Quebec City surprised me in the best way possible! Before planning our trip, I didn’t know much about the city, but the moment we arrived, it felt like we had stepped into the streets of Paris without ever leaving North America.
Quebec City is the first and oldest French colonial settlement in North America. It was established in 1608 as the capital of New France, and its 17th-century architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and old-world charm have been well preserved. French language, culture, and cuisine remain deeply rooted here, giving the city a distinctly European feel.
Today, Quebec City is a modern metropolitan area, but Old Quebec is the historic district where you’ll find the most charm and history. It has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the only walled city in North America
Quebec City is a beautiful destination in any season, but winter has an added element of magic, with cozy cafés, rooftops dusted with snow, and twinkling lights that stay up until spring.
We spent a few days exploring Quebec City this winter, and in this guide, I’m sharing the best things to do, where to eat, and where to stay!
The Best Things to Do in Quebec City This Winter
Table of Contents
- Au 1884 Toboggan Slide
- Rue du Petit Champlain
- Breakneck Steps
- Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec
- Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
- Place Royal
- Place D’Youville Ice Skating
- Canot Ā Glace
- Wander the Streets of Old Quebec
Au 1884 Toboggan Slide
Riding the Au 1884 toboggan slide was one of the highlights of our time in Old Town, and it made us feel like kids again! This wooden ice track was built in 1884 (hence the name) and has been in operation for over 140 years. The slide stretches over 800 feet long, and you can reach speeds of up to 43 mph.
The slide sits in the shadows of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac Hotel on the historic Dufferin Terrace. The terrace was constructed in 1879 and overlooks the beautiful St. Lawrence River.
What many visitors don’t realize is that beneath the terrace lie the archaeological remains of several defensive forts and castles dating back to the 1600s.
Tickets are around $5 CAD for one ride, but you can purchase multiple tickets for a discounted price. Tickets can be purchased online, but it isn’t necessary to buy them in advance. Tickets are always available onsite at the small cafe at the bottom of the slide. Just note that the ticket booth typically closes about one hour before the slide shuts down.
The slide is generally open from early December through the end of March, operating daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, with extended hours Thursday through Saturday. It does close during bad weather, so check the Au 1884 website for updated visitor information and estimated wait time.
Rue du Petit Champlain
Rue du Petit Champlain is the beating heart of Old Town and one of the oldest commercial streets in North America.
This charming cobblestone street in the Lower Town is lined with boutique shops, cafés, and historic buildings that look like they belong in a storybook.
This street is absolutely magical during Christmas time and looks like a Thomas Kinkade painting.
We visited in February and were surprised to find the holiday decor still up. We were told that the street is decorated with Christmas trees and the glow of holiday lights all throughout the winter months to help combat the gloom of a long, gray winter.
Plan to spend a few hours browsing the shops and taking photos along this incredibly picturesque street.
One of our favorite shops is La Petite Cabane à Sucre de Quebec. They sell a variety of maple products, but are known for their traditional maple taffy sticks that are made on snow.
They were a little pricey at $4 CAD for a small stick, but they’re a classic Quebec treat you have to try at least once.
The La Fudgerie is another popular sweet shop specializing in artisan fudge and handmade candies.
It’s fun to just pop into the different shops, where you’ll find unique souvenirs, tasty treats, and handcrafted goods.
Breakneck Steps
The Breakneck Steps staircase, formally known as Escalier Casse-Cou, was constructed around 1680, and it is the oldest staircase in Quebec City.
This historic staircase is located on the northern end of Rue du Petit Champlain and connects the Lower Town to the Upper Town.
Breakneck Steps is one of the most photographed spots in Old Town. From the top of the stairs, you’ll get a great birds-eye view over the postcard-perfect Rue du Petit Champlain.
We woke up early one morning to photograph the street from Break Neck Stairs without the crowds. It was worth braving the cold and early wake-up call to experience this popular tourist street completely empty and bathed in a beautiful morning light.
Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec
Funiculaire du Vieux‑Québec is one of Old Quebec’s most recognizable attractions. The original funicular was built in 1879, with several renovations completed over the years.
Not only is the funicular itself historic, but the lower station where you purchase tickets is also significant. It is located inside the historic home of Louis Jolliet, a cartographer who helped discover the Mississippi River and was the first Canadian-born explorer from Quebec to make history.
The short ride connects Rue du Petit Champlain in the Lower Town to the Dufferin Terrace above, while offering great views of the St. Lawrence River along the way.
The funicular operates daily from 9 AM to 9 PM. Tickets cost $6 CAD, cash only. There is an ATM on-site if needed.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
The Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is known as the most photographed hotel in the world, and it’s easy to see why!
This castle-like landmark has dominated Quebec City’s skyline since 1893 and is full of history, beauty, intrigue, and even a few ghosts. In fact, it is considered to be one of the most haunted hotels in Canada!
The hotel is approximately 700,000 square feet with more than 600 rooms and over 2,000 windows. There are even four active beehives on the roof producing around 170 gallons of honey per year!
The hotel has hosted royalty, celebrities, and world leaders for more than a century. During World War II,
Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt held pivotal meetings here while planning the invasion of Normandy.
The château has also appeared in several films, including Alfred Hitchcock’s 1953 thriller, I Confess, Cinderella Man, starring Russell Crowe, and Taking Lives, starring Angelina Jolie.
Notable guests over the years have included Queen Elizabeth II, Charles de Gaulle, Grace Kelly, Paul McCartney, Sting, Steven Spielberg, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Céline Dion, who even has an entire suite dedicated to her.
For one of the best photos with the hotel in the background, head to Parc Monmorency. Unfortunately, it was closed when we were there.
If you’re planning a trip to Quebec City, the Fairmont Frontenac is one of the most iconic places to stay. The room rates actually aren’t too bad if you visit in the off-season.
When we visited, prices were still high after the winter festival, so we stayed at Les Lofts Notre-Dame instead, and I highly recommend it.
It is located just steps from Place Royale and offers spacious, modern apartments at a more affordable price.
Place Royal
Place Royal is the most darling town square and feels like it belongs in a scene from Beauty and the Beast.
This historic public square is considered the birthplace of French North America. It was here that the city’s founder, Samuel de Champlain, built his home and storehouse. The plaza soon became the colony’s bustling marketplace and commercial center.
Today, the square is surrounded by beautifully preserved 17th and 18th-century French colonial buildings, making it feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
The square is particularly festive during the holidays and boasts a giant Christmas tree.
Place Royal is anchored by Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, the oldest stone church in North America. It was built in 1688 and is still in use today.
The church is typically open daily, and visitors are welcome to step inside when services are not being held.
Place D’Youville Ice Skating
Each winter, Place D’Youville transforms into a magical outdoor ice skating rink. This historic public square sits at the entrance of the Saint-Jean Gate, one of the historic entry points through the fortified city wall.
The ice rink is also surrounded by the photogenic Palais Montcalm and the historic Théâtre Capitole, which make for a beautiful backdrop.
The rink is open to the public at no charge, and skate rentals are available on-site. It is typically open from mid-November through mid-March, from noon to 10 PM Monday-Thursday, and 10 AM to 10 PM Friday-Sunday.
After you’re done skating, head to Café Boulangerie Paillard to warm up with handmade European pastries and hot chocolate.
Canot Ā Glace
Quebec City is the only place in the world where you can experience the adrenaline-filled sport of ice canoeing, and it is one of the most unique winter adventures you’ll ever have!
Ice canoeing is woven into Quebec’s history and dates back to the 1600s when early settlers used canoes to transport people and goods across the icy St. Lawrence River.
Today, the tradition lives on through guided tours with Canot Ā Glace. Ice canoeing combines rowing through open water and scootering across ice floes. It is both exhilarating and physically challenging, and it made us feel so alive!
When we first arrived, we got suited up in special gear to keep us dry and warm. Then we had a safety briefing and demonstration before it was time to launch our canoe into the icy river.
We then worked together as a team, led by our amazing guides, to maneuver our canoe across the frozen river. We alternated between rowing through the water and scootering across the shifting ice floes.
These heavy-duty canoes are specially designed to cut through the ice, but it was still quite the workout. I’m so impressed that these guides run this tour multiple times a day, every day of the week!
Halfway through the experience, we stopped for a well-deserved hot chocolate and snack break. It was such a surreal moment to be sipping hot cocoa on a floating chunk of ice in the middle of the river. Not many people will be able to experience what that feels like, and it’s something we’ll never forget!
We made our way back and even hitched a ride on a fast-moving ice floe. Once we returned, we relaxed and warmed up in the sauna overlooking the river. It was the perfect way to end our unforgettable winter adventure!
Tours last about 3 hours total, with around 1.5-2 hours spent on the river. Canot Ā Glace is located a short drive from Old Quebec, so I recommend taking an Uber if you don’t have a car.
Wander the Streets of Old Quebec
One of my favorite things to do when visiting a new city is just to wander the streets with no agenda. Old Quebec isn’t very big and is quite walkable.
Spend time discovering hidden alleys, picturesque buildings, and local spots away from the crowds.
A few of our favorite streets in Lower Old Town are Rue Sous-Le-Fort, Rue Notre-Dame, and Umbrella Alley. This famous narrow alley is usually hung with umbrellas, but when we visited, it was hung with hockey sticks instead.
We stumbled upon Saprisiti Bistro Bar and enjoyed a delicious lunch at this cute Italian restaurant. BeaverTails is right next door, where you can try this classic Canadian dessert.
We also popped into Le Petit Dep, a popular Instagrammable cafe located on Rue Sous-Le-Fort, just around the corner from Rue du Petit Champlain.
They have a wide selection of buttery, flaky pastries that pair perfectly with a steaming cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter day. We loved it so much that we went here twice!
We only stayed in Old Town for one night during our Quebec trip. I feel like it was enough time to see the main sites, but I wouldn’t have minded staying an extra night to explore more in Upper Town. I fell in love with this city, and would also love to come back and see it in the summer!
A Few More Recommendations:
- La Boutique de Noel: This cute little shop in the upper part of Old Town sells Christmas decor year-round.
- Rue Ste Ursule: One of the most photogenic streets in Upper Old Town, lined with colorful 17th and 18th-century buildings and homes. North House is a popular vacation rental on this street.
- Morrin Center: A cozy and photogenic city library housed inside a former prison.
- Maison de Litterature: This public library is located inside an old church with a crisp all-white interior. It is considered one of the most beautiful libraries in North America.
- Erico: This artisan chocolate shop not only sells decadent chocolate creations, but it also has a small chocolate museum, chocolate workshops, and a chance to view the chocolate factory.
- Le Relais des Pins: Enjoy a maple-themed meal at this traditional Canadian sugar shack. It is located on Île d’Orléans, an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence River.
I hope this guide will help as you plan your winter getaway in Quebec City! For a unique experience, spend the night in an ice hotel at Hotel de Glace. I also recommend hiking to two different frozen waterfalls just outside Quebec City. Happy travels!
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