Top 20 Amazing Things to do in Old Quebec City

The city is divided into upper town and lower town. The upper town is the military as well as administrative base of the city because of its strategic position atop of Cap Diamant. Initially it was occupied by the British while French and English merchants lived in the Lower Town. The Lower Town is the historic district located at the bottom of Cap Diamant. A funicular car allows easy transportation between the two towns.

The city is well-connected to nearby places by means of rail as well as air transport. Gare Du Palais is the train and bus station in Old Quebec. Via Rail is a intercity passenger rail service that operates regular rail service to Montreal. The city is 16 kms away from Quebec's Jean Lesage International Airport.So,getting to this place is extremely easy.

The city's economy is mainly based on tourism, transportation, services, and defence. The main industries are wood, pulp and paper, food, metal,chemicals, and electronics. The provincial government is the city's biggest employers.

Whatever kind of traveller you are, this city has everything to offer.If you are a nature-lover, you have multiple sites to visit. If you have interest in history, the place has beautiful palaces, architectural sites, forts, and museums. You can also enjoy various festivals organized throughout the year. Satisfy your hunger at the best Canadian restaurants.

So here is the list of 20 things you must definitely do in Old Quebec:

Standing tall for 125 years on a cliff top is a beautiful hotel called Chateau Frontenac. Get yourself photographed outside it and take in the beautiful architecture. Enjoy a small brunch at the Le Champlain or Le Sam restaurants inside. If you wish to enjoy delicious cocktails,there is a bar called 1608 which offers beautiful views of the St Lawrence River.

Instead of choosing a single restaurant, you can go on this food tour to sample many different cuisines while learning about the city and meeting new people. All you need to do is buy a ticket costing about 65$ which includes 12 delicious tastings. You can enjoy these delicacies almost every day at 11:00 AM.

Citadelle is the oldest military building in Canada and it still functions today. Learn about the city's military history and how it works today. Witness the changing of guard ceremony inside the building at a specific time in the morning. The Citadelle de Quebec is the largest fortress built by the British. It has been standing for 200 years.

Know more about the military secrets used for iconic battles of Quebec City by viewing the light and sound show at the Musee du Fort. Each visitor is given a 30-minute multimedia exhibition about the history of battles and the attack on the city. The show is organized in such a way that every minute is exciting and you gain a lot of knowledge, too.

Augustine's Monastery was basically a hospital that was opened in 1639 by the Augustine Nuns to care for the sick. Despite no medical advancements during that time, this hospital had the highest curing rate. Quebec was far from France and to avoid dependency on imported medicines the nuns started growing medicinal plants and quickly mastered the science of healing. This institution has been renovated over the years and turned into a of museums, healthy restaurants, holistic centre, and hotel.

The Augustine Monastery was about health so this Ursuline’s mission was to educate and teach the girls in New France, both native as well as outsiders. The museum now portrays their progress and the influence they created in educational system throughout America.

At this very place the Quebec city was founded in 1608 by Samuel De Champlain. It served as trading post, a storehouse and even a fort back in 15th century. Visit this place to witness the French Canadian civilisation and one of the continent's oldest stone church called Notre-Dame-des Victoires Church lies at this very spot. The New France Festival is organised here each August as a tribute to what life was here in 17th and 18th century.

Enjoy some bread, cheese, wine and saucisson in town's oldest grocery store - Epicerie J.A. Moisan and move over to the Plains of Abraham for stunning views of Old Quebec and enjoy the amazing weather.

During summers, this place is full of singers and entertainers showcasing their talent. During the winters, you'll find thrill seekers going down to try the century-old wooden toboggan run. After climbing a few stairs, you'll get a breathtaking view of the Chateau, the river, the city, and the surrounding mountains. It has a fairytale castle to amaze the visitors with its charm.

This 200-year-old building was previously a prison, but now it is Quebec's flagship English language cultural hub. It is home to a Victorian-Era library with 25,000 books, a very old chemistry lab, and Canada’s first learned societies. You can even book a traditional afternoon tea with period costumes. Walk through the jail cells and discover fascinating things about the city's history.

This is one of the most underrated places to visit in Old Quebec. But you'll be truly amazed by the Scandinavian feel coming from this completely renovated building. It is dedicated to Quebecois creativity with a focus not only on literature but also on visual arts as well.

The charming streets surrounding the Old port are best for strolling around looking and shopping at antique stores visiting art galleries and eating at sidewalk cafes. This street also has historical houses which were once home to wholesale grocers and grain merchants.

A ferry service operates on the St Lawrence River which runs between the capital and adjacent neighbour Levis. Sit and enjoy breathtaking views of Quebec City.

The Terrace Dufferin lies next to Chateau Frontenac and has mysterious remains. The archaeologists later found evidence which proved that the governor's official residence was located on this spot. The New France's most powerful seat was here from 1620 to 1834. It is now possible to explore remains of Chateau Saint-Louis which has 120 artefacts and is designed such that you can tour it via augmented reality.

It is basically a gallery showcasing beautiful work of a selected number of indigenous artists of Northern Canada. It is dedicated to encourage these artists to pursue their artististic talent and continue the art forms of their ancestral times. In the gallery, you will find stone carvings and beautiful paintings displayed throughout.

Taste local products like ice wines, terrines, fresh blueberry juice, and maple syrup. Mingle with the locals on this waterfront. And if the weather supports, you can have a picnic near the marina by bringing along your favourite things for picnic.

The elevated Promenade is a giant broadwalk that connects Plains of Abraham to Dufferin Terrace and Chateau Frontenac. But walking along this route is not easy as the cliffs are quite steep, and you have to climb 300 steps to get to the top. But the views of the Old Quebec as well as Island of Orleans and the river are worth making the climb.

Although the city is known for its age-old history, Quebec manages to entertain you with parties and events generally free of cost. The musical events are Festival d’été de Québec, Envol et Macadam. Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France is a historical festival. Shows like the Loto-Québec fireworks festival and Crepuscule Circus Show are also entertaining. One of the most popular shows is the Winter Carnival which has skiing, ice sculptures, and an ice castle. This town never fails to entertain you.

Quebec has undergone a total makeover in terms of food and restaurants. It is now home to many imaginative and futuristic restaurants that are definitely a must-visit. The best cafes in the city are: Chez Boulay Comptoir Boreal, Paillard Cafe-Boulangerie, La Maison Smith and Artefact Cafe. Some of the best bars are Pub des Borgia, 1608 Wine and Cheese Bar, L'Oncle Antoine, Pub St- Alexandre, Pub St-Patrick, and Bar Ste Angele. Some renowned restaurants are Bistro L'Orygine, Le Lapin Saute, Louise Taverne, Conti Caffe, Restaurant Initiale, Le Sam, Laurie Raphael, and Chez Boulay.

Fou du Bio: This store offers organic and artisanal food products like pasta, flour, jams, meats, oils, bread, maple syrup, and more. It has an awesome collection of Quebec wines too.

Marche du Vieux Port: This store is ideal for finding authentic local goods, beautiful jewellery as well as to grab a fresh meal on the go. This store is one of the best places in the city to buy edible souvenirs.

Candeur Savonnerie Artisanal: It helps you relax on your holiday by offering you a hot bubble bath with artisanal soaps decked with lovely scents and ingredients used is goat's milk and fine oils.

Metiers d'Art du Quebec: It is basically an organization that finds local artisans who create handmade art and craft to sell in a yearly trade show. It has two shops which are located on the Vieux Port. In these shops, you can find decorative objects, handmade jewellery, fashion accessories, kitchen tools, toys, and works of art by local artists.

Amimoc Boutique: This boutique sells something specifically Canadian. Their shoes, boots, and moccasins are a piece of Quebec, and you can wear them wherever you go.

Lili & Olivia: This store holds everything a lady loves. From clothes, shoes, jewellery to home decor it has everything a woman may want.

Rituels: This is basically a salon for men which offers everything from shaving sets to skin and hair care.

St Paul Street is located at the foot of Chateau Frontenac in the quieter part of the lower town. This street is famous throughout the city for best antiques in the province. These shops have beautiful antique jewellery that you can carry back home easily.

Founded in 1663, this is the oldest educational institute in Canada. It became a national historic site in 1929 and continues to amaze visitors with its white-washed courtyard and wrought iron gate.

Pape Georges V tavern is a 400-year-old stone building which is famous for its atmospheric vaulted ceilings. Order a Black velvet drink which is made of half cider and half stout beer.

The Funiculaire is nothing but the cable car that ascends and descends the steep hill that separates the upper town and the lower town of Old Quebec. This is a short trip for a small price that helps you avoid climbing up the stairs and also gives you an exquisite view of the city.

Old Quebec is known for its classical architecture and a different European feel. You can witness beautiful architecture all around the city. You have numerous places to visit like churches, museums, forts, palaces, multiple shopping options, and dining places. In addition, this city is a host to many festivals and events throughout the year.

The best time to visit Old Quebec would be June through September and December through February. These are the summer and wintertimes respectively, and you need to book in advance as the social calendar during this time is packed with festivals. The ideal duration to visit this city would be 6 nights and 7 days as you have so much to see.

Some of the most famous food options served in the city are meat pie, french fries with gravy and cheese curds, baked beans and maple syrup. Other typical items include omelets, crepes, mussels, pasta, steak, fries, and fish.

Here we suggest the 10 best places where you can click the best photographs in the city:

Basin Louise: This location has a supreme view of boats docked at Port of Quebec Marina. From this location, you can make out why locals call it lower town and upper town. It is located near Rue Dalhousie

Rue Couillard: A quiet street in Old Quebec old houses.

Escape 400e: Post-sunset, the Bunge Silos transforms into beautiful sculptures of light. Location: In the old port

Rue du Sault-Au-Matelot: A street with architecture reminding of Old Europe.Location: In the old port

Quebec Seminary Courtyard: This rectangular courtyard is painted in beautiful white, and it contrasts beautifully with the blue of sky.

Montmorency Park: This park is present on a ridge top and gives a panoramic view of the St. Lawrence River. Hence, it is the ideal location to take pictures. Location: At the top of Côte de la Montagne

Place de la FAO: The place has the FAO fountain, and stunning architecture of old financial district bring out beautiful pictures.

Pierre-Dugua-De Mons Terrace: At night, when the city is decked in light, the atmosphere here cannot be described in words. This place provides stunning views of St. Lawrence River, the Dufferin Terrace, and Château Frontenac.

Pillar Murals: These are beautiful hand-painted pillars supporting a highway. These are true work of art and depicts the artists’ imagination.

Dauphine Redoubt: It is basically a part of the fort surrounding the old city. Once upon a time, it was used for city's defence.

With so many places to see around this town, Old Quebec should definitely be on your travel list. The city is rich in history but maintains modernity as well. The locals keep you entertained with free-of-cost festivals and events while you enjoy the history and beauty of the town. To get benefits on your travel bookings and discounted hotel accommodation, we suggest that you pre-book your vacation. To simplify your itinerary, you can take a look at the places we have listed here.