Is Québec City Worth Visiting? 14 Reasons Your Canadian Vacation Should Include This City

Step into the heart of French-speaking North America with a visit to Québec City, where cobblestone streets, centuries-old cathedrals and a rich cultural heritage create a setting that feels straight out of a fairytale. As the capital of the Québec province, it offers a captivating blend of history, charm and adventure.

Québec City is easy to enjoy. As one of the oldest and most charming cities in North America, each street tells a story. If you're not yet convinced that your Canadian vacation should include a trip to Québec City, read on to learn why Québec City should secure a place on your Canadian vacation itinerary.

Beyond the postcard-perfect facades of Québec City lies a vibrant community filled with bakeries, cozy restaurants, indie boutiques and a thriving arts scene. This is a place that invites you to wander slowly, savor deeply and immerse yourself in culture, whether you're sipping cider on Île d’Orléans, exploring the ramparts of Old Québec or hiking through the beautiful landscape.

With its year-round festivals, riverside views and warm hospitality, Québec City promises to be a place that you'll make memories to last a lifetime.

Here are just a few reasons why Québec City deserves a spot on your Canadian vacation itinerary:

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Old Québec is the only fortified city north of Mexico, and its historic district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you stroll through the cobblestone streets and view the historic buildings, you'll feel like you're walking through 18th-century Québec. Old Québec is full of European charm and Québécois heritage.

The town has retained its colonial architecture for over 400 years. While you're there, you'll see the lively residents of the neighborhood while wandering through some of the oldest shopping streets in the country. If you're trying to understand Québec City, start with Old Québec. It's a place you don't want to miss. Consider taking a walking tour through this unique part of history.

While you're there, be sure to visit Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral. The church welcomes visitors throughout the year and is recognized as one of the most important historic monuments in the city. Tours are provided throughout the summer.

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Some places are just worth visiting because of their simplicity. This is how many people feel about Orleans Island (Île d'Orléans). The island has 7,000 residents in six different villages. Each municipality has its character and charm. Going to the island, you'll see an older way of life, with stunning scenery and small gourmet shops with products made from apples, jams and more.

The best way to enjoy the island is by taking a tour. Some tours combine the Île d'Orléans and Montmorency Falls, Québec's highest waterfall. Tours of this area typically focus on the history of the area as well as the agricultural industry that sustains the island's residents.

If you want to tour Île d'Orléans while enjoying a tasty glass of wine, sign up for a wine tasting on the island. You'll have the opportunity to visit multiple vineyards, taste the products of the island and learn more about the wines that the people of Île d'Orléans make every day. It's an excellent opportunity to see beautiful landscapes and historic houses while enjoying something good to drink.

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Québec City's an exceptional place to satisfy one's appetite, what with the abundance and diversity of restaurants on hand. These include some very outstanding expressions of Québécois and French-Canadian cookery, such as the multicourse culinary experience that is Restaurant Tanière³ (a AAA Five Diamond-designated establishment) as well as the seasonal fine-dining exaltation of the provincial foodshed that Laurie Raphaël (also with a AAA Five Diamond-designation) specializes in and the gastronomic celebration of Québec's terroir on offer at Bistro L'Orygine (AAA Four Diamond-designation).

Other AAA Diamond-designated winners on the Québec City dining scene look more internationally for inspiration, including the Japanese restaurant Hono Izakaya and the Italian eatery Ristorante Michelangelo.

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The St. Lawrence River is an important part of the landscape of Québec City. On the river, you can see many important buildings and landmarks and you can see it all from a guided sightseeing cruise. The sightseeing cruise takes visitors past Old Québec, Montmorency Falls, Île d'Orléans and other must-see spots. Your tour guide will teach you the fascinating history of the city.

Starting at 7 p.m., the tour information is replaced with music for a relaxing evening on the water.

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Sometimes taking a bus is easier than walking. This is why many travelers opt to take the hop-on-hop-off bus tour. The hop-on-hop-off bus provides commentary and great views from a double-decker bus. You can see the city from the comfort of a bus or get on and off to visit the sites as you wish.

The hop-on-hop-off bus is designed with travelers in mind and will take you to some of the city's most memorable places.

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Whale watching is one of Québec's signature experiences, and it's within reach of the city as a long day trip or an overnight. The Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park sits about three hours northeast of Québec City, around Tadoussac, where the Saguenay River meets the St. Lawrence and cold, nutrient-rich currents draw whales in remarkable numbers.

Thirteen whale species have been recorded in these waters, with minke, fin and humpback the most commonly seen from the water, and blue whales appearing in some seasons. Belugas live here year-round and are protected from boat approach; the shore observation sites are the place to look for them.

The tour also takes visitors through the St. Lawrence River. Seeing whales can be a truly momentous experience and with so many different types of whales in the area, you could be in for a real treat.

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Cities are full of people on bikes and now you could be one of them. When you view Québec City while riding an e-bike, you can discover the city's rich heritage in a memorable and eco-friendly way. E-bikes glide easily and can take you through the vibrant neighborhoods of Québec City.

E-bike rentals are available throughout the city, but when you sign up for an e-bike tour, you can learn more about Québec City from an experienced, knowledgeable tour guide. These tours are only appropriate for people in good physical shape and with bike riding experience.

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Less than an hour from downtown Québec City is Jacques-Cartier National Park, a park full of trails, nature and wilderness. Tours are available or you can visit the park independently.

Tours may include breaks to sample local food and drinks while you learn more about the local culture, people and landscape that helped shape Québec City into what it is today.

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The Québec National Museum of Fine Arts (Musée National des Beaux-Arts) holds more than 40,000 works spanning the 17th century to the present, the most comprehensive collection of Québec art anywhere, including a significant holding of Inuit art.

A visit to this museum will help you learn more about the people of the city, starting from its earliest inhabitants. The museum also holds the largest collection of art books in Québec as well as a restaurant where you can get something to eat.

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Albert Gilles, a Québec City resident and artist, created embossed copper for famous people, including Walt Disney and Pope Pius XII. You can see many of his works at the Albert Gilles Copper Art Museum and Boutique. The museum is run by his wife, daughters and granddaughters. While there, you can also shop at the museum boutique.

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The Charlevoix region is an area shaped by a meteorite over 400 million years ago. It's known for its breathtaking beauty, excellent provincial parks and sightseeing opportunities. In the Charlevoix Region, you can hike, scale peaks, enjoy excellent dining opportunities in restaurants and relax. The area is also known for its excellent hospitality, so you can consider an overnight stay in one of the many hotels.

For a unique experience during your visit, consider horse riding in Saint Paul Valley, where you'll enjoy immersion in the beautiful landscape. This is an opportunity you can enjoy whether you're an experienced rider or a beginner. Riding a horse allows you to see Charlevoix from a unique perspective and gives you an opportunity to make lasting memories.

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Overlooking the St. Lawrence River from its bold position surmounting Cap Diamant (Cape Diamond), the Citadelle of Québec stands as one of the greatest historical landmarks not only in the province, but all of Canada. While the bulk of this star-shaped fortress dates from construction between 1820 and 1831, its earliest roots reach back into the era of New France: It includes the 1693-1694 Cape Diamond Redoubt, among the oldest standing military structures in Canada, as well as the 1750-built Powder Magazine. Part of Québec City's broader fortifications, the Citadelle incorporates the Dalhousie Gate, the one historical gate in that Old Québec defensive walling that wasn't modified to accommodate vehicular traffic.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site and Canadian National Historic Site offers guided tours year-round and fascinating museum exhibits that complement the historical architecture, not to mention superb views over the riverfront. It's also, notably, still an active military garrison, the Royal 22^e Regiment having been stationed here since 1920.

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Wendake is the home community of the Huron-Wendat Nation; a self-governing First Nations territory geographically surrounded by Québec City, about fifteen minutes from the old town. No trip to the provincial capital is complete without a visit to Wendake, which offers incredible immersive cultural experiences, outstanding dining and much more.

From the Indigenous-owned Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations to eateries such as La Traite and the Sagamité Restaurant, some of the best accommodations and cuisine in the Québec City area are yours to enjoy at Wendake. Take a deep dive into the Huron-Wendat Museum, anchored by the permanent exhibit Wendat Endi' (We the Wendat) and a traditional Iroquoian longhouse and tour a reconstruction of a historical Huron-Wendat village. From guided walks to its popular summertime pow-wow, Wendake opens up whole new dimensions of appreciation when it comes to understanding Québec City's deep history and the continued importance of its Indigenous foundation.

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Québec City's festival calendar is of the year-round and ultra-vibrant variety. Take, for instance, the Festival d'été de Québec (aka FEQ), which ranks as the biggest outdoor music festival in all of Canada. Rocking out since 1968, FEQ takes over downtown for 11 high-summer days in July and has featured everyone from the Rolling Stones, Metallica and Elton John to Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar and Bruno Mars. A goodly chunk of August in Québec City, meanwhile, is given over to Grands Feux Loto-Québec, a family-friendly bonanza of live music, dance, food and no shortage of dazzling pyrotechnics, all culminating in the Grand Finale fireworks show.

Also in August, you can step back in time in a ridiculously fun way at the New France Festival (Les Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France), which evokes Québec's French colonial era of the 17th and 18th centuries. Then there's the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec in September (which, along with the just-after Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, constitutes the only two UCI WorldTour cycling events in North America), the fall-foliage spectacular of the Great Color Adventure up on Mont-Sainte-Anne (also in September). During the holiday season, visitors can enjoy events such as the prix-fixe culinary safari of Québec Table Gourmande, the European-style Québec City German Market and Carnaval de Québec, the world's largest winter carnival.

There are many ways to get around Québec City. Many people choose to rent a car and drive to see the sights and move at their own pace. The Jean-Lesage International Airport is approximately 9 miles from Québec City's downtown area. RTC public transit connects to various bus and train stations. Taxis pick up at the airport and take riders to the city center for a flat fee.

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There are two best times of year to visit Québec City, depending on your travel goals. From June through September, the calendar is booked with festivals and the warmer weather brings tourists in large numbers. Festivals and social events are also popular December through February. The weather is cold, but Québec City is known for its hot coffee and excellent food. At these times of year, the city is popular with tourists. Learn how to savor Québec's winter season.

The shoulder seasons of spring and fall tend to see fewer visitors, making them an excellent time to enjoy lower prices and a more relaxed atmosphere. Fall brings Québec City's spectacular autumn foliage, while spring marks the arrival of fresh maple syrup and the traditions that surround its harvest.

If you still have questions about visiting Québec City, AAA can help. Here are some of the most FAQ about visiting this city

Unless you're only going to visit the central neighborhoods in the city and Old Québec, you may want a vehicle while you are in the city. If you are not going to use a car, there are many tours that offer transportation to and from hotels.

Québec City is very safe. It experiences low crime rates every year. The city also ranks in the top lists of safest North American cities. While taking public transportation, follow basic safety tips. Watch your bags and keep valuables close.

Generally, no. A small number of tourist-oriented businesses accept U.S. dollars, but most do not, and those that do set their own exchange rate; usually not in your favor. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere and apply competitive rates, and bank machines will dispense Canadian dollars from a U.S. account.

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Québec City is known for its historic charm, great shopping opportunities and excellent Québécois restaurants. There's so much to do in the city that it's hard to choose. While in Québec City, you may enjoy the excellent local cuisine, take a guided tour to learn more about the city's history and get out on the water with a boat tour.

Not sure where to start your trip? Try Old Québec, where you'll develop an understanding of the city's beginnings. Walking along the fortification walls gives you a sense of life in the 17th century.

There are free Wi-Fi access points on many commercial streets in Québec City. Look for the ZAP Québec Network. The instructions are in French only, so plan on using a translator if needed.

Québec City has cold, snowy winters and warm summers. The city receives nearly 10 feet of snow a year, among the most of any major city in North America, which is what makes its winter season so distinctive. Drift ice forms on the St. Lawrence, though the river stays navigable and the Québec–Lévis ferry runs year-round.

Whether on a budget or looking for luxury, you're sure to find a place to stay in Québec City. Find hotel rooms via Trip Canvas to stay at some of the best hotels available at the best prices. If you don't have a car and want to stay close to Old Québec, choose accommodations in the neighborhoods of Vieux-Québec, Vieux-Port, Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Saint-Roch and Montcalm.

Here are some excellent hotels that travelers enjoy staying at when they visit Québec City:

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There are many excellent restaurants in Québec City. Québécois food is a lot like French food but with a unique twist. If you enjoy trying different types of foods while you travel, you'll love Québec City. One thing not to miss is a snack dish called poutine. This dish is made up of French fries, cheese curds and hot gravy.

The city is known for excellent crepes, croissants and onion soup. Onion soup is available in many restaurants. Don't miss it.

Here are some restaurants to consider in Québec City:

Want to find more outstanding restaurants in Québec City? Let Trip Canvas guide you as you search the city for some of the best places to eat.

Québec City is affordable for travelers with a mid-range travel budget. If you'd like to visit Québec City on a tight budget, plan carefully, take advantage of travel discounts from AAA and try visiting in the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) when there are fewer tourists and lower prices. To help, here are five affordable things to do in Québec City.

Québec City is a city rich with history and Québécois heritage. It's important to take advantage of your time there and soak in all the landmarks and opportunities the city has to offer. If you're ready to plan your trip, start with AAA's Trip Canvas, where you can create an itinerary you'll love.

You can also start your vacation to Canada by planning with the AAA Travel Experts. The team at AAA Travel is here to help people like you find the best places to stay and discounts at your destination. We help AAA members access discounts on everything from hotels to rental cars to adventures.