Curator’s statement
Quebec City had long been on my bucket list for its quintessential winter wonderland charm. If you’re anything like me, you probably have countless Pinterest boards filled with dream destinations — maybe even some dedicated specifically to travel inspiration (or is that just me?). For years, I had saved beautiful images of Quebec City, imagining the day I’d finally experience it in person.
So when we found an affordable flight, we knew we had to jump on the opportunity. Let me tell you — it did not disappoint! The city was everything I had hoped for, and now I’m already dreaming of a return trip with our family.
One of the things I loved most about Quebec City was its distinctly European feel but accessible access. I’ve always adored Europe, especially Paris and Rome, but with flights taking 7–8 hours, those trips aren’t always the easiest to plan or get to. What made Quebec City so appealing was that it offered a similar European charm, much closer to home, at 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Founded in 1608 by French explorer Samuel de Champlain, the city is rich in French heritage, and that influence is still alive today. Many locals speak both French and English (along with other languages), making it a culturally immersive yet accessible experience for American travelers. If you love the charm of France, but cannot make the trip to Europe, I highly recommend Quebec City!
The Fora Difference
Book with Catherine to access exclusive perks and experiences on your trip.
Killer perks
Free upgrades, spa credits and more—we got you
Personalized recs
Customized travel planning for your style
Insider knowledge
Expert advice from people who’ve actually been there
Where to stay in Quebec City, Canada
Unlock perks by contacting Catherine to book your trip.
Things to do in Quebec City, Canada
Shopping in Old Quebec
Le Petit Champlain
This area is the most picturesque heart of the city. Almost every photo of Quebec City you see will feature either Le Petit Champlain or Château Frontenac. We walked through this area almost every day, exploring its charming chocolate shops, restaurants, patisseries, art galleries and boutiques — there’s so much to see and do!
Rue Saint-Louis
Another beautiful shopping street filled with historic buildings, restaurants and shops.
Quebec City - Levis Ferry
Take a short, 15 minute ferry ride across the Saint Lawrence River. It gives a very unique view of the city!
Montmorency Falls
At 83 meters (272 feet) high, it’s 30 meters (98 feet) taller than Niagara Falls! The location was stunning, and we kept thinking about how beautiful it must be in different seasons.
The cost was around $10 per person, and we paid an extra $5–$10 for a cable car ride down to the bottom for a different perspective.
Ice skating at Place D'Youville
Spend some time ice skating with no admission fee and rent skates for $10 for adults or $5 for children.
Winter Carnaval
This occurs every year around the first week of February and is a big festival that people from all over Canada come to enjoy. They had attractions like music, ice sculptures, ice palace, ice skating, parades, food, etc.
Day trips
Dog sledding:
This was truly one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had! Definitely a bucket list item for me, and I already cannot wait to take our children back someday. After reading countless reviews of different companies, we chose Secrets Nordiques because we felt confident in how they care for their working dogs and the overall organization of the company.
The site was just a 40-minute drive from Quebec City, and we booked the earliest time slot (9–11 am) to maximize our day and be back in time for lunch. Upon arrival, we checked in and received a safety lesson on handling the sled and leading the dogs. Within about 30 minutes, we were off on an unforgettable one-hour ride through breathtaking winter landscapes. Midway through, we took a break to stretch our legs, pet the dogs and capture some amazing photos. You also had the option to switch sled drivers if you wanted to.
This experience is fantastic for all kinds of travelers, including families with young children. The age limit is six years old, and the cost was around $170 per person, which we found comparable to other companies in the area—and truly, it was worth every penny!
Places to eat & drink in Quebec City, Canada
Below is a list of some restaurants to check out. I highly recommend making reservations before you come to ensure you get into where you are wanting to try, especially if you are coming during the holiday season where Quebec City is so popular.
Casual brunch/lunch/dinner:
La Buche - Our absolute favorite. We went here twice, and went back and forth about visiting for a third! THAT’S how much we loved it. Classic Quebecois food, hearty and delicious!
Polina Pizzeria - Come here for pizza and pasta, delicious and homemade crust. Just fabulous.
Unique dining experiences:
Le Lapin Saute - This restaurant is positioned right in the main area of Quartier Petit Champlain, and is so picturesque inside and out! Admittedly, I was a bit nervous about this pick because everything was centered around rabbit dishes, which I had never had, but it was incredibly tasty. Don’t let that stop you from coming here, there are several other choices if rabbit is not your thing. This restaurant came highly recommended in several reviews, so we gave it a shot and were SO glad we did.
Tanière³ - I could write a whole post about the experience here. This was the most incredible dining experience we have ever had. Choose to either move through several dining rooms throughout the meal or sit at the chef’s table, all on a blinded tasting menu experience.
Drinks/cocktails
La Maison Smith - A cute coffee and pastry shop - well known for their hot chocolate!
Le Petit Dep - Another classic coffee and pastry shop, but also has takeaway snacks/sandwiches, located in Petit Champlain.
Pub L’Oncle Antoine - A classic, stone pub where we had a beer break and the best French onion soup of the trip! This was a great place to stop to warm up with its cozy vibe and fireplaces.
1608 Bar -I’d recommend coming here if you are eating at one of the hotel restaurants, or are not staying at the Chateau Frontenac but want to come for a cocktail and check out the hotel.
Jjacques - Classy speakeasy and seafood/oyster bar.
Need to know
Things to consider:
Like any city, be prepared to do a lot of walking. We averaged 10,000–20,000 steps per day, and since much of the city sits on higher ground, there are plenty of stairs to navigate — especially when heading to the historic shopping district and many restaurants. If you're traveling with young children in strollers or have any mobility concerns, this is definitely something to keep in mind.
For an easier way to get around, consider taking the Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec, a cable car that connects the upper and lower parts of the city. It costs $10 per person for a round trip ($5 if you just do one way), and we found it especially helpful when we needed a break from all the climbing.
I personally think this is the perfect trip to do in 3-4 days - maybe a long weekend! We did a ton of activities and had 4 full days and felt like that was more than enough.
Travel Advisor
Catherine Dixon
Get in touch with Catherine
Did you like this guide? Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.
You can expect a response from Catherine within 1–2 business days. You’ll also be subscribed to our traveler newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time).
For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Quebec page.