We recommend spending a minimum of 3 days in Quebec City to get to know the city, its people and the authentic French-Canadian culture. Our Quebec City itineraries are full of suggestions for things to do in Quebec City, whether you're coming for a weekend getaway or planning to stay longer. I spent 3 days in Quebec City, Ruth, but I would have liked to have more. While you can visit Old Quebec in two days, you'll probably need about 4 if you want to see Ile d'Orleans and Montmorency Falls and maybe visit some of the museums.
Château Frontenac is said to be the most photographed hotel in the world and one of the attractions of Quebec City. This maze of narrow streets lined with elegant boutiques, craft stores and bistros, is one of the most picturesque areas of Old Quebec. If you're in town for 5 days and wondering what to see and do during your stay, here's an itinerary that will give you the full Quebec City experience. But maybe not? I was also under the impression that there was a lot to do even with three or four days of quality control.
You will also benefit if you plan a very full day in Montreal, as I think the first bus leaves Quebec at 5:30am and the last one in Montreal is at midnight. In addition to the Citadelle and Château Frontenac and the usual tourist activities, you can take a day trip to the wineries or strawberries of Ile d'Orleans, spend a day at Chutes Montmorency, go hiking in Cap Tourmente or simply explore the countryside. You can definitely spend 4 days in Quebec City, but if hotel plans and reservations can't be changed, you can also take a day trip to Montreal. Later, the building became the headquarters of Morrin College, Quebec City's first English-language higher education institute.
Quebec City maintained its French heritage quite well, considering that the English eventually conquered it. We took a guided tour of the city and crossed the bridge to visit the island of Orleans and the next day we went on an excursion to the Montmorency Falls. Throughout its long and turbulent history, Quebec City managed to preserve its status as the largest French-speaking city in North America. The monastery converted into a hotel is located in the historic building of the Hotel-Dieu de Quebec, the first hospital in the Americas built in 1639 by Augustinian nuns.
Also just a short drive from Quebec City, you can have an Aboriginal experience at Huron-Wendat Nation at Wendake. This is where you'll find the Observatoire de la Capitale, an interesting observation deck from where you'll have a panoramic view of the entire Quebec City. And so began the linguistic and cultural rivalry between Francophones and Anglophones, two groups that left their mark on Quebec City. When I was at Niagara Falls last week, several people told me that I should go to Quebec City and know why.
