24 Hours in Quebec City

Called “the most European city outside of Europe”, the beauty and magic of Quebec City makes it a beloved weekend destination for those looking to make romantic or family getaways. Popular in both summer and winter due to its wide range of attractions, the seventh-largest metro area in Canada is full of history and charm that has been endearing visitors for decades. Although it’s impossible to see everything worth seeing in Quebec‘s capital in just one day, 24 hours here will give you a wonderful glimpse into the heart and soul of this amazing city and leave you eager to return.

Morning

🍴Breakfast at Restaurant Aucoin de Larue

Start the day at majestic Montmorency Falls. Take a short walk through the beautiful urban natural area at Parc de la Chute-Montmorency and soak up views of Quebec’s highest waterfall. This raging cataract is even 100 feet TALLER than Niagara Falls! Above the falls is a suspension bridge that offers prime viewing, and there’s also a funitel – a hybrid between a funicular and aerial tram – that will whisk you right up to the top.

Once you’ve had your fill of waterfall fun, it’s time to head into the Old City.

Afternoon

🍴Lunch at Les Trois Garçons

Established in 1608, Quebec City is one of the oldest European settlements on the continent. A strategically important city located along the mighty St. Lawrence River, Quebec City played an instrumental role in several conflicts during Canada’s infancy. Now a World Heritage Site, the ramparts that bound Vieux-Québec are a part of the larger Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site, which are the only city walls still standing in either the US or Canada.

Another part of the site is La Citadelle de Québec, a 19th Century-era fort that houses a museum and multiple residences, including that of the Governor General of Canada, who still makes the Citadelle his home for a few weeks each summer.

Just outside the walls of the Old City, Quebec’s Parliament Building stands tall as the headquarters of the province’s National Assembly. Completed in 1886, this monolithic structure features gorgeous architecture and offers free guided tours to the public in both English and French.

Evening

As the sun starts to set on La Vieille Capitale, there’s nothing more romantic than a waltz through the Old City itself. Cute boutiques and shops galore line the brick pedestrian-only streets, while little cafes and eateries try to lure you in with the wonderful smells wafting through the air. As you explore the narrow cobblestone passageways, don’t miss Place Royale, an historic square whose centerpiece is one of the oldest churches in North America, Notre-Dame-des-Victoires.

🍴Dinner at Cochon Dingue Champlain

For just C$5 per person, you can take a short ride on the Old Quebec Funicular from the heart of the Old City all the way up to Terrasse Dufferin, which offers birds-eye views of the city, the St. Lawrence River and the entire surrounding region. The esplanade is dominated by the 18-story Château Frontenac, a grand railway hotel that is undeniably the symbol of the city.