Be sure to check out our Quebec City main page for more information on How to Spend 1 Day in Quebec City!
*Last updated 10/29/2023
1. Park
You can either park towards the finish to view the St Johns gate or park closer to the Plains of Abraham museum. Arrive by 8:15 so you have plenty of time to walk to La Citadelle de Québec, passing by the St Louis gate. If you get to the Citadel early you can walk up to the Plains of Abraham for a view of the walls. If you are staying in the city, you can start there and adjust the order as necessary.
2. Guided Tour of La Citadelle de Québec
Book your tickets in advance for Le Citadelle de Québec for their first tour at 9am.
3. Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica
After the citadel tour, walk on over to the Notre-Dame de Québec via the picturesque Rue Saint Louis.
4. eat lunch
You might be getting hungry so there will be a lot of places around here to get lunch that fine for families (like Chic Shack or D’Orsay).
5. Museum of Civilization
Make a stop for 1-2 hours at the Museum of Civilization. If you have kids, they will love the children’s area on the lower level. It is not necessary to buy tickets in advance. However, if you are looking to save time or money, you might consider skipping it.
6. Walk to the Place Royale
View the other Notre-Dame (des-Victories) and make your way down to the Rue du Petit Champlain.
7. Walk to the Quartier Petit Champlain
Stop at as many shops as you like before heading to the Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec. Also, it is an easy and scenic ride back up the hill with the funicular.
8. Dufferin Terrace
Take a little relaxing time at the top of the funicular for views of the St Lawrence on one side and the Chateau Frontenac on the other. If you like you can stop in the hotel lobby as well.
9. The Morrin Centre
Check in advance to see if the Morrin Centre is running tours. If they are, schedule the tour in advance for the last time spot of the day for the building that has been a prison, university and library over the years. Also, if you can read French, you might enjoy stopping into the library next door.
10. Dinner
There is a dozen restaurants just north of the Morrin Centre on Rue Saint-Jean, grab some food before heading back to your car after a long day of walking.
* Option #2
If you are more of an outdoorsy person, you may want to see Montmorency Falls. If that is the case, I would do the same route as above, but I’d skip the Museum of Civilization and the Morrin Centre (and dinner). That should leave time to leave about 2-3pm and drive over to Montmorency Falls to spend a few hours there.
* Option #3
If you are staying at a hotel in the city, you might be interested in venturing down to the Gare fluviale de Québec (ferry) for a ride over to Lévis. If you take the ferry in the evening, you can time it so that you take the ferry back to see the lights of Quebec at night.
more to see and do
If you are looking for more to do, be sure to check out our 2 week New England itinerary that includes Quebec City!