13 Best Things to Do and See in Quebec
Exploring Quebec on foot is one of the best ways to feel the city’s atmosphere, connect its landmark places and discover its neighbourhoods at a more natural pace.
In this guide, you will find the attractions not to miss when planning a walking route in Quebec, with simple reference points.
To go further, you can also enjoy a private guided tour in Quebec. It is a smoother way to connect places, understand details you might miss on your own and enjoy a more human, personal discovery adapted to your trip.
1. Montmorency Falls
Montmorency Falls, in Quebec City, is a spectacular natural site where visitors can discover an impressive waterfall over 80 meters high, dominating the landscape between the river and the cliff. The site offers several landscaped viewpoints, including an observation platform that lets you admire the falls from different angles and feel the full power of the water. Visitors can also enjoy the trails, walkways and viewing areas to take in the panorama of the St. Lawrence River and the surrounding area, in an ideal setting for an outdoor sightseeing experience.
2. Montréal Biodome
The Montréal Biodome offers an immersive discovery of natural environments brought together in one place. Visitors can observe animals and plants presented in distinct ecosystems, each designed to evoke its original habitat. This approach helps explain the diversity of life through contrasting habitats, varied climate conditions and visible ecological interactions. Part science museum, part tourist attraction and part wildlife observation space, the site focuses on biodiversity and on how natural environments are organized.
3. Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts offers a rich collection of artworks and objects spanning several centuries of creativity. Visitors can explore paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and graphic art displayed in one of Canada’s most renowned museum settings. The collections provide an overview of art from Quebec, the rest of Canada, and abroad, while showing how styles and sensibilities have evolved. It is a place where heritage pieces and contemporary works come together in the heart of Montreal’s cultural life.
4. The Citadel of Quebec
Overlooking Cape Diamond, the Citadelle of Québec is a historic fortress that attracts visitors for both its military architecture and the panoramic views it offers over the Saint Lawrence River and the city. As you walk along its ramparts, buildings, and exhibition spaces, you discover a site tied to the defense of Québec and Canada’s military history. Depending on the time of your visit, the site also offers the chance to watch ceremonies and better understand the strategic role of this iconic stronghold.
5. Museum of Civilization
Located in the heart of Old Quebec, the Musée de la civilisation invites visitors to discover history, culture, and major social issues through a wide range of exhibitions accessible to everyone. Here, you can explore Quebec’s heritage as well as contemporary themes, peoples, and cultures from near and far, through objects, archives, interactive installations, and multimedia presentations. A lively and inspiring place, the museum offers an experience that is both informative and immersive, ideal for better understanding Quebec and the world around it.
6. Abraham Plains
The Plains of Abraham, in the heart of Quebec City, form a vast urban park appreciated for both its green spaces and its historical significance. Here you’ll find wide lawns, paths ideal for walking, cycling, or picnicking, as well as remarkable views over the St. Lawrence River and the city. The site also hosts cultural activities, exhibitions, and installations related to its past, making it a place that is peaceful, educational, and very popular with both visitors and locals.
7. Petit Champlain District
Petit Champlain District, in Quebec City, is one of the most picturesque areas of Old Quebec. Visitors can discover pedestrian streets lined with historic houses, small shops, artisan workshops, galleries, and welcoming cafés. This popular spot invites you to stroll, shop, and enjoy a warm atmosphere, with its colorful facades and historic setting. It is an ideal destination for a walk, to pick up souvenirs, or simply to admire the charm of the district.
8. Place D’Youville
Located in the heart of Old Quebec, D’Youville Square is a lively public space that serves as a crossing point and meeting place between several attractions in the historic district. Visitors will find a pleasant urban park, spaces to relax, and a setting that highlights the surrounding architecture as well as the area’s cultural life. In both winter and summer, the square often hosts activities and offers a lovely place to take a break near the fortifications, theaters, and shopping streets of the neighborhood.
9. Mauricie National Park
Mauricie National Park offers a vast landscape of forests, lakes, and rocky hills in Quebec, Canada. Discover a protected natural area shaped by the Canadian Shield, with peaceful waterways, dense woodland, and scenic viewpoints over the hills. The Saint-Jean-des-Piles sector provides access to a park known for its ecological richness and boreal character.
10. Quebec National Museum of Fine Arts
The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, located in Battlefields Park in Quebec City, showcases a broad panorama of Quebec art, from ancient heritage to contemporary creations. Visitors can discover paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and temporary exhibitions that highlight the diversity of artistic movements in Quebec and Canada. The museum also offers a pleasant setting to admire the works in bright, carefully designed spaces. It is a must-see visit for anyone looking to better understand the province’s cultural history through its artists and collections.
11. Basilica-Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Québec
In the heart of Old Quebec, the Basilica-Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Quebec is an iconic place of worship that impresses with its religious architecture and peaceful atmosphere. A visit reveals a major Catholic cathedral, both a basilica and a tourist attraction, where you can admire a beautifully kept interior, sacred artwork, bright decor and an ambiance suited to silence. It invites visitors to both contemplation and discovery of Quebec City’s religious heritage.
12. Battlefields Park
The Parc des Champs-de-Bataille, in Quebec City, is a large green space on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River, appreciated both for relaxation and for strolling. Visitors will find wide lawns, walking paths, mature trees, and pleasant views of the city and its surroundings. Popular in every season, it invites you to walk, have a picnic, cycle, or simply enjoy a peaceful moment. Its natural setting, right in the heart of the city, makes it an iconic place for both visitors and locals.
13. Old Quebec Funicular
The Old Quebec Funicular links Upper Town and Lower Town, offering a practical and scenic way to explore this iconic part of Quebec City. In just moments, it gives visitors a hillside ride with beautiful views of historic streets, old façades, and the St. Lawrence River. It is also a popular attraction for its simplicity and charm, making it easier to reach several Old Quebec sights while adding a unique experience to the walk.
Antony M
During my travels, I looked for guides who spoke my language. This search turned out to be long and tedious. That is why I created MYTOGU (My Tourist Guide): a matching site between tourists and professional tourist guides.
