10 Ways to Explore Off the Beaten Path

You've probably walked past Parliament, the fortifications, or magnificent churches many times, but have you gone in? There's no time like the present to satisfy your curiosity.

Or maybe you're drawn to the hidden side of history. Explore the city's neighbourhoods from a different historical perspective with a theme tour, or take a look at the Old City by lantern-light and hear about its murders and mysteries.

Feel the pulse of the city away from the usual tourist districts as you stroll through lively neighbourhoods, rub shoulders with the locals, and enjoy friendly encounters.

Get into the swing of things in Limoilou, a good-naturedly Bohemian part of town where twisty stairs extend from second-story walk-ups to the ground. Check out the hip restaurants in Saint-Sauveur, some of which have garnered major awards. Over in Montcalm you can feast your eyes on stately homes and linger at one of the charming cafés on Avenue Cartier. Then comb through the treasures in the many one-of-a-kind shops of Saint-Roch.

Check out the Québec City Area’s many museums, where learning and fun go hand in hand. You’ll be delighted by their diversity and the great things they have on display.

And don’t miss the local economuseums where you can see artisans at work, learn about traditional crafts, and maybe pick up some great gifts too.

Ever notice the gigantic murals all over the city? Beautiful and alive with details, each of them tells a story: the founding of Québec City, the growth of the port since the days of New France, 400 hundred years of Québec political life, the traditions of the Wendat First Nation, and much more!

A walk around Parliament Hill and the Old City will uncover many, but you'll find more all over the region. Create your own tour!

Take in the St. Lawrence River in all its majesty on Promenade Samuel-De Champlain, the shoreline park that runs along Boulevard Champlain from the Pierre Laporte Bridge to Côte de Sillery. It’s a great place for biking, inline skating, walking, and more.

There’s a linear park along the Saint Charles River as well where you can hop on a bike or hike the 32‑kilometre walking path and enjoy all the natural beauty. You’ll see a variety of birds and plants on your way through various natural habitats and historic sites. An oasis!

Traces of New France are still to be found in the Québec City area, notably in the form of authentic 18th century homes, most of which are classified as historical sites.

Among them are:

• Maison Chevalier in the Old City
• Maison Henry-Stuart on Grande Allée
• Maison Hamel-Bruneau and Maison des Jésuites in the Sainte-Foy—Sillery—Cap-Rouge district
• Maison Ephraïm-Bédard in Trait-Carré
• Maison Girardin in Beauport
• Maison Drouin on Île d'Orléans.

Come soak up the ambiance of days gone by!

You've undoubtedly set foot in the city's major parks. But did you know that Québec City also boasts numerous elegant gardens, including a botanical garden?

Roger-Van den Hende Gardens on the Université Laval campus welcomes you to a marvellous six hectare site, complete with a water garden, arboretum, pergola, rose garden, and plant collections bursting with colours and scents.

Other gardens are every bit as enticing—some are historical, others have been the centrepiece for urban revitalization initiatives, and some are just plain beautiful!

Did you know you can swim in the St. Lawrence River in Québec City? Baie de Beauport’s fabulous fine-sand beach is a magnet for swimmers and beach-goers.

Conditions are great for all kinds of water and beach sports including kayaking, paddleboarding, kitesurfing, and beach volleyball. The bay is also the site of a series of summer events, look out if there is one while you are in town. 

Québec City is surrounded by lovely countryside packed with things to see and do.

The fabulous natural attractions of the Portneuf area are a secret closely guarded by outdoor enthusiasts. And then there’s Île d’Orléans, dotted with roadside fruit and vegetable stands where visitors sample authentic products of the island’s historic farm culture. Take a trip down the Côte-de-Beaupré shore and fall under the spell of the historic homes along the New France Route. Or set course for adventure amid the tumultuous rivers and mountain peaks of the Jacques Cartier area.