What to Do in Québec City in July

Québec City is a great place to stroll around, snap shots, and have some good eats. But it’s also full of history and secrets that come to life with a local guide. A guided tour will leave you seeing the city in a whole new light. If history isn’t your thing, a food tour should manage to do the trick.

Short on time? Hop on and off the fabulous Red Bus as you move from one Old Québec attraction to the next.

The Festival d'été's three main stages in the heart of downtown will once again welcome international, local and emerging artists, and the restaurant terraces in the surrounding streets will be crowded with happy festival-goers. 

Taking a boat tour on the St. Lawrence River is a summer vacation classic.

To appreciate the panorama of Montmorency Falls and Old Québec, get aboard a Zodiac of Excursions Maritimes Quebec. To explore the gorgeous Île d’Orléans, you can go kayaking during the day or at the sunset, or discover the island’s coves, currents, and maritime history aboard a zodiac with Croisières Orléans.

The Croisières AML river shuttle takes you to the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré dock from the Old Port. An original way to visit the many attractions of Côte-de-Beaupré, such as the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine, Mont-Sainte-Anne and Canyon Sainte-Anne.

The immersive experience Lasting Impressions is on display in the Old Port while Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec hosts Alexander McQueen: Arts Meet Fashion, a reflection on the creative process of the enfant terrible of British fashion.

Over at Musée de la civilisation, the challenging Our Time on Earth exhibition continues all summer.

These exhibitions are sure to be a big draw, so book your tickets in advance online.

Get a taste of winter in Québec at Blizz, a pop-up like no other at Montmorency Falls Park where visitors can experience the magic of the Québec Winter Carnival this summer. There are experiential containers with an iceberg vibe that bring the joys of winter to life, a photobooth on the Bonhomme Carnaval parade float, a huge dome with a cool-down area and lots of fun things to do, and much more!

Experiment winter even further by learning the basics of downhill skiing — without getting cold!—  on the simulators of the new Préski centre, the only indoor ski school in the province. 

We’ve come up with 10 things to do in the heart of our beautiful region this summer, far from the beaten path.

The natural landscapes in the Québec City area are as rich and varied as the culture. It’s like a giant playground made by Mother Nature. The trails lead up dramatic cliffs with sweeping views of the St. Lawrence, through glacial valleys, and into the heart of the boreal forest. From Jacques-Cartier National Park to Sentier des caps de Charlevoix to Vallée Bras-du-Nord, here are the best spots for a short or long hike.

If you want to stay cool this summer, there are plenty of options: waterslides, pools, and splashpads. With 30+ waterslides and attractions of all kinds, Village Vacances Valcartier is an aquatic paradise. For a day at the beach, try Baie de Beauport : it's only a few minutes from downtown!

The brand new Promenade Samuel-De Champlain's Station de la Plage (Beach Station) is a must this summer. Its fine sandy beach, infinity swimming pool and mirror pool with water fountains will dazzle young and old alike.