Explore Modern Culture and Centuries-Old History in Quebec City, Canada

With more than 400 years of history behind its stone walls, Quebec City has the air of something from another time and place. Often described as the most European city in North America, the capital of the Quebec province can certainly make you feel like you’ve been transported to an enchanting old town across the Atlantic. Its cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture, charming shops and lively bistros are the epitome of old-world charm.

Set on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, this 17th-century walled city is steeped in history but is also a buzzing hub for the arts, technology and culture. The city’s French Canadian roots have given birth to a singular vibe, one that marries North American aesthetics with a distinctly European flair. Here’s how to make the most of it in a long weekend.

As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.

Friday: Take a Trip Back in Time

Start your day with French crêpes at Le Billig. The owners of this Old Quebec crêperie hail from a small village in Brittany — the region that invented the crêpe — and cook up some seriously flavorful sweet and savory combinations.

Then start your tour of Quebec at Place Royale. Used as an area to hunt, fish and gather by nomadic Indigenous groups for thousands of years, this charming square is also the location of the first French settlement in North America, established in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain. Old Quebec is full of historic landmarks, but the district is pretty walkable, so you can explore it at your own pace.

Highlights include the magnificent Basilica-Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec, the imposing Citadelle de Québec, a 19th-century fortress built by the British, and Château Frontenac, a real château that doubles as the most-photographed hotel in the world.

For lunch, head to Resto La Bûche, a local favorite serving modern Quebecois cuisine in a rustic ambience. Poutine, meat pie and rabbit wings are among the standout dishes on the midday menu.

Dubbed “Canada’s prettiest pedestrian street,” Rue Petit-Champlain certainly lives up to that description. Get your wallet ready for some shopping on this fairy-tale street, lined with old stone buildings housing independent boutiques.

Then hop aboard the funicular from 16 Rue Petit-Champlain and enjoy a one-of-a-kind ride up to Dufferin Terrace. Stroll along the wooden sidewalk for heart-stopping views of the St. Lawrence River.

When you work up an appetite, walk to Le Lapin Sauté. This jewel of a restaurant is located in a straight-out-of-a-princess-movie stone house on Rue Petit-Champlain and has a small patio. As its name suggests, they focus on all things rabbit, such as rabbit rillettes, rabbit poutine and rabbit pot pie.

End the evening with live music and cocktails at bar Les Yeux Bleus, an intimate venue with a cave-like feel.

Saturday: Immerse Yourself in Francophone Culture

Quebec City is the closest you’ll ever get to experiencing French culture on this side of the Atlantic. The city has a Francophone heart, but it’s also very much Canadian, and that cultural blend has given rise to culinary traditions you won’t find anywhere else.

Start your second day in Quebec City with a traditional French breakfast at Paillard, where the selection of house-baked pastries — pains au chocolat, croissants, escargots aux raisins — has made it a favorite for locals and visitors. And with a lengthy list of espresso drinks, a stop here is sure to perk you right up.

Once sufficiently caffeinated, you’re off to the Centre de Valorisation du Patrimoine Vivant, the living heritage center tasked with preserving and promoting the customs of French Quebec. The center’s calendar of events is packed with year-round happenings that bring together local artisans, musicians and artists — try to catch a performance or exhibition while you’re in town.

Next it’s time for a guided tour of the Hôtel du Parlement. The stunning building, inspired by the Louvre, is home to the National Assembly of Quebec, as well as the National Assembly Library, a stately heritage clock and winding paths through manicured gardens.

Head to the Old Port for lunch, where the charming Le Buffet de l’Antiquaire, a casual diner-like eatery, serves traditional Quebecois comfort food.

Then you’re off to Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec, which houses more than 25,000 artworks and objects made by local artists in Quebec dating back to the 18th century.

History buffs may enjoy the Museum of Civilization, which examines the history of Quebec in the context of the region’s Indigenous peoples. And Musée de l’Amérique Francophone is the keeper of all things French in North America.

Come dinnertime, indulge in a culinary tour of Quebec at Aux Anciens Canadiens, located in the city’s oldest house, a whitewashed stone cottage dating back to 1675.

Next stop: a nightcap at Bistrot le Pape Georges. It got its start in 1984 as the first wine bar in Quebec, but now patrons flock here on weekends for the excellent live music and casual atmosphere.

Sunday: Explore Modern Culture in Quebec City

While history and French heritage are essential to Quebec City’s DNA, this Canadian city is also a modern creative, tech and culinary hub brimming with eateries, shops and hip neighborhoods. Start your Sunday with brunch at Chez Boulay, a modern bistro where the seasonally changing menu marries French and Nordic culinary influences.

Explore the vibrant art scene in the Montcalm neighborhood, Quebec City’s art district. On Cartier Avenue, the street lights are clad in enormous hand-painted lampshades, giving the feel of walking through a work of art. Design-forward storefronts and bookstores line the avenue, making it the perfect destination for a post-brunch stroll and art shopping session.

Quebec City has a thriving craft beer scene — get a taste of it on the three-hour Broue-Tours tour. The itinerary takes you to three breweries in the hip Saint-Roch neighborhood, where you’ll sample nine different craft beers paired with light bites and a generous helping of historical anecdotes.

While you’re in the neighborhood, don’t forget to take a snap of Église Saint-Roch, an impressive Gothic Revival building that’s also the largest cathedral in the city.

Petits Creux Corsica is the only Corsican restaurant in Quebec City and serves classic dishes from this French island in the Mediterranean. Pair your meal with one of the hard-to-find Corsican wines or the restaurant’s signature cocktails.

Wrap up your trip with a visit to Théâtre Petit-Champlain, an intimate cabaret-style music venue showcasing local musicians and performers.