Québec City offers Americans a taste of European charm and French culture without a transatlantic flight, which is why I have returned six times. Its cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and French-speaking population provide a unique blend of history, culture, natural beauty, and culinary delights, making it an excellent choice for all types of travelers.
My son, who is in his late 20s, and I explored Québec City over 4 days and our list is below. We rated each of the activities from one to five (five being the highest). My ratings are green hearts and my son’s are blue (he did not participate in all activities).
QUÉBEC CITY 4-DAY SHORT LIST (details below)
- Le Monastère des Augustines – a MUST 💚💚💚💚💚💙💙💙💙💙
- L’Hôtel du Vieux-Québec – 💚💚💚💚💚💙💙💙💙💙
- Musée de la civilisation 💚💚💚💚💙💙
- Tuque & bicycle expériences 💚💚💚💚💚💙💙💙💙💙
- Aria Rituels 💚💚💚💚
- Fairmont Le Château Frontenac 💚💚💚💚
- Traditional Huron Site Onhoüa Chetek8e 💚💚💚💙💙
- Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations’ restaurant La Traite 💚💚💚💚💚💙💙💙💙💙
- Parc de la Chute-Montmorency 💚💚💚💚
- ARVI Restaurant 💚💚💚💚💚💙💙💙💙💙
- Citadel, Plains of Abraham, Riverfront boardwalk, Funicular 💚💚💚💚💚💙💙💙💙💙
1. Le Monastère des Augustines, 2 nights – a wellness stay
Le Monastère des Augustines is a truly unique hotel experience that combines history, wellness, and delicious food at Le Vivoir. I have stayed before and was eager to see if my son would like it as much as I do. He said it was in his top 3 places to stay ever (and he travels a LOT). Originally a 17th-century hospital built by nuns, Le Monastère is now a beautifully restored haven in Québec City. They even have “authentic rooms” where you can stay in the very spaces the nuns once occupied. It’s a special place to soak up history and tranquility.
If an overnight stay isn’t in the plan, definitely visit the museum and/or get a spa treatment. The hotel offers a permanent museum, yoga classes, meditation walks, and incredible spa treatments and we did them all. I especially recommend the signature massage – it was unlike any other I’ve ever had, beginning with a foot bathing ritual. Le Monastère embodies sustainability in its restoration, using eco-friendly practices and repurposing materials, and by supporting the well-being of caregivers with discounted or complimentary wellness retreats, recognizing that a healthy community relies on healthy caregivers.
Here’s our full review of Le Monastère des Augustines.
2. L’Hôtel du Vieux-Québec, 2 nights – a contemporary stay
Earning 5 stars on Expedia, TripAdvisor and Hotels.com, and now by us, my son and I loved the layout of our room for our stay because it offered more privacy. Instead of having two beds side by side, the deluxe rooms have 2 queen beds perpendicular to each other and separated by a bathroom and kitchenette. The decor is contemporary and the first floor social area has 24 hour coffee, games, reading nooks and a fireplace.
Breakfast is served to the room in a basket every morning and includes a “pastry of the day,” jams, yogurt and juice.
It was easy to walk to everything we wanted to see in Québec City from L’hotel du Vieux because it is in the center of the city. The salmon and vegetable lasagne were good at Bistro Hortus, the onsite restaurant, but the outstanding dish was the honey creme brulee and the honeycomb sweetener for the coffee.
We briefly met the hotel owner while he was tending to his rooftop garden and watering the patio plants. It was evident that he is very hands on and dedicated to sustainability in this urban environment.
3. Musée de la civilisation
The Musée de la Civilisation in Québec showcases the rich heritage of the province’s 95,000+ First Nations and Inuit people. Developed in collaboration with the 11 Indigenous nations and La Boîte Rouge VIF, visitors walk through the past, present, and future of these communities.
4. Tuque Bicycle Expériences & Le Grande Marché
I love to bike and now I love to e-bike. For me, it’s a fantastic way to see more of a city without a car. My son was into it too. At Tuque, we were outfitted with electric bikes, helmets, maple water and a guide. Our guide took us from central Québec City to Le Grand Marché along a bike path. We stopped for lunch at Zeitoun at Le Grande Marché, an indoor farmers market with local vendors. The food at Zeitoun was fantastic- delicious salad, rice and kebabs. I left with amazing homemade pita chips.
5. Aria Rituels
Combining cacao, sound bowls and music for a unique meditative experience, Aria Rituels is a unique activity in the center of Québec City. I liked that it is very artsy and non-touristy. My son did not participate. However, he likes yoga, so I predict he would have enjoyed the meditation experience.
6. Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
This is Québec’s iconic hotel — the one you see in so many photos of the city. Even if you aren’t staying here, no visit to Québec City is complete without a stop here to take photos of the hotel and the view over the city. The signature cocktail at 1608 bar is the Bistro le Sam using their house-made tonic. Fully renovated over 7 years, with sustainability as a focus, the Frontenac gets top ratings on most travel sites. We took a lot of pictures but have not stayed or eaten there.
Read a full review of Fairmont Le Château Frontenac by travel writer Eric Jay Toll.
7. Traditional Huron Site Onhoüa Chetek8e
Traditional Site Onhoüa Chetek8e is a reconstituted village where visitors can learn about Huron heritage with a guided tour through structures like a giant teepee, longhouse, and smoking and drying huts. The site features storytelling, crafts demonstrations, and interactive workshops, making it especially engaging for children. Dario was not a huge fan; he felt this was more appropriate for middle school kids. Although he did like making the dreamcatcher at the end of the tour. I liked the quick walk through history but agree, it felt rote. I am glad we ended with a visit to La Traite, an indigenous dining experience.
8. Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations’ Restaurant La Traite
Surrounded by forest, the restaurant and hotel exude tranquility and grounding. You would never know you are only 20 minutes from the center of Québec City. The menu at La Traite reflects Wendake heritage with options like seal tataki and partridge with honey spice. Most of the menu items were new to me which was part of the adventure. Everything we tried was delicious, especially the desserts.
It is part of Hôtel-Musées Premières Nations, renowned for its stunning setting and Onhwa’ Lumina forest illumination, an immersive light, sound and video pathway. Fully owned by First Nations, it combines modern comfort with First Nations tradition. New rooms and suites were added and existing rooms were refreshed in 2023. Every room includes First Nations decor and lovely views.
The museum was under construction when I visited and is expected to open in fall 2024.
9. Parc de la Chute-Montmorency
Taller than Niagara Falls at 83 meters, Dario missed out on hiking up 487 steps for the view from the top of the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency Falls. We skipped those too and took the cable car.
10. ARVI Restaurant
I am not being dramatic when I say that I would go back to Québec City just to eat here again. It is an exceptional chef-to-table dining experience and the food is creative and delicious. The menu is set and our plates included crab, millet and shallot; lobster, lovage and Yukon Gold; asparagus, sorrel and goat cheese; duckling, beet and quince – you get the idea. Chefs serve each course, with a different chef presenting each one, along with a wine pairing. Dario and I are still talking about the dishes and the 2022 Domaine les Bruyeres Crozes Hermitage aux Betises wine by David Reynaud. We loved it and were surprised by how tasty it was, especially since it’s aged in a concrete tank.
11. Citadel, Plains of Abraham, Riverfront boardwalk, Funicular
Québec City is very walkable, in all seasons. We laced up and took off in search of the Citadel, the Parliament building, Beaver Tail, the Funicular, Lower Québec and local events.
Wintertime Things to Do in Québec City:
- Take a toboggan run down the historic Au 1884 slide
- Go ice skating at Place d’Youville near the historic St.-Jean Gate, part of the stone fortress that once surrounded the city
- Find four seasons of fun at Village Vacances Valcartier, site of the Ice Hotel and snow tubing in winter and a warm weather outdoor waterpark.
Read here about how I “got” my eldest son to take this trip with me to Québec City. We’re already looking forward to our next mother-son adventure.
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