Quebec City attractions

With sweeping views over potential enemy attack lines on the Saint-Charles River and the plateau west of Quebec City, this site was originally established as a defensive stronghold by the French in the 17th and 18th centuries. It later served as an ammunition factory, producing cartridges for the Canadian army up until the 1960s.

Located in the walkable heart of Old Quebec (Vieux Quebec), the Roman Catholic Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church (Église Notre-Dame-des-Victoires) is among the oldest in North America. Construction of the small stone church began in 1688 on the site of Samuel de Champlain’s original settlement, and it remains a beloved landmark.

Quebec City’s National Museum of Fine Arts (Musée National des Beaux-Arts) houses one of the largest collections of Quebec art in the world. Situated behind the scenic Plains of Abraham (Battlefields Park), the museum’s pavilions showcase famed Canadian artists such as Jean-Paul Riopelle and an impressive Inuit art collection.

This anthropological museum details Quebec’s social and political history. Objects, films, and interviews are used to explain key topics in the province’s history, such as the influence and control of the Catholic Church, the rise of the sovereignty movement, and the experiences of Quebec’s Aboriginal, First Nations, and Inuit communities.

Quebec City visitors in the mood for a scenic stroll won’t want to miss the Promenade Samuel-De Champlain. Popular with cyclists and runners, the waterfront park is a must for city goers looking to escape the busy streets for a few hours.

The Aquarium du Quebec is a family-friendly destination and home to more than 10,000 marine animals. Kids learn about the magic of the marine world through visits to tanks, marine mammals like polar bears and walrus, and educational exhibits. Animal feedings and trainings, seasonal events, and a riverside picnic area are also popular.

Set on the 31st floor of the tallest skyscraper in Quebec City, this observatory offers a 725-foot (221-meter high vantage point from which to admire the storybook sights of the UNESCO-listed old town. See Château Frontenac, the city’s fortifications, Parliament Hill as well as the St. Lawrence River and the Laurentian Mountains.

A former industrial area transformed into a hip urban neighborhood, Saint-Roch in downtown Quebec City is home to bars, restaurants, shops, and galleries and is the city’s nightlife epicenter. Take the Faubourg elevator from this youthful, vibrant quarter to the Upper Town for sweeping views.

The only ice hotel in North America, the Hôtel de Glace, just outside Quebec City, takes five weeks to build every year from over 500 tons of ice and 15,000 tons of snow. Construction begins in late November, and the finished building contains guest rooms, a bar, and even a wedding chapel.

Quebec City’s Fort Museum (Musée du Fort) is known for its light and sound show that recounts the compelling military history of the only fortified city in North America. Located directly in front of the Château Frontenac, the informative museum offers a convenient, kid-friendly way to learn about—and kick off your visit to—Quebec City.

At the confluence of the St. Charles and St. Lawrence rivers, the bustling Port of Quebec (Port de Québec) offers access to one of Canada’s most well-known tourist destinations: the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec). Passengers dock right in the heart of Quebec, at the Ross Gaudreault terminal.

Straddling the St Lawrence River, the tree-covered hills of the Charlevoix region make up one of the most picturesque areas in the province of Quebec. In winter, Charlevoix is home to one of the best ski hills in the region while in summer and fall, hiking, biking, and whale watching take center stage.

Quebec City visitors can enjoy summer-style fun all year round at the family-friendly, indoor Bora Parc waterpark. Just grab your swimsuit (even if it's snowing outside), and get ready to splash around. Hop into indoor pools, wind your way down waterslides, and hone your surfing skills on an indoor surf wave.

Quebec visitors looking for adventure shouldn't miss Via Ferrata Montmorency, a guided outdoor excursion through Parc de la Chute-Montmorency full of adrenaline-fueled activities, such as zip lining and rock climbing. Not for the faint of heart, this tour will help you enjoy the best of this beautiful park.

On the north shore of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec’s Charlevoix region, Baie-Saint-Paul is a picturesque small town known for its galleries, gourmet food scene, and summer art festival. The acrobatic performance group Cirque du Soleil was also founded here in the 1980s.

Situated within the Quebec Seminary (Séminaire de Québec, a former Catholic training college, this museum chronicles French colonial history and Francophone culture in North America. The building dates back to the 17th-century, making it one of Quebec City’s oldest, and has been designated a National Historic Site by Parks Canada.

La Malbaie is a group of towns in central Quebec that served as Canada’s first vacation resort. Known for its scenic landscape and views of the St. Lawrence River, La Malbaie was the site of US President William Taft’s summer home and continues to entertain visitors with its popular casino, chalets, and outdoor activities.