Things to do in  Quebec

With its narrow, cobbled streets and historic 17th- and 18th-century homes and monuments, there’s no other place in Canada that feels quite like Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec). As the only existing fortified city north of Mexico, it’s full of living history, rich Quebecois culture, and European-style charm. The historic district of Old Quebec—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is a must-see when in Quebec City.

St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal (L'Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal) located in Montreal’s Westmount neighborhood, is Canada’s largest church and a registered National Historic Site. Started as a small chapel in 1904, the Roman Catholic basilica has grown to contain a cryptic church, a museum, gardens, a 56-bell carillon, and one of the largest church domes in the world.

Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal) charms visitors with its picturesque squares, grand architecture, and winding cobblestone streets. Whether you’re exploring the Old Port, walking down the main street of Rue Saint-Paul, or people-watching from a cozy café, it’s easy to feel transported back in time—and across continents—here. The historic quarter dates back to New France, and remains among the best-preserved Old Towns in North America.

It might not be Canada’s tallest or most famous waterfall, but Montmorency Falls is impressive nonetheless; at 272 feet (83 meters), the cascade measures almost 100 feet (30 meters) higher than Niagara Falls. Just minutes from downtown Quebec, Montmorency Falls Park sits at the meeting point of the Montmorency and St Lawrence River, affording spectacular views of the natural wonder from all angles.

The exterior of the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal may look like any other Gothic Revival church, but the inside is where the true wonder lies. The pale blue ceiling is dotted and traced with gold, and the paintings, statues, and stained glass are richly colored. Despite being located in the busy streets of Old Montreal, the church is a calming respite from the buzz of the city.

Running alongside the famous Château Frontenac in Quebec City, Dufferin Terrace (Terrasse Dufferin) is a wide boardwalk offering views of the city and the St. Lawrence river. In the summer, gazebos along the promenade host street performers and musicians, while in winter, the popular Les Glissades de la Terrasse toboggan run draws locals and visitors alike.

Mount Royal (Mont Royal), a 764-foot (233-meter) “mountain” in the midst of urban Montreal, is much-loved by locals and visitors alike, with Montrealers frequenting the leafy slopes as if the area were their own backyard. Cyclists, joggers, sunbathers, picnickers, and strollers abound in the summer, while snowshoers, tobogganers, ice skaters, and cross-country skiers dominate in winter. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted—the creative force behind New York City’s Central Park—the 470-acre (190-hectare) Mount Royal Park (Parc du Mont-Royal) encompasses forest trails, monuments, and grassy meadows. On a clear day, the views from the Mount Royal summit lookout can’t be beat.

The passing of centuries has had little impact on Quebec's Royal Square (Place-Royale), a 17th-century plaza that has been at the center of Quebec City life since Samuel de Champlain founded the city in 1608. The Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, the oldest stone church in North America, still stands here, and the Fresque des Québécois mural can be seen nearby.

Part of Battlefields Park, the grassy expanse of the Plains of Abraham (Plaines d'Abraham) was the setting for a major military clash in 1759, which led to the British takeover of New France—a battle that is well-documented in the Plains of Abraham Museum. The park is an outdoor playground for Quebec City residents who come here to stroll, cycle, jog, sled, and cross-country ski.

Montreal's Place d’Armes, meaning parade square, is a major public venue in Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal). The picturesque plaza is bordered by some of Montreal’s most notable architectural landmarks, including the 17th-century Saint-Sulpice Seminary, the Gothic Revival-style Notre-Dame Basilica, and the art deco Aldred Building.

During the 17th century, Quebec City’s charming Old Port (Vieux-Port) was bustling with European vessels and crews offloading supplies to New France. Now thronged with passengers from incoming cruise ships, the area is filled with historic buildings occupied by art galleries, boutiques, and inviting French-influenced restaurants.

Once a busy shipping hub, the Old Port of Montreal (Vieux Port de Montréal) is now an entertainment center stretching along the St. Lawrence River. In addition to the promenade, the port is also home to the Montreal Science Centre, La Grande Roue de Montréal, an observation wheel, a boat spa, and seasonal outdoor attractions including an urban beach and an ice rink.

The oldest Christian parish north of Mexico, the grandiose Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral started life as a much more modest church in 1647 but was damaged and rebuilt several times—most recently in the 1920s following a devastating fire. The basilica is a must-see for anyone with an interest in architecture, art, and history.

One of Canada’s most-visited shrines, the Shrine of Saint-Anne-de-Beaupré (Sanctuaire de Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré) attracts more than a million pilgrims every year. Though the shrine’s origins can be traced back to the 17th century, the colossal twin-spired basilica that stands today—which dwarfs the modest village in which it sits—is much newer, having opened only in 1934.

Home to a half-dozen heritage villages, Île d’Orléans feels like a relic of the past. Measuring 21 miles (34 kilometers) long and 5 miles (8 kilometers) wide, this finger-like sliver of an island charms visitors with its expansive, fertile farmland, dotted with vineyards, apple orchards, and sugar bush. Located on the St. Lawrence River just downstream of Quebec City, it’s an easy escape from city life, even if for an afternoon.