Things to Do in Quebec City
50 curated spots from Quebec City itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
Montmorency Falls Park
Spend the morning on the falls boardwalks, viewpoints, and suspension bridge area for a dramatic outdoor highlight.
2h · $17-25 per person
Musée de la civilisation
Interactive museum with changing exhibits about Quebec, Indigenous cultures, and the wider world; there are usually hands-on sections and kid-friendly displays.
2h · $20-25
Plains of Abraham & Parc des Champs-de-Bataille
Explore the sprawling grassy battlefield park with wooded edges, flowerbeds, and river viewpoints; follow marked paths or relax on the lawns.
2h · Free
Montmorency Falls Park (Parc de la Chute-Montmorency)
Take the cable car up or walk trails for jungle-like views of the 83 m waterfall, cross the suspension bridge, and follow wooded paths with mist and greenery all around. Allow extra time just to sit and watch the rush of water.
2h 30m · $20-30 (access + cable car, approximate)
Promenade Samuel-De Champlain
Stroll this long, landscaped riverfront park with boardwalks, art installations, and clusters of trees and wild grasses right along the St. Lawrence.
2h · Free
Old Port Riverside Promenade
Walk the waterfront, watch harbor activity, and pause for river views as the afternoon light shifts.
1h 30m · Free
Old Quebec Classique Walking Tour with Funicular
Join a guided walk through the fortifications, iconic streets, and down to Lower Town with the funicular.
2h · $40-$55 per person
Saint-Roch Neighborhood Walk
Browse independent shops, murals, cafés, and lively street life in a more contemporary part of Quebec City.
1h 30m · Free
Aquarium du Québec
Spend the morning with marine life, indoor exhibits, and outdoor spaces that work well for kids.
2h 30m · $20-30 per person
Baie de Beauport
Relax by the water with a beachy, airy setting that contrasts nicely with the city’s stone core.
1h 30m · $0-10 per person
Château Frontenac Night View
End the trip with a final look at the illuminated landmark and the river beyond it.
30m · Free
Citadelle of Québec
Tour the fortress grounds and absorb the city views; it is a strong family-friendly history stop.
1h 30m · $15-25 per person
Citadelle of Québec Exterior Walk and Plains Edge
Walk the fortifications area and nearby open green spaces for views, military history, and quiet pause points.
1h 30m · $15-$25 or Free depending on access
Dufferin Terrace & Château Frontenac Sunset Stroll
In the evening, walk the Dufferin Terrace boardwalk in front of Château Frontenac, with river views, old cannons, and street performers. There are trees behind the terrace and views down to the more wooded riverbanks.
1h · FreeDufferin Terrace & Château Frontenac Viewpoints
Walk the wide wooden boardwalk in front of Château Frontenac for sweeping river views, street musicians, and photo spots; there are benches to sit and soak in the scenery.
1h · Free
Dufferin Terrace and Château Frontenac Exterior
Start with the classic postcard view, then stroll the terrace for river panoramas and street performers.
1h 15m · Free
Dufferin Terrace and Château Frontenac Views
Take a slow romantic walk along the terrace for river views, landmark photos, and an easy transition into the afternoon.
1h · Free
Evening Stroll: Old Port Promenade
Walk the riverside promenade behind the Lower Town, watching ships and the soft evening light over the St. Lawrence. Find benches under trees and enjoy the cooler air by the water.
1h 30m · Free
Evening Walk through Saint-Jean-Baptiste
Walk the gentle slope of Rue Saint-Jean framed by trees, colorful façades, and warm neighborhood lighting, stopping wherever looks inviting for tea or dessert.
1h 30m · Free (food/drinks extra)
Final Sunset at Dufferin Terrace
Return to Dufferin Terrace for a last look at the river and Château Frontenac at sunset, finding a quiet corner along the railings or nearby park benches.
1h · Free
Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site (Ramparts Walk)
Walk a stretch of the old city walls, climb the small towers, and look down over trees, rooftops, and the river; there are signs explaining the history in simple language.
1h · $8-12
Free Explore in Petit Champlain
Leave the afternoon open for browsing boutiques, lingering by the waterfront, and revisiting favorite streets or viewpoints.
2h · Free
Free Explore Time in Old Quebec
Use this open block for souvenir browsing, one last terrace walk, or a slow café stop.
2h · Free
Free Explore: Rue Saint-Jean
Use the remaining time to browse cafés, small shops, snack stops, and lively streets without any fixed plan.
2h · Free
Free-Explore Time in Saint-Roch
Wander Rue Saint-Joseph and nearby side streets: look for murals, indie shops, and pockets of greenery along the Saint-Charles River linear park. Sit in a café or on a riverside bench and just watch local life.
2h 30m · Free (plus any drinks/snacks)
Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec
Ride the funicular for a fun family transit experience between Lower Town and Upper Town instead of a steep climb.
30m · $5-10 per person
Funicular Ride & Quartier Petit Champlain
Take the funicular down from Dufferin Terrace to the riverside and stroll through Petit Champlain’s narrow lanes, stone houses, ivy-covered corners, and small artisan shops.
2h · $5-10
Île d'Orléans Scenic Drive
Spend the day on the island’s scenic roads, farms, river views, and charming rural stops.
3h · $0-40 per person depending on transport
Île d’Orléans Scenic Drive (Self-Guided Loop)
Rent a car for the day or join a tour, then circle the island, stopping at viewpoints, orchards, and small farm stands. Look for wooded lanes, cliffs over the river, and fields that feel far from the city.
3h 30m · $40-80 (car day rental fuel share) or tour cost extra
Île d’Orléans Scenic Drive & Village Stops
Rent a car for the day or join a small-group tour, circle the island, and stop at orchards, chocolate shops, and viewpoints over the river. Look for roadside farm stands, small vineyards, and little forested stretches for that countryside jungle-like feel.
3h 30m · $40-80 per person (car rental or tour fee)Restaurants & Food
20 local favorites
Café du Monde
Choose vegetarian dishes, seafood-free options, and simple sides that are clearly halal-compatible.
1h 20m · $25-45 per person
Bistro Hortus
Order a vegetarian breakfast or brunch plate, fruit-forward options, and coffee; halal-friendly choices are available through vegetarian items only.
1h · $20-35 per person
Café-Boulangerie Paillard
Go for pastries, coffee, yogurt, fruit, and simple egg-based breakfast options; choose items without meat and confirm no alcohol-based fillings.
45m · $10-$20 per person
La Maison Smith
Choose pastry, coffee, yogurt, and fruit; ask for vegetarian-only options and avoid meat fillings.
45m · $10-$18 per person
Le Sultan
Choose halal-friendly Lebanese/Middle Eastern plates such as grilled chicken, shawarma-style wraps, rice dishes, hummus, and salads.
1h · $20-35 per person
Ciel! Bistro-Bar
Choose vegetarian salads, soups, or pasta; halal-friendly dining here means sticking to clearly meat-free dishes only.
1h 15m · $25-40 per person
La Galette Libanaise
Bright, casual Lebanese bakery-restaurant with wood, plants, and lots of natural light. Halal-friendly: manakish (zaatar, cheese, spinach), falafel wraps, and vegetarian mezze; some locations may offer halal meat but you can easily stay vegetarian to be safe.
45m · $10-20 per person
Le Cochon Dingue Champlain
Ask for vegetarian pasta, salads, or other meat-free dishes; halal-friendly options are the clearly non-meat items only.
1h 15m · $30-50 per person
Les Botanistes
Greenhouse-style restaurant inside a garden center with plant-filled interiors; choose plant-based dishes like seasonal vegetable plates, salads, and soups and ask to avoid alcohol-based sauces or broths.
1h 15m · $25-40 per person
Restaurant King Falaffel
Order halal falafel plates, shawarma wraps, hummus, tabbouleh, and other clearly halal Middle Eastern dishes.
1h 15m · $20-35 per person
Restaurant La Galette Libanaise
Casual Lebanese spot with wraps and manakish-style flatbreads; for halal, stick to falafel wraps, vegetarian zaatar/cheese flatbreads, hummus plates, and fresh salads, and confirm which items use halal chicken if available.
45m · $10-20 per person
Restaurant Noor
Order halal-friendly Moroccan and Mediterranean options such as tagines, grilled chicken, couscous, and vegetable plates.
1h 15m · $25-45 per person
Al Baik Restaurant
Middle Eastern eatery with halal meats (verify on arrival); go for chicken or beef shawarma plates, kebabs, and falafel with rice, fresh herbs, and salad.
1h · $18-28 per person
Au Petit Coin Breton
Order vegetarian crepes, egg-based savory crepes, and sweet crepes; keep to clearly meat-free fillings for a halal-safe meal.
1h 10m · $20-30 per person
Boulangerie Paillard
Popular bakery-café on rue Saint-Jean; stick to vegetarian pastries (croissants, chocolatines, fruit tarts), breads, and coffee/tea, avoiding meat items to stay comfortably within halal guidelines.
45m · $8-15 per person
Boulangerie Pâtisserie La Mère Michèle
Choose pastries, coffee, eggs, fruit, and simple vegetarian breakfast items; avoid meat-filled sandwiches and check fillings.
45m · $10-$18 per person
Café Buade
Opt for vegetarian pastas, salads, soups, and clearly meat-free dishes; this is a safe, easy halal-friendly choice when you want a relaxed dinner in the center.
1h 15m · $20-35 per person
Cafe La Maison Smith (Place Royale)
Cozy café on a historic square; order vegetarian quiches, salads, and pastries, and pair with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate—avoid meat dishes to keep it halal, as their vegetarian items are safe choices.
1h · $15-25 per person
Café Saint-Henri
Get coffee, pastries, yogurt, or simple breakfast items; choose vegetarian options and confirm no meat-based add-ons.
45m · $8-$18 per person
Café-Resto Le Sultan
Have a halal-friendly breakfast with items like omelets, labneh-style spreads, pastries, tea, and vegetarian plates; confirm any meat items are halal if you choose them.
1h · $15-25 per personMore on Quebec City
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