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Quebec City Attractions
Île D'Orléans
Île D'Orléans, in the St. Lawrence River, is reached by bridge from Hwy. 138. The island contains churches built by the French. The 1717-19 St-Pierre and the 1743-48 Ste-Famille retain much of their original decor. The restored Norman-style Mauvide-Genest Manor, in the village of St-Jean at 1451 ch. Royal, was built 1734-52 by Jean Mauvide, surgeon to Louis XV; it can be toured by appointment late August through early December. Continuously inhabited since the 17th century, the island was originally called île de Bacchus after the Roman god of wine and revelry because of the number of wild grapes that grew in the vicinity. The early-18th-century churches, along with mills and houses of the same period, create an atmosphere reminiscent of old France. Today Île d'Orléans is known for fruit and vegetable production as well as for handicrafts.
Bee Museum
Bee Museum (Musée de l'Abeille), 4 km (2.5 mi.) w. on Hwy. 138, 8862 boul. Ste-Anne, Château-Richer, features interpretive exhibits about bees and humans. Visitors observe the bees at work in a glass beehive and watch the production of honey wine. In the summer, the Bee Safari takes visitors outside for a humorous presentation with a beekeeper. Honey and honey wine tastings are offered. Allow 30 minutes minimum.
Admission: Museum admission free
Hours: Daily 9-6, June 24-Labour Day; 9-5, rest of year. Closed Jan. 1-2 and Dec. 25-26
Capital Observatory
Capital Observatory (Observatoire de la capitale), in the Marie Guyart Building at 1037 rue de la Chevrotière at jct. boul. René-Lévesque, is on the 31st floor and affords excellent views of the city and its surroundings. On clear days the Appalachian Mountains are visible.
Admission: $5; over 64 and students with ID $4; under 12 free
Hours: Open daily 10-5, June 24-second Sun. in Oct.; Tues.-Sun. 10-5, rest of year
Coudrier Cruises
Coudrier Cruises (Les Croisières le Coudrier), departing Dock 19 (close to the lock) in the Old Port of Québec, at 180 Dalhousie St. at jct. St-André, are bilingual narrated sightseeing cruises around Québec City aboard a 65-foot vessel. Sightseeing cruises last 90 minutes. Also offered are day-long trips to Grosse Île, Île aux Grues and Île d'Orléans and dinner cruises.
Admission: Fare for 90-minute trip $24.99; over 64 and students with ID $22.95; ages 6-16, $12; family rate (two adults and two children) $63.25.
Parking: $6-$12. Phone to confirm prices and schedule
Hours: Daily at 11, 1, 2:45, 4:30 and 7:30, June 24-Labour Day; daily at 1 and 2:45, early May-June 23 and day after Labour Day-Oct. 15
The Fort Museum
The Fort Museum (Musée du Fort), opposite le Château Frontenac at 10 rue Ste-Anne, presents a diorama depicting the six sieges of Québec 1629-1775. Narrations are given alternately in French and English.
Admission: Admission $7.50; over 64, $6; students with ID $5
Hours: Daily 10-5, Apr.-Oct.; Thurs.-Sun. 11-4, in Nov. and Feb.-Mar.; daily 11-4 during Christmas holidays
Jacques Cartier National Park
Jacques Cartier National Park (Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier) is 40 km (25 mi.) n.w. via Hwy. 175. Encompassing 670 square kilometres (259 sq. mi.), this conservation area, surrounded by Laurentides Wildlife Reserve, centers on the Jacques-Cartier River and the surrounding wooded uplands and mountains. Atlantic salmon spawn in late September. The visitor center, 10 kilometres (6 mi.) from Hwy. 175, has exhibits and audiovisual presentations describing the park and its habitat.
Admission: Admission $3.50; ages 6-17, $1.50; family rate $7
Hours: Park open daily mid-May through late Oct. and mid-Dec.-early Mar.
Laurentides Wildlife Reserve
Laurentides Wildlife Reserve (Réserve faunique des Laurentides), 60 km (37 mi.) n.w. via Hwy. 175, is in the Laurentian Mountains. The reserve covers 7,861 square kilometres (3,035 sq. mi.) of wooded uplands and contains more than 1,500 lakes and many rivers. Mountain peaks rise to elevations of 1,219 metres (4,000 ft.). Parts of the vast reserve are still unexplored. Its solitude offers refuge to various game, all protected by strict regulations. Moose can be seen near lakes and along roads; beavers and bears also can be found.The paved Québec-Chicoutimi Highway (Hwy. 175) traverses the reserve, shortening the distance between the two cities to 212 kilometres (132 mi.). Hwy. 169 (paved) branches north through the reserve to Hébertville. The road from Baie-St-Paul to Chicoutimi, which passes through St-Urbain, skirts the eastern boundary where the Laurentians are highest. Bait fishing, except with minnows, and fly fishing are permitted. Guides always should be employed for trips into remote areas. Daily fishing permits can be obtained at the reserve entrance.
Admission: Free
Hours: The reserve is open year-round for outdoor activities, including seasonal hunting and fishing
Montmorency Falls Park
Montmorency Falls Park (Parc de la Chute-Montmorency), 11.2 km (7 mi.) e. via Autoroute 440, is at the confluence of the Montmorency and St. Lawrence rivers. On the promontory, the park is reached via Hwy. 360 (avenue Royale), and offers a spectacular view of the 83-metre-high (270-ft.) falls, the St. Lawrence and the south shore of Québec. The falls are 30 meters (98 ft.) higher than Niagara Falls. A gondola lift provides rides to the promontory and offers a view of the falls.A fortification built by Gen. James Wolfe's army in July 1759 is in the park, as is Le Manoir Montmorency (Kent House), which was the 1791-94 home of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria. Picnicking is permitted.
Admission: Park free. One-way gondola ride $8; ages 6-16, $4. Parking $8.75 maximum
Hours: Park daily 9-9. Gondola daily 8:30-7, mid-June to late Aug.; daily 8:30-7, late Aug.-early Oct. and mid-Apr. to mid-June; daily 8:30-6, mid- through late Oct.; daily 9-4, Dec. 26-first Sun. in Jan.; Sat.-Sun. 9-4, late Jan. to mid-Apr. Interpretive center daily 9-9, May-Oct.; 9-5, rest of year. Phone to verify schedules
Parliament Buildings
Parliament Buildings (Hôtel du Parlement), on Grande Allée, are surrounded by monument-studded grounds. The 1886 main building, constructed in French Renaissance style, has niches in the facade containing statues of historical figures. Free guided tours are available in French, English, Spanish and, upon request, Italian.
Admission: Free
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-4:30, Sat.-Sun. and holidays 10-4:30, June 24-Labour Day; Mon.-Fri. 9-4:30, rest of year. Closed holidays and during some parliament sessions
Quebec Aquarium Park
Québec Aquarium Park (Parc Aquarium du Québec) is at 1675 av. des Hôtels; from Hwy. 73S take exit 132 (last exit before accessing Pierre-Laporte Bridge), then just s.e. (loop around to av. des Hôtels, following signs). The 16-hectare (40-acre) outdoor park and the main pavilion enable visitors to explore marine life in carefully re-created indoor and outdoor environments.Outdoors visitors can see mammals such as polar bears, walruses and seals. The main pavilion houses 3,500 fish, 650 of which surround the visitor as he walks in an acrylic tunnel surrounded by 350,000 litres (92,470 gallons) of saltwater. Animal shows and feedings are scheduled throughout the day. Food is available. Allow 3 hours minimum.
Admission: $16; over 64, $15; ages 13-17, $13; ages 6-12, $11; ages 3-5, $5.50. Combination summer ticket with Québec Zoological Garden $29; over 64, $27; ages 13-17, $24; ages 6-12, $20; ages 3-5, $11. Family rates are available
Hours: Daily 10-5; closed Dec. 25
Quebec City Cruises
Québec City Cruises (Croisières AML Inc.), Quai Chouinard at 10 rue Dalhousie, offers sightseeing cruises of the Québec area aboard the MV Louis Jolliet. Dinner cruises, Sunday brunch cruises and fireworks cruises also are available. Food is available.
Admission: Harbor cruise $24.95; over 64, $22.95; ages 6-16, $10. Phone for fares for other cruises
Hours: Sightseeing cruises depart daily at 11:30, 2 and 4, May 1 through mid-Oct. Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure
Quebec Zoological Garden
Québec Zoological Garden (Jardin zoologique du Québec) is at 9300 rue de la Faune; from Hwy. 73N take exit 154 e. .5 km (.3 mi.). Among the inhabitants of this zoo are bears, monkeys, emus, condors, lemurs, pelicans, penguins and wallabies--more than 750 specimens of 300 species. Themed areas are The Pond Gardens with flamingos and ducks; The Fountain Garden with three aviaries; The Conservatory; The African Trails, wandering through the savanna and the desert; The Fragrance Garden; The First Flight Garden; The Indo-Australian Greenhouse, a rain forest; The Main Square; The River Gardens with a butterfly house; The Farm, with livestock; The North American Forest, with white-tailed deer. Food is available.
Admission: Admission $16; over 64, $15; ages 13-17, $13; ages 6-12, $11; ages 3-5, $6. Combination summer season ticket with Québec Aquarium Park $29; over 64, $27; ages 13-17, $24; ages 6-12, $20; ages 3-5, $11. Family rates are available
Hours: Daily 10-5; closed Dec. 25
Quartier Petit-Champlain
Quartier Petit-Champlain is in Lower town and Dufferin Terrace, and is bounded by boul. Champlain, rue Petit-Champlain and rue Sous-le Fort. This area features many boutiques and restaurants on different street levels. The Louis Jolliet House is the lower station of the funiculaire that links Lower Town with Dufferin Terrace. The Théâtre Petit-Champlain, Maison de la Chanson at 68 rue Petit-Champlain regularly presents song recitals.
Stoneham Mountain Resort
Stoneham Mountain Resort, 1420 Hibou Rd., Stoneham, QC, Canada G0A 4P0.
Hours: Daily 6-6 (also some nights), mid-Nov. through early Apr. Other activities are available rest of year
Valcartier Vacation Village
Valcartier Vacation Village (Village Vacances Valcartier), 1860 boul. Valcartier, is a summer and winter recreation complex 20 minutes from Québec City. Summer offerings include more than 25 water slides, a magical river in a medieval setting, a wave pool, a tropical river ride, karting, white-water river rafting, and flying trapeze and diving shows. Winter fare includes 42 inner-tube and carpet slides, snow rafting, 17 mechanical lifts, skating paths and karting on ice.
Admission: Summer admission $26.08, over age 65 and children under 52 inches $20
Hours: Opens daily at 10, mid-Dec. through late Mar. and early June-late Aug. Phone to confirm schedules
Quebec City Celebrates Christmas
The streets of Petit-Champlain, Place Royale and the Old Port are settings for traditional Christmas events and activities.
Date: 12/1/2005 - 1/1/2006
Location: Historic District
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