5 Reasons to Spend Your Summer Vacation in Québec City

Strolling through Old Québec, the culture and architecture will make you feel like you’ve been whisked away to Europe. It’s always fun to spend time visiting the historic sites, shops and museums in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The entire district, which is best explored on foot, is a living history book, and every building and street corner is its own chapter. 

My first visit to Québec City this past summer already has me wanting to return and explore more! Full of culture and history, this city is a gem with so much to offer regardless of season. I love the city's bustling energy, diverse food scene, endless activities, and placement amid a beautiful natural landscape. It really does give visitors and locals alike the best of all worlds!

- Asha Sardar, La Wandereuse, Ontario 

Vacationing in Québec City means you don’t have to choose between nature and culture. There are plenty of city parks where you can get out and play, like the Plains of Abraham. And just a short drive outside town, you’ll find incredible parks where you can enjoy the great outdoors. Were you aware that there are two beaches within a five-minute drive from downtown Québec City?

Whether you like hiking, water sports, via ferratas, zip lines, ropes courses, golfing, canyoning, road biking, or mountain biking, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Québec City and around!

Québec City has a solid reputation as a fun family destination. Watch as your kids suddenly grasp the meaning of history while exploring the streets of Old Québec. 

At the Village Vacances Valcartier outdoor waterpark, you’ll enjoy the 35 slides, two adventure rivers, numerous water games, and of course, the giant wave pool. 

For more aquatic fun, head to Aquarium du Québec, home to 10,000 marine specimens and an awesome ocean tunnel. 

For thrill-seeking teenagers, look no further than the via ferrata at Montmorency Falls Park, the AirCANYON at Canyon Sainte-Anne, or the ropes course at Arbraska Duchesnay. 

Québec City is a foodie’s paradise, with a host of local artisans turning out top-tier ingredients coveted by chefs. Take a stroll through the bright and airy Grand Marché or go on a food tour to get the inside scoop on the culinary scene. 

By driving a mere 15 minutes out of town, you’ll find yourself on an island of vineyards, orchards, and ancestral homes. Welcome to Île d’Orléans! Your drive around the island will take you through picture-perfect villages full of fun places to pick up ingredients or grab a bite. Or, take the wine route and discover how local producers make liquid miracles thanks to the island’s microclimate.

A steady string of events keep Québec City hopping all summer long. Take your pick and join in the fun with events ranging from shows to historical festivals, theatrical happenings, and sports events. 

In addition to the great events, you can enjoy major exhibitions. Check out the Gladiators exhibition at Musée de la civilisation or the one about Rembrandt at Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec.

With so much to offer, it isn’t surprising that Québec City ranks as one of the world’s top travel destinations.