Two Days In Quebec City

In Quebec City, we explored the remains of a fort underground, toured the historic Old Town, and saw the nearly 300-foot Montmorency Falls.

(If you’re planning a road trip from the Midwest to Canada, you can visit Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia all in one drive. So here was our amazing Canadian adventure!)

Hôtel Château Laurier Quebec

Our first stop was checking into the hotel. The view from the room included the St. Lawrence River in the distance. The hotel also has a pool, convenience store, covered parking, and nearby reasturants.

Address: 1220 Pl. George-V Ouest, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 5B8, Canada

*In front of the Parliament Building in Quebec City*

*Fountains near the Parliament Building*

CITY WALK

The first day we walked past the Parliament Building, which is surrounded by gardens and fountains.

La Citadelle de Québec

Then we walked along the perimeter of La Citadelle de Québec, the large fort that protects the city and is still used for military purposes. In the morning, they still have the changing of the guard, which we saw the last time we were here. We walked around it but did not go inside.

Although luckily the soldiers were doing some marching, and we were able to see it.

Hours: 10 am – 4 pm, daily

Cost: $22, adults; $20, seniors; $20, students; $8, children; 10 and under free; $50, family, max. 2 adults and 3 children under 18

Address: 1 Côte de la Citadelle, Quebec, QC G1R 3R2, Canada

Next, we headed down to the Dufferin Terrace near the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, which is a castle-like hotel.

Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral

We walked through the old city. We entered the stone Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, built in 1647. Here rest four governors of New France, the bishops of the diocese of Québec, and a funeral chapel dedicated to François de Laval.

Hours: 7:30 am – 4 pm, Monday-Saturday; 8:30 am – 4 pm, Sunday.

Address: 16 Rue De Buade, Quebec, QC G1R 4A1, Canada

D’Orsay Restaurant

Dinner was at nearby D’Orsay, where poutine, a French treat of cheese curds and gravy, was on the menu.

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday

Address: 65 Rue De Buade, Quebec, QC G1R 4A2, Canada

Next, we walked along the old city wall through the St. Jean Gate and then the St. Louis Gate.

You can still walk along some of the walls and I even found a cannon along one.

Going to Lower Town

The next day we started the morning with a walk to the lower part of the old town to the Naval Museum of Quebec.

I took pictures of the historic stone buildings as we walked.

One even had eyes.

Another had a huge mural of life in the 1700’s.

Naval Museum of Quebec

The museum has artifacts of naval equipment.

An interactive display that my son enjoyed to help him learn history.

Hours: 9 am – 5 pm, Wednesday – Sunday; Closed Monday – Tuesday

Address: 170 Rue Dalhousie, Quebec, QC G1K 8M7, Canada

From the museum, we went along the river.

As we headed back to the main area of the lower city, my son came across boulders that are now part of an art project.

One was set up like a jet ski.

Three of them together formed a jeep.

Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec

Next, we took the funicular back up to the upper city.

My son enjoyed the ride, which is a lot easier than trudging up roads.

Hours: 9 am – 10 pm, daily

Admission: $3.70

Address: 16 Rue du Petit Champlain, Quebec, QC G1K 4H4, Canada

Saint-Louis Forts and Castles National Historic Site

Beneath the terrace are the remains of the Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site.

You can tour this hidden area below the city.

David and I enjoyed looking at the relics on display.

There are also many informational displays.

My son found the hidden areas that you would come across.

*My son was showered by water on a small waterfall off the main falls.*

If you have a child, this is definitely something to do.

Hours: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Wednesday-Thursday; 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Friday; 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Saturday-Monday; 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tuesday.

Admission: $11.25, Adults; $10.75, Seniors; $7, Children

Address: Dufferin Terrace, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 6C7, Canada

Montmorency Falls

Our last major activity was a trip to Montmorency Falls.

You can walk around it from top to bottom but this is not an easy hike either way with a lot of stairs.

Admission: $3.78, Adults; $3.48, Seniors; and free for children.

Parking: $3.78 per vehicle.

Hours: 9 am – 6 pm, daily.

Address: 5300 Bd Sainte-Anne, Beauport, QC G1C 0M3, Canada

Cable Car at Montmorency Falls

If you want to go to the top of the falls the easy way is the cable car.

$14.95 Adult; 5 and under, Free; 6-17, $7.48; $13.46, 65 and Older and Family rates are available. Cost is for roundtrip although if you go one way even going down is a long walk. For more information go online.

After the waterfall, we headed back to the hotel.

The next day we head to New Brunswick.

MORE CANADIAN ADVENTURES

Hopewell Rocks and Fundy National Park Adventure

Walk on the sea floor at low tide among rock formations at Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park and explore the forested coast at Fundy National Park in New Brunswick.

After staying the night in Halifax we headed to Hopewell Rocks. We only stopped for lunch and had to manage our time for the drive based on the tides, which is important if you want to walk on the ocean floor.

PEI Ferry, Titanic, and Halifax Citadel Exploring

Take the ferry from Prince Edward Island to Nova Scotia to go to Halifax to explore the Citadel and see the Titanic exhibit at the Maritime Museum.

Parlee Beach Fun and Prince Edward Island Touring

Shopping at Fredericton’s Farmers Market, and swimming at the warmest beach in Canada, Parlee Beach, before staying the night in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

Fredericton and the World’s Longest-Covered Bridge

From Quebec City, we visited waterfalls and drove through the 1,282-foot-long Hartland Covered Bridge before arriving in picturesque Fredericton.

Short Trip to Montreal

See a giant apple, drive by a Thousand Islands, tour the War of 1812 Fort Wellington, and check out the Olympic Park Biodome in Montreal! After stopping in Toronto, we headed to Canada’s second city, Montreal, and checked out more amazing places along the way.