Being a clueless American, I forget how large Canada actually is and how far up north this place is. So Quebec City is about a 3 hour drive from Montreal. Montreal was a balmy 80 degrees when I was there but when we went to Quebec City, it was in the 60s. So although my outfits were for summer, I was cold the whole time. Something to note when packing for a trip there.
Quebec City is fairly large and it does have a large area where it is very modern but I will be focusing on Old Quebec which is the part of the city behind those large castle walls. It's a fortress city so you really can't miss the grand entrance of getting into that area. There is a lot of parking not too far outside the walls then you can just walk into that part. The streets are narrow and there isn't really much parking inside the walls so it's better to just park outside.
Near the entrance is a welcome center with some information on Old Quebec. They also do reenactments! Also you can climb the stairs and see above the fortress walls and walk along the top of the walls as well for a really nice view of the city.
La Citadelle de Quebec is an old historic fort and also a museum. You can explore some of the areas but the notable thing to see is the changing of the guards. At one point of entry there are these guards kind of like the Queen's guard at Buckingham palace where they stand there, stone faced and unbothered, and have a whole procession with the changing of the guards.
The most notable building in Old Quebec has to be Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, which is a castle style hotel. I didn't get to go inside but it also has a boardwalk, Dufferin Terrace, with some old cannons and some glass panels on the floor where you can see into some old preserved parts of the city and of course the Funicular, which is a railway that can take you down to the lower area of the city. I also got to try maple syrup on a stick here!
Definitely take a walk around and walk through Rue du Tresor, which is a really cool artist alley.
At this point my parents are in charge of the itinerary and on their list is the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral. Just so you know there are two churches in Old Quebec with Notre Dame in their name so try not to get confused. Anyway, we were able to do a tour in here and were even able to be taken down into the crypts, which is where you can view the Holy Door.
Took the long way down to the lower level of the city, which is not for those with weak knees. Spare your grandparents and take the Funicular because the incline/decline can be quite steep at times. From there you should start to see the busy Rue du Petit-Champlain, which is one of the older commercial streets in North America. It was so packed with people and there were street performers all around. Also in that lower area is Place-Royale which also contains the Notre Dame des Victoires.
Sadly I didn't have a lot of time to truly explore the area so I'd love to go back eventually. I did also visit two other places that are outside the city but still within driving distance.
The Basilica of Sainte Anne de Beaupre is located in a small town about 30 minutes outside of Quebec City. The basilica is HUGE so there is no way you can miss it. It is easily the biggest thing in that small town. It's almost like a two level church because there is a full church on the top floor and the basement with many small chapel rooms. There is also a stations of the cross up the hill next to the Basilica as well as some of their old historical churches that are much smaller. It was all very beautiful and even if you aren't religious, I think it would still be quite a sight to see and I definitely recommend seeing it.
On the way back, definitely stop by Montmorency Falls, which you can get to right by the highway. You can see it from the park at the bottom of the falls and you can also drive up to the top of the falls and see it from there. You can walk pretty close it it but prepare to get wet.
I'd love to come back to Quebec and really check out some of the museums that I didn't get to see. I know it seems miserable to see Canada in the winter but it looks so beautiful around the Christmas time and in thew snow. They make an outdoor skating rink somewhere there in the winter also. And I do believe that ice hotel is somewhere outside the city but I'm not sure. Anyway, who knows, I guess I'll make another winter Canada trip.
