelle de Quebec

National Historic Site and active military base, the Citadelle welcomes you with its guided tours and access to the Musée Royal 22e Régiment. Located on the highest natural point in Quebec City, the Citadelle allows you to enjoy spectacular views on the town and the Saint Lawrence River. Discover the fortress of Old Quebec, home of the Royal 22e Régiment, the only French-speaking regiment with in the Canadian Armed Forces. Tickets include an hour-long guided tour of the Citadelle, mostly outside, and the access to the Musée Royal 22e Régiment. In order to protect the health and safety of our visitors and employees, we have adopted the guidelines by the Québec Ministry of Public Health, including social distancing standards and applicable health measures.

Reviewed By Canary163 - Ottawa, Canada

We returned to the Citadelle with visitors from Chile! They were mesmerized by the outstanding( as always) Changing of the Guard ceremony presented daily at 10:30, weather permitting, during the spring-fall months. BatisseXII, regimental mascot, a goat from the Royal herd, joined his regiment on parade. The ceremony lasts about 35 min, is conducted in French, the language of the Royal22nd( VanDoo’s) Regiment, and is easy to follow due to bilingual commentary offered by a Commentator. The tickets may be bought on site or reserved on the Web. Site for this attraction. Free to active\ retired military with I.D. and immediate family. Suggest...go early to get a seat, better near the speaker’s podium. May remain for photos with the Mascot and his keeper. Very interesting tours and self guided tours of the area. Washrooms on premise, souvenir sales, some refreshments. Medals donated to the Regiment by former members are displayed in a special room and are most impressive for anyone with a knowledge of Canadian military history. Our S.American friends were most pleased with their visit to the Citadelle. Very limited parking in the area, suggest walking up to the area.

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