Quebec City in the winter feels like it’s straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. With the snow, beautiful European style buildings, and holiday decor it’s the perfect place to spend a winter weekend. Old Quebec City is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it truly is a magical destination. If you’re looking for great shopping, beautiful scenery and great outdoor activities, Quebec City is the place for you. Keep reading for 10 fun and exciting things to do in Quebec City in the winter!
10 Fun and Exciting Things to do in Quebec City in the Winter
1: Shop Around at the German Christmas Market
The holidays in Quebec City are a magical time, especially because of the German Christmas Market (Le Marché de Noël Allemand). Walking around the city, sipping a hot chocolate or hot cider, while browsing the stalls is such a fun way to spend the afternoon.
The German Christmas Market runs from late November to late December each year. But it’s important to note that it’s only open Thursdays-Sundays!
2: Ride the Funicular from Lower Town to Upper Town
The Funicular connects Upper Town to Lower Town in Old Quebec City, and is a great way to quickly get between the two. While it is easily possible to walk down a few sets of stairs that connect the two parts of town, it’s fun to take the funicular.
The ride is $4 CAD each way and takes less than 2 minutes. If you only take the funicular once, I recommend walking down and riding up, especially if you’ve done some shopping and have bags!
3: Explore the Shops in the Beautiful Quartier Petit Champlain
In Lower Town, right as you exit the Funicular, you’ll find the adorable Quartier Petit Champlain. The main street, Rue du Petit Champlain, is filled with tons of shops and restaurants.
Rue du Petit Champlain is pedestrian only, and it’s such a lovely street to walk around and shop year round.
4: Take a History Walk through the Plains of Abraham
The Plains of Abraham are a battle field directly behind the Chateau Frontenac Hotel. Visitors can walk through the fields, read about the battle, and take in the views of Old Quebec City.
In 1759 the Battle of the Plains of Abraham took place between the British and French. A British victory left them in control of Quebec City. In addition to visiting the fields, you can also visit the Plains of Abraham Museum to learn more about the battle.
5: Walk Along the Dufferin Terrace
Located next to the Chateau Frontenac, with beautiful views of the St. Lawrence River, the Dufferin Terrace is a great place for a scenic walk. The Funicular will drop you off at the start of the Dufferin Terrace and at the end you’ll find the historic toboggan, which is definitely worth a ride!
While the Dufferin Terrace is beautiful any time of day, I especially recommend it at night, as you get beautiful views of the city with all of its lights.
6: Take a Ride on the Historic Toboggan
Located behind the Chateau Frontenac is the famous Historic Toboggan. This toboggan dates back to 1884 and is so much fun to ride. The sleds are 4-seaters, so you can ride with friends and family. You get going so fast (up to 43.5 mph), so be sure to hold on tight.
Tickets are $4 CAD per person and definitely worth it.
7: Explore the Château Frontenac Hotel
The Chateau Frontenac is a spectacular hotel located in Upper Town with beautiful views of the city and river. This striking castle is the most photographed hotel in the world, and is truly beautiful inside and out. Even if you’re not staying at the Château Frontenac Hotel, it’s definitely worth taking a look inside. You can also enjoy drinks at the 1608 bar, or dinner at one of their restaurants: Champlain Restaurant (fine dining) or Sam Bistro (casual).
You can even take a guided tour of the hotel to learn more about its history!
8: Have a Drink at the 1608 Bar
While at the Château Frontenac Hotel, stop by the beautiful 1608 bar for a drink. This bar is dark and cozy and serves great drinks and appetizers. It is a little on the expensive side, but it’s a fun experience and definitely worth going to once.
9: Go Antique Shopping on Rue Saint-Paul
Quebec City is a great place to go antiquing. While there are tons of antique shops all over the city, Rue Saint-Paul has a variety of stores next to one another. While you’re on Rue Saint-Paul, be sure to also check out Buffet de l’antiquaire, a diner style restaurant serving up delicious dishes all day long.
10: Have a Hot Chocolate or Cafe au Lait at Smith Cafe
With multiple locations across Quebec City, the Smith Cafe is a great place to grab a cafe au lait or a hot chocolate. You can get one to go and enjoy it while walking through the Christmas Market, or take a break inside from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Interesting Tours and Experiences
In addition to the above activities, there are tons of fun and unique tours offered throughout Quebec City. I always love taking tours and participating in unique experiences with locals, as I find it to be a great way to learn more about a city, its history and its culture.
- Quebec City Walking Tour
- Animated Crime Walking Tour in Old Quebec
- Old Quebec City Food & Drinks Tour
- Virtual Reality Experience of Quebec City’s History
Where to Eat in Quebec City
Coffee
- Cantook
- A great place to grab a cup of delicious coffee in the morning before a day of exploring.
- Epi’Fanny
- After grabbing a coffee from Cantook, head down the block to grab a delicious pastry from Epi’Fanny. Their croissants are especially delicious.
- Smith Cafe
- Multiple locations throughout the city. Great for a light breakfast, lunch or coffee.
Brunch/Lunch
- La Buche
- A cozy restaurant that’s great all day long. I especially recommend their brunch.
- Buffet de l’antiquaire
- Great diner style food served all day long.
Dinner
- Don Vegan
- Don’t let the name fool you, this restaurant is a great pick for vegans and non-vegans! In our group of four, not a single one of us was vegan, but we all agree this was the best meal we had in Old Quebec!
- Lapin Sauté
- A quaint restaurant serving up classic French food in the Petit-Champlain district. While rabbit is their specialty, their menu includes other options and even a few dishes for vegetarians.
- Maison Livernois
- This pub is a great place to check out for dinner and drinks. They specialize in gin – which they have distilled specifically for their restaurant. While the service was very, very slow, the food was good and they’re open Mondays! I would recommend eating here on a Monday when many other restaurants are closed.
BONUS: Mary’s Popcorn Shop for the most delicious popcorn.
Food Tours in Quebec City:
The Best Hotels in Quebec City
When visiting Quebec City, I highly recommend finding an hotel or AirBnb in the Old City. This is the most beautiful part of the city and also where most of the attractions are.
- Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
- This hotel is 100% my top recommendation for where to stay. It’s beautiful, centrally located and is the world’s most photographed hotel!
- Hotel le Priori
- Auberge Saint-Pierre
- Le Capitole Hotel
- Auberge Internationale de Quebec (hostel)
Tips for Visiting Quebec City in the Winter
- Bring shoes/boots with good treads
- The streets and stairs get so slippery when it snows, so shoes/boots with good treads are very important.
- Don’t forget your hats and gloves
- The majority of restaurants are closed on Mondays
- This is especially true in the old city – finding a place to eat on Mondays is much harder than other days of the week.
- Spend at least one night
- While you can see most of Quebec City in one day, in order to not feel rushed, I recommend spending at least one night.
FAQ: Visiting Quebec City
- Can you speak English in Québec City?
- Yes. Mostly everyone in Quebec City speaks English in addition to French. Outside of the city, once you’re in the smaller towns, basic French will be very important.
- Is Quebec a walkable city?
- Yes! Especially in Old Quebec City, the most touristy area, you can walk everywhere easily.
- What is a standard tip in Quebec?
- 15-20%
- Where do you park when visiting Quebec City?
- Quebec City is very walkable, so you will most likely not need your car during your trip. My recommendation is to park your car in your hotel’s parking garage, or one nearby, for the length of your stay. Many garages/hotels have rates of around $18-$20 CAD per 24 hour period.
I hope you found this guide for fun things to do in Quebec City in the winter to be helpful! If you have any questions, or any other fun winter activities to add to this list, list me know in the comments.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, @twosistersabroad for more travel guides and trip inspiration. Enjoy your trip to beautiful Quebec City!
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Other posts to check out:
- How to Spend an Amazing Weekend in Montreal, Canada
- Things to do in Burlington, Vermont in the Winter
- 10 Most Amazing Winter Activities in Vermont
♡Kate
Note: This guide to things to do in Quebec City in the winter includes affiliate links. Read our disclosure here.
I love Quebec City! I haven’t been in the Winter yet but it’s on my list! I really want to stay at the ice hotel (just for a night).
Quebec City is so charming, especially in winter. Great tips and ideas for winter trips! I want to do that toboggan ride 🙂
Quebec looks so charming! I really didn’t know much about Quebec City. I’m loving the Christmas market. That’s enough to make me want to visit somewhere! 🙂
I love Quebec city in the winter. It’s great to cross country ski on the plains in the middle of the city. I love all the ice-skating rinks they have throughout the city. Everything is just so charming.