All Articles 3 perfect days in Quebec City

3 perfect days in Quebec City

By Kristin Braswell5 Jan 2024 7 minutes read
Quebec City skyline, Canada.
Quebec City skyline, Canada.
Image: Posnov/Getty Images

Quebec City’s twisty, turny, cobblestone streets reveal a bit of history with every step. In the colder months, the entire place transforms into a winter wonderland with a Christmas market, a hotel made of ice, and family-friendly snow tubing and sledding.

The cultural heart of town, Old City, often smells of the freshly baked bread from the artisanal bakeries that flank chic boutiques and clothing shops. Planning a trip to the central Canadian province for the food alone is easy. The national dish, poutine, has countless varieties to enjoy around the city, while other beloved French-Canadian bites like tourtière, a traditional Quebecois meat pie, and tire sur la neige, a maple taffy snack, have their own adaptations on many menus.

Whether you're searching for a memorable meal, an interactive education on the city's Indigenous population, or just want to stroll around the many basilicas and fortresses and take in the 17th Century architecture, this 3-day itinerary has you covered.

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DAY ONE

Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre.
Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre.
Image: WaKa_57/Tripadvisor

MORNING: Get to know the historic Old City

Start your morning with breakfast at Paillard, a boulangerie in the heart of the Old City with award-winning baguettes, éclairs, soups, sandwiches, and more. After a bite, start a walking tour of Old Quebec City at the Fairmont Hotel's regal Le Château Frontenac, a 125-year-old property with a boardwalk that wraps around the building and overlooks St. Lawrence River.

During the summer, grab an ice cream cone at Au 1884 and watch the Dufferin Terrace come alive with singers and other performers.

Next, head over to the national historic site La Citadelle–located at the city's highest point, before walking to the majestic Tourny fountain in front of the Parliament building. Pick up some snacks at one of the many shops along the way for a quick picnic in the Plains of Abraham–an expansive park that the locals use as their backyard.

AFTERNOON: Explore both history and culinary traditions

Start at the Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, a towering basilica and tribute to Saint Anne, who was said to heal the sick and handicapped. Explore glowing stained glass, paintings, mosaics, and sculptures inside the architectural wonder. Afterward, have lunch at La Bûche, famous for its poutine, cassoulet, and down-home comforting food.

Travelers say: "Contemporary versions of traditional Canadian dishes. So good! We have spent a total of four nights in Quebec City and ate dinner here 3 of those nights it was so good. Also, the service is excellent, with friendly and helpful staff. The decor is cozy and happy. The maple pie is a must." —@amylN273YT

By car, you can easily reach Île d'Orléans, an island about three miles east of downtown. Grab a taxi and visit what is considered by many to be the birthplace of French North America. This rural town includes centuries-old villages, churches, farms, and homes. Do some shopping at one of the many artisan outlets and farm stands where you can try homemade jams and creamy cheeses.

TOUR OPTIONS

EVENING: Get a taste of traditional Quebecois food

After some rest, save room for dinner at Aux Anciens Canadiens, a lively restaurant serving French Canadian cuisine inside a beautiful home built in 1675. Dishes include pea soup and a famous filet of wild Inuit caribou. If you want something to do after dinner, Bar Sainte-Angèle is an intimate jazz club housed in a 300-year-old building. Get there early for a good seat.

Worthy detours along the way

DAY TWO

An assortment of tapas at Le Renard Et la Chouette.
An assortment of tapas at Le Renard Et la Chouette.
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

MORNING: 360 views await

Start your day at the highest viewpoint in the city. The Observatoire de la Capitale provides a 360-degree city view and offers a new multimedia presentation. Be sure to buy tickets in advance online.

AFTERNOON: Get beyond the city center

Book lunch at Le Renard Et La Chouette, a quaint wine bistro that offers housemade sausages, asparagus salad with quail eggs, thin-crust pizzas, and seasonal vegetables.

You'll want all of it to fuel up ahead of your next outdoor adventure. Located 45 minutes outside of Quebec City, Jacques-Cartier National Park is a mountainous plateau of deep valleys and rivers, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. Take a hike along one of its winding paths, and you may spot some moose in their natural habitat. You can also enjoy canoeing, fishing, and kayaking.

Next, head to L'Hôtel de Glace, North America's only ice hotel, for a different adventure outside the city. The structure features art, rooms, a bar, and a chapel built entirely of ice and snow. Even if you aren't staying at the hotel, you can explore winter activities at Village Vacances Valcartier, including the 35 snow slides, ice skating paths, and snow rafting.

TOUR OPTIONS

EVENING: Enjoy Quebec art from past to present

Musée National des Beaux-arts du Québec houses a collection of more than 42,000 works of Quebec and global art from the 17th century to today– including a very popular Alexander McQueen exhibit.

For dinner, head to Restaurant Alentours, where an impressive five-course menu focuses on ingredients from local producers. Dishes include spicy lamb pita, samosas, and tomatoes with goat cheese.

Travelers say: "We've tried most tasting menus in Quebec and Restaurant Alentours takes the crown. A great philosophy, an amazing menu, and, to top it all, friendly staff. I highly recommend the place. It's always a good way to encourage local producers." —@christopheboucher

Worthy detours along the way

DAY THREE

Travelers ziplining at Montmorency Falls.
Travelers ziplining at Montmorency Falls.
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

MORNING: Comfort food and a stroll

Enjoy people-watching and a hearty breakfast at one of Le Cochon Dingue's sidewalk tables. Favorites include a duck confit omelet and a vegan breakfast sandwich with egg, vegan sausage, avocado hummus, lettuce, and tomato. A 5-minute walk from the restaurant takes you to Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral and Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, two landmarks built in the 17th century.

AFTERNOON: Make a splash at Montmorency Falls

Take in a massive waterfall 98 feet taller than Niagara Falls via gondola or on a suspension bridge. Montmorency Falls is just 15 minutes from downtown Quebec and is worth the detour.

Travelers say:"We enjoy waterfalls and hiking, and Montmorency offers both. We started in the Parc, hiked across the top of the falls, then down to the cable car for the uphill ride. We would recommend this route for older travelers like us. The fall colors were gorgeous. Lots of bright red maple leaves." —@E6990ZNjohno

Afterward, enjoy a taste of indigenous cuisine at Sagamité Old Québec, which features dishes from the Huron-Wendat nation that include smoked bison, elk, and venison. Don't miss the maple pie for dessert. After lunch, get hands-on at Musée de la Civilisation through a number of their workshops that feature information about current and historical events with both an international and Québec focus.

TOUR OPTIONS

  • A full-day tour is one of the best ways to hit all the major attractions in Quebec City. This option includes land and sea views and landmarks like Chateau Frontenac, Place Royale, and Petit Champlain.
  • This city tour includes a visit to Montmorency Falls and the Ice Hotel during the winter.

EVENING: Learn about the Huron‑Wendat Nation

Just 20 minutes from Quebec City sits Wendake–the historic homeland of the self-governing Huron‑Wendat Nation. Depart in the late afternoon and learn about the history and traditions of these Indigenous peoples with a visit to the Huron‑Wendat Museum and the authentic craft stores in the village. Another stop worth considering is Onhwa' Lumina, an immersive multimedia experience celebrating Wendake culture.

Travelers say: "It was so refreshing to be in a country where the indigenous people are celebrated in this way! The Wendake people put together a spectacular, incredible night walk that consisted of innovative and creative light displays that celebrated their history and their culture. My only suggestion is to book your tickets online ahead of time so you do not need to wait to enter. You can show up without purchasing a ticket and gain entrance, but you will probably have to wait for up to an hour."—@KatieO

Have dinner at La Traite, located inside Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations, which offers cuisine inspired by the Indigenous landscape.

You can also finish your last night with dinner in the city at L'Orygine, where their tasting menu of organic dishes like lobster cavatelli and beef gravlax with fingerling potatoes keeps diners coming back.

Worthy detours along the way

Know Before You Go


Québec City is an all-season destination. To avoid high tourist traffic, visit during April, May, or June rather than July, August, or September.


Many museums and restaurants are closed on Mondays so try to visit on a weekend or starting on Tuesday.


Museum hours are typically from 10 am-5 pm Tuesday-Sunday; Restaurant hours and days of operation vary. Most businesses, including shopping centers, open around 9 am and close around 5 pm, with some hours longer during the holiday season in December.


Old City: Situated around the St. Lawrence River, Old Quebec is full of cobblestone streets lined with boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants, alongside several historical sites like the Citadel. A good home base is Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Overlooking Dufferin Terrace, it's considered to be one of the most photographed hotels in the world because of its castle-like appearance and exceptional views.

Old Port: One of the city's oldest neighborhoods, Old Port is home to a marina, making it a great jumping-off point for boat tour excursions. Take a walk to Petit-Champlain, considered one of the most popular shopping districts in Quebec City, with over 40 shops lining its quaint streets.


Public transportation: Quebec City's local bus network is the Réseau de Transport de la Capitale (RTC), which provides services downtown and into the suburbs. A funicular directly links Dufferin Terrace, Quartier Petit-Champlain, Place-Royale, and the Old Port.

By taxi: Taxis in Québec City are plentiful and can quickly be hailed on the street or from a hotel. Travelers can also use several companies, including Taxi Coop Québec and Uber.

By bike: There are several popular bike trails, most of which start in the Old Port. Bike rental reservations can be made with companies like Echo Sports.

Airport transfers: Taxis are readily available at the airport, or you can use Uber.


Kristin Braswell
Kristin Braswell is travel journalist and founder of CrushGlobal Travel. She has penned pieces for Vogue, CNN, USA Today, Essence, NPR, Architectural Digest, Ebony and The Los Angeles Times. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.