If you live in North America and are dying to go to Europe but the budget just isn’t budgeting, visit Québec City. The architecture, the immersion into the French-Canadian culture, the food and vibes, you would honestly think you were wandering through a European city. 

As the third province in our mother-daughter eastern Canadian road trip tour, we decided to take a break from the billowing, red-sand beaches of Prince Edward Island and the lush forests and colorful towns in Nova Scotia, to head for the city. I was also curious to test how far my college French studies would get me. To be fair, I can read it quite well but start speaking to me past “Bonjour” and I might begin squinting at you.

Across Canada, I’ve found it fascinating to see the immersion of both Gaelic and French cultures throughout so many provinces. Practically as soon as you cross the border into Québec, French is what you see and hear. I met a woman from Québec while traveling in Buenos Aires so I was able to pick her brain on the city. She shared that even though she was multi-lingual, many of her friends only spoke French. Since Québec City is a tourist destination it’s no surprise to find some English available but if you were to travel farther out, you’d likely need to either brush up on your French or start prepping your hand gestures and facial expressions.

We spent three full days in Québec City, checking out all of the shops, galleries, and boulangeries, and simply walking until our feet were sore. If you’re looking for some unique activities to experience Québec City, here are a few of our favorites.

1. Explore Old Québec

   If you’re only visiting for a few days, this is the tourist crown jewel. Pack good walking shoes for the many hills and cobblestone streets and explore to your heart's content. Ahead of your trip, check out the Ville de Québec events calendar for fun activities in addition to all the shops, cafes, museums, and more.

   If you’re looking for a picturesque cobblestone street lined with shops, explore Rue du Petit Champlain. This area also offers great views of the notable Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. You can even take the Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec for a fun cable car ride from the hotel, down to the Quartier Petit Champlain and back, if the Escalier Casse-Cou (aka “Breakneck Steps”) isn’t your thing.

2. Acquire New Antiques

   I appreciate the heck out of a good antique shop and Québec City does not disappoint. These are also proper antique shops - not the antique/thrift shops you’ll often find, which can sell both authentic goods as well as a cup from Anthropologie. 

   My favorite shops were at the start of Rue Saint-Paul, between Rue Rioux and Rue du Sault-au-Matelot. I’ve been wanting to piece together a colorful tea set, and I acquired a few new pretty finds from these shops.

3. Bring Out Your Inner Art Critic

   You can’t keep me out of four types of shops: antiques, art, books, and bakeries. Lucky for us, Québec City is filled with so many to explore. Walk up the skinny cobblestoned street of Rue de Trésor, which feels more like an alley with how many artist's booths are packed in along both sides, for some off-street works. For more gallery vibes, shop along Rue Saint-Pierre and Rue du Sault-au-Matelot for your paintings and abstract works. I loved so many pieces in the Galerie Le Chien d’Or, which features family-created art, the owner's niece, Joanie Thomassin, was even in the middle of painting when we walked it! I was torn between a few pieces but hilariously walked away with a metallic chicken painting.

4. People Watch with a Coffee or a Baguette (or both!) 

   I love a good sit and stare, don’t you? Politely, of course, but just watching people with a good beverage or a yummy baked good is one of my favorite hobbies. One day, my mom and I split a baguette sandwich and popped a squat in the Place d’Armes, near the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac while we enjoyed our lunch. There is a lot of hubbub nearby and the very pretty Fountain Monument of Faith. My favorite spot for a sit was the Place Royale. It’s a little smaller but gave me vibes of eating gelato in Nice, with more of a quintessential European square vibe complete with outdoor dining options and an old gent playing the piano.

5. Grab a Bench at the Montmorency Park National Historic Site

   When you’re done touring the Quartier Petit Champlain head toward the Côte de la Montagne and walk up to Montmorency Park National Historic Site. On the way, you’ll capture unique views of the Fairmont, and walk along a few side streets that may be less frequented by tourists. The park itself is small, but offers a pretty perspective over parts of the city, looking out towards the St. Lawrence River.

   From there, you can take the Frontenac Stairs back to the upper level of the city, or walk back down to continue your gallery and antique hunt.

6. Taste the best of French Pastries

   This might have been what I was most looking forward to ahead of visiting Québec City. We ended up staying about a 15-minute walk outside of Old Town, which was a nice way to see another part of the city (that was also less heavy with foot traffic and easier for parking our car). My favorite bakery - which we went back to multiple times - was Boulangerie Louis Marchand et Compagnie. You’ll find a variety of fresh bread alongside sweets like cinnamon rolls, scones, and croissants in addition to some savory items such as pizza and sandwiches. The staff is also incredibly friendly, likely another potential perk of being a little outside of Old Town.

7. Day Trip to Île d’Orléans 

   These are the inside scoops you get when you meet people as you travel. My Buenos Aires French-Canadian pal directed me towards this island, just a 20-minute drive outside of Québec City. With views of the city from the shoreline, you feel like you’re way more than a few miles out from the hustle and bustle (honestly, felt like we’d returned to Prince Edward Island). We headed here for an easy half-day on our way out of the city. 

   Grab some chocolate at Chocolaterie de l’Île d’Orléans, follow along the road around the island, and keep an eye out for various shops and bakeries (like La Midinette) along the way. If you have time to spend, there are lots of wineries to enjoy - Vineyard Ste-Pétronille and Vineyard Isle de Bacchus came highly recommended, as well as a stop at Cassis Monna & Filles.

Enjoy your time in this beautiful French-Canadian city!

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