Quebec City has always had appeal but I had never had a chance to go until recently. The city is extremely historic and reflects that while also boasting great outdoor activities around the city and outside of the area.
I visited Quebec City for Manif d’Art, the art Biennial that is in its 12th year. With 41 locations and over 60 artists this year, it provided a great way to explore the city and see different art spaces — make sure you keep this in mind when it’s back in 2028! If you’re looking for year round art, we thoroughly enjoyed the Musée des Beaux Arts (Fine Art Museum) that is right downtown. It was in a gorgeous building with amazing temporary exhibits as well as permanent exhibitions on Indigenous art, contemporary Quebec art and Quebec design elements. I also visited the Musée de la Civilisation with awesome permanent exhibits on Indigenous groups, play areas for youth and a focus on how people came to Quebec to build their homes.
Of course Quebec is known for its winters and outdoor activities. We were able to visit Montmorency Falls which has a cable car you ride to the top of a mountainous cliff. Once there, you get an above view of the waterfalls, access to a restaurant and can cross the suspension bridge over the falls! There is also an orchard and observation deck! This is a great spot in both the winter and summer, to see how the climate changes the land. Quebec City also has an Ice Hotel, reopening in January 2027 with a. restaurant, ice bar, lodging and events — so cool!
Other interesting lodgings include the Wendake’s Musée Premières-Nations, a First Nations hotel with a museum and restaurant inside on the Wendake reservation. The restaurant, La Traite, has elevated food options with Indigenous Huron-Wendat roots such as bannock, game sausage, venison shank and smoked salmon. The duck cassoulet was incredible! We visited the museum after with amazing artifacts, a wonderful informational video on the history and treatment of the Huron-Wendat as well as access to the Long House where they do cultural teachings.
The food was unsurprisingly delicious. From Le Hobbit, Bistro B, Café Apotek, La Buche and Le Bilig. We had terrine’s, tartare, Tourtière, crèpes (both savoury and sweet), delicious pasta, amazing mocktails, cocktails and coffee. We even treated ourselves to Mary’s popcorn, getting Quebec Style and classic salt and butter!
The city is extremely walkable, from the water and Lévis Ferry Crossing you can easily take a furnicular up to the top of Chateau Laurier, or climb the stairs, passing cute shops, food stands, and posing for photos with the exceptional views. At the top, there are more cute shops, government buildings, horse carriages showing people around, and of course it wouldn’t be Quebec without Simons, my favourite department store!
It’s not much of a shock but Quebec City makes Canadian Winter’s cute and I can’t imagine how adorable it is in Spring. For romantic getaway, a weekend with the kids, or solo exploration, Quebec City will exceed expectations.
Hillary LeBlanc
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