Day trips from Québec City
There are plenty of must-see places to explore within an hour of Québec City. Wander through the charming Historic District of Old Québec, discover what’s hidden beneath the famous Dufferin terrace or visit Grosse-Île quarantine station. Look no further, let these can’t-miss visits inspire your next outing!
The only remaining fortified city north of Mexico.
- Driving: 5 minutes
- Transit: 5 minutes
Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site
How to get there
- Drive: located in Old Québec, near Place d’Youville.
- Transit: a 5-minute walk from Place d’Youville Terminus.
What to do
- Brush up on 19th century etiquette and take part in the delicious English tradition of 4 o’clock tea. Join the Captain or his Lady at the Dauphine Redoubt in Artillery Park.
- Slip on a cape, raise the banner and unravel the mystery of the legend of the talking walls. An incredible adventure for the whole family!
- Discover the fortifications thanks to a guided tour or by walking the discovery circuit at your own pace.
World Heritage
The Historic District of Old Québec is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an exceptional example of a fortified colonial city. This former capital of New France represents one of the important stages in the European colonization of the Americas.
The official residence and seat of power of governors from 1620 to 1834.
- Drive: 5 minutes
- Transit: 10 minutes
Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site
How to get there
- Drive: located in Old Québec, near Château Frontenac.
- Transit: a 10-minute walk from Place d’Youville Terminus.
What to do
- Enjoy a guided tour and explore this fascinating archaeological crypt, one of a kind in North America.
- With shovels and trowels in hand, join an archaeological dig to unearth traces of the past.
- Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Château Saint-Louis. Take part in self-guided activities and discover its lower court, its outbuildings and culinary complex all at your own pace.
Did you know?
Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site is hidden under Dufferin Terrace, just steps away from Château Frontenac!
The last in a series of three detached forts in Québec City’s defensive system.
- Drive: 35 minutes
- Transit: 1 hour
Lévis Forts National Historic Site
How to get there
- Drive: Take QC-132, Highway 20 East or the ferry from Québec City to Lévis.
- Transit: Take the ferry from Québec City to Lévis, then a bus.
What to do
- Pick up an interactive tablet and storm the last British fortification to be built on Canadian soil. Explore the underground shooting area, casemates and powder magazine. Children can even dress up as a soldier for the visit!
- Test your knowledge and play Request for Memory. Grab the family and help Strof i23, the fort’s artificial intelligence, reorganize its memory.
Did you know?
Built between 1865 and 1872, the Lévis Forts were designed to protect Québec City against an American invasion
Where Jacques Cartier first met the St. Lawrence Iroquois, and the first Jesuit missionaries' residence in Québec.
- Driving: 10 minutes
- Transit: 30 minutes
Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site
How to get there
- Drive: Take exit 4 off Highway 973 in Limoilou.
- Transit: Take the bus from Place d’Youville Terminus.
What to do
- Discover this magnificent site in the heart of Québec City using the guided tour app. View several period photographs and illustrations.
- Enjoy a picnic with the family and admire the beauty of the landscape.
Did you know?
Thanks to Jacques Cartier's own travel accounts, we know that he wintered here in 1535-1536. He mentions that he spots a harbor at the confluence of the Saint-Charles and Lairet rivers, which he considers to be the ideal location to shelter his ships from the winds and tides of the St. Lawrence River.
A quarantine station and main gateway into Canada from 1832 to 1937.
- Drive: 50 minutes
Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site
How to get there
- Drive: Take Highway 20 East to Berthier-sur-Mer, then a ferry toward Grosse Île.
What to do
- Take the medical exam and visit the Disinfection Building.
- Follow the footsteps of tens of thousands of immigrants over 105 years as you explore the island’s rich history and landmarks.
Did you know?
Grosse-Île commemorates the tragic events experienced by Irish immigrants on the island, primarily during the typhoid epidemic of 1847. It also bears witness to the work of Dr. Frederick Montizambert in the field of preventative medicine and public health.
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