Top Things to Do in Québec City This Summer
With spectacular exhibitions, vibrant festivals, and pedestrian-friendly streets that open up more space to explore, Québec City pulls out all the stops to impress visitors this summer —one of the very best times to experience the city. Here are some of the top things to do from June to September.
Stroll Through Festive Streets
Étienne Dionne
Festival d'été de Québec, André-Olivier Lyra
In summer, the city hosts an astounding variety of world‑class festivals and cultural events. We soak up the festive atmosphere as the streets and restaurant patios are crowded with happy festival-goers.
Every weekend this summer, some of the main neighbourhood streets are closed to car traffic, allowing pedestrians to stroll freely and enjoy all the restaurant patios.
To plan your trips and discover all the pedestrian streets, check out Our tips for getting to Old Québec, with or without a car.
Explore 400 Years of History
- Jeff Frenette
Jeff Frenette Photography
The Old City, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is an awe‑inspiring journey through a collection of architectural treasures unlike anything outside Europe. You certainly won't want to miss the top 10 attractions, but we also recommend a walking tour and entering its historical hidden gems.
Immerse Yourself in Captivating Exhibitions
Tony Matelli, Josh, 2010 © Tony Matelli // Photo : Gracieuseté de l'Institute for Cultural Exchange, Tübingen
Fascinating worlds open up to us, where art and sensation take shape!
At the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, discover Hyperrealism: This Is Not a Body, an immersive exhibition where illusion blurs with reality. Through some 40 sculptures that are remarkably lifelike, these pieces explore the evolution of the human figure in art since the 1970s. It invites us to reflect on our relationship with the body, identity, and our reality perception.
Meanwhile, at the Musée de la civilisation, experience the exhibition Pleasures, starting June 18. This multisensory journey explores the many sources of pleasure in both body and brain. Learn about the role pleasure plays in our lives and societies, while discovering its physiological and chemical mechanisms.
Get Some Fresh Air
- Aurélie & Yann_Amoureux du Monde
Want to move? Head to one of the urban parks or one of the amazing parks in the surrounding areas of Québec City for your fill of outdoor fun.
Discover New Places to Visit
Are you a regular visitor to the area? We bet we'll surprise you with our list of new places and activities to explore. There are always new reasons to visit Québec City in summer!
Have Fun with the Family
Canyon Sainte-Anne- Stéphanie Allard
Your thrill-seeking teens will love the double zipline at Montmorency Falls Park, the AirCANYON at Canyon Sainte-Anne, and the ropes courses in the trees at Arbraska Duchesnay.
Or perhaps you’d like to dive into the marine world at Aquarium du Québec and see the Awesome Ocean Tunnel and the new immersive room.
Take a look at our recos for fun family activities. You’ll soon realize Québec City is an amazing destination for families.
Enjoy 400 km of Bike Paths
Chemin du Roy, Tourisme Portneuf
Québec City is crisscrossed by an extensive network of bike paths that radiate from the city centre in every direction. If you don’t have a bike—or prefer not to bring your own—you can easily rent one and even join a guided tour to discover the city on two wheels. Several rental shops are located in the Old Port of Québec, an ideal starting point for many of the most scenic routes.
Enjoy a Nautical Activity
CCNQ, Jean-Sébastien Chartier-Plante- Lorafilms
When the weather gets warmer, we love to enjoy water activities and boat tours.
The brand new 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. In the Old Port, the Oasis du Port de Québec is a free swimming site in a setting worthy of a postcard.
To appreciate the panorama of Montmorency Falls and Old Québec, climb aboard a boat of Croisières AML or a Zodiac of Excursions Maritimes Quebec. We also love paddleboard outings combined with local products in Portneuf. In search of adrenaline? Look for a rafting descent!
Go for a Ride on Eastern Canada’s Biggest Mountain Biking Trail Network
- Gabriel Gakwaya
MTBers will find plenty of places to test their skills—and their pedal power—less than an hour outside Québec City. Vallée Bras-du-Nord, Parc du Mont-Sainte-Anne, and Empire 47 all have great trails for all levels of rider, including beginners looking to try the sport, while the enduro trails at Sentiers du Moulin and the legendary downhill trails of Mont-Sainte-Anne are the perfect places to get sendy.
